Gospodarka Surowcami Mineralnymi - Mineral Resources Management

In Moncongloe area, Maros Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, zeolite mineralization in porphyritic rhyolite and green tuff was identified occurred in a volcano-sedimentary sequence, members of the Miocene Camba Formation. This paper describes a recent study of the zeolite mineralization on the basis of field and laboratory data, which focused on its genetic aspects and potential utilizations based on its mineralogical and chemical characteristics. The laboratory works applied in this study include mineralogical analysis (petrography and XRD) and bulk chemical analysis (XRF for major oxides, ICP-OES and ICP-MS for trace elements). Microscopic and XRD studies indicate that the zeolite is a phillipsite type, which is associated with smectite, and was formed as an alteration product of the primary K-feldspar phenocrysts as well as fine crystalline ground mass and volcanic glass. The presence of phillipsite-type zeolite associated with smectite were also confirmed by the chemical compositions. The zeolite mineralization associated with smectite in the study area were formed by alteration process by hydrothermal fluid in alkaline seawater condition, during Late Miocene to Pliocene. So, it can be concluded that the hydrothermal alteration is occurred in that time range. The magma that forms the volcanic host rocks is an alkaline series magma, intermediate to acid in composition, and originates from subduction zone.The K-rich phillipsite-type zeolite in the study area can be used for, among other things: to remove lead from water, remove paraquat from wastewater, extract potassium from seawater, remove thorium from carbonate solutions, as catalyst in knoevenagel, as dietary supplementation for pets, to uptake ammonia in water, and for colorectal cancer therapy.

Dealing with risk and addressing risk consequences constitute indispensable and specific elements of every business activity. The aim of this paper has been to assess the level of risk connected with the process of exploitation of hard coal deposits used for the production of coke in Poland, that is why a methodology has been developed which takes into account the impact of significant risk factors resulting from both geological and mining conditions upon unit cost of coal mining. This methodology constitutes a comprehensive approach to sustainable management of hard coal resources. The key source of information pertaining to exploitation risk factors is the digital geological model of hard coal deposit which has been developed. It comprises a structural model as well as a quality model of the basic quality parameters of coal. Structural models and coal quality models have been developed on the basis of litho-stratigraphic profiles from geological exploratory boreholes and underground observations (boreholes drilled from underground workings and their profiling). The structural grid model also contains information on tectonic disturbances (faults) or sedimentation disturbances (intercalations, wash-outs, and the like). The digital model was used as the basis for devising time schedules of development and preparatory works, as well as coal extraction proper. Historical results of mining and economic data from 81 longwalls mined in the years 2016–2022 have been used for the purpose of analysis of the impact of risk factors on unit operating costs. The analysis comprised a total of 23 criteria which influence the costs of mining. From that group, 10 risk factors have been selected by means of statistical analysis using segmented regression, these factors have been utilized to make an assessment of the forecast concerning risk factor level for zones of the deposit meant for mining until the year 2035. The risk factors taken into account were those which are due to natural hazards, geological structure of the deposit (coal seam) and technical limitations. Risk factor (RF) indicator has been developed, for its construction the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP ) has been used. The value of RF, which expresses the aggregated form of variability concerning individual factors pertaining to geology and mining, has been used to determine the adjusted own risk assessment when estimating the economic efficiency of the coking coal deposit for 8 exploitation zones with the use of discounted cash flow method. The assessed average value of RF for the entire deposit amounted to 0.29. The lowest level of RF was noted in case of zone W (RF = 0.17), whereas the highest value of risk occurs in zone PN (RF = 0.64). The values of RF were used to calculate the rate of discount as consolidated measure of own risk, when assessing investment projects in mining. For zone W with the lowest risk of mining the discount rate amounts to 8.34%, whereas in case of zone PN which has the highest risk level, it amounts to 15.02%. Assessing the level of mining risk provides the possibility to optimize the cost of mining, and may be utilized for making decisions concerning the sequence and time of mining from particular zones of the deposit.

The paper presents research results obtained during the exploration of copper and silver deposits on the southern rim of the Wolsztyn–Pogorzela High in terms of identification of the regional geological structure of Permian and Mesozoic sediments, with particular focus on tectonic zones. It discusses a new methodology of developing seismic and gravimetric data in the form of sections of effective reflection coefficients (ERC) and vertical gravimetric cross-sections, which in combination with borehole logging allowed for the identification or an update of the knowledge about regional tectonic zones which are missing from the maps of the sub-Zechstein substrate prepared to date. The discussion of the methodology uses the example of two tectonic zones: the Rawicz and Oleśnica grabens. Conversion of seismic sections into ERC cross-sections made it possible to trace strata of smaller thickness and facilitated the identification of low-amplitude dislocations. Vertical gravimetric cross-sections confirm the credibility of the interpreted faults and grabens, also showing whether the faults are deeply rooted. Historical geophysical materials developed in this manner constitute an important supplement to the identification of the geological structure of the Lower Silesian Basin and in particular, the tectonic zones which may provide ways of migration and circulation of solutions, as well as the ore generation zones. The collected materials may be used to supplement the structural and tectonic maps of the sub-Zechstein substrate in the Lower Silesian Basin, and the applied methodology and data analysis may be used in other regions of Poland.

To investigate the quasi-static loading fracture characteristics of a certain wolframite ore, a crushing model of ore particle clusters was established using the Tavares model. The fracture characteristics of ore particle clusters under quasi-static loading were studied through simulation, and the results were compared with experimental data from crushing tests. The findings revealed that under different quasi-static loads, the post-crushing particle size distribution varied significantly. With increasing quasi-static loads, the proportion of smaller particles after crushing increased, indicating a higher degree of fragmentation in the ore particle clusters. Additionally, as the quasi-static load continued to increase, the average particle size of the ore particle clusters decreased. The average particle size provided a direct and intuitive measure of the fragmentation status of the ore particle clusters. Furthermore, the ore particle clusters exhibited fractal patterns during quasi-static loading, with the fractal dimension of particle size distribution ranging from 0.9205 to 1.3603 under different quasi-static loads. The fractal dimension increased with the increment of quasi-static load, indicating a higher level of fragmentation. Moreover, the fractal dimension of ore particle clusters during quasi-static loading exhibited a decreasing trend with the average particle size of fragmentation. This study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the fractal characteristics associated with the quasi-static loading fracture of ore particle clusters.

This paper systematically analyzes the relevant influencing factors of the pricing power of advantageous mineral resources from the perspective of law and economics. It discusses the key factors that affect the pricing power of advantageous mineral resources in China from both macro and micro perspectives. And empirical analysis was conducted based on the structural equation model, using China’s lithium resources as an example to analyze the lithium related market data from 2012 to 2022 for the period of 10 years. The empirical results showed that policy support level PSI, gross domestic product GDP, international market share IMS, and supply and demand relationship index SDRI are key factors that affect the pricing power of advantageous mineral resources at the macro level, and have a significant impact on them, And it presents a positive impact. The supply and demand relationship SDRI, resource quality index RQI, mining cost index MCI, and market competition level MCL index are key factors that affect the pricing power of advantageous mineral resources at the micro level, and have a significant and positive impact on them. Moreover, macro influencing factors are greater than micro factors, which interact with each other and achieve reasonable development and utilization of resources through policy regulation, market mechanisms, and technological innovation, thereby affecting the pricing power of mineral resources. Therefore, in actual regulation, it is necessary to comprehensively consider multiple factors, adopt various means and strategies to improve the pricing power of mineral resources, ensure the sustainable development of resources and the sustained growth of the social economy.

Coal is a necessary energy source for electric generation and other industrial uses. Countries that use this energy source as a domestic and natural resource should consider their coal mining policies. It is a hard task for the people who are responsible for the development and planning of investments since coal mining policy is affected by economic, political, social, national, and environmental factors. In addition; lots of sub-factors, which can be clustered under these factors, have a great impact on deciding on a coal mining policy. These factors and sub-factors are not independent from each other but also have interrelationships. This paper proposes a multi-criteria decision-making model for selecting the best coal mining policy in Turkiye by using the Analytical Network Process (ANP) method in which all these effective factors and their relationships are considered. Turkiye faces energy supply issues since energy demand has increased owing to rapid economic expansion, rising population, and growing industrialization. Turkiye is heavily dependent on imported energy sources such as oil, gas, and hard coal since the country’s natural energy resources are restricted to lignite and hard coal. In this respect, Turkiye needs to develop a coal mining policy according to its conditions. The main purpose of this study is to investigate Turkiye’s most appropriate coal policy by taking different perspectives and evaluating the issue as a decision problem. After the modeling studies by using ANP, it is concluded that much more coal production should be supplied by making new investments in the coal mining sector in Turkiye. The ANP method found as a useful and practical technique for deciding on mining policy problems.

The research topic related to investments in the processing sector of the oil and gas complex of the Republic of Kazakhstan is a hot topic, since this industry is one of the key sectors of the country’s economy and plays an important role in the country’s economic development. However, it needs modern technologies and new investments to improve its efficiency. Without constant investment and modernization of production, the industry may become less competitive and unable to fulfil its role in economic development. The purpose of this work is to study the current state of the oil and gas industry and identify the potential for attracting investment. The research employed various methods, including analytical, statistical, functional, system analysis, deduction, comparison, and synthesis methods. In the process of conducting the study, the current situation in the processing sector of the oil and gas industry in the Republic of Kazakhstan was analysed, including its structure, main players and existing investment projects. The market situation in the oil refining market in the Republic of Kazakhstan was studied and the prospects for this industry were assessed. The investment climate in the country and its attractiveness for investors, especially for investments in the processing sector of the oil and gas industry, have been studied. Promising projects in the processing sector of the oil and gas industry in Republic of Kazakhstan have been identified and include their cost, risks and potential profitability. The social and environmental impacts of investing in the Republic of Kazakhstan’s oil and gas industry have also been studied, including issues of employment, environmental sustainability and social responsibility. The practical value lies in the use of the identified results, solving issues related to investing in the processing sector of the oil and gas complex in order to bring this process to a new level.

Gemstones have been valued by people for thousands of years, even before the science of geology was established. Ornamental stones are formed by elements commonly found in nature, such as oxygen, carbon, aluminum, silicon, and magnesium. Silica group gemstones, with the chemical formula SiO2, are the most common gemstone group in the world. The presence of trace elements like Fe, Ni, Cr, and Cu gives them different colors. Quartz is a semi-precious inorganic gemstone that consists of Silicon dioxide (SiO2) and crystallizes naturally, and it also stands out as a gemstone. In this study, the aim was to determine the geological, geochemical, and gemological properties of citrine formations in Western Anatolia (Karacasu–Aydin–Turkiye). In this context; XRF, Raman spectrum and FTIR studies were carried out to determine the chemical and gemological properties of the samples collected from the study area. According to studies; The iron content of citrines is between 0.05–0.07%. As a result of Raman spectrometry, wavelength results of 175 cm–1, 300 cm–1, and 460 cm–1 were obtained. In addition, it has been determined that citrine formations are in the form of thin veins in the crack zones at the contacts of the metamorphic units in the region. Yellow quartz crystals, which are gemologically identified as citrine, were shaped and their gemstone value was revealed. Although citrines are called ferrous quartz, they gain a striking appearance when they are faceted, polished, and turned into the final product in terms of ornamental stones. Given that, in the jewelry sector, heat-treated stones, which are more affordable and readily accessible, are commonly used instead of citrine, it is believed that this study can provide significant insights into the characterization of the jewelry.

The article presents the results of research conducted as part of the ENTRANCES project (financed by the Horizon 2020 program), which focused on the analysis of sociological conditions in the transformation process involving the abandonment of coal production. The Polish research area in this project was the Silesian region. The research concerned the problems that will inevitably affect the region’s community as the transformation towards the abandonment of coal becomes increasingly profound. The article identifies the main challenges facing this region in the context of adaptation to profound changes resulting from the liquidation of basic jobs in the region, which are coal mines. Moreover, the authors of the article propose strategies that can be used to effectively deal with these challenges. These strategy proposals include both actions at the public policy level and initiatives undertaken by the private sector and the local community. The research method used included a broad analysis of many dimensions to which the region’s society is subjected in transitional conditions within five components: socio-cultural, socio-psychological, socio-political, socio-economic, and socio-ecological-technical. The identified challenges and developed applicable strategies summarize this broad research. The obtained results allow for a deeper understanding of social processes during the energy transformation in coal regions, as well as the formulation of practical solutions for the Silesian region and other similar areas.

The European Union’s primary goal is to attain climate neutrality by 2050, aiming for an economy with zero net greenhouse gas emissions. This objective is a core element of the European Green Deal and aligns seamlessly with the EU’s commitment to global climate action as articulated in the Paris Agreement. It is crucial to emphasize that the transition to sustainable energy carries significant risks for households experiencing energy poverty, particularly impacting underdeveloped regions and vulnerable social groups. Acknowledging this context is imperative to prevent further marginalization of the energy poor during a just transition. Effectively addressing energy poverty requires a combination of strategies and collaborative efforts at local, national, and global levels. The focus should be on renewable energy sources and decentralized solutions, such as home solar systems and mini-grids, providing a means to electrify remote and isolated areas without the need for extensive grid infrastructure. The central thesis of this paper posits that the energy transition may exacerbate the issue of energy poverty, particularly in post-mining regions. The study delves into various energy transition models, specifically examining Poland, Greece, and Bulgaria. To identify potentially vulnerable populations in these countries, the paper analyses data related to individuals at risk of poverty or social exclusion, as well as the long-term unemployment rate categorized by gender. Research indicates that potentially vulnerable customers are most likely to be identified in Bulgaria, where 32.1% of the population was at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2020, and the long-term unemployment rate was 2.3% in the same year. In Greece, 28.8% of the population faced the risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2020, with a long-term unemployment rate of 10.9%. The situation in Poland is relatively better, with 17.3% of the population at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2020 and a long-term unemployment rate of 0.6%.

Demulsifiers are widely used to increase the separation between oil and water. The more common ones contain hazardous ingredients (aromatic solvents, non-biodegradable active components), which can negatively affect human health (especially the respiratory system) and the environment. The presented study evaluates the feasibility of implementing a non-toxic, highly biodegradable, and environmentally friendly demulsifier in oil mines in the Paris Oil Basin (France). The standard commercial demulsifiers were tested together with four other, non-toxic and biodegradable ones. This investigation employed the bottle test of demulsifiers, which contained grind-out tests using the centrifuge. The test determined the residual water content in separated water. Four types of oil were used for this test, plus a fifth sample, which contained a mix of oil from the four wells, based on the ratio that existed in the installation. The investigations took place at four oil mines in Paris Basin, France. The tests proved that, for all oil types, a novel, highly biodegradable, oil-soluble demulsifier containing polyimine derivative and EO/PO block copolymer (RSN = 10) in a non-toxic solvent, could be used to treat oil during the exploitation process in the reservoir. This provided the best separation properties of all tested samples and the lowest water content in the oil. This solution can potentially mitigate numerous logistical, storage, and environmental issues while enhancing job-related safety aspects. Our proposed approach provides a greener method that could be implemented in the industry field.