Assessment of various scenarios for the development of mineral deposits in the region (as exemplified by the Republic of Tuva)

It is shown that Tuva has a sufficiently rich mineral and raw material diversity and the potential for their development. Nevertheless, the development of the republic is hindered by the existence of transport and infrastructure restrictions, to eliminate which, first of all, it is necessary to build a railway along the Kyzyl-Kuragino highway. On the other hand, given the border area of the territory that adjoins western Mongolia, there is a possibility of implementing various scenarios for the construction of railway tracks. The calculations performed to evaluate scenarios for the development of mineral resources of the republic using methods of intersectoral assessment shows that when implementing a pessimistic option for the development of the potential of mineral resources of Tuva (in which the construction of the railway to Tuva is frozen and only deposits of non-ferrous metals and gold are developed), the gross regional product of the republic will grow to 164 billion rubles, which will be 45% of the growth of this indicator in relation to the GRP of 2018. With the implementation of the optimistic option I, (in which it is planned to build a railway along the Kuragino-Kyzyl highway, coal deposits, non-ferrous metals, gold are being developed), the GRP of the republic will grow up to 351 billion rubles. In addition, calculations have been made for the construction of railways that would connect Tuva with Mongolia and China.

Application and Significance of Geological, Geochemical, and Geophysical Methods in the Nanpo Gold Field in Laos

As the main part of the Indosinian metallogenic province in the eastern part of the Tethys metallogenic domain, Southeast Asia has experienced multiple stages of tectonic magnetic activities accompanied by the formation of rich mineral resources. However, due to the undeveloped economy, low degree of geological work, dense vegetation cover, and lack of obvious prospecting marks, traditional geological prospecting work in the area is not optimal. Consequently, the combination of high-precision geophysics and geochemistry has become an important method of looking for ore bodies deep underground in this area. The Nanpo gold deposit is a hydrothermal gold deposit that occurs in the Indosinian felsic volcanic rock body, and its mineralization is closely related to felsic magmatism. This study carried out comprehensive geophysical and geochemical exploration methods of soil geochemical survey, induced polarization (IP) survey, and audio-frequency magnetotelluric (AMT) survey. Based on the characteristics of geophysical and geochemical anomalies, geological inference, and interpretation, the integrated geophysical and geochemical prospecting criteria of the ore area have been determined: The large-scale and overlapping Au-Ag-Cu anomaly area in the host felsic magmatic rocks (mainly diorite, monzodiorite and granodiorite) is a favorable metallogenic area. Two anomalies, P1–H1 and P3–H6, with the best metallogenetic conditions and the deepest extensions of the known ore bodies, were further selected as engineering verification targets. After the study of the drill core, gold (mineralized) bodies consistent with the anomalies were found, indicating that the combined method is suitable for the exploration of mineral resources in this area, and the prospecting effect is good. At the same time, the metallogenic prediction shows that the deep part of the mining area still has great metallogenic prospects and prospecting potential. The characteristics of geophysical and geochemical anomalies and prospecting experience in the study area can provide references for the prospecting of hydrothermal gold deposits in the Luang Prabang–Loei structural belt.

Evaluation of Positive Socio-Economic Phenomena in Territorial Systems of Ecological Stability (Case Study)

One of the active tools that increase the ecological stability of a country are projects related to territorial systems of ecological stability (TSES). An important part of the elaboration of TSES projects is also the evaluation of positive socio-economic phenomena (PSEP). Their evaluation is important for the design of measures that will ensure its proper functioning. The PSEP enter, the spatial system as elements that fulfill important ecological functions and help preserve the natural resources, gene pool, ecological stability and diversity of the landscape. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain their functions in the future. The theoretical and methodological basis for the evaluation of PSEP within TSES is the LANDEP methodology. They are not unique in the area, and they can occur in various combinations. Based on varied combinations of positive phenomena ensuing from nature conservation, protection of water sources, forest and soil sources, mineral resources and cultural or historical resources there are various types of territories with different landscape ecological significance and different ecological stability. The resulting combinations are a limiting input for the proposed activities and must be respected when processing ecostabilization measures within TSES projects. The presented study presents a landscape ecological evaluation of socio-economic phenomena of nature protection and natural resources in a project of the local system of ecological stability which was developed for the agriculturally intensively used area of Dolný Lopašov. It assesses the legal status of the territory and specifies and spatially expresses areas with different representations of important landscape elements which come under legislative protection. Based on the occurrence, abundance, character and combinations of PSEP occurring in the cadastral area of the commune Dolný Lopašov, this specifies 8 degrees of landscape ecological significance. Significance categories form the basis for the overall classification of the territory required for the processing of TSES projects at the local level. The obtained results must be applied to the proposals of measures to increase ecological stability, especially in the central and southern part of the cadastral area of the commune Dolný Lopašov.

Objective method for analysis of mineral resources supply on the example of Russia

A forecast of nonfuel mineral production in Russia is considered, based on the integration of the expected life of specific deposits currently exploited and developed. It is shown that mineral safety is fully ensured for copper, nickel, lead, tungsten and tin, whose reserves are sufficient for their extraction, at least at the current level, for 40–50 years and there are real prospects for its significant growth. The sufficiency of other minerals is much lower: for molybdenum and chromium, it is limited to about 30 years, and the extraction of zinc and uranium in Russia may significantly decrease in 20 years. The situation is more difficult with the most liquid solid minerals, like gold and diamonds. The commissioning of mining enterprises at the developed gold deposits can ensure a rapid growth in the production of the precious metal in the coming years. However, at the beginning of the next decade, the resource base depletion of the Olimpiada field and a number of other exploited deposits is predicted. The projects currently implemented for the development of new fields do not compensate for the lost capacity. This may account for a long-term (until the beginning of the 2050s) decline in the Russian gold production, which may be halved against the current level by the end of this period. Such a scenario can only be avoided with the intensification of geological exploration in the coming years. The earlier decrease in the number of diamonds mined in Russia, associated with the depletion of reserves of exploited pipes, is predicted (since 2025). Unless new deposits are discovered and developed, the domestic production of precious stones will steadily decline and, in the 2040s, may be reduced fourfold.

Archaeometric perspective on the emergence of brass north of the Alps around the turn of the Era

Ancient brass (aurichalcum) was a valued commodity in the Antiquity, notably because of its gold-like appearance. After mastering brass fabrication using the cementation procedure in the first century BC in the Mediterranean, this material became widely used by the Romans for coins, jewellery and other artefacts. Because of its visual qualities, it is believed that since this period, brass played an important role in diplomatic and economic contacts with indigenous communities, notably Celtic and Germanic tribes north of Danube and west of Rhine. To test this hypothesis, we performed for the first time the advanced statistical multivariate analysis based on chemical composition and lead isotope systematics, coupled with informed typo-chronological categorisation, of a suite of late Iron Age and Early Roman period (first century BC – first century AD) brass and other copper-alloy artefacts from the territory of Bohemia. In order to to discuss their provenance, the results were compared to known contemporary sources of material. The new results for brass artefacts from this early phase of the massive occurrence of Roman aurichalcum in the Barbarian territories point to the ore deposits in the western Mediterranean or the Massif Central area in Gaul, consistent with historical events. These new findings underscore the great economic and political importance of the new and rich mineral resources in the Transalpine Gaul acquired due to Caesar's military campaigns.

Specificity of H2O2 signaling in leaf senescence: is the ratio of H2O2 contents in different cellular compartments sensed in Arabidopsis plants?

Leaf senescence is an integral part of plant development and is driven by endogenous cues such as leaf or plant age. Developmental senescence aims to maximize the usage of carbon, nitrogen and mineral resources for growth and/or for the sake of the next generation. This requires efficient reallocation of the resources out of the senescing tissue into developing parts of the plant such as new leaves, fruits and seeds. However, premature senescence can be induced by severe and long-lasting biotic or abiotic stress conditions. It serves as an exit strategy to guarantee offspring in an unfavorable environment but is often combined with a trade-off in seed number and quality. In order to coordinate the very complex process of developmental senescence with environmental signals, highly organized networks and regulatory cues have to be in place. Reactive oxygen species, especially hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), are involved in senescence as well as in stress signaling. Here, we want to summarize the role of H2O2 as a signaling molecule in leaf senescence and shed more light on how specificity in signaling might be achieved. Altered hydrogen peroxide contents in specific compartments revealed a differential impact of H2O2 produced in different compartments. Arabidopsis lines with lower H2O2 levels in chloroplasts and cytoplasm point to the possibility that not the actual contents but the ratio between the two different compartments is sensed by the plant cells.

Dampak Sosial, Ekonomi dan Lingkungan Pertambangan Pasir di Desa Luragung Landeuh Kuningan, Jawa Barat

Permasalahan dan isu strategis daerah pada bidang energi dan sumber daya mineral yang mempengaruhi kerusakan lingkungan hidup berdasarkan pada Rancangan Primer RPJMD 2018-2028 Kabupaten Kuningan yaitu kegiatan penambangan pasir ilegal dan perubahan lahan. Salah satu lokasi pertambangan di Kabupaten Kuningan berada di Desa Luragung Landeuh. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui proses kegiatan pertambangan pasir; serta mengetahui dampak negatif pertambangan pasir terhadap kualitas lingkungan. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode analisis deskriptif kualitatif. Kesimpulan penelitian ini adalah proses kegiatan pertambangan pasir PT. Anggun Jaya Mandiri di Desa Lurangung Landeuh Kecamatan Luragung Kabupaten Kuningan terdiri dari tahap pra-kontruksi, kontruksi, operasi, produksi, dan rencana pasca tambang. Dampak negatif kegiatan pertambangan pasir terhadap lingkungan adalah kebisingan, debu yang bertebaran, kerusakan infrastruktur jalan; Dampak positif kegiatan pertambangan pasir PT.AJM memberikan peningkatan peluang kerja, memperbaiki fasilitas desa, serta meningkatkan kas Desa Luragung Landeuh. Pandemi Covid-19 pada awal tahun 2020 telah mempengaruhi dalam penyelesaian konflik antara masyarakat dan pihak perusahaan pertambangan.ABSTRACTRegional strategic problems and issues in the field of energy and mineral resources that affect environmental damage based on the Primary Draft RPJMD 2018-2028 Kuningan Regency, namely illegal sand mining activities and land changes. One of the mining locations in Kuningan Regency is in Luragung Landeuh Village. This research was conducted to determine the process of sand mining activities; as well as knowing the negative impact of sand mining on environmental quality. This study uses a qualitative descriptive analysis method. The conclusions of this study are: (1) The process of sand mining activities of PT. Anggun Jaya Mandiri in Lurangung Landeuh Village, Luragung District, Kuningan Regency consists of pre-construction, construction, operation, production, and post-mining planning stages. The negative impacts of sand mining activities on the environment are noise, scattered dust, damage to road infrastructure; (2) The positive impact of PT.AJM's sand mining activities provides increased job opportunities, improves village facilities, and increases the cash flow of Luragung Landeuh Village. The Covid-19 pandemic at the beginning of 2020 has affected the resolution of conflicts between the community and the mining company.

Unpacking the Resource Curse and Realism Challenges on Economic Development in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

The third theme of the book seeks to understand the role of mineral resources in the African continent's socio-economic development. The case study of the DRC is used to understand the role played by the state-owned mining company Gecamines to socio-economic conditions of employees and the country's development at large. Resource curse and realism theories are utilised in this case study to unpack the role of mineral resources to Gecamines employees' access to education and healthcare in particular and to the entire country in general. The chapter employed a case study design with a qualitative approach research in its endeavour of exploring Gecamines' socio-economic contribution to its employees. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Gecamines' managers, unskilled mine workers, and the Provincial Department of Mines' officers.

Biospeckle Optical Coherence Tomography (bOCT) in the Speedy Assessment of the Responses of the Seeds of Raphanus sativus L. (Kaiware Daikon) to Acid Mine Drainage (AMD)

The extraction of mineral resources from mines plays a vital role in global socio-economic development. However, acid mine drainage (AMD) has been one of the major pollutants, and a vast area of the agricultural fields has been polluted. Therefore, techniques for monitoring the response of plants to AMD that arise during mineral extraction are necessary. In addition, such a technique becomes especially valuable to understand how the plants could play a role in the phytoremediation of AMD. We propose the use of biospeckle Optical Coherence Tomography (bOCT) to investigate the response of Kaiware daikon seeds under the exposure to simulated AMD at two different concentrations of 40 mL/L and 80 mL/L. OCT images of the Kaiware daikon seed were obtained at a speed of 10 frames per second (1 frame: 512 × 2048 pixels) for a few tens of seconds. For each pixel of the OCT structural images, the contrast across the temporal axis was calculated to give biospeckle contrast OCT images (bOCT images). It was found that bOCT images clearly distinguished the changes due to 40 mL/L and 80 mL/L of AMD treatments from the control within a short time of around an hour, compared to the conventional OCT images that failed to show any changes. This variation was found to be statistically significant and could reflect the internal activity of the seeds. The proposed bOCT method could be a rapid, non-invasive technique for screening suitable plants in AMD phytoremediation applications.