Abstract: A method for reducing the clay content of a colloidal clay-water mixture which comprises combining the mixture with air at superatmospheric pressure and thereafter expelling the mixture in the form of small droplets at atmospheric pressure at a temperature below 32.degree. F. to form synthetic snow. Thereafter synthetic snow can be melted to recover water containing reduced mineral content. The invention is particularly applicable to sludge associated with the hot water extraction method for recovering bitumen from tar sands.

Abstract: A method for transporting tar sands in an open pit mine utilizing novel flexible belt conveyors between a receiving area and a discharge area which comprises providing a conveyor belt having an upper surface layer of a novel elastomeric material which is flexible at low temperatures and is substantially resistant to excess swelling when exposed to petroleum liquids containing up to 30 volume percent aromatics at temperatures in the range of -60.degree.F to +100.degree.F, applying a thin layer of said petroleum liquid to the surface of said belt and thereafter transferring tar sands on said belt from a receiving area to a discharge area.

Abstract: A method for transporting tar sands in an open pit mine utilizing novel flexible belt conveyors between a receiving area and a discharge area which comprises providing a conveyor belt having an upper surface layer of a novel elastomeric material which is flexible at low temperatures and is substantially resistant to excess swelling when exposed to petroleum liquids containing up to 30 volume percent aromatics at temperatures in the range of -60.degree.F to +100.degree.F, applying a thin layer of said petroleum liquid to the surface of said belt and thereafter transferring tar sands on said belt from a receiving area to a discharge area.