Development of carbon composite iron ore micropellets by using the microfines of iron ore and carbon-bearing materials in iron making

Iron ore microfines and concentrate have very limited uses in sintering processes. They are used in pelletization; however, this process is cost intensive. Furthermore, the microfines of non-coking coal and other carbon-bearing materials, e.g., blast-furnace flue dust （BFD） and coke frees, are not used extensively in the metallurgical industry because of operational difficu]ties and handling problems. In the present work, to utilize these microfines, coal composite iron oxide micropellets （2-6 mm in size） were produced through an innovative technique in which lime and molasses were used as binding materials in the micropellets. The micropellets were subsequently treated with CO2 or the industrial waste gas to induce the chemical bond formation. The results show that, at a very high carbon level of 22wt% （38wt% coal）, the cold crushing strength and abrasion index of the micropellets are 2.5-3 kg/cm2 and 5wt%-9wt%, respectively; these values indicate that the pellets are suitable for cold handling. The developed micropellets have strong potential as a heat source in smelting reduction in iron making and sintering to reduce coke breeze. The micropellets produced with BFD and coke fines （8wt%-12wt%） were used in iron ore sin- tering and were observed to reduce the coke breeze consumption by 3%-4%. The quality of the produced sinter was at par with that of the conventional blast-furnace sinter.

Relationships between Modified Methylene Blue Value of Microfines in Manufactured Sand and Concrete Properties

To better understand and assess the effect of microfines on concrete properties, the synergetic effect of methylene blue value and content of microfines on properties of low and high strength concrete was studied and then the relationships between the index of modified methylene blue value （MMBV） and concrete properties were investigated. The results show that relationships between MMBV and fresh and hardened properties of concrete can be fully established, and the correlation between MMBV and C60 concrete property is higher than the correlation between MMBV and C30 concrete. With the increase of MMBV, concrete workability and frost resistance decrease while drying shrinkage decreases; however, compressive strength and chloride-ion penetration resistance of C30 concrete have not been negatively affected whereas those of C60 concrete are significantly deteriorated when MMBV exceeds 100. To make use of microfines without remarkably damaging concrete quality, it is suggested that MMBV of microfines in MS used in C30 and C60 concrete be no more than 100.

Adsorption of sodium oleate at the microfine hematite/aqueous solution interface and its consequences for flotation

The adsorption of sodium oleate(NaOL)at the microfine hematite/aqueous solution interface was investigated in this paper.Experimental research indicated that negative effects stemmed from the dissolution of the microfine hematite(D50=19.21μm)could be effectively eliminated via the appropriate dosage of NaOL at alkali pH conditions.Solution chemistry calculation and adsorption test results indicated that RCOO
and(RCOO)_(2)^(2-) ions were responsible for microfine hematite flotation at pH 8.2.Zeta potential and FTIR measurements confirmed the co-adsorption of molecular and ionic oleate species occurred at pH 8.2.X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)results further indicated that oleate species interacted with hematite surfaces mainly through chemisorption,giving rise to molecule/colloid formation of oleate and Fe―OL complex compound.Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry(ToF-SIMS)results demonstrated that oleate species adsorbed onto the hematite surfaces with a thickness of a few nanometers.Furthermore,the normalized peak intensity of C4H7+ions on the hematite sample at pH 8.2 increased remarkably comparing with corresponding result of hematite sample at pH 6.8.The new findings of the present study well revealed the dissolution of microfine hematite and the pH effects on the hematite flotation,as well as the adsorption characteristics of oleate species.

An Integrated FCEM-AHP Approach for Borrower’s Satisfaction and Perception Analysis of Microfinance Institution

Themain objective of this paper is to present an integrated approach to evaluate the level of satisfaction of borrowers with the products and services of microfinance institutions(MFI)at different criterion levels.For this,the study adopts the concept of FCEM(Fuzzy Comprehensive EvaluationMethod)in concurrence with the AHP(Analytical Hierarchy Process).In our day-to-day situation,the researchers have made many efforts to assess the impact of Microfinance on poverty reduction,but borrowers’satisfaction is always overlooked.Since the multiple factors impact the borrower’s satisfaction,each factor is made of different items.Thus,as the factors items increase,many uncertainties are created,and hence this will make the decisionmaking unsmooth or imprecise.To describe this,the FCEM method deals with the vagueness in the collection information phase.However,the AHP has been utilized to determine the objective weights of each factor.The presented integrated framework has been illustrated with a case study and presented their results.The study’s managerial benefit is also reported to address the situation.

Local digital lending development and the incidence of deprivation in Kenya

In the developing world,vulnerable communities often lack access to regular income sources to cope with unforeseen events.Recent advancements in financial technology have enabled microcredit to be delivered via digital platforms.Although digital credit may quicken remote access to consumer credit without the need for collateral,little is known about its contribution to the welfare of underserved communities.This study examines the effects of local digital lending development on deprivation and explores the implications of these effects on rural inhabitants.The results show a negative association between local digital lending development and food deprivation on one hand and health deprivation on the other.The evidence suggests that local digital lending development can reduce the probability of food and health deprivation.Furthermore,the evidence reveals that inhabitants of rural communities benefit more from digital lending development.This study recommends the decentralization of financial inclusion policies as a pathway to promote digital lending at the local level.

How does financial literacy impact on inclusive finance?

Inclusive finance is a core concept of finance that makes various financial products and services accessible and affordable to all individuals and businesses,especially those excluded from the formal financial system.One of the leading forces affecting people’s ability to access financial services in rural areas is financial literacy.This study investigated the impacts of financial knowledge on financial access through banking,microfinance,and fintech access using the Bangladesh rural population data.We employed three econometrics models:logistic regression,probit regression,and complementary log–log regression to examine whether financial literacy significantly affects removing the barriers that prevent people from participating and using financial services to improve their lives.The empirical findings showed that knowledge regarding various financial services factors had significant impacts on getting financial access.Some variables such as profession,income level,knowledge regarding depositing and withdrawing money,and knowledge regarding interest rate highly affected the overall access to finance.The study’s results provide valuable recommendations for the policymaker to improve financial inclusion in the developing country context.A comprehensive and long-term education program should be delivered broadly to the rural population to make a big stride in financial inclusion,a key driver of poverty reduction and prosperity boosting.

Analysis of Farmers Adoption Behaviour of CRIG Recommended Technologies as a Package: The Case of Some Self Help Cocoa Farmer Associations in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Adoption of recommended technologies as a package is the prelude to increase cocoa productivity per unit area. This is due to the interactive benefits of individual technologies which have been recommended by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG). However, many surveys among cocoa farmers have reported low adoption of technologies resulting in low productivity of cocoa with an average of 450 kg/ha among small holder cocoa farmers in Ghana. The current study investigates the adoption behavior of some cocoa farmers belonging to some self help farmer associations in the Eastern Region who are being monitored by CRIG since 2011. Primary data was collected from 131 respondents using questionnaires to interview farmers between 2013 and 2015. The results showed that adoption of recommended cocoa technologies as a package was still low. Respondents, however, identified a number of challenges including high cost of inputs, lack of finance and access to credit, high cost of labour and old age as some factors hampering composite adoption of the full CRIG technologies. It is recommended that small-scale cocoa farmers need a sustainable and convenient microfinance that can motivate and help them afford the cost associated with the full package of technologies. Farmers’ savings culture should also be nurtured to enhance their financial capabilities and investment in the cocoa farm.

Research on the Model of Household Credit Risk Evaluation of Rural Microfinance

Since rural microfinance is a credit which grants loans without collateral and guarantees to farmers,it is considerably important to evaluate and control the household credit risk.Through establishing the evaluation index system and then using catastrophe progression theory,three common types of catastrophe system and the normalization formula,we get the comprehensive evaluation.Finally,we take the empirical test and the result shows that this method is simpler and more objective which can be used by the credit cooperatives to decide whether to authorize the loans.

Does microfinance foster the development of its clients?A bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review

This paper conducts a scientometric analysis and systematic literature review to identify the trends in microfinance outcomes from the perspective of their recipients,specifically more vulnerable people,while also focusing on the demand side.Applying the keywords“co-occurrence networks”and“citation networks,”we examined 524 studies indexed on the ISI Web of Science database between 2012 and March 2021.The subsequent content analysis of bibliometric-coupled articles concerns the main research topics in this field:the socioeconomic outcomes of microfinance,the dichotomy between social performance and the mission drift of microfinance institutions,and how entrepreneurship and financial innovation,specifically through crowdfunding,mitigate poverty and empower the more vulnerable.The findings reinforce the idea that microfinance constitutes a distinct field of development thinking,and indicate that a more holistic approach should be adopted to boost microfinance outcomes through a better understanding of their beneficiaries.The trends in this field will help policymakers,regulators,and academics to examine the nuts and bolts of microfinance and identify the most relevant areas of intervention.

Impact of global financial crunch on financially innovative microfinance institutions in South Asia

The wave of global financial crises(2008-2009)caused a surge in the capital flows of developed countries particularly,between developed and developing countries.The crunch hit all financial sectors with unanticipated severity.The study evaluates the role of a country’s political practices in moderating the impact of global financial crunch on microfinance performance.Using the fixed effect panel regression method on the dataset comprising of 95 MFIs operating in South Asia from 2003 to 2012,we determine that microfinance operational capability shares a positive relationship with the institutional attributes of a country and our output reveals that impact of country’s political practices is pervasive on the financial output of MFIs,liable to different levels of implementation.The findings further reveals that MFIs situated in countries having vigorous political practices are less severely affected by the economic crunch.

Application of a distributed verification in Islamic microfinance institutions:a sustainable model

The literature gap in microfinance paradox of double bottom line(financial performance vs.outreach)has always been an interesting area of research.This paper proposes a theoretical model most suitable for Islamic Microfinance Institutions(MFIs)which enables Islamic MFIs’to operate together with the existing financial models compliant with Islamic Shariah Law.This model is based on a distributed verification/decision-making process that might be realized(but not necessary)through block-chain.Among the available distributed verification techniques,blockchain technology is an attractive emerging computing paradigm due to its decentralized,immutable,shared,and secure data structure characteristics.This model proposes three significant propositions.First,sharing information through blockchain will allow a transparent network in MFI operations,which will raise confidence for donors resulting in a causal effect of a relatively lower profit rate to be charged by the MFIs.Second,the consensus mechanism will enable risk-sharing,a character of Islamic finance;thus,the MFIs will operate without any collateral for low-risk firms.Third,the double bottom line of MFIs’long-lasting paradox would be solved.As for practical implication of this proposed model,the causal impact of lower cost investment by the lenders would increase social welfare because of no collateral and no initial wealth requirement.The proposed model proposes a credit rationing approach where profit can be negative.No collateral will be used when calculating the creditworthiness of a borrower.

Moving past the rhetoric： Policy considerations that can make Sino-African relations to improve Africa＇s climate change resilience and the attainment of the sustainable development goals

Climate change is a threat to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) in sub-Saharan Africa as its impacts can lead to increased incidences of poverty and inequality which can subsequently lead to a 12% decline in the Human Development Index(HDI) for subSaharan Africa. Emerging countries such as China have the potential to support Africa to achieve the SDGs by pioneering Southe South Climate Finance(SSCF) modalities. In order to increase knowledge on climate informed development and the role of China in global climate governance, the paper examined various research articles, case studies, policy briefs and project reports. Sino-African aid, investments and trade were noted as essential in mitigating Africa's climate change vulnerabilities which induce poverty traps and inequality. Some African countries were noted to have a comparative advantage in environmental standards over China but lacked the initiative to use this comparative advantage to enhance the Forum on Chinae Africa Cooperation(FOCAC) and assist China to have a sustainable growth trajectory. The paper concludes that SSCF modalities can enhance climate risk management in Africa if they focus on improving financial inclusion and improving climate finance flows towards climate change adaptation activities in Africa. Additionally, to increase the effectiveness and impact of Chinese climate finance support to Africa, African policymakers should not allow political and market forces to decide how climate related support from China should be allocated as decisions based on political and market forces could potentially promote an inequitable distribution of funds and ignore the most vulnerable countries and regions.

Is Microfinance Beneficial or Opportunistic?

Microfinance has been established targeting access to finance for poor people who are screened out from getting loans from formal financial institutions due to lack of collateral and low creditworthiness.There has undergone a tremendous transformation in all aspects of microfinance,including outreach and portfolio size,proliferation of microfinance through a large number of microfinance institutions,diversification of services,new regulatory regime,contribution in rural development,recognition of microfinance as a major contributor in poverty reduction,etc.However,the microfinance sector is facing many challenges regarding institutional capacity,quality,and diversity of services,fallout from political and macroeconomic factors,replication of agricultural credit,and so forth.The objective of this article is to find out whether microfinance has impact on poverty reduction and economic development at all.

The Impact of Corporate Governance and Ethics on Microfinance Institutions (MFIs)—The Case for Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, 2009-2019

The paper presents and examines the impact of corporate governance and ethics in particular on sustainable development of the Zimbabwean microfinance sector in the period 2009-2019.The critical microfinance institutions(MFIs)crisis experienced in Masvingo,Zimbabwe recently was not the first one in the world in terms of its severity.The main aim of MFIs in any economy is to serve the poor and vulnerable people of a society through providing them with soft or concessional loans,insurance coverage,and facilities for savings.The study used the descriptive qualitative design to draw research data from MFIs dotted in and around Masvingo Province for presentation,analysis,and interpretation.One of the major findings of the study was that corporate governance and ethics played an indispensable role in the growth and development of MFIs’products and services.The study also realized that good corporate governance and ethical behaviours in business practices were essential for the success of any organization and vice versa and MFIs were no exception.The study therefore concluded that poor capital formation,corporate governance and ethics,human recruitment and selection procedures and fraudulent activities or misappropriation of funds were responsible for the majority of threats faced by MFIs in Masvingo in their growth and development endeavours.Therefore the study recommended that directors of MFIs should craft policies and strategies that are corporate governance and ethics oriented in their desire to grow their business towards sustainable development in the foreseeable future.

The Determinants of the Performance and the Sustainability of Conventional and Islamic Microfinance Institutions

The purpose of this paper is to study the factors determining the performance （organizational, social, and financial） of conventional and Islamic microfinance institutions and their impact on maintaining the sustainability of these institutions. A panel data on a sample of 333 conventional and 49 Islamic microfinance institutions （MFIs） between 1996 and 2012 of six different regions is used for this purpose and analyzes using the simple linear regression technique. The results show that the sustainability measered by operational autonomy （OSS） of Islamic MFIs （IMFIs） is sensitive to their social performance （SP）, while the sustainability of Conventional MFIs （CMFIs） is sustained by their Financial Performance （FP） measured by return on assets （ROA）. Thus, these latter seem to deviate from the main social objective focusing more on profitability. Indeed, this judgement is confirmed when the results also showed that their （CMFIs） FP is positively affected by the quality of credit portfolios which reveals the category of the targeted clients （the poorest of the poor are abandoned）. On the contrary, FP of IMFIs seems to be mainly supported by their specific source of funding through the islamic financial contracts where the results revealed that their profitabilty is positively affected by their capital structure. Moreover, the results show that the organizational performance positively affects the sustainability of the two categories of MFIs.

Microcredit as a Strategy for Poverty Reduction： A Case Study of the Sudan

Sudan is among those developing countries characterized by high incidence of poverty in spite of its prodigious resource endowments. Sudan government has continued to introduce programmes aiming at alleviation of poverty which were generally characterized by a lack of effectiveness. The traditional approach towards poverty reduction centered on national development programmes designed to enhance economic growth and improve standards of living. In addition, the Islamic institution of Zakat was utilized to help poor families start income-generating projects. However, recently, a more ambitious poverty-focused microcredit programme was laid forth. Thus, billions of dollars were earmarked for microcredit to help the poor obtain investible resources which can be directed towards starting income-generating projects. This paper argues that today, there is no shortage of funds earmarked for microfinance in Sudan. But the prevailing institutional inadequacies would not allow such substantial outlays to have much impact on poverty reduction. This paper reviews the history of microcredit and microfinance in the country, highlights the roles of different institutions in provision of microcredit, attempts to figure out its possible policy outputs, and finally makes some suggestions to overcome the evident shortcomings.

The Analysis of Obstacles to Rural Microfinance Development in China

On the basis of presenting the terminology and classification of Rural Microfinance, this paper introduces the present situation of China's rural microfinance development and analyses the factors that hinder the highly efficient and sustainable development of rural microfinance in current China. These factors include the operational risk, the financial resource and the sustainability of development, the regulation issues, and the issue of financial supporting services. This paper also makes several suggestions concerning policy making: the government should vigorously promote innovations in systems and mechanisms as well as products, constantly improve financial supporting services, and put more emphasis on supervision and control, as well as policy support.

Microfinance Services and Economic Growth of Households in Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Microfinance institutions play a great role for small businesses activities, deposits, and loans to improve households and constrained people who are not reached by formal financial institutions. This study aimed to investigate on the microfinance services and economic growth of households in Lubumbashi. The study applied descriptive and correlation design. Questionnaire was administered to 125 respondents and simple random sampling technique was used to select them. With the use of statistical techniques applied for data analysis, it was concluded that there is a significant relationship between microfinance services and economic growth of households. From the results, it was recommended that microfinance services should not only be considered as credit and lending activities, but also include insurance, savings, and transactional services for money transfer.

Microfinance and Shelter: An Impact Assessment of Microfinance on Improving Housing Conditions of Rural Sri Lanka

This paper examines the impact of microfinance(MF)programmes on improving the shelter conditions of beneficiary households of Southern Province in Sri Lanka.The ownership of conditional house is one of key indicators measure fulfilling the basic needs of a household on the one hand and healthiness of it on the other.The study is based on the data and information gathered from a sample survey of 405 microfinance recipients of four national level leading Microfinance Institutions(MFIs)in Sri Lanka for 2017.These include:Thrift and Credit Cooperative Societies(TCCSs),Samurdhi Banking Societies(SBSs),Ruhuna Development Bank(RDB),and Sarvodaya Economic Enterprise Development Societies(SEEDS).For analysis purpose,a comparison group has been selected from the existing MF recipients whose membership duration with microfinance(MF)is not longer than one year to compare their shelter status with that of existing MF recipients whose membership duration with MF programmes is longer than one year.Three indicators:size of living space,conditions of the house,and current market value of a dwelling house are used for assessing the impact.Based on the data analysis,the study found that Microfinance has benefited the Borrowing Households(BHHs)to improve their shelter status in terms of all the indicators of housing conditions(except roof condition),size of living space,and market value of a dwelling house.

Managing Social Performance A Case of Microfinance

Global financial crises might and should be recognized as a potential chance to introduce changes in managing our business, both in financial and other important private and/or public sectors. The prevailing opinion is that a lack of corporative social responsibility is one of the major reasons that lead to global crises occurrence. Nowadays, it is crucial to use the experiences of other industries and sectors which from their very beginning managed to balance finance and social goals at the same time. Microfinance sector is exactly one such sector. This paper is organized as follows： First, we give some overview of different approaches to measuring social performance of microfinance institutions. In this part of the paper we also accent the specifics of microfinance institutions-management within the context of double bottom line. In the second part we focus our analysis on practical implementation of ＂double bottom line management in Prizma MCO, one of the world pioneers in social performance management, by using their revolutionary poverty scorecard system. Then, we analyze how these social performance data are used in decision-making and how it affects overall performance of the organization. The paper is finished with some conclusions and lessons learned.