scholarly journals The Potential Re-Use of Saudi Mine Tailings in Mine Backfill: A Path towards Sustainable Mining in Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6204
Author(s):  
Mohammed Hefni ◽  
Hussin Ahmed ◽  
Ebaa Omar ◽  
Maaz Ali
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Underground Mining ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Mining Sector ◽  
Sustainable Mining ◽  
Mine Backfill ◽  
Wide Range

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia covers an area of approximately 2 million km2 and is rich in natural resources that are necessary for industrial development. The estimated mineral wealth beneath the Kingdom’s soil is approximately USD 1.33 trillion, as reported by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. The Kingdom’s vision for 2030 is to develop the mining sector to become the third pillar of the domestic economy. Therefore, exploration and mining activities are expected to accelerate over the next decade, which will lead to increased waste production. New executive regulations issued in January 2021 contain several sustainable elements related to the environment, social responsibility, and occupational health and safety. Therefore, this study aims to promote an example of sustainable mining activities in the Kingdom that could be adapted to meet the regulatory requirements. Cemented paste backfill samples of varying composition were made with waste materials from a Saudi copper mine for re-injection into underground mining cavities to minimize waste exposure to the environment. The samples were tested for unconfined compressive strength (UCS) after 7, 14, 28, 56, and 90 days of curing. Results from a statistically designed experiment technique show that the samples developed sufficient strength to be used in mine backfilling applications. Strong negative relationships were detected between the UCS and the water-to-binder ratio. There is strong potential for mine backfill technology to be applied to a wide range of Saudi Arabian mines to enhance the sustainability of the mining sector.

Responsible production and consumption of mineral resources: mobilising geoethics as a framework for mining companies, manufacturers and other stakeholders

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nic Bilham
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
White Paper ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Mining Sector ◽  
Mining Companies ◽  
Civil Society Organisations ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Wide Range

<p>Geoethics is intended to provide a conceptual and practical framework for all human agents engaging with the ethical challenges that arise from their interaction with the Earth.  In recent years, it has chiefly focused on the professional roles of geoscientists and allied professionals.  Great progress has been made towards putting geoethics in its rightful place at the heart of all geoscience, elaborating and applying its principles across a wide variety of disciplines and sectors, and promoting its importance in geoscience education, training, research and professional practice.  Geoethical thinking has been developed and applied in the mining sector, through initiatives such as the IAPG White Paper on Responsible Mining, through multidisciplinary research on responsible and sustainable mining, and through responsible exploration, production and associated activities in mining companies. </p><p>Addressing the global challenges expressed in the UN Sustainable Development Goals will depend on a vast range of mined raw materials.  It is vital that we find, extract, manage and use these resources in a responsible way, minimising environmental and social harm, and sharing the benefits we derive from them equitably.  But achieving these objectives cannot depend on geoscientists and their colleagues in the mining sector alone.  It will also require the active engagement of manufacturers sourcing raw materials across complex mineral supply chains; investors and other value chain actors; and a wide range of other stakeholders including civil society organisations, policy-makers and citizens.</p><p>There is rapidly growing recognition among this wider set of actors of the need for a transition to more sustainable systems of production and consumption of raw materials, and of the roles they can play in delivering these alongside responsible mining companies.  This presentation will consider the suitability of geoethics, as currently framed and articulated, as a basis for engagement and action by this wider set of actors, in particular for manufacturers seeking to behave responsibly.  It will draw lessons from a recent project to help a multinational consumer-facing company to develop its responsible sourcing programme, and will suggest how the principles of geoethics can best be operationalised and communicated in such settings.</p>

scholarly journals Bridging the research–implementation gap: Mainstreaming biodiversity into the South African mining sector

Bothalia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Holness ◽  
Anthea Stephens ◽  
Aimee Ginsburg ◽  
Emily Botts ◽  
Amanda Driver ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Mining Sector ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Policy Relevant Science ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Biodiversity Information

Background: ‘Mainstreaming biodiversity’ aims to integrate biodiversity priorities directly into the policies and practices of production sectors, including the mining sector. In South Africa, the need emerged for a biodiversity guideline specifically relevant to the mining sector that would interpret a wide range of available spatial biodiversity information and frame it in a user-friendly format.Objectives: The aim of this article was to document and review the development of the Mining and Biodiversity Guideline. This serves as a case study of a product developed to assist in bridging the gap between available biodiversity information and use of this information by a production sector.Methods: We examined the development of the Mining and Biodiversity Guideline with reference to three factors known to be beneficial to creating policy-relevant science: a sound scientific foundation (credibility), relevance to decision-making (salience) and involvement of stakeholders (legitimacy).Results: The Mining and Biodiversity Guideline was developed through collaboration between the mining and biodiversity sectors. It provides a tool that contributes to the sustainable development of South Africa’s mineral resources in a way that enables regulators, industry and practitioners to minimise the impact of mining on biodiversity and ecosystem services. It includes a single integrated map of biodiversity priority areas summarised into four sensitivity categories relevant for the mining industry, with detailed guidance on how these should inform the application of the mitigation hierarchy.Conclusion: The Mining and Biodiversity Guideline has received political endorsement from the relevant regulatory government departments. A focussed training programme has promoted awareness and understanding of the Guideline. Preliminary reports indicate that the Guideline has been effective in influencing decision-making.

scholarly journals Occupational health and safety considerations for women employed in core mining positions

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Doret Botha ◽  
Freek Cronjé
Keyword(s):  
Health And Safety ◽  
Work Capacity ◽  
Physical Work ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Physical Work Capacity ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Mining Sector ◽  
Core Business ◽  
The Core

Orientation: Despite various liberalisation and feminisation processes with regard to gender and sex roles, traditionalistic typologies, especially in terms of occupational roles, are seemingly very reluctant to disappear from relevant theoretical discourses, as well as in practice. One of the main issues remains the terrain of physical work. Although women all over the world have been involved in mining activities for centuries, the mining industry has not been an obvious career choice for women. In South Africa, new mining legislation aims to rectify previous inequalities and disadvantages in the mining sector and specifically provides for the inclusion of women in core mining activities. Although well intended, women’s involvement in the core business of mining also exposes them to the various hazards related to mine work.Research purpose: This research determined perceptions regarding the health and safety of women working in core mining positions.Motivation for the study: Currently there is a paucity of published data regarding health and safety challenges pertaining to women employed in the core business of mining.Method: Quantitative and qualitative research paradigms were used (mixed method research design). Quantitative data were collected by means of a structured questionnaire. Qualitative data were collected by means of individual interviews and group interviews.Main findings: From the literature review and the empirical findings it is evident that various factors (physical work capacity, anthropometry and body composition, personal protective equipment, treatment during pregnancy and security measures) need to be considered to ensure the health and safety of women employed in core mining positions.Practical/managerial implications: It is evident from the research that exceptional attention should be given to the promotion of the health and safety of women working in the core business of mines to sustain their involvement in the mining sector.Contribution: Practical recommendations are made to address health and safety concerns of women employed in core mining activities. These can be implemented and used by various stakeholders in the mining sector.

scholarly journals Product Development of a Rock Reinforcing Bolt for Underground Hard Rock Mining

Mining ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 364-390
Author(s):  
Ndalamo Tshitema ◽  
Daramy Vandi Von Kallon
Keyword(s):  
Manufacturing Process ◽  
Hard Rock ◽  
Underground Mining ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Rock Bolt ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Rock Reinforcement ◽  
Hard Rock Mining ◽  
Rock Mining

The demand for mineral resources has dramatically increased over the past few decades; this increase directly correlates to an increase in underground mining activity. There are different mining methods for different minerals, and each have their risks. In hard rock mining activities such as mining for gold, rockfalls are the most significant deterrent to obtaining mineral resources. This paper focuses on rock reinforcement systems to prevent fatal rockfalls in underground excavations. Presently, there is a global steel shortage and an increase in prices that has impacted the productivity of the mining operations that support most national economies. The paper’s main objective is to present the improvement of a rock bolt design used to support the roof in underground mining activities and keep working personnel and equipment safe from rockfalls. This study presents two rock bolt designs: a preliminary design and an improved model of the rock bolt. The paper discusses the operation of the rock bolt and provides laboratory test results on the bolt in operation. The principle of operation of the yield bolt is based on the science of radial expansion of hollow tubes in tension, to provide integrity to underground excavations. This functional design of the rock bolt requires less steel and has the same performance as the current rock reinforcement elongates. The research methodology involved interviewing rock mining engineers to determine their desired rock reinforcement device that would adequately meet the unpredictable dynamic and static behavior of underground rocks. The methodology also included experimental tests of a rock bolt design that was aimed at meeting the desired and acceptable performance determined from the interviews. The experimental results were obtained from a 60-ton hydraulic press that simulated seismic activity underground. The experimental results showed several modes of failure for the bolt; however, the improved rock bolt yielded at an average of 200 KN, as designed. During testing of the preliminary bolt design, there were failures that resulted from the manufacturing process of the bolt, such as splitting of the tube due to the welded end components. After a dynamic test, the preliminary bolt tube bent, creating huge forces on the tube which may cause fracture. The coefficient of friction during dynamic testing was lower than during static testing, leading to undesirable results for the preliminary bolt. The optimized bolt design addressed the failures and the low yield tonnage of the preliminary bolt design. It successfully yielded at 20 tons, even during the dynamic event. The bolt had similar alignment issues which caused failure during testing, as can be seen from the results. A guide tube was implemented in the design and the manufacturing process changed; these changes resulted in the bolt having a more reliable performance that met the requirements throughout.

scholarly journals Will COVID-19 Reverse the Gains Made in Occupational Health and Safety in the Mining Sector in South Africa?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivian Atud
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Occupational Diseases ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Mining Sector ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Made In

This paper reviews the possible impact of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic on the Mining and Mineral Industry (MMI) in South Africa. It examines the possible impact of COVID-19on the industry milestones on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) agreed at the industry tripartite summit in 2014 which had ambitious targets of reaching zero harm in the industry and minimising occupational diseases by 2024. The paper used secondary data from the department of mineral resources. The analysis showed that (1) the industry has already missed some of the industry milestones towards the 2024 targets such as zero fatalities by 2020 and many other targets in health are also lagging behind. (2). PTB remains the dominant occupational diseases in the mining sector in South Africa constituting about 50% of major occupational diseases in the sector. (3) COVID-19 Positive continue to increase in the sector and it is being seen as a new epicentre for COVID-19 in the country despite the mandatory guidelines for OHS in the sectorin terms of the Mine Health and safety Act (MHSA) published by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) to respond to COVID-19. There is a need for the industry stakeholders to work together to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the sector and improve occupational health outcomes towards the 2024 targets.

Occupational and Environmental Health

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Practical Case ◽  
Environmental Sciences ◽  
Wide Range

This thoroughly updated seventh edition is a comprehensive, clearly written, and practical textbook that includes information on both occupational health and environmental health, providing the necessary foundation for recognizing and preventing work-related and environmentally induced diseases and injuries. National and international experts share their knowledge and practical experience in addressing a wide range of issues and evolving challenges in their fields. A multidisciplinary approach makes this an ideal textbook for students and practitioners in public health, occupational and environmental medicine, occupational health nursing, epidemiology, toxicology, occupational and environmental hygiene, safety, ergonomics, environmental sciences, and other fields. Comprehensive coverage provides a clear understanding of occupational and environmental health and its relationships to public health, environmental sciences, and government policy. Practical case studies demonstrate how to apply the basic principles of occupational and environmental health to real-world challenges. Numerous tables, graphs, and photographs reinforce key concepts. Annotated Further Reading sections at the end of chapters provide avenues for obtaining further infomation. This new edition of the book is thoroughly updated and also contains new chapters on climate change, children’s environmental health, liver disorders, kidney disorders, and a global perspective on occupational health and safety.

Evaluation of antioxidant enzyme content, phenolic content, and antibacterial activity of Commiphora gileadensis grown in Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-343
Author(s):  
Yaaser Q. Almulaiky ◽  
Ammar AL-Farga
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Oral Hygiene ◽  
Leaf Extract ◽  
Radical Scavenging Activity ◽  
Radical Scavenging ◽  
Scavenging Activity ◽  
Reference Drug ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Peel Extract

Commiphora gileadensis is commonly used in Saudi Arabia for oral hygiene. A lack of data about its biological activity encouraged us to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of its leaf and stem extracts. Ethanol, methanol, acetone and deionized water were tested as extraction solvents. 80% methanol gave the highest extracted concentrations of phenolic and flavonoid substances. The leaf and stem extracts were respectively evaluated for their radical scavenging activity with DPPH (EC50 = 3.39, and 1.06), ABTS (EC50 = 0.690, and 0.55), and peroxide scavenging activity (EC50 = 2.43, and 1.28). GC-MS identified a wide range of compounds that may be responsible for these activities of the results observed. The highest levels of chlorophyll, carotenoids, and lycopene were found in the leaf extract while level of proanthocyanidins was found in the stem peels extract. The peroxidase and catalase activities of stem peel extract were higher than those of the leaf extract. The findings showed that the leaf and stem peel extracts of C. gileadensis exhibited significant antibacterial activity against the test organisms. The minimum inhibitory concentrations for the plant extracts were compared with the standard reference drug Augmentin but the time–kill curves for the C. gileadensis extracts showed that they were less effective than Augmentin. Moreover, the stem peel extract exhibited stronger antibacterial activity than the leaf extract. In conclusion, C. gileadensis can be an important source of natural antioxidants, used as a healthy chewing stick for teeth brushing and oral hygiene purposes.

scholarly journals Drivers of sustainability practices and contributions to sustainable development evident in sustainability reports of European mining companies

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anđela Ivic ◽  
Nína María Saviolidis ◽  
Lara Johannsdottir
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Mining Companies ◽  
Social License ◽  
Sustainability Reports ◽  
Sustainability Practices

AbstractMining activities cause negative environmental impacts and social conflicts but also provide economic benefits to communities and secure the minerals necessary for low-carbon technology. The aim of this multiple case study is to analyze, compare and critically evaluate sustainability reports of 10 European mining companies for the 2016–2018 period to determine the drivers for implementation of sustainability practices and their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The findings suggest that European mining companies act under pressures from international initiatives and industry associations, the European Union, governments, stakeholders, and maintaining social license to operate. The companies report on the core subjects of corporate governance, employees, the environment, stakeholders’ engagement and occupational health and safety. Positive trends were observed in stakeholders’ engagement and health and safety, while air emissions and water and energy usage increased for most companies. Furthermore, there was an absence of improvement in gender diversity, utilization of renewable energy, and waste recycling. Even though all analyzed companies mentioned SDGs in the reports, the reports lacked a comprehensive explanation of mining activities’ contribution to the SDGs. This study addresses a gap in the existing literature on the European mining context of sustainable development and SDGs relevant for researchers, policymakers, and other impacted stakeholders and adds new theoretical knowledge on the external drivers of CSR activities based on institutional theory.

scholarly journals Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Based Sensors for Priority Pollutants

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2406
Author(s):  
Mashaalah Zarejousheghani ◽  
Parvaneh Rahimi ◽  
Helko Borsdorf ◽  
Stefan Zimmermann ◽  
Yvonne Joseph
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Selective Adsorption ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Priority Pollutants ◽  
Molecularly Imprinted ◽  
Innovative Strategies ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Wide Range

Globally, there is growing concern about the health risks of water and air pollution. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a list of priority pollutants containing 129 different chemical compounds. All of these chemicals are of significant interest due to their serious health and safety issues. Permanent exposure to some concentrations of these chemicals can cause severe and irrecoverable health effects, which can be easily prevented by their early identification. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) offer great potential for selective adsorption of chemicals from water and air samples. These selective artificial bio(mimetic) receptors are promising candidates for modification of sensors, especially disposable sensors, due to their low-cost, long-term stability, ease of engineering, simplicity of production and their applicability for a wide range of targets. Herein, innovative strategies used to develop MIP-based sensors for EPA priority pollutants will be reviewed.

Quantitative Content Analysis of the United Nations Seabed Debate: Methodology and a Continental Shelf Case Study

1970 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Friedheim ◽  
J. B. Kadane
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Outer Edge ◽  
General Assembly ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The United Nations

International arrangements for the uses of the ocean have been the subject of long debate within the United Nations since a speech made by Ambassador Arvid Pardo of Malta before the General Assembly in 1967. Issues in question include the method of delimiting the outer edge of the legal continental shelf; the spectrum of ocean arms control possibilities; proposals to create a declaration of principles governing the exploration for, and the exploitation of, seabed mineral resources with the promise that exploitation take place only if it “benefits mankind as a whole,” especially the developing states; and consideration of schemes to create international machinery to regulate, license, or own the resources of the seabed and subsoil. The discussions and debates began in the First (Political and Security) Committee of the 22nd General Assembly and proceeded through an ad hoc committee to the 23rd and 24th assembly plenary sessions. The creation of a permanent committee on the seabed as a part of the General Assembly's machinery attests to the importance members of the United Nations attribute to ocean problems. Having established the committee, they will be faced soon with the necessity of reaching decisions. The 24th General Assembly, for example, passed a resolution requesting the Secretary-General to ascertain members' attitudes on the convening of a new international conference to deal with a wide range of law of the sea problems.

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