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By F. T. Cawood

The new South African Mineral Policy has major implications on the way mineral rent will be collected and shared between the stakeholders in future. Although the policy does not supply details on how this will be done, drastic departures from practices under the previous dispensation require a new approach. For example, there introduction of the ?right to mine? principle implies that the repealed lease consideration concept will be expanded to all minerals. The new policy also makes provision for predetermined standard terms and conditions for all prospecting and mining permissions. It also states that, regardless of whether the mineral rights are state or privately-owned, all prospecting fees and mineral royalties will be determined by state officials after consultation with the registered holder of the mineral rights. This paper proposes a standard mineral royalty formula that complies with the principles mentioned in the White Paper and has been shown to be internationally competitive.

Jan 1, 2001

By J. Barrett

State-of-the-art wireless communication and location-tracking technologies will dramatically change the face of mine worker safety. The MineTracer System developed by a Liberty Lake Washington company is a broad capability wireless sensor network based on a new breed of technologies known as wireless mesh systems. In this paper, R&D Manager Jim Barrett summarizes the balance of engineering tradeoffs that result in a system that (1) performs well, (2) is survivable against many types of mine accidents, (3) operates for many hours post-accident on battery power, (4) meets stringent MSHA requirements for intrinsic safety, and (5) is economically affordable for the mines.

Jan 1, 2009

By K. Nong, H. F. Fuls

The quality of Pregnant Leach Solution (PLS) at Skorpion Zinc is of utmost importance for efficient operation of the Solvent Extraction (SX) Plant. Suspended solids in the PLS forms CRUD in the settlers, resulting in reduced zinc transfer capacity and increased impurity carry over to Electrowinning. The Ishigaki Fibre-Wakishimizu filter (fibre media rapid filtration equipment) has been identified as polishing filter that potentially could remove solids from the PLS of Skorpion Zinc. A pilot unit with 20m³/h capacity was tested on site over a period of 9 months under plant operating conditions in the refinery. The FW filter produces a clear filtrate, acceptable for the Solvent Extraction. Turbidity is improved by 72%. Gravimetric analysis indicates a 47% removal of solids. However, the gravimetric method is biased by a co-precipitation of saturated salts during the analysis. Filter media is blinded by the Skorpion Zinc PLS solution, as result of suspended solids and process chemistry. The media could not be regenerated to acceptable conditions. Further testwork to investigate the impact of process solution chemistry modification on blinding is undertaken. Based on the outcome of this investigation a final decision on the FW filter can be taken.

Jan 1, 2007

"Lax, misguided, and dangerous" is Rep. James Santini's description of the official US position on strategic nonfuel minerals. Santini (D-NV), chairman of the House Mines and Mining Subcommittee, criticized the Interior Department for "its long record of benign neglect" regarding the domestic minerals crisis. Santini made his remarks at a news conference at the American Mining Congress convention in San Francisco, where he released his subcommittee report "US Minerals Vulnerability: National Policy Implications." The report-said to be the first major congressional study of the minerals issue by a committee of jurisdiction is the result of a two-year inquiry. The investigation was undertaken, according to the chairman, "because no person or agency in the executive branch of government fully grasps the critical importance of nonfuel minerals to the nation's economy, defense, and quality of life." The report also urges a larger role for the Department of Defense, which has "stood passively by for many years as a consuming by-stander," according to the report. President Carter's incomplete Non-fuel Minerals Policy Review also drew the committee's ire; Santini calls it "a tragic waste that cost tax-payers $3.5 million and the loss of some 13,000 person-days." The subcommittee examined the following issues for its report: • The US minerals industry's inability to meet national raw material needs under a "hodgepodge of contradictory, restrictive, and irrational" federal regulations; • Dependency on foreign sources of strategic minerals in times of "increasing resource nationalism" and "Soviet mineral expansionism;" • National security needs for foreign mineral resources that do not have effective substitutes; • The US government's approach to national minerals policy "amid a growing realization that such a policy does not exist." The subcommittee report includes an analysis of public and private studies on nonfuel minerals and discusses a series of policy problem areas that negatively affect domestic production. Capital formation disincentives, tax policies, antitrust enforcement, environmental laws, health and safety regulations, technical problems, and restricted access to federally-controlled public lands contribute to what Santini calls a "tragic irony." "The irony is that we are a nation vastly rich in mineral resources yet our own government chooses to stifle development of these critical raw materials and thereby increase offshore reliance. The tragedy is that we also are ensuring US vulnerability to severe economic dislocations and a weakening of our national security." In just six years, from 1973-1978, the US trade deficit in nonfuel minerals rose from $2 billion per year to $8 billion, according to the report. The country imports more than 50% of 23 critical minerals, including 100% of its manganese, chromium, cobalt and platinum. The US is promoting its dependence on foreign mineral sources at the very time the security of many of those sources is becoming less certain, the report notes. Santini said the subcommittee investigation revealed a vulnerability that may be more serious and pervasive than that of foreign oil. The US may be able to develop alternate energy resources, but there are no effective substitutes for many nonfuel minerals. The report also discloses that US stockpiles of critical and strategic minerals are of inadequate supply and quality. Holdings of some vital minerals are far below present objectives, and for some there are no holdings at all, according to Santini. To resolve the current crisis, the report makes the following recommendations: • Complete immediately President Carter's Interagency Nonfuel Minerals Policy Review; • Implement (throught the Interior Department) the 1970 Mining and Minerals Policy Act; • Create an Office of Energy and Minerals with the same stature, power, and oversight responsibilities as the Council on Environmental Quality; • Ease federal restrictions on mineral exploration and development on public lands and implement a complete review of public land use policies; •Fund for and fulfill US nonfuel minerals stockpiling objectives; •Increase federal funding for non-

Jan 11, 1980

By G. R. Mansfield

THE geologic structure of the Idaho phosphate field has an important bearing on the classifica-tion and the exploitation of the lands that contain phosphate. Maps and structure sections1 recently made available show that the phosphate is mainly preserved in downfolded or downfaulted areas. Since the phos- phate beds are generally rather soft and lie between harder and thicker formations they have been forced to adjust themselves to these formations during epochs of disturbance of the earth's crust, so that they are frequently affected by minor folds and by faults which may help exploitation by producing undue thickness at certain places or may hinder it by cutting out the phosphate at other places where according to expecta-tion it should be present. A particularly important structural feature which affects both the distribution and the exploitation of the phosphate beds is the great Bannock overthrust by which one or more slices or blocks of the earth's crust have been pushed over other blocks like ice cakes on a pond. Thus in this region a great flap of folded rocks lies across other rock structures for a distance of approximately 35 miles. Most of the commercially accessible phosphate deposits, shown in the maps that accompany the report cited, are in this flap, which con-stitutes the upper block of the overthrust. In some places, however, the phosphate in the lower block is also accessible. In both blocks post-phosphate rocks exposed at the surface here and there indicate that phos-phate beds may lie at greater or less depth below. The presence of the Bannock overthrust beneath much of the area reported is known by the occurrence of windows in the upper block both within the quadrangles mapped and in areas farther west. The portions of the lower block exposed in these windows show stratigraphic dis-cordance with the surrounding formations. The depth of the fault plane at most places, however, can be told only by drilling or actual mining. Some of the folds in the upper block are relatively deep and it seems fairly certain that the phosphate that may originally have been present in their deeper parts has been removed by thrust faulting. The estimates of phosphate reserves in folds liable to be affected by the Bannock overthrust may therefore need ultimate revision depending on the depth of this fault plane, as it may subsequently be ascertained.

Jan 1, 1928

By J. Miettunen

"The lining of a grinding mill has an important role in creating the conditions for the grinding process. The main purpose of the lining is to transfer the energy taken by the mill motor to the contents of a mill. The power draw curve of the mill, if measured with sufficiently short intervals, describes how well the lining works in lifting and mixing the material to be ground.The power draw curve can also be used for determining the volumetric filling of a mill. This new measuring technique was developed at the Pyhasalmi concentrator in 1989-90. The measuring device with its PC-connections offers an excellent tool for controlling volumetric mill filling, for maximizing throughput and for research purpose (e.g. process studies, mill linings design).The paper describes the new method and the results achieved at Outokumpu's concentrators.INTRODUCTIONVarious methods have been developed for measuring mill load; weighing, noise, etc. Weighing is one of the most reliable methods but installing the sensor to existing mills is often difficult. Besides the load measurement does not indicate the volumetric filling if the specific gravity of the mill feed fluctuates. Noise measurement has often failed with its sensitivity to various disturbance sources.As known, the power draw measurement is one of the most accurate measurements in grinding circuits and therefore it has been utilized in sophisticated control, e.g. in power peak seeking algorithms for maintaining maximum grinding efficiency.About 10 years ago power oscillation measurement was developed at Pyhasalmi concentrator. In this method the amplitude of the oscillation caused by the lifters was measured. The oscillation amplitude and the mill filling has quite a good correlation and together with the power draw measurement it could be used for maximizing mill throughput (Koivistoinen and Miettunen, 1989). The main difficulties in this method were that the dependence between mill filling and the amplitude is unlinear and that the dependence also is individual for each mill.The method developed during 1989-90 is also based on the power oscillation but on its phase shift. In principle level of the material in a mill is measured. The method has been successfully used for maximizing throughput at Pyhasalmi and Enonkoski concentrators and at Harjavalta slag concentrator."

Jan 1, 1991

By F. Dai

Due to difficulties associated with gripping in direct tension, indirect methods are commonly used to measure rock tensile strength. In this work, we adopt an innovative indirect tensile test method: Semi-Circular Bend (SCB) to measure the tensile/flexural strength of Laurentian granite (LG). The static tests are carried out with a servo-controlled material testing machine and the dynamic tests are conduced with a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) system. Pulse shaping technique is adopted to achieve dynamic force equilibrium in SHPB to facilitate data regression. Finite element method is used to relate the failure load to the tensile strength. Strong rate dependence of the tensile strength is observed. The flexural strength is higher than the tensile strength measured using Brazilian Disc (BD). This difference is rationalized using the non-local theory. To further validate the method, a coupled Finite element/Discrete element method (Fem/Dem) in conjunction with the smeared crack model is utilized to simulate the fracture process during dynamic SCB tests. The resulting fracture patterns are qualitatively consistent with those from recovered samples. Both the experimental and numerical methods have validated the results and this new method is readily to be used for other rocks and other brittle materials.

May 1, 2009

By T. B. Armstrong

"The developing world energy crisis and spiraling fuel costs have created a new public awareness and general acceptance of the need for energy conservation.Plants will have different objectives for an energy conservation program but there appears to be a common approach on how to save electrical energy.Data for a 180tph Rod Mill powered by a 750 hp motor will be used to demonstrate the relationship of energy input and production levels and to seek an optimum operating condition.Energy Conservation:Plants that have examined ways of dealing with the energy situations have concluded that energy conservation has important benefits for industry, including reduced costs, fewer production slowdowns inthe event of fuel shortages and a continued competitive position.There have been some ""startling"" conservation achievements attained through such simple plant maintenance and operating practices as reducing unnecessary lighting in buildings and yards, turning off' equipment not needed at night or over week-ends, through planning maintenance and production schedules to minimize energy use and through improving quality control to eliminate waste.Significant reducti.ons in energy use have been achieved by some rather simple but vigorous maintenance and plant engineering efforts directed at finding and fixing energy ""leaks"" rather than technological advances or major rework or redesign of facilities and equipment.An Energy Conservation Program often must overcome such obstacles as historic operating practices and emp1-oyee indifference, i.e. the ris.ing costs of fuel should result in re-examination of so1ne basic attitudes to energy conservation. Some measures, rejected in the past largely on the grounds of capj.tal. expenditure, now make economic sense in the light of future escalating energy costs."

Jan 1, 1978

By M. A. W. Bryson

Platinum group metals are extracted almost exclusively in South Africa from three very different zones in the Bushveld Igneous Complex, called the Plat, Merensky, and the UG-2 reefs. The Plat reef is currently being exploited only by Anglo American Platinum, whereas the Merensky reef is exploited by them, Impala Platinum, Northam, and Lonplats. The UG-2 reef, on the other hand, is also processed by these producers, but Kroondal and Barplats have operations that exclusively treat ore from this reef. At present the extraction of pgms from ores in South Africa follows the traditional route of upgrading to a concentrate in a minerals processing circuit, further upgrading to a matte in a smelter, and final upgrading and separation of the individual metals in a refinery. Thus all operations that extract pgms require a minerals processing circuit, the design and performance of which is a topic of much interest, as it is a poorly understood and not a very efficient process in relative terms, compared to the other processes. Recoveries across the minerals processing circuit of between 75 and 90% are the norm.

Jan 1, 2004

By H. A. Schnell

"The Phase I Mill at Cluff Lake in northern Saskatchewan was designed to accommodate a very specific high grade uranium ore. As this high grade ore was depleted, construction was undertaken on a new mill circuit (Phase 2) to process a more conventional lower grade ore deposit.The Phase 2 Mill expanded the ore throughput to 800 tonnes per day. The new process employs crushing, grinding, leaching, counter—current decantation, solvent extraction and magnesia yellowcake precipitation and drying to produce a yellowcake concentrate.This paper discusses the process decisions required for this expansion and outlines the new mill circuit. Included is a review of the start up in August, 1984.1.,INTRODUCTION The Cluff Lake Uranium deposit is located 720 kilometers north of Saskatoon in northern Saskatchewan. A high grade deposit was discovered in 1970 with the first production taking place in 1980 after lengthy hearings. The original mill (or Phase 1 Mill) was specifically designed to accommodate this very high grade ore for a very limited plant life.Pilot plant work was carried out in 1981 on the other lower grade ores found in the immediate Cluff Lake area. Feasibility and process selection studies were then undertaken as the Phase 1 mill was nearing its end of life. These studies were completed in March 1983 when approval was given to construct the new Phase 2 mill."

Jan 1, 1985

By W. C. A. van Niekerk, M. H. Fourie

The carcinogenic potential of chromium (VI) has been the subject of numerous environmental and occupational studies, from which many regulatory efforts emanated. Besides the regulation of levels of known toxic substances (e.g. Cr (VI)), the classification of dusts for regulatory purposes has thus far depended on broad definitions of particle size, mainly used to distinguish only between inhalable and respirable particles. In the past, ultrafine particles (less than 0.1 µm diameter) (PM0.1) were often regarded as a non-issue, because it was believed that significant doses would not deposit in the lungs. A growing body of scientific data is indicating that ultrafine particles are more toxic than their coarse counterparts. Increased toxicity can be related to the unique dosimetric aspects of the deposition and disposition of inhaled ultrafine particles. Secondly, ultrafine particles have a larger surface area per given mass. The increased surface area can act as a carrier for co-pollutants, specifically transition metals (including chromium) that could form a coat on the particle surfaces during particle formation. This suggests that the presence of ?inert? ultrafine particles in the environment may enhance the potential for exposure to reactive airborne compounds, including Cr (VI). These factors are particularly important when information on occupational epidemiology is interpreted. It is desirable to consider the particle size distribution, for example when occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium compounds is assessed. Since ultrafine particles are more toxic than coarse particles with the same chemical composition, it could be speculated that cancer slope factors might be related to particle size distribution. This is relevant not only to carcinogenic chromium compounds, but also basically for any particle-associated toxicants. In general, the probability of developing health effects associated with occupational toxicants is likely to be higher when these are associated with the ultrafine particle range.

Jan 1, 2004

By B. Unver

Effective strata control is a prerequisite for maintaining an efficient mining operation. If the strata in the vicinity of an opening are not controlled effectively, it is impossible to perform a safe, efficient and economical operation. In this paper, the reasons and outcome of instability problems observed in roadways opened in clay and marl at the Bolu Colliery of Yeni Çeltek Establishment are investigated. Roadways under examination were located in a syncline causing high residual tectonic stresses. Factors affecting the instability have been studied thoroughly by examining geology and tectonics of the area, establishing convergence measuring stations to understand in situ behaviour of supports and laboratory tests to determine engineering properties of samples taken from nearby convergence measurement stations. As a conclusion, a new production strategy and a new support system are recommended to maintain stability.

Jan 1, 1999

This paper presents an initial investigation into the viability of co-kriging the grades of multiple mining cuts in a two dimensional, thin reef scenario. Deposits with gradational mineralized zones, in the perpendicular sense, are not as well served by the use of reef accumulation and thickness as deposits characterized by a sharp distinction between ore and waste rock. South African Bushveld Complex platinum deposits and Witwatersrand gold deposits are examples of this distinction. The calculation of an optimal mining cut is of paramount importance in the mining of Bushveld platinum. Two-dimensional kriging of a constant stoping width mining cut is an effective method for resource calculations once a cut is decided, but this begs the question of how to decide on the cut. Comparison of multiple cuts is used as a way of achieving this decision on many of Anglo Platinum’s operations. Although the kriging of each cut is valid in isolation, occasional negative values occur when incremental grades between overlapping cuts are calculated. Negative incremental grades cannot reflect reality. They are thought to be related to the inability of the method to include the strong continuity in the perpendicular direction demonstrated by the relevant variograms. Co-kriging of related variables has been investigated as a potential means tore impose this inherent order relationship. Various co-kriging options have been investigated. The method has been tested on a real data set from an established platinum operation. One of three types of anomaly has been investigated so far. The results show that co-kriging the mining cut grade as the primary variable, with just one secondary variable, the reef thickness, eliminates most occurrences. Severe anomalies remaining are arguably indicative of population mixing and might be more effectively treated by rezoning the data. Aim—To investigate the viability of co-kriging the grades of multiple mining cuts as a method for resolving anomalies in the estimation of such cuts on Bushveld platinum deposits, with applicability to other thin reef type deposits with a gradational not sharp cut-off between ore and waste in the direction perpendicular to the reef. Keywords: co-kriging, cross variograms, ordinary kriging, platinum, two-dimensional, grade profile

Jan 1, 2003

By M. Javier

Defining the concept of sustainability is an important step for industry and society. It is necessary in order to clarify what it means when debunking the many misinterpretations pervasive in different levels of anthropogenic activities. Essentially, the extractive industry has a harvest of differences. Mining involves the extraction of natural resources which are finite, exhaustible, non-renewable, unsustainable, and pay only once. It is remarkable that the definition of sustainability that we will shortly arrive at has totally different characteristics from the definition accepted throughout society. We categorize nature as having its own destiny which is controlled by its own rules and principles and its own society, and is part of nature; therefore, society depends on nature and not vice versa as the initial focus. To society there are no conditions to humanize nature but only respect nature?s rules. It was a challenge to find simplicity for this task not only for the definition but also for the explanation of this concept specifically, to answer the question, ?what is the true meaning of sustainability?? Finally, we are also able through this definition to provide fuel for wide discussions and stimulate critical thinking to improve such a concept. As a result, we present this definition as the tool for society today and for future generations.

Jan 1, 2012

By G. Laing

On scheduled commissioning and effective operation of a solvent extraction circuit relies on getting the design of both the core contact equipment and the peripheral plant right. Experience has shown that poor performance of new plants is frequently a result of ?utility? systems that do not match the requirements of the circuit, rather than the mass transfer equipment itself. Both the operator/owner and designer need to understand the ?complete requirements? for the circuit to get the balance of the design right. This paper reviews generic issues, frequently overlooked or altered during cost-cutting exercises, which have a significant impact on plant performance.

Jan 1, 2002

By D S. Preece

The aim of the present work is to investigate the effects of shooting multiple explosive charges, in the same borehole, on the amplitude and frequency content of the generated seismic wave. The work also investigates the effect of the coupling medium used in the borehole on the quality of the generated seismic wave. The delay period between the shots is on the order of months and up to a year. The investigation utilizes a numerical modeling approach which is capable of modeling the detonation of explosives as well as shock and stress wave propagation in solids.

Jan 1, 2012

By Marco Lombard, Paulus Kapolo, Christopher J. Greet

"The conversion of a concentrator from one grinding media type to another is a major undertaking in terms of both financial and technical risk. So, a strategy of completing sufficient laboratory and field tests to mitigate this risk, and give the operation confidence that advancing to plant trial will give a high probability for success.The objectives of this paper are twofold: to provide the reader with a strategy for mitigating risk prior to undertaking a plant trial; and to provide a statistical basis for analysing plant trial data. That is, when employing an electrochemically inert grinding media in the primary grinding circuit it is possible to change the pulp chemistry of the system and improve the metallurgical response of the ore.This paper tracks the changes in pulp chemistry and metallurgical performance of Rosh Pinah Zinc Corporation’s silver/lead/zinc concentrator as the primary ball mill was converted from forged steel grinding media to high chrome grinding media. The changed in metallurgical performance are correlated to the shift in pulp chemistry.INTRODUCTIONTheoryBruckard et al (2011) recently published an article describe the effect of the grinding environment on the flotation of copper sulphides. While this paper confined its discussion to copper sulphides the arguments presented apply equally to other sulphide mineral systems. Broadly, these studies indicate that most sulphide minerals are more noble than the grinding media used during comminution. Therefore, the sulphide minerals are cathodic with respect to the forged steel grinding media, and the following reactions apply:Cathode (sulphide mineral): ½O2 + H2O + 2e- ? 2OH- (1)Anode (grinding media): Fe ? Fe2+ + 2e- (2)A galvanic couple between the grinding media and the sulphide mineral(s) exists, which increases the corrosion rate of the forged steel media. The corrosion products of the grinding media, iron oxy-hydroxide species, invariably precipitate on to the surfaces of the sulphide minerals thereby affecting their floatability (Johnson, 2002).The application of more electrochemically inert grinding media to “real” ore systems at an industrial level to improve metallurgical performance has not gained universal acceptance. The aim of this paper is to provide a protocol for conducting laboratory and plant test work that clearly demonstrate that metallurgical benefits are not only possible, but measureable, by way of example. In this case, the work conducted at Rosh Pinah Zinc Corporation in Namibia is described."

Jan 1, 2013

By Tuck M. A

The increasing depth, mechanisation and distance of working areas from surface connections places an ever greater contaminant burden on ventilation airflows. Some British Coal mines are already experiencing significant problems in providing adequate climatic conditions in the working areas and have had to introduce air conditioning. Previous work has shown that in mines of low to moderate virgin strata temperature the application of controlled district recirculation could serve to improve climatic conditions at the working area.

Jan 1, 1988

By A. Beitz, P. Smartt, G. Einicke, G. Rowan, P. Glynn

Coal is Australia’s highest export earner and Australia is the world’s largest exporter of coal. With coal now being extracted from deeper reserves under increased risk profile, and in the interest of aiding the stability of coal supplies, Japan is funding a number of safety projects in Australia and China. The CSIRO, Australia’s premiere research organisation with the country’s largest exploration and mining research group, are currently undertaking a jointly funded Japan-Australia safety project at Anglo Coal’s new Grasstree Colliery in central Queensland. The project, entitled Mine Communication and Information for Real-time Risk Analysis, will deliver step-change capabilities in data integration, decision support, gas monitoring, geo-technical monitoring, emergency response and personnel safety to the Grasstree Colliery. Some key activities include: developing and installing underground coal mine Ethernet LAN components, real-time monitoring of gas and geo-technical sensors, MODBUS serial to TCP/IP converters, e-reporting of underground conditions, emergency guidance systems and underground trials of Internet Protocol telephone and video. The project seeks to integrate (in real time) key data sets from the comprehensive and diversified range of propriety system currently in use at mines (ventilation, strata, operations e.g. haulage, pumps, conveyors etc) into a single integrated risk management interface. This interface will filter the data through a rules-based inference engine that will cross reference the various data streams, compare with past events and outcomes associated with the similar historical data and present this “intelligence” to

Jan 1, 2003

By S. J. Ramokgopa

The development of the modern State and the growth of capitalism involves a complex process of interaction between cross-cutting structural dimension: first between politics and economics and, second, between market and hierarchy. Central to such developments are political economies of scale. Mineral specialization in the Third World developed within the framework of an international extension on oligopolistic structure of the advanced capitalist economies of Western Europe and North America. Up to the late 1960s, the world mineral and metallurgical industry was closely controlled by a handful of Western mining and industrial groups. To the extent that, foreign control of the mining sector was seen in the Third World producing countries both as the essence of foreign domination and as its major symbol. In some newly industrializing countries, the State took a more direct role in tying the economy and society together. Central to this process was the growth of large-scale finance capital. From early 1959to the mid-1970s, metal consumption in industrial countries expanded well beyond their domestic mineral endowments. And a free access to Third World minerals was a major element of the economic dynamism of these countries throughout that period. With the change in the characteristics of international investment, Africa has become less important as an outlet for capital exports of European countries. Actually, the African continent now receives only a very minor share of direct foreign investments of Western enterprises. International political economy is concerned first of all with the relationship between the economic and political domains across territorial boundaries. Second, attention should be drawn to the role of the State as the focus of decision-making in a system of competitive States, that is in turn, interdependent with a trans-national market economy in which mining and metallurgy are essential activities that affect the politics of the State, and how this in turn, rebounds on the politics of the international system. Understanding the role of the State must go beyond the glib pronouncements on the ?national interest?. How, and whose interest, the ?national interest? is determined, is precisely the problem. This implies a third theoretical problem that must be addressed: the linkage between the domestic and international domains (or levels of analysis), given that political-economic processes clearly cut across the lines of political decision-making constituted by the institutional structures of the State. Situating the State and economic interests within this vast ?state-society? complex that we call the global order will be a crucial problem for any theoretical approach that involves mining and metallurgy.

Jan 1, 2002