Mining

ASIA Miner magazine has joined with the XX Macao event, "The Exploration Exchange." The bilingual (English and Chinese) publication has become a strong mining industry news source in Asia over the past four years. XX Macao's organizer, BCM-TBG, has orchestrated the largest conferences in China. Their union here bodes well for XX Macao. Learn more here.;

South Africa holds much of the world's unmined uranium load. The country has done very well in mining of other precious metals and minerals, and it now seeks to become a cradle to grave uranium processor. From mining to conversion to burial of spent fuel rods, South Africa hopes to become the Saudi Arabia of energy. Learn more here.;

The Methane To Markets Partnership (M2M) is welcoming its newest and perhaps most substantial member: the European Union. The 27-nation body will look to incorporate M2M's methane capture and reuse strategies in landfill and mining operations, animal waste lagoon management and other areas. Learn more here.;

The spike in mineral and precious metals prices has the western United States seeing a significant rise in mining claims and competition for federal land. The LA Times reports that as the mining claims near more populated cities, residents are demanding more say in how--and if--work progresses. Learn more here.;

The Nunatsiavut government, which oversees the Labrador Inuit Lands in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, is considering a three-year moratorium on uranium mining. An environmental assessment is desired to ensure the safety of land and water along coastal Labrador before greater mining can take place. Learn more here.;

The Mountain Watershed Association (MWA) is ramping up its efforts to treat acid mining drainage and convert the land to a usable site. The latest project concerns a site in Melcroft, Pennsylvania--MWA's home. The state Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation is soliciting comments. The $800,000 project is MWA's fourth remediation venture. Learn more here.;

Bloomberg.com reports that mining companies invested roughly $2.2 billion in Mexico during 2007. Mexico's Economy Minister, Eduardo Sojo, estimates that $20 billion will be spent over President Felipe Calderon's six-year term. The massive investment in silver, gold and other mineral mining endeavors will also require substantial investment in environmental protections. Learn more here.;

Statistics Canada confirmed on Tuesday that growth in the mining, oil and construction sectors was not just an investor interest but the realized drivers to Canada's jobs growth. The detailed analysis of the 2006 census revealed that Canada led the Group of Seven (G7) nations in jobs growth, and that oil and gas led the way. The fastest growing employment sector was construction. Learn more here.;

China Daily reports that the government of China has closed approximately 46,000 illegal mining firms over the past two years for safety and pollution violations. The country has wrestled with, and granted considerable latitude towards, environmentally damaging practices. The State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and affiliated agencies have vowed to establish and enforce more stringent mining regulations. Learn more here.;

A recent conference encouraged the government of Vietnam to invest considerably in more sustainable business practices and the environment. Representatives form 18 economic sectors, including civil engineering, aquaculture, transportation, and mining, estimated that 120 trillion VND (USD$5.3 billion) was needed for environmental protection. Greater regulation is also thought to be needed. Learn more here.;

The government of Canada's new budget is expected to deliver $34 million in support to the mining industry to improve geological mapping. Mineral mining in the northern regions of Canada is a strong growth sector. Learn more here.;

The Navajo Nation Council has passed a bill that established a tribal Superfund program to address severe environmental cleanup needs on the Navajo's 27,000 square mile reservation. For example, there are approximately 1000 uranium mines on Navajo land that may require cleanup measures. This seems to be the first tribe-established Superfund program. Learn more here.;

By request of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) Council, the South African Chapter of IGS (GIGSA) will host GeoAfrica 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa, 2-4 September 2009. The theme of this regional conference will be "Geosynthetics for Africa." Download the preliminary flyer here, and visit the IGS website for information on other chapter, regional and global events. Learn more here.;

The Navajo Nation Council will meet shortly to renew discussions of a Tribal Superfund Law. This would essentially give the Navajo a way to address cleanup of industrial and mining pollution on their lands. It will also establish where Navajo and US federal and state jurisdictions might overlap--concern for which has kept the Superfund proposal at arm's length up until now. Learn more here.;

The historic Colorado town of Leadville is situated below an old mining area that contains more than a billion gallons of contaminated drainage. A state of emergency has been declared. Melting snowpack and a partial collapse in the 2.1-mile-long drainage tunnel have threatened what some are calling a toxic tidalwave. Learn more here.;

The spike in demand for (and profit from) minerals and precious metals has caused a furious number of mining projects to be pushed. The environmental management costs--liners, erosion control, etc.--have contributed more as the scope of these mining sites expand; but a far greater cost crunch lies in the global competition for mining equipment and labor. There are shortages of both. Learn more here.;

A proposed copper mine in the Yukon is meeting with stiff environmental opposition. The many-years spike in copper prices has made the $150 million, 8-year-life mine attractive to the company seeking to build. But environmental groups are asking for examples of how heap leaching and liners react overtime in cold climates. Manfacturers and engineers with experience should consider adding your knowledge to the discussion. Learn more here.;

geosindex.com lists geosynthetic data and it's free to access. Registration is never requested. For a sample of what the site provides, check out the geotextile data. The interactive table is sortable and users can choose what criteria fields they would like to see, such as CBR Puncture, NTPEP, and tensile strength. Questions on how to use the site or how to list your products? Contact us. Learn more here.;

The ASTM Proficiency Testing Program has just expanded its existing Textiles Proficiency Testing Program to include a new proficiency testing program on yarns and threads. This new PTP is an industry driven quality assurance program for companies doing yarn and thread component performance evaluations on a routine basis. This PTP will provide participants with a statistical tool that will enable them to compare, improve and maintain a high level of performance in the use of ASTM test methods with other laboratories worldwide. The test parameters in the ASTM yarn and thread PTP include the following ASTM standard tests: · D 1422, Test Method for Twist in Single Spun Yarns by the Untwist-Retwist Method; · D 1423, Test Method for Twist in Yarns by Direct-Counting; · D 1907, Test Method for Linear Density of Yarn (Yarn Number) by the Skein Method; and · D 2256, Test Method for Tensile Properties of Yarns by the Single-Strand Method (straight break strength and loop strength). For each test trial, laboratory participants receive a different spool containing 500 yards of a representative yarn or thread for testing, along with interactive electronic data report forms and test instructions. Using the specified ASTM program tests, participating laboratories conduct the tests of their choice that they routinely run. Upon completion of testing, each lab electronically submits their data to the ASTM PTP Center for use in generating statistical summary reports. Final reports, which are electronically distributed within a month of the data submission deadline, contain: · All test results, coded to maintain PTP customer confidentiality; · Statistical analysis of test data; and · Charts plotting test results versus laboratory code. Test results received through the program will allow laboratories to monitor strengths and weaknesses to maintain accreditation status and compare test results and calculated statistical parameters with labs throughout the world. Test cycles will be held in June and December. Companies must be registered by April 30 to be included in the June test trial. The annual subscription fee for both trials in 2008 is $290 USD. For more information on registration and fees, please contact Helen Mahy, ASTM International (phone: 610/832-9683; hmahy@astm.org) or visit the proficiency test program for textiles section of the ASTM Web site at the link below. Learn more here.;

See the latest geomembrane data at geosindex.com. Learn more here.;

Who is responsible for cross-border pollution? A Canadian mining company has sought to dismiss a lawsuit regarding its polluting of the Columbia River, which flows through 1.4 million acres in the American state of Washington. The US Supreme Court has refused to dismiss the suit. Cleanup is needed and $20 million is to be placed in escrow to cover initial operations. (Waste News). Learn more here.;

When the mining and processing company Arimetco declared bankruptcy in the late 1990s, it left a large site in Nevada littered with waste rock and toxic ponds. Last year, cleanup began at the site's megapond, with the liner and waste rock removed. An evaporation pond was built, but 8 of the site's 10 ponds remain in need of correction. Funding, however, has dried up. Learn more here.;

Vermont Asbestos Group closed its Belvedere Mountain site in 1993...and left behind large pilings of tailings. Now, high levels of contamination are being found in surrounding waters. An estimated $500 million will be needed to clean the site. A possible solution is capping the waste. Learn more here.;

PSV Holdings, which holds a significant stake in African mining operations, has acquired South Africa-based Engineered Linings, a geomembrane specialist. Engineered Linings is expert in heap leach pads, landfills, wastewater management, and much more. Learn more here.;

California State Parks and Newmont USA Ltd. are moving forward on the remediation of the former Empire Mine. A geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) cap has been installed and clean soil is being added. After mining operations ceased in the 1950s, the site became a park. The current $1 million cleanup is part of ensuring the park's safe future. More soil zones are being tested for potential remediation. Learn more here.;