One of Rocmec Mining’s thermal fragmentation units is to be deployed for test work at Goldcorp’s Porcupine gold mine in Timmins, Ontario. Thermal fragmentation (IM September 2009, p24) will be compared to the long-hole mining method currently employed at the mine. This offers several advantages such as: less long-hole drilling, reduction in mucking, backfilling, transporting and milling of waste rock, reducing the need of drilling and installing anchor support cables, and speeding up the excavation of targeted blocks.

Rocmec’s responsibilities include supplying the unit and qualified personnel to operate it. Successful outcome of the test could constitute the basis of a new partnership. Rocmec is extremely pleased with the possibility of this. Its primary objective is to introduce its thermal fragmentation method in mining operations and to spread its use within the industry. The company’s long term objective is to commercialise the technology on a global scale.