Physical Characterisation of a Natural Zeolite using a Scanning Electron Microscopy: A Preliminary Study

Zeolite is one of important non-metallic mineral deposites in Indonesia. It has been used for various purposes, including as an adsobent in environmental protection, industry, and agriculture. The most important characteristics of zeolit to be an adsorbent is its surface area and crystal structure. To optimally use zeolite as an adsorbent, it is necessary to understand its physical characteristics. This preliminary study was aimed to characterize physical properties of a natural zeolite obtained from Tasikmalaya, West Java, Indonesia. The zeolite material was crushed into <0.5 mm diameter and divided into two sets of samples. One set of samples was heated in a muffle furnace at 250 oC for two hours and the other set was left untreated. All samples were then observed using a Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The SEM micrographs showed rough and porous structure and defined crystallinity of the zeolite. Thermal treatment at 250 oC increased zeolite crystallinity. These results confirm that this natural zeolite is potential to be used as an adsorbent to remove dissolved metals from acid mine drainage.

From Energy Audit to Energy Performance Indicators (EnPI): A Methodology to Characterize Productive Sectors. The Italian Cement Industry Case Study

In this work, a novel methodology to assess energy performance indicators of productive and economic sectors trough the analysis of the Italian mandatory energy audits database is presented. The updating of sectoral reference energy performance indicators is fundamental for both companies and policy makers—for the formers to evaluate and compare their energy performance with competitors in order to achieve improvements and for the latter to effectively monitor the impact of energy policies. This methodology could be potentially applied to all production sectors, providing key information needed to characterize various production processes from an energy point of view. Awareness of energy efficiency and sectorial benchmarking represent the first necessary steps for companies moving towards energy transition. This paper provides details of the statistical method developed and its application to the NACE 23 division “Manufacturing of other non-metallic mineral products”, with a focus on the cement industry. For this sector, results are presented in terms of specific indicators based on energy source. General results, methodological insights, and validation of the proposed case study are discussed.

The Impacts of COVID-19 on China’s Economy and Energy in the Context of Trade Protectionism

In the current context of rising trade protectionism, deeply understanding the impacts of COVID-19 on economy and energy has important practical significance for China to cope with external shocks in an uncertain environment and enhance economic resilience. By constructing an integrated economic and energy input-output model including the COVID-19 shock, this paper assesses the impacts of COVID-19 on China’s macro-economy and energy consumption in the context of trade protectionism. The results are shown as follows. First, in the context of protectionism, the outbreak of COVID-19 in China would cause a 2.2–3.09% drop in China’s GDP and a 1.56–2.48% drop in energy consumption, while adverse spillovers from global spread of COVID-19 would reduce its GDP by 2.27–3.28% and energy consumption by 2.48–3.49%. Second, the negative impacts of domestic outbreak on China’s construction, non-metallic mineral products, and services would be on average 1.29% higher than those on other industries, while the impacts of global spread of COVID-19 on export-oriented industries such as textiles and wearing apparel would be on average 1.23% higher than other industries. Third, the effects of two wave of the pandemic on China’s fossil energy consumption would be on average 1.44% and 0.93% higher than non-fossil energy consumption, respectively.

The Obstacles and Opportunities of the Mineral Resources in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq

The Kurdistan Region in Iraq is located in the extreme northeastern part of the Arabian Plate which is in a collision since the Late Cretaceous with the Iranian Plate. Therefore, large ophiolite bodies have been thrust along the northeastern margins of Kurdistan Region; accordingly, different metallic mineral can be associated with igneous and metamorphic rocks at Penjween, Qalat Diza and Rawandouz vicinities, besides, radioactive minerals like uranium and thorium. Moreover, large and long thrust fault has developed along the northern and northeastern parts of the Kurdistan Region. Along the plane of this huge thrust fault, hydrothermal liquids have deposited different metallic minerals as showings, especially between Zakho and Amadiyah towns. We have presented and discussed the discipline of mineral investment in Kurdistan Region, the announced minerals’ blocks for investment by the Ministry of Natural Resources in the Kurdistan Regional Government, the encouraging factors and obstacles of investments. To fulfill the scope of this work, we have used the best available and updated data as acquired from different sources. The main obstacles which contributed to the backwardness and non-development of the mining industry in the Kurdistan Region can be summarized in the nonexistence of a valid and promising mineral investment law which can attract the big international mining companies to invest in the region, adding to the nonexistence of comprehensive, detailed and mineral exploration studies which can give confident figures of the mineral and ore reserves in the region. The non-availability of a specialized mining education institution which prepares mining expertise and mining engineers who can lead the progress in this regard could count as another hurdle.

Experimental SHPB Study of Limestone Damage under Confining Pressures after Exposure to Elevated Temperatures

Studying the dynamic performance of rocks affected by high temperatures is a crucial theoretical foundation of mining engineering design and the construction of deep metallic mineral resources. More importantly, such studies can provide technical support for the green and low-carbon mining of these resources. However, systematic studies on the dynamic mechanical properties of rocks affected by both confining pressure and temperature during the mining of deep metallic mineral resources are lacking. Therefore, systematic research was conducted on the dynamic mechanical properties of limestone under confining pressure after high-temperature treatment, and a corresponding constitutive model was established. In this study, limestones were heated to 200 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C, and 800 °C, and the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar impact test was conducted with confining pressures of 0.0 MPa, 0.5 MPa, 1.5 MPa, and 2.5 MPa. The test results show that the temperature has a significant effect on the dynamic compressive strength of limestone, and as the temperature rises, the strength tends to first increase and then decrease, reaching the turning point at a temperature of 400 °C. The dynamic compressive strength increases as the confining pressure increases. The constitutive equation of the dynamic damage to limestone under confining pressure after high-temperature treatment is consistent with the test results. Therefore, the established constitutive model can represent the dynamic behavior of limestone, providing a reference for evaluating the dynamic performance of this material, and serving as a theoretical basis for the green and low-carbon mining of deep metallic mineral resources.

Environmental Cost in Indonesia Spillover Effect Between Consumption and Production

Reducing environmental costs is a significant concern for Indonesia's future. This paper explores Indonesia's environmental costs from emissions and forest resources and identifies the priority sectors in terms of economic and environmental performance. We use environmentally extended input–output analysis for calculating the environmental costs and further extension with linkages analysis to identify the priority sectors. The study finds that the total environmental costs of emissions due to final demand is around 7% of the GDP. This environmental cost is significantly due to domestic products with household consumption being the largest contributor. The top 10 sectors in the Indonesian economy are responsible for about 70% of the total environmental costs of emissions. Based on pollutant source, SOx, NOx, CO2, and CH4 contribute more than half of emissions' ecological costs. We also find that forest resources' environmental cost is only 7.5% of the total environmental cost. Last, this study finds that key sectors of economic and sustainability points of view are textile manufacturing; publishing, printing, and reproduction of recorded media; chemicals n.e.c.; manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products; construction; and other land transport. Finally, this paper discusses the policy options for Indonesia to promote sustainable consumption and production in terms of reducing environmental costs while managing economic development.

TOTAL AND DISTRIBUTIVE IMPACT OF FINAL SECTORAL DEMAND ON CARBON DIOXIDE EQUIVALENT IN NIGERIA

This paper analyzed the percentage rise in final (sectoral) demand undergone by the whole economy in reaction to a 1% rise of the corresponding sector and the percentage rise corresponding to the apportionment of direct sectoral demand and its resultant effect on CO2-eq emissions in Nigeria. The study adopted a longitudinal design, and the most recent input-output (I-O) table was obtained from secondary sources (Eurostat database). Results revealed increases in CO2-eq emissions from the fishing, post and telecommunication, wood and paper, petroleum, chemical and non-metallic mineral products, metal products, electricity, gas and water, wholesale trade, and public administration sectors with a total contribution of 0.04095, 0.04095, 0.04089, 0.04088, 0.04086, 0.04089, 0.04088 and 0.04087 percent respectively, while sectors that contributed the highest in terms of the distribution of direct sectoral emissions were fishing, mining/quarrying and textile/wearing apparel accounting for about 0.04101, 0.04109 and 0.04111 percent respectively. That implies a 1% increase in final demand was increasing in the corresponding sector. Based on these results, the study identified sectors that contribute the highest in terms of the distribution of direct sectoral emission and sectors that account for the highest total increase in energy consumed in the country, thus contributing to the current debate in the literature. However, emission mitigation options proposed by the IPCC report should be considered an important option in curbing these emissions in Nigeria.

A Performance Analysis of High-growth Industries in the Post-reform India

This paper attempts to analyze the Technical and Economic Efficiency of four high performing manufacturing industries of India, viz., (i) Paper and paper products, (ii) Publishing, printing and reproduction of recorded media, (iii) Other non-metallic mineral products & (iv) Basic metals, in the post reform period. These four industries have been selected after comparing their growth rates among seventeen major industries with respect to the average industrial performance, which are calculated from ASI two digit level data for over two separate fifteen years span (1981-1995) & (1996-2010) representing the pre and post globalization states. After selecting the industries focus has been placed on their state of technical efficiency at the firm level. Here the analysis is carried out in terms of unit level ASI data and the method applied is the Stochastic Frontier Analysis. The years selected are 2003-04 and 2008-09. At the next step only the technically efficient firms have been culled out and an industry-wise analysis of their relative economic efficiency has been presented by considering the Generalized Leontief Production Function and applying Full Information Maximum Likelihood technique.

The Role of Mineral Assemblages in the Environmental Impact of Cu-Sulfide Deposits: A Case Study from Norway

Metallic mineral deposits represent natural geochemical anomalies of economically valuable commodities but, at the same time, their weathering may have negative environmental implications. Cu-sulfide mineral deposits have been recognized as deposits with a particularly large environmental footprint. However, different Cu deposits may result in significantly different environmental impacts, mostly depending on weathering conditions, but also on geological characteristics (mineralogy, geochemistry, host-rock lithology) of the Cu mineralization. This study presents new mineral and geochemical data from the Repparfjord Tectonic Window sediment-hosted Cu deposits and the Caledonian volcanogenic massive sulfides (VMS) deposits. The deposits share similar mineral features, with chalcopyrite and bornite as the main ore minerals, but they differ according to their trace element composition, gangue mineralogy, and host lithology. The studied sediment-hosted Cu deposits are depleted in most toxic metals and metalloids like Zn, As, Cd, and Hg, whereas the Røros Caledonian VMS mineralization brings elevated concentrations of Zn, Cd, In, Bi, As, and Cd. The conducted leaching experiments were set to simulate on-land and submarine weathering conditions. A high redox potential was confirmed as the main driving force in the destabilization of Cu-sulfides. Galvanic reactions may also contribute to the destabilization of minerals with low rest potentials, like sphalerite and pyrrhotite, even under near-neutral or slightly alkaline conditions. In addition, the presence of carbonates under near-neutral to slightly alkaline conditions may increase the reactivity of Cu sulfides and mobilize Cu, most likely as CuCO3 (aq).