I have just been browsing the MEI archives, and came across this news item from February 12th, 2004:
"The strongest message to come out of February's African Mining Indaba '04 meeting in Cape Town was from international financier Robert M. Friedland, founder, chairman and President of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd, Canada.
China is now driving the world's economy, and is the world's largest producer of steel, despite being a net importer! Its insatiable demand for copper, nickel, platinum, gold and other metals is, according to Mr. Friedland, creating an unprecedented growth in the minerals industry, which should last for decades. This is not just a bubble, but a reality!"
I suppose the moral of this is, don't try to predict even the short term future!
Monday, 9 March 2009
Friday, 6 March 2009
A geologist opens up the debate on climate change
There is a very interesting little article in the March 2009 issue of Materials World, by Prof. Ian Plimer of the University of Adelaide, Australia.
His research on over 500 references indicates that carbon dioxide is undoubtedly a greenhouse gas but that water vapour is the main greenhouse gas. He believes the indisputable evidence of past CO2 at levels much greater than at present, and the fact that at times they correlated with cooler periods warrants consideration.
The present base line of 280ppm set by IPCC as a pre-industrial level, a level noted in 1880, is the lowest in the past 200 years. The first few ppm atmospheric CO2 do have a profound effect on Earth temperatures, but after 40ppm, the effect declines continually. This is supported by the geological, archaeological, historical and present day observations.
Maybe we shouldn't feel too guilty about making that plane journey?
His research on over 500 references indicates that carbon dioxide is undoubtedly a greenhouse gas but that water vapour is the main greenhouse gas. He believes the indisputable evidence of past CO2 at levels much greater than at present, and the fact that at times they correlated with cooler periods warrants consideration.
The present base line of 280ppm set by IPCC as a pre-industrial level, a level noted in 1880, is the lowest in the past 200 years. The first few ppm atmospheric CO2 do have a profound effect on Earth temperatures, but after 40ppm, the effect declines continually. This is supported by the geological, archaeological, historical and present day observations.
Maybe we shouldn't feel too guilty about making that plane journey?
Copper Prices Set to Rise?
With copper prices at half the level they were in the first part of 2008, 2009 looks like being a tough year for most in the copper supply chain. But, according to Metal Bulletin, the general consensus is the year will be one of two halves, with demand and prices recovering as we head into the second half. Just how quickly the industry can move back towards balance will be a key discussion point at Metal Bulletin Events' 22nd International Copper Conference – a timely meeting place for those in the copper business who want to get a handle on where the challenges – and increasingly the opportunities – lies.
Having outperformed many other commodities in the last three or four years, when copper’s fall came it was always likely to be heavy. But the downside may well be overdone, given the metal’s singular failure to keep production plans on track in recent years. High prices and substitution may have eaten into the demand side, a factor now compounded by the credit squeeze and consumer conservatism. But on the opposite side of the coin, a combination of technical problems, falling ore grades, labour unrest, re-estimated mine economics and financing restraints could equally keep a rein on supply growth. ICSG figures show a less than 2% rise in mine output in 2008, with most of the growth feeding SX-EW production, and while a 10% increase is forecast for 2009, past experience shows us that actual output tends to fall short of expectations.
By June 2009, the current gloom and doom should be starting to lift, allowing the copper industry experts on Metal Bulletin’s conference programme to provide a clearer view of the mid to longer-term marketplace – especially in terms of both primary and secondary supply growth, and demand dynamics in the key consuming markets.
Having outperformed many other commodities in the last three or four years, when copper’s fall came it was always likely to be heavy. But the downside may well be overdone, given the metal’s singular failure to keep production plans on track in recent years. High prices and substitution may have eaten into the demand side, a factor now compounded by the credit squeeze and consumer conservatism. But on the opposite side of the coin, a combination of technical problems, falling ore grades, labour unrest, re-estimated mine economics and financing restraints could equally keep a rein on supply growth. ICSG figures show a less than 2% rise in mine output in 2008, with most of the growth feeding SX-EW production, and while a 10% increase is forecast for 2009, past experience shows us that actual output tends to fall short of expectations.
By June 2009, the current gloom and doom should be starting to lift, allowing the copper industry experts on Metal Bulletin’s conference programme to provide a clearer view of the mid to longer-term marketplace – especially in terms of both primary and secondary supply growth, and demand dynamics in the key consuming markets.
Thursday, 5 March 2009
International Mining media sponsors of Flotation '09
Good to hear via Amanda that International Mining are to be media sponsors, along with Gold & Minerals Gazette, of November's Flotation ’09 conference.
International Mining is one of the most proactive and dynamic trade journals, under the high-profile editorship of John Chadwick, and always have a presence at major exhibitions and conferences, as at last week’s SME Meeting in Denver (see picture with John Chadwick centre). They are a very friendly bunch, so I hope that our relationship will be ongoing.
International Mining is one of the most proactive and dynamic trade journals, under the high-profile editorship of John Chadwick, and always have a presence at major exhibitions and conferences, as at last week’s SME Meeting in Denver (see picture with John Chadwick centre). They are a very friendly bunch, so I hope that our relationship will be ongoing.
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
PROCEMIN '09 highlights the current importance of conferences
I had an email today from the organisers of PROCEMIN 2009, which will be held in Santiago, Chile, in December.
One paragraph caught my eye, as it echoes my sentiments on conferences in the current economic climate:
"Undoubtedly, the year 2009 will pose major challenges for all companies that are active in the global mining industry, given the low base metal prices and the uncertain financial outlook. Many companies will be facing great pressure to reduce costs and to maximize efficiency. However, given this scenario, the Organizing Committee strongly believes that the mining industry would greatly benefit from the opportunity that is offered by PROCEMIN 2009, to meet many of the global players in the mining industry within just a few days time. Participants will have the chance to discuss in person with colleagues from all over the world, the alternatives and opportunities that are available to successfully deal with the adverse and uncertain conditions that currently characterize the global economy and hence the mining industry. "
Dead right!! It is essential that minerals engineers get together and discuss common problems and aims, and there is no better forum for doing this than a quality conference.
One paragraph caught my eye, as it echoes my sentiments on conferences in the current economic climate:
"Undoubtedly, the year 2009 will pose major challenges for all companies that are active in the global mining industry, given the low base metal prices and the uncertain financial outlook. Many companies will be facing great pressure to reduce costs and to maximize efficiency. However, given this scenario, the Organizing Committee strongly believes that the mining industry would greatly benefit from the opportunity that is offered by PROCEMIN 2009, to meet many of the global players in the mining industry within just a few days time. Participants will have the chance to discuss in person with colleagues from all over the world, the alternatives and opportunities that are available to successfully deal with the adverse and uncertain conditions that currently characterize the global economy and hence the mining industry. "
Dead right!! It is essential that minerals engineers get together and discuss common problems and aims, and there is no better forum for doing this than a quality conference.
Monday, 2 March 2009
SRCR '09 Cape Town
I have been looking over the very full programme for SRCR ’09, which will be held in Cape Town next month. It really is a very interesting programme, with many papers outside what we consider to be mainstream mineral processing.
For instance a paper by Jane Hope of Plymouth College of Art & design is likely to illicit some discussion.
She states that the mining of precious metals and gemstones for jewellery is responsible for vast amounts of well documented environmental and social degradation. It will continue to make an increasingly untenable demand on water and energy at a time when businesses, communities and nations are having to find ways of combating or coping with climate change and global depletion of natural resources. Her paper will address four interrelated issues:
1. Can the jewellery industry exist in a carbon based economy?
2. Are multinational mining corporations justified in eclipsing artisanal and small scale mining enterprises?
3. Could the demand for precious metals and gemstones diminish?
4. Should the jewellery industry and the precious metals mining corporations be talking to each other?
I hope we have representatives from the South African gold mines at the event- this should cause quite a buzz!!
I have also had a message from our accommodation agent, to remind anyone who is thinking of attending the conference, and would like to book accommodation at the Vineyard Hotel, that conference block bookings are being held until March 9th.
For instance a paper by Jane Hope of Plymouth College of Art & design is likely to illicit some discussion.
She states that the mining of precious metals and gemstones for jewellery is responsible for vast amounts of well documented environmental and social degradation. It will continue to make an increasingly untenable demand on water and energy at a time when businesses, communities and nations are having to find ways of combating or coping with climate change and global depletion of natural resources. Her paper will address four interrelated issues:
1. Can the jewellery industry exist in a carbon based economy?
2. Are multinational mining corporations justified in eclipsing artisanal and small scale mining enterprises?
3. Could the demand for precious metals and gemstones diminish?
4. Should the jewellery industry and the precious metals mining corporations be talking to each other?
I hope we have representatives from the South African gold mines at the event- this should cause quite a buzz!!
I have also had a message from our accommodation agent, to remind anyone who is thinking of attending the conference, and would like to book accommodation at the Vineyard Hotel, that conference block bookings are being held until March 9th.
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