What the facility does
Mineral, chemical and environmental characterizations. Prediction of geochemical behaviours.
Areas of expertise
For more than 20 years, the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue has contributed to the development of knowledge supporting the growth of the Quebec and Canada mining industry. In recent years, no other university in Quebec has explicitly identified the mining sector in its strategic plan as a distinct aspect of its contribution to science and technology, or provided as much support for the enhancement of mining industry knowledge. The creation of the Research Institute on Mines and Environment has made the university a leader in the field of mining environment research. The Institute’s laboratories are among the best equipped in Canada to perform mineral, chemical and environmental characterizations of mining waste.
Research services
- Mineralogy (optical and electron microscopy / X‑ray diffraction analysis)
- Chemical analyses of solids and aqueous solutions
- Static prediction tests for acid production potential
- Kinetic geochemical prediction tests
- Geotechnical tests
- Development of cemented pastefill formulas
- Hydrogeology
- Mineral dressing
- 3D geophysical modelling
Sectors of application
- Education
- Environmental technologies and related services
- Mining, minerals and metals
Specialized labs and equipment
| Specialized lab | Equipment | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Open plan multifunctional lab | Shear box | Direct shear tests on samples of rock joints, backfill-rock joints and intact backfill. |
| Mineral dressing facilities | Mineral dressing tests for environmental desulfurization and development of ways to process or recover economic minerals. | |
| Physicochemical characterizations | Helium pycnometer (GS) | Measuring of granular material density. |
| Malvern laser particle-size analyser | Laser diffraction determination of particle size distribution. | |
| Thermogravimetric unit (TGA/DSC) | Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. | |
| Gas chromatograph (GC) | Analysis of atmospheric gases and certain pollutant gases. | |
| Microscopy lab | Optical microscopes (2) | Polarized light microscopy (transmitted light and reflected light). |
| Hitachi S-3500N scanning electron microscope (SEM) |
Very high-precision topographic imaging by electron microscope and elemental chemical analyses of mineral phases using a latest-generation energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) (Oxford 20 mm2 X-Max Silicon Drift Detector (SDD)). | |
| Geophysics lab | Handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) unit | Handheld X-ray fluorescence unit. |
| FEMLAB modelling tools | Computer modelling tools to simulate physical phenomena such as electric current distribution, heat flow, electromagnetic fields and mechanical structures. | |
| MAG-Conductance meter | Portable tool for measuring electrical conductivity and magnetic susceptibility of soil and rock. | |
| Gamma spectrometer | Portable measurement tool for characterizing radioactive element radiation intensity. | |
| Zetameter | Analysis of the zeta potential and mobility of the particles or colloids in suspension. | |
| Analytical chemistry lab | S and C analyser using an induction / resistance furnace | Analysis of carbon and total sulphur after combustion in an induction or resistance furnace. Also enables carbon speciation following chemical pretreatments. |
| Microwave digester | Microwave/high-pressure assisted chemical digestion of solid samples, for inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analyses. | |
| Jar testers | Testings of active and passive treatment for acid mine drainage and contaminated neutral drainage. | |
| Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer | Diffuse reflectance (DRIFTS) and horizontal (HATR) analyses of substances absorbed on mineral surfaces. | |
| Analytical chemistry lab – cleanroom | Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) system | Elemental analyses of solutions for major and trace elements. |
| Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) system | Elemental analyses of solutions for trace and ultra-trace elements. | |
| Ion chromatography system | Analysis of anions in aqueous solution. | |
| Volt-ampere meter | Cyclical voltammetry device for studying reactional mechanisms and ion speciation. | |
| Geotechnics (hydrogeology) | Rheometer | Analysis of viscosity of a wide array of fluids, particularly cemented pastefill. |
| WP4T 100 bar membrane extraction system | Measuring of water retention curve for deformable and non-deformable fine-grained materials (determination of shrinkage curve) under suction. | |
| Rigid-wall and flexible-wall permeameters | Measuring of saturated hydraulic conductivity of granular materials. | |
| Consolidation bench | Measuring of consolidation of fine-grained materials. | |
| Triaxial consolidation bench | Evaluation of shear resistance of granular materials. | |
| XRD lab | X-ray diffraction (XRD) system | Qualitative and semi-quantitative determination of mineral phases in solid samples. |
| 2D/3D visualization | 3D projection system | Projection of 2D/3D geoscience renderings. |
| Geographical information systems (GIS) lab | Stereoscope | Viewing of stereoscopic aerial photographs. |
| Map reading table | Map viewing. | |
| GIS equipment (server, computer workstations, video projector, colour map printer) | Computer tools required for the production and visualization of geographical information tools. | |
| Mini mobile flotation plant | Mini mobile flotation plant | Mobile flotation facility with a capacity of approximately 50 kg solid/h. In situ environmental desulfurization. In situ ore processing tests. |
| Mobile lab | Mobile lab for mining site characterization | Trailer with a lab section and a living section. Fully equipped for the collection and in situ preparation of soil and water samples. Multiparameter probes of land (pH, oxidation reduction potential (ORP), temperature, depth, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, etc.). Satellite communication equipment. Microtrac granulometer. |
Private and public sector research partners
- The Canadian Malartic Partnership
- IAMGOLD Corporation
- Agnico Eagle Mines Limited
- Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium Inc.
- Glencore Raglan Mine