People, Machines and the Environment at Copper Cliff, Ontario
Mining and smelting of the nickel-copper deposits in Copper Cliff, Ontario began in 1888. The 19th century technologies and methods largely ignored the natural environment and relied heavily on manual labor under conditions considered hazardous and unacceptable today.
In 1902, Colonel Robert M. Thompson consolidated the mines and smelters under the umbrella company International Nickel. In 1930, International Nickel merged with its cross-town rival the Mond Nickel Company creating a colossus which dominated the nickel-world in market share, technology and wealth while continuing to pay little attention to the natural environment. In the 1960’s, Inco was annually emitting 2 million tonnes of SO2 at it Sudbury operations
Bowing to pressure from governments and environmentalists, in 1970 Inco agreed to build a 381m tall superstack in Copper Cliff to disperse the SO2 gas across the environment, thus began a 45 year revolutionary endeavor reducing the annual emissions to less than 50 ktonnes.
In this talk, business, technology, and environmental aspects of early nickel smelting, both natural and workplace, are discussed. The changes brought to nickel smelting and the surrounding communities by environmental regulations and resultant technology development are considered.
Presenter Bio: Dr. Sam Marcuson is an industry consultant and adjunct professor specializing in process technology and technology management. Formerly, Dr. Marcuson was Vice President at Vale Canada Limited, formerly Inco Limited, where he led the Base Metals Technology Department and provided technical advice and guidance to the corporation
Sam holds M.S. and Eng.Sc.D. degrees in Mineral Engineering from Columbia University. Dr. Marcuson is a member and Fellow of the Metallurgy and Materials Society of CIM (Metsoc) and served on the Board of Directors in many positions, including President. Sam is an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto and a member of the Industrial Advisory Committee to the Lassonde Institute of Mining at U of T. In 2005 he was awarded the CSChE Environmental Improvement Award, and in 2018, he received the Airey Award from Metsoc.
Sam was deeply involved in the 1988-1994 SO2 abatement project at the Copper Cliff smelter, leading development of a unique process for producing blister copper from nickel–containing chalcocite. Under his leadership unique technologies for enhancing nickel and copper recoveries were developed and commercialized.
One of Sam’s current interests and passions is the interface between technology, innovation and business, including sustainability in the resource industry.
Pizza, cookies, coffee and soft drinks will be provided.
Registration starts at 6:45 pm and the speaker will present at 7 pm.
The meeting will be held in the Applewood Hills East & West meeting rooms of the Burnhamthorpe Community Centre.