The Key Factor of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) in the History of the Contribution of Mining Industry to the Prosperity of the United States and South Africa: A Review

Mining industry has significantly contributed to the prosperity of the nation with economic growth, whereas mining operation has caused Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) with the abandonment of mines. As some researchers suggest, the history of AMD is, generally, affected by the change in not only mining industry but also in social and economic conditions. Thus, historical analysis is an effective way to find the key factors of AMD. In this study, in order to find the key factors of AMD, we examine the history of the United States (U.S.) and South Africa, where their economy had been developed owing to the large-scale mining, based on the findings in the previous studies. The results indicated that the abandoned mines due to the economic depression triggered AMD in the U.S. and South Africa. While the U.S. had progressively adopted anti-AMD methods in terms of prevention, prediction, and remediation (PPR) as a comprehensive approach, especially since the 1970s onwards because of the rise of environmental consciousness as well as strict regulations, South Africa is at the early stage of implementing the regulations following PPR. The public attention should be directed to environmental conservation in addition to the implementation of the regulations in South Africa. The improvement in socio-economic conditions is, additionally, necessary for the rise of environmental consciousness in South Africa in the light of the three pillars of sustainable development: social, economic, and environmental elements.

The Impact of the Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Goals on Mineral Resource Availability in Africa

Understanding and predicting the impact of the global energy transition and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on global mineral demand and African supply is challenging. This study uses a resource nexus approach to investigate and analyze the impact of this transition on energy and water demand and CO2 emissions using three annual material demand scenarios. The results indicate that African mining will consume more energy by 2050, leading to an increase in cumulative demand for energy (from 98 to 14,577 TWh) and water (from 15,013 to 223,000 million m3), as well as CO2 emissions (1318 and 19,561 Gg CO2e). In contrast, only a modest increase in energy demand (207 TWh) will be required by 2050 to achieve the SDGs. Therefore, the African mining industry should reduce its energy consumption and invest more in the renewable energy sector to support the global energy transition.

Assessment of Soil Contamination and Human Health Risk around an Industrial Gold Mine in Côte d’Ivoire: The Case of Arsenic

The Tongon mine generates millions of tons of waste rock and tailings, which are stored in landfills in the vicinity of the mine. These tailings contain arsenic. The risk of soil contamination in this area is evident. This study assesses the arsenic contamination of soils around the mine and the health risks to the local population. Soil samples were taken from plastic bags and other materials used as working tools. Arsenic concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, after the soil samples had been concentrated and digested. Metal contamination indices were used to assess the degree of soil contamination. The results obtained indicate that soils in the industrial zone of the Tongon gold mine have very high average concentrations, well above the world average for uncontaminated soils of 6 mg/kg arsenic. Geoaccumulation index values range from 1.28 to 3.40. These values highlight severe arsenic soil contamination. The human health risk assessment revealed that exposure risks are well above the critical limit of 1 and are, in descending order, children > adult women > adult men. These results indicate an ecological risk, requiring environmental monitoring, underpinned by the development of an effective remediation strategy to reduce local pollution and contamination.

Head-mounted display-based intuitive virtual reality training system for the mining industry

Virtual reality(VR) training technology in the mining industry is a new field of research and utilization.The successful application of VR training system is critical to mine safety and production. Through the statistics of the current research and applications of VR training systems in mining industry, all the input/output devices are classified. Based on the classifications of the input/output devices that are used in the VR system, the current VR training systems for the mining industry could be divided into three types: screen-based general type, projector-based customized type, and head-mounted display(HMD)-based intuitive type. By employing a VR headset, a smartphone and a leap motion device, an HMDbased intuitive type VR training system prototype for drilling in underground mines has been developed.Ten trainees tried both the HMD-based intuitive system and the screen-based general control system to compare the experiences and training effects. The results show that the HMD-based system can give a much better user experience and is easy to use. Three of the five components of a VR training system,namely, the user, the tasks, and software and database should be given more attention in future research.With more available technologies of input and output devices, VR engines, and system software, the VR training system will eventually yield much better training results, and will play a more important role in as a training tool for mine safety.

Big data management in the mining industry

The mining industry faces a number of challenges that promote the adoption of new technologies.Big data,which is driven by the accelerating progress of information and communication technology,is one of the promising technologies that can reshape the entire mining landscape.Despite numerous attempts to apply big data in the mining industry,fundamental problems of big data,especially big data management(BDM),in the mining industry persist.This paper aims to fill the gap by presenting the basics of BDM.This work provides a brief introduction to big data and BDM,and it discusses the challenges encountered by the mining industry to indicate the necessity of implementing big data.It also summarizes data sources in the mining industry and presents the potential benefits of big data to the mining industry.This work also envisions a future in which a global database project is established and big data is used together with other technologies(i.e.,automation),supported by government policies and following international standards.This paper also outlines the precautions for the utilization of BDM in the mining industry.

Heavy Metal Distribution in Soils near the Almalyk Mining and Smelting Industrial Area,Uzbekistan

The present study demonstrates distribution and chemical forms of heavy metals in soils of the AImalyk mining and smelting industrial area along five transects. The study area is located in Almalyk, Uzbekistan, where the intensification of industrial enterprises negatively impacts the environment. The distribution of 17 heavy metals （Cu, Zn, Pb, Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Th, and U） were studied in 21 sampling locations （21×3=63 soil samples） along five radial transects with a total length of 60 km downwind deposition gradient. Soil samples were collected from the upper layer （0-10 cm） at 4-6 km intervals. As a result of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry analyses by using X -ray fluorescence spectroscopy （XRF, Philips Analytical Ink, USA ）, a significant decrease in heavy metal （Cu, Zn, Pb） deposition was found going from the source in a downwind direction. Soil samples taken from the first location （near the pollution sources） showed higher concentrations of Cu, Zn and Pb, and lower concentrations with increasing distance from the source. Obtained data showed different impact of pollution sources to heavy metal deposition and distribution in soils. The Almalyk mining and smelting complex is the major source of Pb, Zn and Cu enrichment in soils. Distribution of other trace elements does not exceed background content and suggests lithogenic background. This allowed us to divide these elements into two groups： （1） technogenic （Cu, Zn and Pb）; and （2） lithogenic （Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Ba, Th and U） origins.

Evaluation of the Reclamation Suitability of Industrial and Mining Wasteland

To evaluate the reclamation suitability of industrial and mining wasteland is the premise of reclamation. The wasteland was firstly categorized according to land use status and damage types. Then the evaluation process of reclamation suitability was introduced, which involves two steps, the first step was to exclude those unsuitable wasteland by the limits conditions, while the second step was to evaluate the suitability degree of those suitable wasteland. From the perspectives of soil fertility, soil pollution, farmland water conservancy and land damage, twelve evaluation factors, including soil depth, gravel content, bulk density, organic material content, pollution index, gradient, flatness, irrigation and drainage condition, source of borrowed earth, distance from the residential settlement, erosion modulus and damage extent, were selected to establish an index system for evaluating the abandoned industrial and mining land, aiming to provide references for the future reclamation of industrial and mining wasteland.

Geologic and economic potentials of minerals and industrial rocks in Jordan

This work discusses status of the geologic and economic potentials of minerals and industrial rocks in Jordan. The major mineral resources are presented in details and the paper is designed to cover the lack of published data in this field. Geologically, the structural framework of Jordan is controlled largely by Arabian Nubian Shield in the south, block—faulted areas in the east, upwarping in north and east, and Wadi Araba-Dead Sea Transform Fault in the western part. The geologic environments include Precambrian crystalline basement (Late Proterozoic) of Arabian Nubian Shield (ANS) that is composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks at south-western part. Paleozoic rocks at southern and southeastern part consist of clastic minerals which are dominated by sandstone, whereas Mesozoic sedimentary rocks are widespread throughout southwestern, northern to southeastern parts of the country. They mainly consist of major industrial rocks and minerals such as phosphate, oil shale, limestone, dolomite, chalk, marble, gypsum, diatomite and tripoli. Cenozoic Era is composed of sedimentary and volcanic rocks in different parts of Jordan. There are more than twenty nonmetallic minerals and four main metallic deposits within the various geologic environments. This paper summarizes their distribution, chemical and mineralogical characteristics, in addition to their production statistics.

Mineral Industry in Egypt-Part I: Metallic Mineral Commodities

This The mineral potential in Egypt is quite high. Almost all sorts of industrial minerals such as metallic and non-metallic commodities exist in commercial amounts. However, Egypt imports many of the mineral commodities needed for the local mineral industries. The main reason for this is that the investors, either the governmental or the private sectors, refrain from investing into the mineral industry for prospecting, evaluation, and developing the mining and mineral processing technologies. This is because the return on investment in the mining industry is generally low and the pay back period is relatively long compared with easy-to-get money projects. Another reason is the disarray of the mining laws and regulations and lack of administrative capability to deal with domestic and international investors and solve the related problems. Also, lack of skilled personnel in the field of mining and mineral processing is an additional factor for the set back of the mining industry in Egypt. This is why the mining technology in Egypt is not very far from being primitive and extremely simple, with the exception of the underground mining of coal, North of Sinai, and Abu-Tartur phosphate mining, where fully automated long wall operations are designed. Also, the recent gold and tin-tantalum-niobium projects are being designed on modern surface mining and mineral processing technologies. The present review presents an overview of the most important metallic mineral commodities in Egypt, their geological background, reserves and production rates. A brief mention of the existing technologies for their exploitation is also highlighted.

Heavy Metal Distribution in Soils near the Almalyk Mining and Smelting Industrial Area,Uzbekistan

The present study demonstrates the distribution of heavy metals in soils of Almalyk mining and smelting industrial area along the 5 transects.The study area is located in Almalyk,Uzbekistan,where the intensification of industrial enterprises negatively impact on the environment.The distribution of 17 heavy metals (Cu,Zn,Pb,Sc,V,Cr,Co,Ni,Ga,Rb,Sr,Y,Zr,Nb, Ba,Th,and U)were studied in 21 sampling locations (21×3=63 soil samples)along the 5 radial transects with the total length of 60 km downwind

The status and development strategy of coalbed methane industry in China

To achieve the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality under the backgrounds of poor resource endowments, weak theoretical basis and other factors, the development of the coalbed methane industry of China faces many bottlenecks and challenges. This paper systematically analyzes the coalbed methane resources, key technologies and progress, exploration effect and production performance in China and abroad. The main problems are summarized as low exploration degree, low technical adaptability, low return on investment and small development scale. This study suggests that the coalbed methane industry in China should follow the “two-step”(short-term and long-term) development strategy. The short-term action before 2030, can be divided into two stages:(1) From the present to 2025, to achieve new breakthroughs in theory and technology, and accomplish the target of annual production of 10 billion cubic meters;(2) From 2025 to 2030, to form the technologies suitable for most geological conditions, further expand the industry scale, and achieve an annual output of 30 billion cubic meters, improving the proportion of coalbed methane in the total natural gas production. The long-term action after 2030 is to gradually realize an annual production of 100 billion cubic meters. The strategic countermeasure to achieve the above goals is to adhere to “technology+management dual wheel drive”, realize the synchronous progress of technology and management, and promote the high-quality development of the coalbed methane industry. Technically, the efforts will focus on fine and effective development of coalbed methane in the medium to shallow layers of mature fields, effective development of coalbed methane in new fields, extensive and beneficial development of deep coalbed methane, three-dimensional comingled development of coalbed methane, applying new technologies such as coalbed methane displacement by carbon dioxide, microwave heating and stimulation technology, ultrasonic stimulation, high-temperature heat injection stimulation, rock breaking by high-energy laser. In terms of management, the efforts will focus on coordinative innovation of resource, technology, talent, policy and investment, with technological innovation as the core, to realize an all-round and integrated management and promote the development of coalbed methane industry at a high level.

Optimization of industrial structure： crux of the transition of mining cities

The rise and development of mining cities in our country take an extremely special status and play an important role in the national economy and social development. However, there are many problems in mining cities and their industrial structure. To realize the transition of mining cities, we must optimize the industrial structure. According to the theory of the optimization of industrial structure, the strategy is to organize regional enterprise groups, develop cluster economy, continuing industry and circular economy, and promote the rationalization of cities and regional industrial structure.

Research on key techniques of virtual reality applied in mining industry

Based on the applications of virtual reality technology in many fields, introducedthe virtual reality technical basic concept, structure type, related technique development,etc., tallied up applications of virtual reality technique in the present mining industry, inquired into core techniques related software and hardware, especially the optimization inthe setup of various 3D models technique, and carried out a virtual scene to travel extensively in real-time by stereoscopic manifestation technique and so on. Then it broughtforward the solution of virtual reality technique with software and hardware to the miningindustry that can satisfy the demand of different aspects and levers. Finally, it show a fineprospect of virtual reality technique applied in the mining industry.

A Comprehensive Outlook of Mining Industry in Jordan, Opportunities and Threats

Jordan’s mining sector is considered the cornerstone to the Jordanian economy. It plays a vital role in growth of many other important sectors in the economy and contributes to the Jordan’s standard of living. The mining industry in Jordan is dominated by the production of phosphate, potash, building and decoration stones, glass sand and other nonmetallic resources. Recently, Jordan has been ranked as the sixth largest producer and the second largest exporter of phosphate, the fourth largest producer and the second largest exporter of potash, and has the 5th largest oil-shale reserves in the world. Also, Jordan has sustainable amounts of uranium around 3% of the world resources. The main objective of this research is to focus on the present status of mining industry in Jordan with the aim to emphasis the most important industries, and its effect on the economy of Jordan in order to generate new wealth depends on its mineral endowment. A literature review has been carried out by reviewing the most published articles and the publicly available reports published by various Jordanian Institutions as well as from the private sector. The author reveals that there are many positive outlooks which are looming with an increasing domestic added value along with investing in other areas, such as feldspar, clays, travertine, gypsum, zirconium, uranium, copper and rare earth elements (REE). This requires activating the exploitation of many other untapped mineral resources in the country to achieve a progress that works for meeting the global great demands worldwide. In this context, successive governments have put effort into policies that promote and facilitate investment in the mining sector in Jordan. A comprehensive outlook of the mining sector in Jordan has been discussed in this article. The author also highlighted the opportunities and threats in this sector and more important dilemmas focused on what needs to be carried out by the Jordanian government, including important recommendations to encourage investment in this field and inspire investors in the mining industry in Jordan.

矿业系统工程60年发展与展望

矿业是以安全高效绿色开发和清洁高效低碳利用矿产资源为目的行业,也是经济社会发展的基础行业。为了使矿业开发更加经济、考虑的因素更加全面、设计和开发过程更加优化,20世纪50年代末期,将运筹学和计算机技术引入到了矿业工程,形成了矿业系统工程这一新的学科分支。早期的矿业系统工程主要是以采矿生产过程优化和计算机在矿山设计、采掘计划编制、信息处理、应用软件开发为主,且多以露天矿为研究对象。近年来矿业系统工程研究紧密结合大数据、人工智能、网络技术等,在矿山信息网络构建、运销系统、智能开采、设备管理、安全管理等方面取得了丰硕成果。详细阐述了矿业系统工程的起源和发展过程,并以运筹学和计算机在矿业中的应用国际会议(APCOM),尤其是已经举办的十五届全国矿业系统工程学术会议为脉络,客观地总结了矿业系统工程的发展过程和研究内容演变。以CNKI数据库为数据基础,通过聚类分析,研究了近20 a矿业系统工程的刊文量和研究对象及其变化。矿业系统工程的未来发展应聚焦于系统科学思想与现代采矿技术的结合,建立科学的系统及其边界,比如科学采矿系统、矿山全生命周期系统、智能矿山系统等八大系统,矿业系统工程的发展将更加注重数字化、智能化、可持续发展、信息化和自动化等方面的创新和应用,同时将不断拓展其应用领域,以实现矿业开发的最优化、高效化、绿色化和低碳化。

Protection, Development and Utilization of Industrial Heritage Under the Background of Transformation of Exhausted Cities: A Case Study of Construction Planning of Anyuan National Mine Park

Firstly,the status quo of Pingxiang City as a resource-exhausted city was introduced firstly,and then the development situation of Anyuan Coal Mine,which is the representative of traditional coal industry in Pingxiang,was summarized.Moreover,the classification and value of mining heritage were analyzed,and it is proposed that the development of mine heritage tourism and urban transformation should be combined.The planning of Anyuan National Mine Park under the background of urban transformation was analyzed to provides an idea for the protection and utilization of industrial heritage.

中国露天煤矿70年成就回顾及高质量发展架构体系

露天煤矿作为我国煤炭工业的重要组成部分,具有生产能力大、开采成本低、安全条件好等优势,近年来在建设规模、生产总量、开采工艺及技术装备等多方面均取得了跨越式的发展,有力保障了煤炭作为国家能源安全稳定供应的“压舱石”地位。首先回顾了新中国成立后我国露天煤矿70年来的发展历程,将其划分为起步恢复阶段(1949—1979年)、快速发展阶段(1980—1999年)、综合发展阶段(2000—2020年)和智能化初级发展阶段(2021年以后)4个时期;系统总结了每个时期的产量与数量规模、开采理论与技术、开采工艺与装备、资源开发与环境保护方面取得的突出成就。然后,探讨了现阶段露天煤矿发展面临的4个方面的主要问题,包括发展布局不均衡、可持续发展面临瓶颈、关键技术难题需深入攻关、人才短缺培养机制不完善。最后,提出构建以“安全、高效、绿色、低碳、智能”为总体目标的全链条、全周期、全要素露天煤矿高质量发展架构体系,其内涵特征包括以时效边坡理论、开采扰动指数理论、绿色开采理论、生态型开采理论、零碳负碳开采理论、智能化开采理论6种学术思想为理论基础,以灾害安全监测防控、复杂条件协同保障、生态源头减损开采、节能减污清洁利用、数字-自动-智能同建5类技术体系为核心支撑,以透明地质模型动态重构、边坡蠕滑全程精准预测、深大孔低扰动控制爆破、采空区超前探测与处置、粉尘抑制及煤自燃防治等30项关键技术为重点突破,以设计理念先进化、安全保障标准化、建设规模大型化、生产工艺综合化、开采装备智能化、核心制造国产化、矿区生态绿色化、煤炭利用清洁化、组织管理科学化、人才队伍国际化的“十化型”露天矿山为建设任务;同时给出了以规划引领为基础,以科技创新为驱动,以人才培育为保障的露天煤矿高质量发展实现路径。最终为推动我国露天煤矿向持续健康高质量方向发展提供指导。

图计算体系结构和系统软件关键技术综述

图计算作为分析事物之间关联关系的重要工具,近年来已成为各国政府及公司争夺的关键技术.学术界和工业界在图计算体系结构和系统软件关键技术方面取得了一定进展.然而,现实场景图计算大多具有动态变化、应用需求复杂多样等特征.这给图计算在基础理论、体系架构和系统软件关键技术方面提出了新的需求,同时也带来了新的挑战.为应对这些挑战,科研人员提出了一系列图计算系统或图计算加速器,通过高性能计算、并行计算等技术来优化图计算过程.综述国内外图计算体系结构和系统软件关键技术的研究发展现状,对国内外研究的最新进展进行归纳、比较和分析,并结合国家发展战略和重大应用需求,选取与我国国计民生密切相关的领域,从典型应用分析总结图计算相关技术的行业进展.最后,就未来的技术挑战和研究方向进行展望.

巴西矿业投资的机遇与挑战

巴西矿产资源丰富,铁矿、铝土矿、铌钽、锡、锰等为其优势矿产,开发潜力巨大,与我国矿产资源需求格局高度互补,中巴矿业投资合作对于我国资源安全保障具有重要意义。巴西地质勘查工作程度总体水平居拉丁美洲各国之首,2023年,矿业勘查投入达到历史高位,其中,外资投入占比过半,中资企业也加快了与巴西矿业合作的步伐。巴西矿产资源开发利用程度较高,优势矿产资源年产量全球占比位居前列。在域内域外多重力量助推下,中资企业在巴西矿业投资环境机遇与挑战并存:中巴政治互信持续升温、人民币结算破局、矿业政策相对稳定等使得矿业投资迎来机遇;金融环境欠佳、关键矿产资源战略持续深化、产业链本土化进程加剧、积极参与国际矿产联盟态势显现等使得矿业投资面临一定挑战。因此,本文建议深化中巴矿业战略合作;充分利用政策利好契机,布局我国紧缺战略性矿种投资;强化风险管控意识,提高风险预警能力;输出我国优势产能,回应巴西矿业产业链本土化发展诉求。