On Saturday I posted a piece on the Pebble Mine. Here is one of the comments on what I wrote—the commenter takes me to task for consulting to the EKATI Diamond mine, while questioning the need for and the practicality of opening the Pebble Mine. First the comment and then my reply, which is an extended essay on [...]
Archive for the ‘Diamond’ Category
Major Mining In The Not So Cold North
Posted in Diamond, Global Warming, North America, tagged diamonds, Diavik, Ekati, Global Warming, ice roads, mining on March 28, 2012 | 4 Comments »
I think the business section of the paper is consistently the most interesting; there is always some article which catches your eye. Today’s point of interest has a mining basis which relates to one of the major Northwest Territories diamond mines, Diavik. In short, Rio Tinto is looking to sell its stake in the mine [...]
Far North Canadian Mining Mischief Bedevils Aboriginal Chiefs
Posted in Diamond, First Nations, Jobs and Salaries, North America, tagged attawapiskat, de beers, financial post, Republic of Mining, Stan Sudol on December 7, 2011 | 2 Comments »
The Canadian Financial Post today posts an article on Ontario’s Far North Act. The author of the article is Stan Sudol who also runs the mining blog Republic of Mining. In his blog he focuses on what is happening in mining in Ontario. That is a subject I seldom deal with, for Ontario is far away [...]
Mining travel and travail
Posted in blogs, Diamond, Law (Mining), Oil sands, People, Tailings, tagged blogging, Oil sands, travel on September 18, 2011 | 1 Comment »
No blog postings these past two weeks. I have been doing what miners do: working on mines. I have been doing what geotechnical engineers do: travelling to sites to see the soils & rocks. I have been doing what consultants do: going to far-away places to see, think, and advise.
Sierra Leone Diamond Mining as an Inspration for Tea Pary Politicians and Republican Presidential Hopefuls
Posted in About the news, Africa, Diamond, Investing & Finance, mining, tagged Alaska, artesianal mining, Diamond, Sarah Palin, sierra leone on August 21, 2011 | 1 Comment »
The news this week has been mainly bad: more crashing stock markets, more idiotic statements from Republican hopefuls, more countries seizing the mines of the country. The saddest part is that the only idea Republican hopefuls have about resuscitating mining in the US is to abolish the EPA and treat companies like individuals.
Diamonds, Oil, Gold: Mine Closure in Cold Climates
Posted in Diamond, Gold, North America, oil, tagged alaska miners association, cold climates, Juneau, mine closure, short course on February 18, 2011 | 2 Comments »
Juneau is my favorite State Capital. It snuggles between the mountains and the calm waters of the inlet some way down the panhandle of Alaska. Thus I readily accepted when I was asked to present a course at the upcoming Alaska Miners Association 2011 AMA Juneau Convention to be held March 15 to 18, 2011. Here [...]
The Residual Value of a Diamond Mine: Towards a Secure Philosophy of Mine Closure
Posted in Africa, Community relations, decomissioning, Diamond, Jobs and Salaries, Reclamation, tagged Botswana, closure, Diamond, mine, philosophy, value on January 6, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
The art, or is it science, of mine closure is still a youngster. There is no agreed fundamental philosophy or even technical approach. This is strange when you consider that mining has been around for a long time and many mines have been worked out. Most have been abandoned as the many abandoned mine [...]
Cold comfort best-practice mine safety
Posted in Diamond, health and safety, safety, tagged BHP, Ekati, safety, zero harm on June 9, 2010 | 1 Comment »
And hence from LA to the Canadian Northwest Territories and a lecture on mine safety. I do not know the statistics, but in terms of focus, surely Ekati must be the most safety-conscious mine I have ever been on. BHP can be justifiably proud of the attitude and actions of the people here who [...]
Diamonds & Brickbats: If McCain had been president?
Posted in brandy, Copper, Diamond, Uncategorized, Uranium on June 19, 2009 | 1 Comment »
What if John McCain had become president? That is an intriguing question to ponder over copious beer, brandy, and wine. Sure there would have been more diamonds on the First Lady and that would have been good for diamond sales, which now are in a slump. Maybe six big cars would still be a symbol of [...]