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By George Wolff

To THE average person, the purport of the items and figures on the balance sheet of a mining company are hazy and the real financial condition of the company is cloaked in obscurity. It is also likely that the satisfaction of the stockholder in his investment, as well as the determination of the prospective investor, rests more on the reputation of the company, his confidence in the management, the stated earnings per share and the dividends paid, than on a comprehension of the information contained in the balance sheet. The balance sheet of any company at best can only closely approximate the true financial condition as of a given date. Any item of asset, except cash, can probably be altered if another's viewpoint is applied. It is difficult and expensive to drill and explore an orebody to determine the entire tonnage of ore therein. Those inherent difficulties render it practically impossible to prepare an absolutely correct balance sheet of a mining company. It is possible, however, to present the facts of a mining company more intelligently and comprehensively than is usually done. With this, in mind, a balance sheet of an imaginary mining company is submitted, with supporting schedules. The same fundamental principles hold true whether we consider a large or a small company. Less complexity is involved in dealing with the affairs of a smaller company. Therefore, for this purpose, the assumed company operates but two mines and a smelting plant. It has been deemed advisable to introduce the features of the operation of a mine acquired prior to March 1, 1913 and one after that date. The presentation therefore is concerned in one mine with the appraisement as of March 1, 1913 and in the other with the appraisement by reason of discovery. A consequential factor pertains to dividends paid from depletion reserves and therefore free of surtax to the stockholders. While supporting schedules, when necessary, give details of certain items on the balance sheet, it seems desirable to give further explanations with respect to some of them. This seems to be important because some mining companies do not treat the items as indicated on the statements submitted.

Jan 1, 1928

I am honoured to be given the opportunity to share with you my thoughts on what will be the essential characteristics of æThe Mining Company for the 21st CenturyÆ. For me the 21st century is all about globalisation and the challenges and the opportunities that globalisation presents for the mining industry. To play on the global stage the successful mining companies must develop profiles that are global in: their operations diversity, their partnership relationships diversity, their customer relationships diversity, their workforce diversity, and their shareholder diversity. In my view æbigÆ will count in the 21st century, but big overlaid with quality: quality assets, quality people, quality partners, quality customer relationships, and quality image and reputation. Last year, Rio TintoÆs Leon Davis said when he addressed the Minerals Council of AustraliaÆs annual conference that Australian resource companies that wish to become global operators must develop an unequivocal international identity that will make that company a known and trusted quality wherever it seeks to do business. He went on to say that structuring and operating a business in a way that consistently manifests the qualities that inspire respect and evoke confidence is vital. I absolutely concur with what Leon said. Unfortunately, the fact is that, as we stand at the beginning of the 21st century, our industry and many of our companies are no better accepted by the world community than was the case five, ten, 15 or even 20 years ago. In fact, in some cases, the warmth of the acceptance may have subsided. To some extent the demonstrations that we saw recently in Seattle and Davos reflect a growing distrust, disquiet and cynicism in our communities. Here, however, I see an opportunity. While on the one hand the mood of disquiet presents many challenges, it also provides those of us who are willing to get out on the front foot in addressing the issues, and engaging in the dialogue, with a very significant opportunity to create a major competitive advantage. It provides the opportunity to earn respect and the opportunity to develop a reputation as a company that is sought as a joint venture partner and a company that is welcomed by governments and communities. Importantly, also, people will seek employment with such a company and will invest in such a company. The challenge is to change the way we behave and the way we are perceived by all the key stakeholders. Many of our industryÆs traditional skills are now commodities à many can be à and are out-sourced. The new critical skill for the 21st century à the real competitive advantage à will come from creating a real and genuine understanding of our role and what we stand for. Everything we do should demonstrate not only sound business principles, but also an understanding of the political, social, cultural and environmental impacts of our activities - at an international and a local level. This concept isnÆt new - but for large companies such as BHP, where we operate in more than 20 countries with diverse cultures, languages and religions - it requires enormous energy and dedication. It is complex. It is difficult. But I believe it is absolutely fundamental to our future.

Jan 1, 2000

By Prince Gelasio Caetani

PRESIDENT DWIGHT'S invitation to be a guest of the American Institute of Mining and Metal-lurgical Engineers was the first of the subsequently very numerous invitations to dinner I have received from my American friends. When I received his telegram I had not yet been even formally appointed Ambassador. I cannot tell you how deeply I appreciated it. It was a hearty welcome in returning to your country which has been for me a second home and it came from the American mining brotherhood which has been my second family.There are two distinct periods of learning in life. The first one are the years spent in school where we learn many things we after-wards forget; the second one are the years of prac-tical apprenticeship which engrave indelible signs in a man's character and shape his life. These latter years I spent in the United States and they have influenced the whole course of my life. I owe very much to my American friends who trained me. The earliest was Prof. Robert Peele, of Columbia University. At the Daly West mine, in Park City, Utah, he curbed my futuristic English spell-ing and had a hard time at it. Prof. James F. Kemp taught me that geology is a guess work just as unre-liable as the prediction of international events; he taught me also that a frank, honest and loyal character will lead a man equally straight through a mining report and through public life.

Jan 3, 1923

A MINING institute open to all men interested in any branch of the mining industry will be held at the Col-lege of Mines, University of Washington, Seattle, during the week beginning March 5. Prospectors, miners, mine owners, persons interested in metallurgy, investors in min-ing enterprises, and the public generally are invited to at-tend. This institute will take the place of the Winter Min-ing Session which originated at Seattle in 1897 and con-tinued for twenty-eight years. The complete new equip-ment of the Mines Laboratory will be used to give demon-strations of new machines and processes of mining, ore dressing, and metallurgy. This year the ceramic industry, including cement and branches of clay working of special Importance in the Northwest, will be included in the insti-tute. All instruction will be given by specialists. Prominent technical men and managers will give lectures on their special subjects. Among the speakers engaged are G. T. Jackson, formerly superintendent of the Alaska-Gas-tineau and the Chichagof mines, who will speak on the mining of large bodies of low-grade ore; R. F. McElvenny, superintendent of the Tacoma Smelter, on the nature of contracts that a smelter can offer to mines and prospects; M. D. Leehey, mining lawyer, on some popular errors re-garding the mining law; H. H. Townsend, on the explora-tion and purchase of prospects by operating companies; J. L. McAllen, on quartz mining in the Willow Creek dis-trict, Alaska; F. Powell, on gold dredging. In the evenings, lectures illustrated by stereopticon views and moving pic-tures will be given. The week will close with an excursion o mines and plants.

Jan 3, 1928

By Robert H. Richards

(Read at the Wilkes-Barre Meeting, May. 1877.) THE Institute of Mining Engineers has shown so much interest in the educational problem of profitably combining theory and practice, that it seems especially appropriate to lay before its members the methods and aims of the mining laboratory of which I have charge, and in which one form of combination of hand with head work is now being tried. If anything may be contributed toward the solution of this problem by the discussion which follows, my purpose will be attained. Whether it was wise or not to establish a mining school so far from the principal mining centres, does not now enter into the question. Given, a mining school already begun, how shall it be made most efficient in developing engineers who are trained to think for themselves as well as versed in the works of others? This is the ques¬tion with which we have had to deal. In considering the bearing of this laboratory work upon the students' preparation, it will be convenient to take it up under five different heads 1. The methods and aims of the laboratory. 2. The advantage to students of having a part, at least, of their practical work in the curriculum of their school. 3. The advantage to be derived by mines and works. 4. Degree of accuracy which may be attained in working ores on a small scale. 5. Results of work in the laboratory. 1. The Methods and Aims of the Laboratory.-During the May meeting of 1873, held in Boston, I had the privilege of reading before you a paper stating the plans and aims of this laboratory. Since that time we have been constantly following out those plans, and are more than ever convinced that we are working in the right direction. We do not feel that the time we have spent has been in any sense thrown away. Perhaps the aims of the laboratory can be most clearly shown by illustration. Many young engineers leave school thinking that they know everything. They go to the works, and expect to teach the superintendent something and the men a good deal, regardless of the fact that it is this spirit that has prejudiced workmen against schoolmen. They are often more trouble than they

Jan 1, 1878

By A. V. Corlett

THE use of the diamond-drill hole as a means of breaking clown ore and waste is not new. Years ago, the method was adopted in mines in northern Ontario and in the western United States to reach out to bad pillars, or to remnants of ore left on walls, the winning of which by any other method might be dangerous or too expensive. The practice is still in vogue and has generally proved a success. Of the known mineral deposits in Canada and elsewhere, many are of very low grade. Some are marginal and not even worthy of being classed as 'ore' until some means is found and proved of exploiting them economically. Other conditions being favourable, if a mining method could be found that would give a large 'bulk break' with a sufficiently low cost of development and a low cast of mining per ton, mineral deposits of this latter type might be brought into the classification of ore. We know that any block-craving system whereby the ore may be undercut and allowed to crush and cave will give a very high breakage and low costs. In some cases, however, the physical characteristics of the ore do not lend themselves to this method. In such ore-bodies, the alternative system of 'bulk-breaking' might be aided by long diamond-drill blast holes. We could obtain this 'bulk breaking' by the use of long diamond-drill holes in conjunction with a sub-level system using extremely thick benches, or possibly by the adaption of modified open-pit methods to underground mining. ln fact, if conditions are favourable, the idea would be simply ta open up a slot or free face and break into it on a larger scale with longer holes. The use of deeper benches-that is, using each level as a sub-level and thereby eliminating much development footage, slashing, setting up, and mucking time-would naturally be expected to lead to cheaper mining.

Jan 1, 1940

By A. V. Corlett

MR. C. S. Gibson: Mr. Chairman, I listened with much interest to Mr. Corlett's paper. Those of us who are directly engaged in mine ventilation and dust control are impressed by the improved atmospheric conditions to be derived from the use of methods of mining such as those in operation at Aldermac, which Mr. Corlett has just described, and those employed at Noranda. It is a well known fact that drilling-dust is one of the most potent factors in the production of silicosis in mines handling ores containing quartz, so that from that angle the use of diamond drills, instead of percussion drills, to drill ore for blasts in stopes is an important development. A second point which I think merits mention is blasting. Blasting, we all know, creates the most dust in a mine and the fact that you can drill ore for a large blast with diamond drills and fire it, say, on Saturday night, and then have all the next day to ventilate the workings, is a great advance in dust control. 1 have wondered if Mr. Corlett, or possibly those at Noranda, can en-vision the use of the diamond drill as a means of advancing cross-cuts and drifts, preparing stopes, etc. I believe it is a matter which is receiving considerable attention at the moment in some parts of the world and J thought it would be interesting to have Mr. Corlett's reaction on that point. MR. A. V. CORLETT: I am not quite so hopeful of using diamond drills as a means of drilling holes in the ordinary drift. Maybe some of the diamond drill men can give us some further information on that point. MR. R. D. LoNGYEAR: The diamond drill manufacturers are working on that problem, but until further work is done we have nothing definite to offer. Drilling holes with a diamond drill to compete with rock drills for advancing drifts and cross-cuts is a desirable objective, because of the elimination of drilling dust and the ability to cut a smooth bore of uniform diameter. To reach this objective, higher rates of penetration are required, which can only be achieved by discovering the optimum bit rotating speed, by reducing vibration, and by further improving the bits and machines. We are optimistic, but the problem is still largely in the research stage.

Jan 1, 1940

By R. G. Votteler, A. C. Brent

"The business performance of mining corporations in South Africa is adversely affected by the constantly increasing electricity costs. The most commonly used power sources are the national utility supplier via a grid connection, and on-site diesel generators. Previous research has identified the renewable sources of solar photovoltaic (PV), onshore wind, and geothermal energy in hybrid versions with current sources as possible opportunities to counteract rising electricity costs. To provide a clear understanding of the new, developing market of renewable energy sources, this research is divided into two papers. This first paper investigates the internal business structure of mining corporations in order to evaluate electricity generating sources. The multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method is selected as the most suitable approach for this. The paper identifies the criteria used by mining corporations to evaluate possible electricity generation sources for self-generation by means of the corporations’ own investment. Four mining corporations with several mining locations were interviewed. The interviews revealed both new and identical evaluation criteria when the findings were compared to earlier MCDA adaptations analysed in the literature review. The second paper (Part 2) combines current knowledge about the external macroeconomic environment with the findings about the internal environment described here. MCDA is adapted in Part 2 and implemented to analyse and compare current to hybrid renewable sources from the perspective of mines. IntroductionMining corporations in South Africa are currently adversely affected by increasing electricity prices. Electricity is supplied mainly by Eskom1 and, especially in remote locations, by on-site diesel generators (Boyse et al., 2014). Electricity price increases, emanating from diesel price hikes and Eskom, have escalated the total operational expenditure on electricity by the largest mining corporations from 8% to 20% of total operating costs in the past seven years (EIUG, 2015). The reliability of electricity supplied by Eskom has decreased drastically (Govender, 2008), and the prices will increase annually by at least 13% until 2018 (Numbi et al., 2014; Eskom, 2015b). In addition, the South African government plans to introduce a carbon tax on greenhouse gas emissions (Alton et al., 2014)."

Jan 1, 2017

By R. G. Votteler, A. C. Brent

"The first in this series of two papers, on the potential of renewable electricity sources for mining operations in South Africa, investigated the internal structure of mining corporations to evaluate feasible alternative electricity sources that were identified as through earlier research. The purpose of this paper is to combine current knowledge about the external macroeconomic and the internal environments to produce a clear picture of how renewable sources of electricity could perform from the perspective of mining corporations in South Africa. The multi-attribute value theory (MAVT) approach was adapted to structure the research and results. The model was fed with real-time data provided from five different energy companies and four mining corporations operating in South Africa. The results show that the performance of hybrid versions of the currently used electricity sources (diesel generators and Eskom grid connection) with solar PV and onshore wind is favourable compared with the current sources alone. The advantage of diesel generators is significantly greater than that of the Eskom grid connection. By combining the macroeconomic influences with the MAVT results, hybrid solar PV versions are identified as having the greatest potential. In second place are hybrid wind solutions, which have the shortcoming that good wind conditions occur only in coastal regions where there are fewer mining activities. Geothermal hybrid versions are the least favourable owing to the lack of service infrastructure and high initial investment costs.IntroductionRecent developments in the macroeconomic environment necessitate an investigation of the internal structure of mining corporations to evaluate possible alternative electricitygenerating sources (Roehrl and Riahi, 2000). To be able to combine current knowledge of macroeconomic factors and the internal structure of mining corporations, the research process is presented in two papers. The first paper (Votteler and Brent, 2016) investigated the internal structure and argued that a strategic tool should be used to evaluate electricity sources from the perspective of mining corporations. The multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach was selected as the most appropriate strategic tool. Based on a literature review of previous similar MCDA approaches in energy planning, it was concluded that no adaptation of MCDA methods could be found from a corporate, mining, or South African perspective. Finally, the paper investigated the internal evaluation structure in collaboration with mining corporations, by identifying the criteria they use to evaluate electricity sources."

Jan 1, 2017

By Donald Ross-Watt

Mining project investment concerns the installation of mine capacity for the purpose of generating a stream of future economic benefits. In order to make this type of investment decision, the optimum specifications for the project must first be determined. Then, the economic justification of the investment tin be evaluated based on these specifications. Economic evaluation to guide mining project investment decisions is based on a proposed plan for mining the deposit over its operational life. If single point estimates are made of deposit characteristics and environmental parameters* as the basis for assessing a future stream of economic benefits associated with the investment, a future mining-plan can be optimally fitted to these estimates and, to the extent that such estimates are actually realized, this plan will retain optimality.

Jan 1, 1979

To the south and west of Broken Hill lies the Thackaringa silver-lead district, about 25 miles, and is the locality really of the first silver find in the country long before Broken Hill, the geological fomations of which it much resembles. The Iocks and their structure are identical, except that in this area they are  more irregularly foliated and apparently much more faulted and expose in places quick successions of complete anticlines and synclines, even in a single lease. Saddles of ore respectively are found coinciding with the flexures of the rock but many minor veins otherwise and branches exist and make connections which render the whole a mining problem. It follows then that the surface.of the ground after some denudation in dotted with croppings of all the series, and in such a confusing way that the actual strike of a vein may be even confounded with the dip and readily mistaken for it at a few places. The main character of the outcrops are those usual in the district consisting almost wholly of argentiferous and silicious ironstone, sometimes gossan, which at a depth in a few feet changes to a gangue of very silicious carbonate of iron (crystallised), which occurrence is uniform through this district.The exploration of the lodes has not been extensive as it has not been well understood. Shallow shafts and drives have comprised nearly all the mining at present, which is evident on first sight by the numerous shafts and small excavations dotted 'about, as in an alluvial field. The depth of exploration underground in one place had gone several hundreds of feet, never more than 150 feet vertical from the surface in depth and irregular. The undulations of the most continuous work in this direction is such that it presents at different places successively either a tunnel, shaft, underlay winze, level, or Tise, and is on ore all the time, and where the rocks are faulted (which occurs as much as 30 feet and more) these changes are very abrupt, but for working on are suitably connected by the management.

By T. B. Szwilski

The paper gives an account of the development of a mine health and safety program in China from 1987 to 1996. The project was funded by the United Nations Development Program and managed by the International Labor Office (ILO). The objective was to strengthen the capability of the National Safety Training Center (NSTC), located near Beijing to train more than 2,000 engineers per year, and provide consulting and informational services to 39 safety training centers and coal mines. Presently China has the highest mortality rate in the world for coal mine operations, the greater incidence occurring at the many thousands of small, unlicensed underground mines.

Jan 1, 1998

By M A. Ward

On 23 May 1977 the Hon Mr George Gair announced an amalgamation of the present Ministry of Energy Resources, the New Zealand Electricity Department and the Mines Department. Hopefully it will prove to be the solution of many national problems in energy planning and policy making, in energy distribution and use, and energy discovery and production. The name of this new giant is the Ministry of Energy which gives a firm indication of its future direction. For those amongst us involved with mineral energy resources the establishment of this new department must be encouraging. For those amongst us who are involved in non-energy side of the mineral industry it is the very opposite. The loss of the Mines Department a year short of its centenary is a loss for the mineral industry without a doubt - but how much of a loss?

Jan 1, 1977

By Terry R. Guilinger

A minitest of the new potassium chloride-potassium carbonate two-stage in situ uranium leach process has been carried out at the Intercontinental Energy Corporation (IEC) Zamzow project site in South Texas. Substantial quantities of high concentration uranium were produced indicating the viability of the leach solution. The test results yield information regarding the reservoir dispersivity, the average cation-exchange capacity of the formation, and the distribution coefficients describing carion-exchange reactions. The test a1 so indicates permeability anisotropy and the existence of disturbed flow fields. The research was partially funded by the U.S. Bureau of Mines.

Jan 1, 1984

By M. Gericke

The microbial leaching of metal sulfides is now an established biotechnological technology. Over the past 25 years, refinements in the engineering design of bioleaching processes have paralleled advances in our understanding of the diversity and role of the micro-organisms driving the process and the mechanisms by which micro-organisms enhance metal sulfide oxidation. Commercial success started with the treatment of refractory gold concentrates using mesophilic micro-organisms, followed by the development of tank bioleaching processes for the treatment of base metal concentrates. This was, initially, a mesophilic process with limited potential for recovery of copper from chalcopyrite concentrates due to slow rates and low copper extractions. The exploitation of thermophiles represents a major breakthrough in the development of bioleaching technology for the treatment of chalcopyrite-containing ores and concentrates. This development also opened the route to heap bioleaching of chalcopyrite ores, which is now a major focus of research programmes and piloting campaigns. This paper reviews the historical development of minerals bioleaching processes and gives an update on the current status of commercial tank and heap bioleach operations around the world.

Jan 1, 2009

By Kathleen M. Kowalski

In emergency management, the effects of stress on the performance of emergency personnel, typically have been ignored or regarded as too enigmatic to quantify. This paper discusses the concept of Critical Incident Stress in responders to emergencies. It presents the rationale for considering stress as a significant factor in the management of emergencies. It is proposed that Critical Incident Stress Debriefing in a disaster can improve the effectiveness of response teams on site, their turnaround time on site, and post-disaster time off the job. Critical Incident Stress intervention also can mitigate potential deleterious emotional effects associated with emergency work. This paper, prepared by a U.S. Bureau of Mines researcher, offers some ideas to the mining industry in general, to mine rescue team trainers, and to developers of program simulations on the specific issue of how people, time, materials and space may be factored into a plan for emergency management. The impact of stress on emergency workers is, presented as a missing component in present emergency management models.

By Zhanyou Huang

The logic and capabilities of a short-term planning tool are presented. It was developed using mixed integer linear programming (MILP) techniques to solve the open-pit and underground mine planning problems that include multiple mining areas, multiple processes, multiple destinations and blending requirements. It finds the optimum schedule that achieves the objective while satisfying comprehensive product quality and quantity requirements, equipment utilizations, as well as physical and technical constraints. A case study is given to demonstrate its applications.

Oct 1, 2009

By Zhanyou Huang

The logic and capabilities of a short-term planning tool are presented. It was developed using mixed integer linear programming (MILP) techniques to solve the open-pit and underground mine planning problems that include multiple mining areas, multiple processes, multiple destinations and blending requirements. It finds the optimum schedule that achieves the objective while satisfying comprehensive product quality and quantity requirements, equipment utilizations, as well as physical and technical constraints. A case study is given to demonstrate its applications.

Oct 1, 2009

A linear programming model with integer sequencing variables is developed to schedule limestone production for a quarry in Central Japan. The model is used to optimize raw material production from the quarry supplying limestone to cement, quick lime and aggregate plants. Typically, the mining in the quarry takes place in four to six different areas each area having 3 or 4 mining increments. Each mining increment contains different quality of limestone. The limestone production from the quarry is transported to the plants byway of 3 ore passes. Each plant requires a given quantity of limestone per period meeting certain quality constraints. This paper will describe development of the scheduling optimization model and how it is used to schedule production by period within the quarry to meet the capacity and blending requirements of the plants.

Jan 1, 2003

This paper describes a mobile laboratory developed specifically for nickel prospecting, and which was designed to be operated by sub-professional staff in remote areas independently of established laboratories. An atomic absorption spectrophotometric procedure was used to determine nickel, cobalt, lead, zinc, and copper ID latentIc and sulphIde samples, with a detection limit better than 25 µg/g for all elements. The procedure was applicable to both soil and drill samples and the accuracy of the procedure, which was ±5 per cent relative at the 1,000 µg/g level was sufficient for the preliminary assessment of mineralized samples and the control of drilling operations. The analytical procedure and the means taken to ensure the necessary reproductibility and accuracy are described. One operator can carry out 400 elemental determinations per 8-hr day at an approximate cdst of 6 cents per elemental determination. The results are returned within a single day, a factor which can contribute materially to the efficiency of drilling operations.

Jan 1, 1970