Characterization of the Flux System: Lithium-Aluminum Silicate (Li)–Alkali Feldspars (Na,K); Magnesium (Mg) and Calcium (Ca)–Silicates

In this paper, the system of natural mineral alkali fluxes used in typical mineral industry technologies was analyzed. The main objective was to lower the melting temperature of the flux systems. The research has shown that the best melting parameters in the Ca–Mg– (Li,Na,K) system were characterized by the composition: A-eutectic 20% and wollastonite 80%, and it was reached at temperature 1140 °C; in addition, this set had the widest melting interval. Selected thermal parameters of mineral flux systems were also calculated. The technological properties of mineral composites such as shrinkage and brightness were also analyzed.

State of Mining Education in Africa: A Case of Zambia

The mineral industry needs a steady supply of skilled professionals entering the workforce, it must be recognized that as mineral development becomes more complex and technical the training of mineral industry professionals should be adjusted to reflect this. The mineral industry has undergone several changes in terms of technological advances, it is further envisioned that the future mine will rely on a highly skilled skeleton labour force with the ability to perform several tasks through automated and remote-controlled operations and monitoring. This paper assesses Zambia’s mining education to uncover whether the current state of mining education curricula is in a position to address the need of the future mining industry. This assessment was done based on four key areas of the future mine. These key areas have been identified as operating practices and technology, talent and leadership, partnership with key stakeholders, and governance. A comparative analysis with three mining Universities in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region was undertaken. From the assessment, mining education in Zambia’s two largest mining Universities, namely, the University of Zambia (UNZA) and Copperbelt University (CBU) needs to be refined to fully address the future needs of the mining industry.

The Relationship of Critical Success Factors of the Mineral Industry: A Study on India

The mineral industry environment is an interlinked chain of activities. Identification of major activities of the mineral industry, termed as critical success factors (CSFs), and their relationship structure will be approachable, productive and efficiency-oriented for the industry to manage. The aim of the article is to develop a relationship structure consisting of CSFs influencing the mineral industry. Sixteen such operational influencing CSFs are identified through a broad literature review and subsequent dialogues held with mineral-field experts. The interpretive structural modelling (ISM) approach is applied for analysing CSFs and finding a relationship structure. The study is carried out in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, mineral-rich states of India. Identification of CSFs and their relationship is carried out in nine phases sequentially to arrive at the latent structure. This is the only study to develop relationships of CSFs for any mineral industry in India. The findings of the study will provide insights on the relationship structure of CSFs of the mineral industry’s operation and be helpful for improvements in addressing operational difficulties for corporates, as well as academics. Among the 16 CSFs identified, ‘training and skill level’, ‘infrastructure’ and ‘political influence’ have the maximum driving force and are the least dependent. The projected model is helpful in understanding the relationship among CSFs and the business operation as a whole.

PROCEDIMENTOS PARA DETERMINAÇÃO DE DENSIDADE RELATIVA DOS MINERAIS: UMA VIVÊNCIA NOS LABORATÓRIOS DE MINERALOGIA DO MUSEU DE GEOCIÊNCIAS DA UFPA

The role of Mineralogy in society has an extraordinary and unique importance, to the point of verifying its presence both on the wall of the environment where the individual is, in times of pandemic, or on the unoccupied asphalt of the external environment. In the study of Mineralogy, the determination of the relative density of minerals is a constant assignment of professionals in the mineral industry, either for the purpose of identifying mineral substances or for solving storage and transportation issues. Therefore, knowing the equipment and which procedures for determining it are fundamental issues for solving these problems. In this way, descriptions of operational procedures of some equipment are presented, built with the purpose of determining the relative density of minerals, as a way to contribute to undergraduate students in Geology or similar sciences.

Evaluating effi ciency of exploiting business capital of corporate enterprises of coal and mineral industry in Vietnam

Evaluation of effi ciency of exploiting capital is an important part of a company’s economic activity. A reasonably formed system for monitoring effi ciency of exploiting the capital will provide the company with appropriate basis for managerial decision-making such as adjustment of scale and structure of investment and choice of sources of capital. When considering measures aimed at eliminating negative phenomena influencing the efficiency of exploiting business capital it is essential to use a complex of various analysis patterns to make perfect managerial decisions. The authors examine a complex of individual indicators which to their mind are essential to be used in analyzing efficiency of exploiting business capital in coal and mineral industry of Vietnam. The calculations revealed that a number of individual indicators which characterize efficiency of exploiting business capital for particular enterprises within the corporation of coal and mineral industry of Vietnam were significantly different from the average and showed considerable fluctuation. Therefore, development of measures to eliminate negative phenomena influencing the efficiency of exploiting business capital should include calculating both individual indicators and a generalized indicator (the evaluation vector) which could be used to study the character of their fluctuation as well as the values of the parameters under consideration.

Mine Waste as Resource: Indian Mining Scenario of Coal and Non Coal Mining Sector

Mother Nature has bestowed India with huge resources of coal, iron ore, bauxite, manganese and limestone. India has one of the lowest per capita availability of land due to population of more than 1.3 billion. The transformation from under developed to developed economy warrants enormous increase in mineral production. This will generate additional huge quantities of waste. The industry is already facing problems related to land acquisition and environmental clearances. Sustainable development of Indian mineral industry requires reprocessing, reuse and recycling of mine waste. To achieve this, economic and innovative mineral processing methods are required which will result in least damage to ecology and environment.