Blogs!
Miners News Software Article

The term ‘blog’ is short for Web log and is a catch-all term for a Web site where people can say what is on their mind.  Blogs are certainly not a new development, but have turned into the ‘secret’ new media where what is happening in the world is discussed, dissected, torn apart, and reassembled. Blogs can be commentary on any particular subject, no particular subject, or an on-line diary.

A blog is often written and maintained by an individual, but can also be a way for a company or organization to communicate with customers or the public.  Visitors to the blog can comment - which can be a positive or negative thing! From a technical perspective, this can be a way to find out something about software that you won’t find in any company information - which again, can be a positive or negative thing!

A benefit to software users is the ability to easily keep up with software changes, although companies often send out notices about changes. Users can also discuss the technical aspects of the software with company experts and other users. Some of these blogs are open and some are restricted to registered users.  A blog is set up so the administrator or approved authors can start a ‘conversation’ or write an article on a chosen topic.  The blogger hopes that what is said will spark conversations.

Following is a selected list of blogs related to mining in general and also to mining software.

• BlogMine - (http://blogs.mining.com/)  The site includes general mining topics, and you can host a blog on the site.
• BCMining Blog - (http://bcminingblog.com/). This is an opportunity to join the dialog about the British Columbia mineral exploration and mining industries.  Visitors can create a blog or add comments to another blog. Also included are fact sheets, career opportunities, and blogs about aggregates, exploration and other topics.
• The Australian Mining Blog (http://www.theminingblog.com/) is about issues affecting the Australian mining industry.
• Mineral Rights Forum (http://www.mineralrightsforum.com/profiles/blog/list) is mainly about oil and gas but does have some mineral application.
• RKM Mining Software Blog (http://www.rkmminingsoftware.com/category/mining-software-blog/).  MicroMODEL mining software is a 3D-modeling and mine planning software system.
• RockWare Support Forum (https://www.rockware.com/forum/index.php?showforum=12). Includes support for RockWare products as well as other software they sell.
• Gemcom Customer Support (www.gemcomsupport.com) is exclusive to Gemcom software users for sharing industry ideas and best practices.
• MEI Blog (http://min-eng.blogspot.com/2010/08/is-minerals-engineering-worlds-most.html).  The MEI blog is a supplement to the MEI Online website (www.min-eng.com), source of mineral processing and extractive metallurgy (minerals engineering) news.

Word Press (wordpress.com) is a free on-line software solution for anyone who wants to set up a blog.  It is well developed with templates and the means to design your blog to fit your application.  Visitor management is also provided, an important feature if someone uses your blog to harangue or harass. It is pretty easy to set up a blog if you have something you want to say.

Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines & Forestry

The government of Ontario’s Web site includes a wealth of information about how to stake and register mining claims, develop minerals, and work through the entire process.  Some of the information provided includes:

• Claim maps - information on Mining Claims within the Province of Ontario and makes data accessible to the public.  Users can download map images as well as digital data and search mining claim information within the province. It also provides the ability to download map plots, land-related information, and vector data in the form of shape files. Historical claim maps can also be viewed and downloaded (pdf files).
• Mining claims information on Unpatented Mining Claims in the Province of Ontario.
• Aboriginal relations - This section provides contacts that guide companies during the process of building and enhancing relationships between aboriginal communities, resource sectors and government, and  provide strategic advice on aboriginal issues.
• Developing mineral deposits - This section provides information on leasing mining claims, and obtaining all the necessary permits.
• GeologyOntario provides access to the information holdings of the Ontario Geological Survey. Spatial and attribute search functionality facilitates the discovery of relative information in over 85,000 reports representing over 2,000,000 pages and 168,000 maps from OGS publications and client submitted mining assessment files. In addition, hundreds of digital products containing field data, geophysical surveys, geochemical analyses and geochronological measurements are available for download.

The Mines & Minerals Division section containing the above and more information is available at: http://www.mndmf.gov.on.ca/mines/default_e.asp