Showing papers in "Minerals & Energy - Raw Materials Report in 2003"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the evidence for the Natural Science Approach, addressing the geological constraints; the technical basis of reserve estimatio... and the Flat Earth Approach, in which the resource is deemed to be virtually limitless, with extraction being treated as if it were controlled only by economic, political and technological factors.
Abstract: Extrapolating the discovery trend of the past to determine future discovery and production should be straightforward, and the size distribution of the fields should be evident. But the atrociously unreliable nature of public data has given much latitude when it comes to interpreting the status of depletion and the impact of economic and political factors on production. This has allowed two conflicting views of the subject to develop. The first is what may be called the Natural Science Approach, which observes the factors controlling oil accumulation in Nature and applies immutable physical laws to the process of depletion. The second is what may be called the Flat-Earth Approach, in which the resource is deemed to be virtually limitless, with extraction being treated as if it were controlled only by economic, political and technological factors. This paper will endeavor to present the evidence for the Natural Science Approach, addressing the geological constraints; the technical basis of reserve estimatio...
157 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a comparative study of mining codes in Africa suggests that while the quality of national governance is undoubtedly a key ingredient, no amount of local governance is sufficient if not accompanied by legal and fiscal frameworks designed to meet development objectives and which are implemented in the context of good international policies and rules.
Abstract: One of the main hypotheses underlying much of the discussion and certain of the recommendations made by the World Bank Group's Extractive Industries Review suggests that the quality of governance of a country is a key determinant for the development outcomes of extractive industries activities. While undoubtedly of central importance, a recent comparative study of mining codes in Africa suggests that while the quality of national governance is undoubtedly a key ingredient, no amount of local governance is sufficient if not accompanied by legal and fiscal frameworks designed to meet development objectives and which are implemented in the context of good international policies and rules. Based on this study, the article suggests that the reform measures introduced largely at the recommendation of multilateral financial institutions over the last twenty years have entailed a redefinition of the role of the state that is so profound that it has no historical precedent and that this situation has not received ...
118 citations
TL;DR: The debate over the long-run availability of mineral commodities remains today as polarized as it was 30 years ago as discussed by the authors, which partly reflects the two very different paradigms often used to assess this threat, which can lead to sharply contrasting conclusions.
Abstract: The debate over the long-run availability of mineral commodities remains today as polarized as it was 30 years ago. This partly reflects the two very different paradigms often used to assess this threat, which can lead to sharply contrasting conclusions. In addition, the uncertainties regarding future developments in mineral supply and demand, which will govern the course of real mineral prices, are great. The geological unknowns are particularly a problem in this regard. Finally, mineral commodity prices reflect only those social costs that producers pay. Just how much greater prices would be - and how their trends over time would be altered - if prices reflected the full social costs of production and use is unknown. The available estimates vary greatly, and often reflect the values of individuals and groups rather than those of society as a whole. In light of the last two uncertainties, we simply do not know whether mineral commodities will become more or less available in the long run. The optimists c...
51 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the possibility of a resource-based approach to industrialisation in South Africa and suggest that promoting clusters of "sidestream" and "downstream" activities can assist in achieving national development goals in terms of economic diversification and increasing the well-being of the population.
Abstract: This paper explores the possibility of a resource‐based approach to industrialisation in South Africa. While mineral endowments are generally regarded as a “curse” for long‐term growth, the experiences of highly‐industrialised economies such as Sweden, Finland and the United States suggest that promoting clusters of ‘sidestream’ and ‘downstream’ activities can assist in achieving national development goals in terms of economic diversification and increasing the well‐being of the population. Given the high‐tech nature of mining‐ and minerals‐processing activities, such a sector offers numerous possibilities for catalysing sustainable development and facilitating South Africa's gradual transition to a knowledge‐based economy.
38 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a group of petroleum analysts using the so-called Hubbert method have been arguing that resource scarcity will soon have a severe impact on the global economy, and they claim that using a proprietary database and field production data, they are able to generate creaming curves which show the ultimate recovery in any given area and for the globe as a whole.
Abstract: A group of petroleum analysts using the so-called Hubbert method have been arguing that resource scarcity will soon have a severe impact on the global economy. Although past efforts have not yielded valid results, the new researchers claim that using a proprietary database and field production data, they are able to generate creaming curves which show the ultimate recovery in any given area and for the globe as a whole. However, careful examination of the body of work shows that the authors are inconsistent in their arguments, rely on assumptions in key areas and make numerous unsupported assertions. Most of their key findings appear to be no more than a misunderstanding of statistical analysis. Not only can some of their methods be demonstrated to be ineffective, and their conclusions repeatedly failed, but the authors publish data and cases selectively, omitting those which contradict their theories, implying that the work is unreliable.
36 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the unique techno-economic and socio-cultural characteristics of some selected small-scale mining regions in India and identified the drawbacks in the existing government policy and discussed the role of government for up gradation in this sector.
Abstract: India is among the top ten mineral producing nations in the world and its economy depends on the value of minerals produced. Small-scale mining is more prevalent in India. Although mineral production has increased significantly since country's independence, what continues to be overlooked, is the contribution of resident small-scale mines to national mineral output. Approximately 90% of India's mines are operating on a small-scale, employing some 0.5 million people. It provides a wealth of socio-economic benefit to the rural inhabitants. However, because of their rudimentary and highly migratory nature, these operations feature poor environmental management and safety conditions. This paper examines the unique techno-economic and socio-cultural characteristics of some selected small-scale mining regions in India. It identifies the drawbacks in the existing government policy and discusses the role of government for up gradation in this sector. It also focuses the need for technical up gradation and to ensu...
16 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the economic forces that drive the creation and implementation of cleaner technologies are compared for the incentives they create for firms to innovate, and a distinction is made between the innovations that lower one's own costs and those that can also be applicable to other firms.
Abstract: Climate policy makers, faced with the tradeoff between the damaging effects of greenhouse gases and the costs of reducing them, often look to technological change as the solution. However, good incentives for developing and making use of climate-friendly technologies depend critically on whether good climate policies are in place. This paper considers the economic forces that drive the creation and implementation of cleaner technologies. Greenhouse gas abatement policies are compared for the incentives they create for firms to innovate. A distinction is made between the innovations that lower one's own costs and those that can also be applicable to other firms. Climate policies compare differently depending on how widespread are the opportunities for technological adoption and the extent to which innovations can be imitated. The interaction between innovation and environmental policies over longer time horizons are also discussed, as well as the appropriate role for government in the research, development...
12 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an evaluation of the geotechnical and geochemical properties of the solid wastes stemming from mining and processing of sulphidic metal ores.
Abstract: Environmentally compatible Waste Management schemes employed by the European extractive industry for the development of new projects, and applied in operating sulphide mines, are presented in this study. Standard methodologies used to assess the geotechnical and geochemical properties of the solid wastes stemming from mining and processing of sulphidic metal ores are firstly given. Based on waste properties, the measures applied to ensure the environmentally safe recycling and disposal of sulphidic wastes are summarised. Emphasis is given on the novel techniques developed to effectively prevent and mitigate the acid drainage phenomenon from sulphidic mine wastes and tailings. Remediation measures taken to minimise the impact from waste disposal sites in the post‐closure period are described.
7 citations
7 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the economic possibilities for the Swedish pulp and paper industry in general and the kraft pulp industry in particular of increasing the share of internally generated energy by using readily available production residues such as black liquor are examined.
Abstract: This article examines the economic possibilities for the Swedish pulp and paper industry in general and the kraft pulp industry in particular of increasing the share of internally generated energy by using readily available production residues such as black liquor. It is suggested that the industry's reliance on fossil fuels and purchased electricity has decreased over time, thereby reducing the impact of external energy prices on energy investments. The results suggest that the use of biomass will only increase to the point where the existing capacity to do so is met unless heavy investment subsidies are made available.
2 citations
TL;DR: The potential to damage the environment is the major motive to treat solid wastes using anaerobic processes as mentioned in this paper, and one main group of pollutants comprises metals such as cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, nickel, lead, and zinc.
Abstract: The potential to damage the environment is the major motive to treat solid wastes. One main group of pollutants comprises metals such as cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, nickel, lead, and zinc. This paper is a synthesis of five elsewhere published investigations focusing on the possibilities and limits to control the flux of metals from solid wastes using anaerobic processes. In particular, the treatment of sulfide forming elements and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) were studied at both bench‐, pilot‐, and full‐scale. It was found that two‐step processes have the potential to significantly improve the quality of solid wastes. In a first step, metals were leached and transferred to the process water. In a second step, the metal‐enriched process water was treated under methanogenic conditions facilitating metal trapping through precipitation as sulfides or hydroxides. Anaerobic hydrometallurgy is judged to be a promising technique that has the potential to gain wide acceptance in the treatment of metal‐con...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a methodology for estimating the cost of waste management in the Polish nonferrous mining industry, using the example of the non-ferrous mines.
Abstract: Large‐scale and long‐term mining operations inevitably produce a significant amount of waste. The volume and cost of mining waste produced depends on geological and technological characteristics such as: geological settings, reserve characteristics, the type of mining operation (surface or underground mine), mining methods (recovery, dilution, etc.), the volume of the operation, applied processing methods as well as waste management activities, tailing dump closure design and post‐closure cost. The other costs of waste management depend on countries' legislation. To identify all costs of waste management and to develop a transparent methodology for waste management full Life Cycle Assessment analysis (including Life Cycle Cost calculation) for an individual company should be prepared. The calculation and methodology of cost of waste management has been presented using the example of the Polish non‐ferrous mining industry.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an overview of current European mine tailings management and reviews environmental performance in the context of international practice, the impending legislation, and public perception of mining generally.
Abstract: Mining in Europe has survived numerous economic cycles, experiencing a resurgence in the late twentieth century. During this period the mining industry began to come to terms with the increase in scope and the prescriptive nature of legislation, particularly that related to mine waste management, and made significant advances in environmental performance. However, public opinion, often ill‐informed, has led to political pressure for the withdrawal of governmental assistance in a number of countries, revocation of exploration licences and to mining companies withdrawing from potentially world‐class operations in Europe. This paper presents an overview of current European mine tailings management and reviews environmental performance in the context of international practice, the impending legislation, and public perception of mining generally. The question is posed to governments, regulators and mining companies whether, without cooperation, there is a future for an environmentally conscious and sustainable...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide a number of examples illustrating that Aleklett and Campbell often misinterpret the essence of economic analysis and that economic analysis can clearly not replace natural science but it is essential for understanding resource depletion.
Abstract: This comment provides some reflections on the oil depletion controversy in the recent issue of Minerals & Energy . Scientific controversies are generally a good thing as they fuel fruitful deliberations within the scientific community, but in this particular case the controversy has been far from fruitful. This is partly due to a lack of interest among some of the participants to attempt to understand and even discuss the approach and the standpoints of the opponents, not the least among the Natural Scientists represented by Kjell Aleklett and Colin Campbell. Economic analysis, which clearly is under attack in the latter's article, can clearly not replace natural science but it is essential for understanding resource depletion. This comment provides a number of examples illustrating: (a) why this is the case; and (b) that Aleklett and Campbell often misinterpret the essence of economic analysis. Finally, the comment briefly addresses an important moral and ethical issue that was not touched upon in the ab...
TL;DR: A review of the changes in US energy strategy since 11 September 2001 suggests cool heads blocked an emotional, short-run policy response and are instead working to diversify America's energy supply portfolio as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 reinvigorated the debate over US energy policy initiated by the publication of the National Energy Policy Report (NEPR) of May 2001. US policymakers were aware of the importance of diversification and market risk management, but judged an expansion of domestic production could insulate the US from price shocks. The attacks called attention to the high petroleum intensity of the American economy, led to increases in costs associated with doing business in the oil patch, highlighted the fundamental security problem inherent in oil markets, and probably stymied a nascent recovery. Global energy markets were rattled but not rocked – a result of the preexisting economic downturn and determined market intervention. A review of the changes in US energy strategy since 11 September 2001 suggests cool heads blocked an emotional, short‐run policy response and are instead working to diversify America's energy supply portfolio.
TL;DR: The quantity and type of waste produced by the various branches of the mining industry in Poland is mapped in this paper, and the changes in waste quantities are compared to changes in the coal mining industry (especially hard coal mining).
Abstract: The quantity and type of waste produced by the various branches of the mining industry in Poland is mapped. Changes in waste quantities are compared to changes in the mining industry (especially hard coal mining), and also the quantity of mining and processing waste as a proportion of the total quantity of industrial waste. Information sources are discussed as well as the reasons for observed differences between them.