Showing papers in "Minerals & Energy - Raw Materials Report in 2006"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the conditions, success factors and strategies to maximize the contribution of the minerals sector to economic growth and development in Africa, including creating a conducive and competitive policy, legal and regulatory environment and frameworks for business development; improving governance and management systems anchored on strong and capable institutions; opening up...
Abstract: Many studies claim that mineral resources impact negatively on economic growth particularly in developing countries. This paper briefly reviews this argument (the natural resources curse hypothesis) and subjects it to examination. The paper argues that poor performance is not an inherent characteristic of minerals‐driven economies. It considers mineral endowments a capital that can spur growth and reduce poverty in developing countries if deployed under appropriate conditions. The paper identifies the benefit streams of mining and the challenges for their equitable creation, investment, distribution and management. It articulates the conditions, success factors and strategies to maximizing the contribution of the minerals sector to growth and development in Africa. The entry points include creating a conducive and competitive policy, legal and regulatory environment and frameworks for business development; improving governance and management systems anchored on strong and capable institutions; opening up ...
45 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the potential for reuse of municipal solid waste incineration residues for reuse in construction, and show that using acids or chelating agents that, however, increase treatment costs enhances metal removal.
Abstract: Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) residues display a potential for reuse in construction. A risk of harmful emissions to the environment and negative effects on the performance of residues during utilization exist because of their composition. Extraction and stabilization pre‐treatment methods are available to decrease harmful leaching from utilized MSWI residues. Extraction procedures remove pollutants in a liquid phase that has to be handled as waste water. To remove fines and easily soluble chlorides and sulphates from residues, washing with water seems to be sufficiently effective. Such washing could also improve the technical properties of the final product. Using acids or chelating agents that, however, increase treatment costs enhances metal removal. For metal stabilization in the MSWI residue matrix, a multitude of processes are available, such as cement solidification/stabilization, weathering, carbonation, thermal treatment as well as chemical treatment with chelating agents, ferrous sul...
42 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe 13 case studies illustrating initiatives to embed sustainable development in the Australian minerals industry spanning a decade and a half from 1990 to 2013, and the key outcomes from the case studies are that minerals companies in Australia are putting sustainable development into operation at their sites and these are as follows: environmental and social improvements at operations and communities in which they operate can realize economic benefits and will not always incur a major financial cost; local communities provide the means by which a mining or minerals processing operation can realize its full potential in contributing to a region's economic and social well
Abstract: This paper describes 13 case studies illustrating initiatives to embed sustainable development in the Australian minerals industry spanning a decade and a half from 1990. For each case study, a brief background to the mining site or mineral processing operation is given, a description of the existing processes prior to implementing the initiatives, a description of the initiatives, and the drivers, barriers and conclusions drawn from each set of initiatives. The key outcomes from the case studies are that minerals companies in Australia are putting sustainable development into operation at their sites and these are as follows: environmental and social improvements at operations and communities in which they operate can realize economic benefits and will not always incur a major financial cost; local communities provide the means by which a mining or minerals processing operation can realize its full potential in contributing to a region's economic and social well‐being; improvements to waste management pr...
31 citations
TL;DR: The rapid expansion of the overseas activities of China's national oil companies (NOCs) has been driven by the needs of both government and NOCs, and this partnership has provoked negative reactions in some other oil importing countries as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The rapid expansion of the overseas activities of China's national oil companies (NOCs) has been driven by the needs of both government and NOCs, and this partnership has provoked negative reactions in some other oil importing countries. One goal the government and companies share is to acquire overseas production of oil and gas. In the late 1990s China's government worked closely with the NOCs to gain access to projects of strategic importance. Since 2002 the link between the government and the NOCs has loosened perceptively, at least in those countries which lack a strategic significance. The NOCs are behaving more like private sector companies, but still have much to learn, especially with respect to the assessment and evaluation of risk. In the absence of a domestic crisis or a series of commercial failures, it is almost certain that China's NOCs will continue their overseas expansion. Attempts to obstruct this spread may be counter‐productive. Partnership rather than confrontation will prove to be mo...
30 citations
TL;DR: For example, Turkey holds approximately a 72% share of the total boron deposits of the world at 803 million tonnes as discussed by the authors, which is the second highest producer after the USA.
Abstract: In the wealth and development of a country, mining activities have great significance. They contribute the most added value to the economy of a country. Developed countries owe much of their prosperity to their mineral resources and utilizing them efficiently. Turkey has substantial mineral reserves such as boron, marble, trona, chromium and some other industrial raw materials which make the country rich in terms of mining resources. Turkey holds approximately a 72% share of the total boron deposits of the world at 803 million tonnes. Eti Holding, being the most important producer, possesses 31% of total world production on a B2O3 basis. These boron reserves are high in tenor and quality. Also, 60% of the boron reserves is sufficient to supply 250–500 years of the world's boron consumption. The most important boron minerals that Turkey owns are tincal, colemanite, and ulexite. Turkey is the second highest producer of boron after the USA. Eight percent of its boron minerals is used domestically, and 92% is...
27 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the broader trends and specific conditions which might help explain why mining activities in Africa may well be at present and increasingly in the future, linked to issues of security.
Abstract: Using as a point of departure the observations contained in the document ‘Our Common Interest. Report of the Commission for Africa (March 2005)’, Chapter 5: “Countries with economies dependent on one or a few primary commodities, particularly high‐value resources such as oil and other minerals, are often poor, have weak and less accountable governance systems, and are more vulnerable to violent conflict and economic shocks”, the article sets out to explore the broader trends and specific conditions which might help explain why mining activities in Africa may well be at present and increasingly in the future, linked to issues of security. To this end the paper explores various hypotheses which have been put forward such as the following: • an overly externally driven reform process may well have contributed to undermining the legitimacy of the governments of mineral rich countries concerned. • economic reforms, and mining policies more specifically, have perhaps not sufficiently contributed to building eff...
22 citations
TL;DR: In the new policy framework that has emerged since the end of the 1990s, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) provide... as discussed by the authors The UNCTAD Expert Meeting on FDI in NATURAL RESOURCES 20−22 November 2006 Geneva
Abstract: UNCTAD Expert Meeting on FDI IN NATURAL RESOURCES 20–22 November 2006 Geneva In the new policy framework that has emerged since the end of the 1990s, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) provide...
17 citations
TL;DR: This paper examined growing similarities in mining practices in Canada, Zimbabwe and South Africa brought about by the introduction of new technology, multi-skilling and team work and the impact on wages, skills and worker mobility.
Abstract: In mining, the world is truly shrinking. Mining companies are scouring the world in the search for new deposits. This greater mobility means greater investment in Africa, Asia and Latin America, integrating what were isolated production sites into global value‐added and commodity chains. Since this greater integration is one of the most profound aspects of globalization, it is interesting to know if there are growing similarities in the ways companies organize production and treat workers and communities from one continent to another. This paper examines growing similarities in mining practices in Canada, Zimbabwe and South Africa brought about by the introduction of new technology, multi‐skilling and team work and the impact on wages, skills and worker mobility. This paper is based on in‐depth studies of the organization of production in mining in Zimbabwe and Canada, made up of qualitative interviews with workers in each industry, as well as company management, union representatives and government offic...
13 citations
TL;DR: This paper argued that civil war in Bougainville arose out of grievances caused by the convergence of social phenomena with economic and political factors, rather than being driven by profit, instead of greed.
Abstract: This paper explores the drivers of civil conflict on the island of Bougainville in PNG. While not a ‘popular’ or ‘traditional’ example used for exploring the various dimensions of civil violence prevalent in resource‐rich developing countries, Bougainville is, however, a unique case, which has proved difficult to reconcile with conventional explanations of causation. A particularly relevant event in the history of Papua New Guinea (PNG) was the opening of a copper mine in Bougainville in the 1960s, the establishment of which caused significant socioeconomic and political problems on the island, eventually culminating in civil war. It is argued that, rather than being driven by profit, civil war in Bougainville arose out of grievances caused by the convergence of social phenomena with economic and political factors.
12 citations
TL;DR: The government is planning to increase hard coal production from about 400 million tonnes to 2.5 billion tonnes and power generation capacity from 126'GW to 400'GW during the next 20 years.
Abstract: ‘India on the rise’ was a headline at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2006, featuring India. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set ambitious goals: 8–10 per cent annual growth continually, which can only be attained if the disastrous infrastructure and the electricity grid are thoroughly modernized. The government is planning to increase hard coal production from about 400 million tonnes to 2.5 billion tonnes and power generation capacity from 126 GW to 400 GW during the next 20 years. It is India's mineral industry that will play the essential role to provide the huge amounts of raw materials needed by many industrial sectors, government activities, and consumer driven demand. India's small hydrocarbon resources require intensified offshore exploration. The government clearly recognized that private capital and technology, domestic and foreign, is indispensable. Privatization is promoted, but faces resistance. Foreign investors must weigh restrictions and bureaucratic risks against chances of a 1 billion‐people market.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine India's energy outlook and find that India's dependence on foreign supplies will further deepen in the foreseeable future, most of these supplies will come from oil and natural gas producers in the Persian Gulf.
Abstract: This essay seeks to examine India's energy outlook. The focus is on oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear power. New Delhi's efforts to utilize domestic and foreign supplies will be discussed. Given the nation's limited hydrocarbon proven reserves, the study suggests that India's dependence on foreign supplies will further deepen in the foreseeable future. Most of these supplies will come from oil and natural gas producers in the Persian Gulf. This projection should not be seen as a threat to India's energy security. Rather, a growing interdependence is emerging between India (and other Asian energy consumers) and Persian Gulf producers.
TL;DR: State ownership of the Western world's mineral industries started to increase in the late 1940s and 1950s as discussed by the authors, and European countries were in the lead in this process. In Finland, state-owned Outokumpu, fo...
Abstract: State ownership of the Western world's mineral industries started to increase in the late 1940s and 1950s. European countries were in the lead in this process. In Finland, state‐owned Outokumpu, fo...
TL;DR: Nilsson et al. as discussed by the authors analyzed the possible correlations between the electricity prices in two neighbouring regions and highlighted some of connections between the Swedish and German electricity prices and qualitatively discuss these results.
Abstract: The paper elaborates on the possible correlations between the electricity prices in two neighbouring regions. The question is of interest since a large part of the public and some politicians feel that the European CO2 emission trading system ought not to affect the hydro‐ and nuclear‐based Swedish electricity market. The analysis builds upon empirical observations and simple econometric testing. Our results highlight some of connections between the Swedish and German electricity prices and we qualitatively discuss these results. Furthermore, we restate the obvious fact that the investment climate in Sweden must improve if the wish is to avoid having coal‐based electricity production on the margin. αMats Nilsson, Lulea University of Technology and Vattenfall R&D, and Kristian Gustafsson, Vattenfall R&D. Mats Nilsson is the corresponding author: . E‐mail: mats_konkurrens@yahoo.se, Sodertaljevagen 1A, 64532 Strangnas, Sweden. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ...
TL;DR: In the natural gas market in Sweden, the rate of customer switching supplier has been very low so far as mentioned in this paper, which may explain why the degree of customer activity is crucial for the emergence of a competitive market.
Abstract: The natural gas market in Sweden, as well as in Europe, has undergone major changes over the past decade. Through restructuring the market, competition has been introduced in the trading of natural gas. Competition between suppliers can benefit customers through lower prices, better service and more attractive contract terms. When competition in a market is analysed, attention is often only given to the number, size, and actions of the suppliers. However, to achieve the benefits of competition, the degree of customer activity is crucial. In the natural gas market, the customers can act by changing supplier or renegotiating their contracts with the incumbent supplier. Customers who actively assess available options intensify competition between suppliers and are therefore important for the emergence of a competitive market. Low customer participation, on the other hand, may weaken the competition in the market. In Sweden, the rate of customer switching supplier has been very low so far. This may be explain...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyse the evolution of the mining industry, not just within the last half of the century, but over the last two Ages, and find that although many changes and new ways of thinking have occurred over the Ages, mining activities have continued and survived even through the changes of the miners race from the race of Dwarves to the Race of Men.
Abstract: J.R.R. Tolkien described an entire Age of history in his main opus, The Lord of the Rings. In doing so, he told miners a lot about their past, much before any written record was kept or handed down. At a time when many people are wondering about the future of the mining industry, the possible depletion of natural resources and the modern concept of “sustainable development”, it is interesting to analyse the evolution of the mining industry, not just within the last half of the century, but over the last two Ages. Maybe there will be some surprises, but maybe also some reassurances that although many changes and new ways of thinking have occurred over the Ages, mining activities have continued and survived even through the changes of the miners race from the race of Dwarves to the race of Men. Glossary Big People: name given by the Hobbits and Dwarves to Men Fourth Age: current age of the world. It started at the very end of the last tale of “The Lord of the Rings”, when Arwen, the Elven Star of her People...