Archives

ARE WE CAUSING EARTHQUAKES?Now that considerable doubt has been cast on manmade warming, environmentalists are now trying to blame the mineral resources industry for causing earthquakes. The latest crime against humanity received public attention in a National Geographic article in January 2007 and gained more publicity during the Crandall Canyon Mine disaster in Utah.

CRY HAVOC AND LET LOSE THE COAL OF WAR  Coal has powered industry for centuries, so it’s no surprise that it has also powered war.  Some of its uses are obvious like powering trains that move materials and fueling the forges that produce tanks and ships.  However, that black lump of rock is found in some of the most surprising places.

GUADALCANAL, WW 2, AND NICKEL MINING This summer is the 70th anniversary of three great battles that rank high in the annals of American History; the Battle of Coral Sea, The Battle of Midway, and Guadalcanal.  Coral Sea stopped the Japanese advance, Midway, devastated the Japanese aircraft carrier fleet, and Guadalcanal was America’s first offensive in the Pacific Theater.

June/July 2012

EAST AFRICAN OIL EXPLORERS ARE WORTH WATCHING - The market provided little joy to investors this spring and the "sell in May and go away" syndrome prevailed like always and computer screens were red with low stock prices across the board. We all expect a market turn around and the opportunity to buy low and in the future sell high or at least higher than current prices.

CORTEZ MINE ONE OF THE LARGEST AND LOWEST PRICED GOLD PRODUCERS - Barrick has a good right to feel good.  In a time of sky high gold prices, it owns one of the largest and lowest priced gold producers in the world – the Cortez Mine in Nevada.  Production in 2012 is anticipated to be 1.20-1.25 million ounces at total cash costs of $300-$350 per ounce.  That’s up from the 2011 cash cost of $245 an ounce but reflects higher proportion of underground ounces and lower open pit grades.

THE CHALLENGE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS: LET’S TELL THEM A STORY - How does the mining industry envision its public relations image? What are some major issues, and how can the industry effect necessary changes? These were some of the main questions raised in my article from our Feb/March Miners News issue, promising to continue that conversation with five mining professionals in a following publication. We discussed the definition of communication and its importance to the industry.

PEBBLE MINE PROJECT: TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT PR OPPORTUNITIES - Here in Alaska the granddaddy of mining public relations battles rests squarely within the
immensity of the projected gold/copper Pebble Mine. Even as I am writing articles appear on the
front pages of Alaska's larger newspapers summarizing the latest EPA report analyzing Pebble's
possible effects on nearby renowned salmon fisheries.

LOGISTICS IS KEY TO REPAIRING AND MAINTAINING AGGREGATE AND MINING EQUIPMENT - One of the biggest problems for mines and quarries has been getting parts.  In the past, the answer was to make do.  Any major mine usually had a blacksmith and carpentry shop.  If something was immediately needed or had to be repaired, mine managers would take it to the shop and ask the craftsmen to fix it.

OBAMA, THE CHEVY VOLT, AND UNREALISTIC DREAMS - In May Obama told auto workers that there was a Chevy in his future – a Chevy Volt that is.  Talking to a group of workers in Detroit, he said, ““Five years from now when I’m not president anymore, I’ll buy one and drive it myself.”  Personally, I hope he gets his chance to buy and drive a Volt on January 21st, 2013.

MICA REMAINS IMPORTANT INDUSTRIAL MINERAL - Usually seen as a mineral curiosity on the side of a trail, mica has been a major industrial mineral and remains so, even though technology has overcome some of its advantages.  It’s used in construction, energy production, and even electrical power generation.

Mining Affairs Forum-Coal-Always Getting the Shaft - What does a naughty boy get in his stocking at Christmas?   Right—a lump of coal.  Coal is rather low on the list of topics for country western songs, folklore, or greetings cards, isn’t it?   By and large, it doesn’t get much respect.   It’s not the most pristine mineral in the world, yet it deserves much more credit than it gets.   It is highly responsible for the increased prosperity in the world.

Work Shifts and Safety - Many mines are 24 hour a day operations.  But, many managers don’t realize the risks of 24/7 operations.  The fact is that a worker on a night shift, who didn’t get a good sleep before coming to work is just as dangerous as if he were legally intoxicated.  A night shift worker with poor daytime sleep habits may be awake for more than 18 hours by the end of his shift.

International Commentary - The mining industry in Argentina continues to expand following a sustained upward trend. Nevertheless, there are a significant number of mining projects throughout
Argentina that have not reached their full stage of development.