| Company | Quebec Iron Ore |
| Date | 2023 |
| Region | Quebec, Canada |
| Commodities | Iron Ore |
| Mine Type | Open Pit |
| Throughput | 2,571 tph (Average), 3,100 tph (Design) |
| Mine Life | LOM Design |
| Annual Production | 15 Mtpy (Concentrate) |
| Status | Operating |
Executive Summary
Quebec Iron Ore (QIO) operates the Bloom Lake Mine facilities, which include two distinct concentrator phases. Phase I was restarted in 2018, while Phase II commenced operations in 2022. The combined design yearly production capacity for the facility is 15 million tonnes per year (Mtpy) of concentrate, sourced from the Pignac, West, and Chief’s Peak pits. The processing flowsheets were developed based on initial Phase II designs and extensive testing and piloting results conducted in partnership with Mineral Technologies.
The design basis for the Bloom Lake Phase I and Phase II concentrators targets a nominal processing rate of 2,500 tph and 2,650 tph respectively. Under the new life of mine (LOM) design, the projected combined production is 14.78 Mtpy of concentrate. The operation achieves a feed grade of 28.6% Fe, producing a concentrate grade of 66.2% Fe with an iron recovery of 82.0% and a weight recovery of 35.4%. Both phases have proven capacity through production since their respective start dates.
The processing circuit begins with a crushing section involving apron feeders and reclaim systems feeding into crushers. The simplified process flow diagrams for both phases outline the material balance and concentration steps required to upgrade the iron ore. The design criteria ensure high equipment utilization and consistent operating schedules to meet the annual production targets.
Operational Details
Processing Profile
- Crushing: Apron Feeder, Reclaim, Crusher
- Milling: Concentrator (Phase I & II)
- Flotation: N/A
- Leaching: N/A
Reports
- reports/2023_QuebecIronOre_BloomLake
Website: https://www.championiron.com/project/bloom-lake/
Report Date: 2023
Region: Quebec, Canada
Project Status: Operating
Commodity: Iron Ore
Throughput: 2,571 tph (Average), 3,100 tph (Design)
Mine Life: LOM Design
Mine Type: Open Pit
Ore type: Iron Ore
Technical report and processing history
The following archived source profiles have been consolidated here to preserve the project’s processing history and study context.
Bloom Lake Mine – Feasibility Study Phase 2
Bloom Lake Mine – Feasibility Study Phase 2
| Company | Quebec Iron Ore |
| Mine | Bloom Lake Mine |
| Date | August 2019 |
| Region | Quebec, Canada |
| Commodities | Iron Ore |
| Throughput | 2,650 tph (Phase 2) |
| Mine Life | 20 years |
| Annual Production | 15 Mtpy (Combined) |
| Status | Development/Expansion |
Executive Summary
Quebec Iron Ore (QIO) presents a feasibility study for the Phase 2 expansion of the Bloom Lake Mine concentrator. The project aims to restart and expand the existing Phase 2 (Cliffs) facility to double yearly production to 15 Mtpy of iron concentrate. This expansion utilizes ore from the Pignac, West, and Chief’s Peak pits. The Phase 1 (QIO) concentrator has been operational since 2018, providing significant data to inform the Phase 2 design.
The processing plant is designed for a nominal throughput of 2,650 tph for Phase 2, with a combined capacity of 5,150 tph when operating alongside Phase 1. The ore, consisting of hematite and magnetite, is processed to achieve a concentrate grade of 66.2% Fe with an iron recovery of 82.4% to 82.5%. The life of mine design is set for 20 years at nominal capacity.
Key improvements in the Phase 2 design include upgraded AG mill motor power, increased thickener surface area, and enhanced filtration capacity to improve robustness and throughput. The flowsheet incorporates autogenous grinding, gravity separation via spirals and up-current classifiers, and magnetic separation using LIMS and WHIMS, followed by rotary pan filtration.
Website: https://www.championiron.com/project/bloom-lake/
Report Date: August 2019
Region: Quebec, Canada
Project Status: Development/Expansion
Commodity: Iron Ore
Throughput: 2,650 tph (Phase 2)
Mine Life: 20 years
Mine Type:
Ore type:
