Showing papers in "Minerals & Energy - Raw Materials Report in 1999"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a pilot study on small-scale mining legislations, which is designed to provide governments and aid agencies with guidance on suitable policy and regulatory mechanisms to promote the sector's growth and solve some of the social and environmental problems associated with it.
Abstract: Although a growing number of Third World countries are introducing laws and regulations for their respective small‐scale mining sectors, these have not necessarily helped to promote the sector's growth, nor to solve some of the social and environmental problems associated with it. These are some of the main findings of a study carried out by the nongovernment organization Intermediate Technology, with funding from the British Government's Department for International Development. It is a pilot study on small‐scale mining legislations, and is designed to provide governments and aid agencies with guidance on suitable policy and regulatory mechanisms.
16 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that improvements in environmental performance are realised primarily by changes in technology, not simply hardware choice, but also operating and management practice, and that the generation of waste, both its quality and quantity, is a direct function of technology choice and is limited further by the thermodynamic constraints under which the industry operates.
Abstract: Good environmental performance in mining and minerals processing operations relies on effective waste management. In turn, the generation of waste, both its quality and quantity, is a direct function of technology choice and is limited further by the thermodynamic constraints under which the industry operates. It is only over the former that operating companies can exercise any control. We argue that improvements in environmental performance are realised primarily by changes in technology—not simply hardware choice, but also operating and management practice. Whilst such changes are driven by environmental concerns expressed by society (often in the form of legislative guidelines), it is operating companies alone which can effect such change. Current environmental management systems offer little in the way of technical guidance for mining and minerals processing companies intent on improving their environmental performance. They tend to reflect a static operating condition, in which the domain of influenc...
12 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the main issues of environmental cost management which are assessed during feasibility studies, and sometimes as early as the pre-feasibility assessment, and advocate the process of reducing costs by incorporating sequential reclamation and phased closure concurrently with mining operations.
Abstract: The decision to initiate and continue production at any mine operation is based upon economic criteria. Key determinants in the decision—making process include the current and predicted market value of the commodity, and the cost of production. Production costs necessarily include expenditure related to environmental management during operations. The costs of reclamation and closure are usually the most significant throughout the project life cycle. Consequently, the cost of environmental management during operations and at closure is considered at an early stage in mine planning, often during project feasibility analysis. This paper presents the main issues of environmental cost management which are assessed during feasibility studies, and sometimes as early as the pre‐feasibility assessment. The process of reducing costs by incorporating sequential reclamation and phased closure concurrently with mining operations is advocated. The concepts of systematic reclamation and closure technology selec...
9 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a range of impacts relevant for both individuals and communities across the issues of income, mobility, skills, health, well-being and alternative work options are analyzed.
Abstract: There is a dearth of empirical literature on the subject of the socio‐economic effects of mine closure. This article draws on a limited literature and from fieldwork observations and analysis on the part of the authors to define some of the issues and possible policy solutions. The article analyses the range of impacts relevant for both individuals and communities across the issues of income, mobility, skills, health, well‐being and alternative work options. It considers social implications of closure for both the formal mine workforce and also the broader network of sub‐contracted suppliers of goods and services. Examples of ‘best practice’ are highlighted, and some constraints to their ‘take up’ are also analysed.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed major developments, reflecting on their implications for regional economic development in major producing countries such as Canada and Australia, and concluded that many established mines will close earlier than planned as new low-cost production comes on stream.
Abstract: Consistent growth in demand for nickel since 1950 has been more than matched by supply increments. As with several other major metals this has resulted in falling real prices. Recent decisions by new and established producers either to bring new mines on stream, or to expand production, or both, is challenging the long‐term oligopolistic nature of nickel production. Many established mines will close earlier than planned as new low‐cost production comes on stream. This study reviews major developments, reflecting on their implications for regional economic development in major producing countries such as Canada and Australia.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a framework for the collection of papers on integrated environmental management through planning for closure from the outset is presented. But the focus is on greenfield sites, since the earlier closure planning and pollution prevention is built into a project, the more cost effective and environmentally benign closure will be.
Abstract: This article provides a framework for the collection of papers on integrated environmental management through planning for closure from the outset. It provides an overview of the environmental impacts of mining and underlines the imperative of improved environmental management and planning. It argues that pollution prevention, through planning for closure, from the outset can lead to cost effective strategies for operationalising sustainable minerals development. This seems to be most true for greenfield sites since, generally, the earlier closure planning and pollution prevention is built into a project, the more cost‐effective and environmentally benign closure will be. Furthermore, for greenfield sites, pollution prevention techniques can be employed from the outset, at the stages of exploration and mine development, and then monitored and improved through the operation stage to closure. The article then discusses how global changes in the industry, following the liberalisation of investment r...
5 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the management of ferro-alloy wastes is starting to be governed by concerns about the long-term environmental stability of such deposits, which is associated with the potential leachability of salts and heavy metal species contained therein.
Abstract: The ferro‐alloy industry in South Africa can be divided into two groups of processes, the first concerned with the mining and initial beneficiation of ores and the second with the production of various metallic products, ranging from pig iron to various ferro‐alloys and stainless steel. Waste production from these processes is considerable, with the majority of waste products in the form of solids, such as furnace slags, emission control dusts, flotation tailings and leach residues. Traditionally, these waste materials have been disposed of to landfill, usually in the form of large‐scale heaps or dams. It is only since recently that the management of ferro‐alloy wastes is starting to be governed by concerns about the long‐term environmental stability of such deposits, which is associated with the potential leachability of salts and heavy metal species contained therein. The concept of Clean Technology is beginning to influence process design options in the sector with the ultimate aim to reduce t...
3 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an analysis of world consumption of aluminum, copper, lead, nickel, tin, and zinc for the years 1985-1997 is presented to provide a comparison of what has happened over this period with the previously years and past forecasts in order to learn more about world metal consumption trends.
Abstract: This article is an analysis of world consumption of aluminum, copper, lead, nickel, tin, and zinc for the years 1985–1997. It is done to provide a comparison of what has happened over this period with the previously years and past forecasts in order to learn more about world metal consumption trends. The analysis begins by documenting the geographic trends of consumption of these metals for the above years by region and key individual countries. Then, variables based on the intensity‐of‐use hypothesis and the intensity‐of‐use technique are selected and tested against the observed consumption behavior. The results and their implications are discussed. The conclusion is that the metal consumption is very individual across countries and metals, depending on their particular situation, and changes readily over time.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the status of the world mining industry in 1998 and 1999, primarily by analysing data from studies conducted by the Raw Materials Group in Stockholm, is discussed, focusing in particular on the strong wave of mergers and acquisitions in the industry that has taken place during the last few years.
Abstract: This comment discusses the status of the world mining industry in 1998 and 1999, primarily by analysing data from studies conducted by the Raw Materials Group in Stockholm. It focuses in particular on the strong wave of mergers and acquisitions in the industry that has taken place during the last few years. The main purpose is to review the most important mergers and acquisitions during the period 1997 to 1999. Their characteristics and the main reasons for the continued “urge to merge”; are discussed.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the problems facing the copper industries in two developing countries, Chile and China, were discussed and the state-owned copper companies in these countries have responded to the new challenge.
Abstract: The environmental imperative puts strong pressures on polluting industries in the West. This is also the case for the copper industry, one of the most polluting industries in the world. But how do developing countries respond to the environmental imperative? This article discusses the problems facing the copper industries in two developing countries, Chile and China. It analyzes how the state‐owned copper companies in these countries have responded to the new challenge. Energy saving and environmentally friendly technologies are today available on the world market but they are also costly. To what extent have the two countries invested in these new technologies, and what alternatives exist?
2 citations
TL;DR: Kalra and Walker as mentioned in this paper pointed out that even with no sanctions, the Indian coal sector would not represent a favorable location for private-sector investment and that the sanctions may have added to the problem of attracting foreign investors, but that is something that the Indian Government should have taken into consideration before it launched its series of nuclear tests.
Abstract: In an earlier issue of the journal G.D. Kalra commented on the coal mining sector of India in the post US sanctions period. He noted in particular that the infant private sector is in need of funds from abroad in their capital intensive coal mining ventures. However, the US sanctions following the nuclear device testing period, have failed these investments. The following comment by Simon Walker challenges this view, and notes that even with no sanctions the Indian coal sector would not represent a favourable location for private‐sector investment. In addition, the sanctions may have added to the problem of attracting foreign investors, but that is something that the Indian Government should have taken into consideration before it launched its series of nuclear tests.
TL;DR: The reserve base of the main non-ferrous metals has been growing rapidly since 1950 as discussed by the authors and has greatly outstripped that of production, notwithstanding the large tonnage that has been produced in the interim.
Abstract: Concern that non‐ferrous metals are non‐renewable resources influences public policy, and helps shape the debate about their sustainability. This paper briefly discusses the nature of resources and reserves, and shows how the reserve base of the main non‐ferrous metals has grown since 1950. Its growth has greatly outstripped that of production, notwithstanding the large tonnage that has been produced in the interim. This growth has taken place against a backdrop of flat or declining real prices. Charts for each metal compare cumulative production and the changes in reserve bases for each metal for the past five decades, and plot real prices since the 1880s. Today's reserve bases are more than ample to meet future demands. Also past production not only gives rise to a continuing stream of income from the products in which it is used, but it also provides a stock of metals forfuture recycling. Cumulative production over the past two hundred years is compared with the reserve base, and today's recyc...
TL;DR: In this article, the most important characteristics of the mining industry and the mining process are outlined, and the authors conclude that the understanding of mining among African policy makers must change in a way that acknowledges these concerns.
Abstract: This paper challenges some widespread views about the mining industry held by people in general and by some African governments in particular. The most important characteristics of the industry and the mining process are outlined. The high risks that face mining and exploration companies imply that governments can, through the establishment of effective mining laws, substantially affect the level of investment in the industry. The paper concludes that the understanding of mining among African policy makers must change in a way that acknowledges these concerns. The appropriate legislation has to be introduced and the attitude that minerals must be saved for future generations ought to be abandoned.
TL;DR: In this paper, the main question put forward in this paper is: Will Russia become a major competitor in the European iron-ore market? The main purpose is to put the former world's largest producer of iron ore, Russia, back on the "iron-ore map"; using production and trade figures for 1990 and 1995 and mine-specific data on capacity, production, products, geographic position and foreign trade for every mine in Russia, it is generally concluded that while some facts favor Russia, others do not.
Abstract: The main question put forward in this paper is: Will Russia become a major competitor in the European iron‐ore market? The main purpose is to put the former world's largest producer of iron ore, Russia, back on the “iron‐ore map”;. Using production and trade figures for 1990 and 1995 and mine‐specific data on capacity, production, products, geographic position and foreign trade for every mine in Russia, it is generally concluded that while some facts favor Russia, others do not. The long distances between the mines and foreign customers, with the accompanying freight costs, certainly do not favor Russia. Among those that do is the fact that ore at the seven exporting mines is of high quality magnetite with an iron content generally well above 60%. As magnetite ore is cheaper to pelletize than hematite ore, Russia might possess a still unexplored competitive advantage.
TL;DR: In this article, field investigations were conducted to try to reach the root causes of private sector failures to rise to the opportunity when the opportunity presented itself to enter the coal industry, and the findings concur with the observations of Walker, except that funds expected from resources abroad might have acted as a catalyst in helping the private sector to overcome the bureaucratically erected hurdles.
Abstract: Simon Walker notes that even without nuclear sanctions the Indian coal sector would still not represent a favourable location for private‐sector investment.1 He states that the sanctions may have added to the problem of attracting foreign investors, but that the Indian Government should have taken this into consideration before it launched its series of nuclear tests. On receipt of Walker's comments, particularly on the bureaucratic attitude to liberalization of the coal sector, field investigations were conducted to try to reach the root causes of private sector failures to rise to the occasion when the opportunity presented itself to enter the industry (hitherto reserved for the public sector). The findings more or less concur with the observations of Walker, except that funds expected from resources abroad might have acted as a catalyst in helping the private sector to overcome the bureaucratically erected hurdles. Walker's views on nuclear sanctions are more alarming, however. The economic sa...