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Abstract
The Syncrude Canada Limited Operation has been producing synthetic crude oil from a surface oilsand deposit since 1978. The Surface Mine currently supplies an average of 300,000 tonnes per day of ore to the Extraction plant utilizing a strip mining method with draglines, bucketwheel reclaimers, and conveyors. Overburden is removed in advance of the production operation by a large fleet of haul trucks and shovels at a rate of 210,000 tonnes a day. The waste product after bitumen recovery by the Extraction Plant is pumped as a slurry to the tailings disposal area.
The Syncrude Mining organization has been successful over the past ten years in the start-up and operation of the Mine and Tailings areas, exceeding the aggressive production and unit cost targets on a consistent basis. This performance record has been accomplished by overcoming the complexities inherent in the Operation through the efforts of the operating and technical organizations. Some of the challenges and successes of the Mine and Tailings Operations are highlighted in the overview of each major component of the total Operation.