Cooperative Mining Research Articles

Subterranean Matters: Cooperative Mining and Resource Nationalism in Plurinational Bolivia by Andrea Marston (review)

Subterranean Matters: Cooperative Mining and Resource Nationalism in Plurinational Bolivia by Andrea Marston (review)

Andrea Marston. Subterranean matters: cooperative mining and resource nationalism in Plurinational Bolivia

Andrea Marston. Subterranean matters: cooperative mining and resource nationalism in Plurinational Bolivia

Research on overburden structural characteristics and support adaptability in cooperative mining of sectional coal pillar and bottom coal seam

In the mining process of the II1 coal seam at Zhaogu No. 2 coal mine, a method of stratified mining is employed, leaving relatively wide coal pillars in sections. To enhance the resource recovery rate, the mine carries out the cooperative mining of the sectional coal pillars and the lower layer coal seam. The 14,022 cooperative working face of fully-mechanized and fully-mechanized top-coal caving at Zhaogu No. 2 coal mine is taken as the research object. Through numerical simulation, theoretical calculations, and on-site industrial trials, a comprehensive analysis of the overburden structural characteristics and the support adaptability at the working face is conducted. It is clarified that a stress arch bearing structure can be formed above the sectional coal pillars during cooperative mining, and this structure is controlled by key strata. The formation of a stress arch bearing structure in the overburden above the sectional coal pillars provides protection for the underlying mining area. A formula for calculating the working resistance of hydraulic supports under the stress arch in sectional coal pillar is derived. Based on these results, the working resistance of hydraulic supports in the coal pillar area is calculated and selected. Field application shows that the working resistance of the support is 10,000 kN in the fully-mechanized top-coal caving working face, and is 9000 kN in fully-mechanized working face, meeting the support requirements and ensuring safe mining at the working face. This study provides a valuable engineering reference for achieving cooperative mining of abandoned sectional coal pillars and lower layer coal seam in stratified mining method.

Cooperative mining technology and strata control of close coal seams and overlying coal pillars

Mining of close coal seams envisages reservation of a large number of section coal pillars of a total width ranging from 30 to 40 m. This results in an enormous waste of coal resources and risks of spontaneous combustion, instability, and damage to the remaining coal pillars. This study attempts to mitigate the above problems via the proposed cooperative mining technical method for close seams and overlying coal pillars. It expounds on the technical principles, the required mining equipment, technology, and the system layout, and analyzes the key influencing factors of strata control. Using the numerical simulation via FLAC3D and PFC2D commercial software packages, the effect of horizontal distance between the lower coal seam roadway and the overlying coal pillar (i.e., spacing) on the surrounding rock control and rational layout of the roadway is studied. The mechanism of the overlying coal pillar width effect on the ground pressure of the stope and coal pillar recovery rate is clarified. The engineering case study shows that when the horizontal spacing was increased from 0 to 15 m, the surrounding rock deformation, surrounding rock stress peak value, and plastic zone area of the roadway decreased significantly. When the coal pillar width in the overlying section was increased from 25 to 40 m, the peak values of lateral and advance bearing stresses in the stope dropped by 21 and 12 MPa, respectively. Besides, the ground pressure driving strength of the stope was significantly reduced, and the recovery rates of the overlying coal pillar and rock between the close coal seams were increased by 7.45 and 4.29%, respectively. Combined with the top coal pillar drawing pattern, optimization concepts and their realization methods were proposed.

Cooperative Mining System to Improve Bitcoin Scalability

Cooperative Mining System to Improve Bitcoin Scalability

How Asteroid Mining Affects Global Equity

The shortage of mineral resources on Earth is worsening. As a promising form of resource extraction, asteroid mining has technical problems and faces capital challenges. The arrival of asteroid mining is a crucial opportunity to improve global equity. The development of reasonable mining methods and policies can enable asteroid mining to reshape the global economic landscape, which will greatly promote global equity. Firstly, we give a concrete definition of global equity and explain the meaning of the different terms in the definition. Then we quantitatively assess global equity through four dimensions: resources, economy, living conditions, and degree of the rule of law. In order to quantify these four abstract concepts, we introduce a total of 14 different indicators. Then, we design a form of international cooperative mining for the asteroid mining industry in which we build a resource allocation model using national research capacity and research inputs as measures. The model follows the principle of output distribution by input, allowing international companies to extract asteroid minerals, which are then distributed in three ways: company operations, input charity, and shareholder income. Next, we clustered the indicators affecting this international mining company and finalized three conditions. We use these as indicators of changes in the conditions affecting the company. Finally, we discuss the difficulties faced in asteroid mining and the policies that should be implemented based on the results obtained.

Study on deformation and stress evolution law of surrounding rock under repeated mining in close coal seam

ABSTRACT Aimed at the problem that the mining roadway is seriously affected by the repeated mining under the up-down successive cooperative mining mode, this paper takes Qiuci Coal Mine as the research background. Based on analysis of mining influence stage of A502 haulage roadway, the stress evolution and deformation law of surrounding rock of roadway are analyzed through similar simulation, the principle that the ratio of main stress affects the stability of roadway under the influence of repeated mining is obtained based on the plastic failure theory of surrounding rock of roadway, the roadway stability control method by periods and stages is put forward based on the principle of roadway stability control, and the numerical simulation scheme is designed to determine the reasonable coal pillar width and support mode of roadway. The results show that the coal pillar with the width of 8 m can reduce roof stress of roadway by 38.4% and 64.3% during the tunneling period and period after formation of roadway, and the principal stress ratio is reduced to 2; the stability of surrounding rock during and after excavation can be guaranteed by adopting φ20 × 2400 bolt and advanced hydraulic support. Through field measurement, the maximum deformation of A502 haulage roadway is only 60 mm, and the cumulative output of coal during the period of mining influence is 1,833,700 tons, thus the safe mining of coal mine is realized, and enormous economic benefits are generated.

An operation optimization method of a fully mechanized coal mining face based on semi-physical virtual simulation

A mathematical hydraulic support self-tracking model for three-machine cooperative mining is proposed to address low efficiency and difficulties in strategy evaluation of a fully mechanized coal face. The proposed model uses the coordinates and traction speed of the shearer to calculate the frequency of the circular hydraulic support and realize the coordinated operation of the three-machine mining technology. A unity3d hardware-in-the-loop simulation experimental hearer and hydraulic support platform was used to validate the model of autonomous follow-up. The results indicate that collaborative control of coal mining allowed for an efficiency 3.76% higher than under automatic operation mode and 46.03% higher than under manual control; thus, The mathematical model provided an improved production efficiency of the fully mechanized mining face. The mathematical model also provides a more intelligent and reliable security support, and improves the intelligent level of hydraulic support follow-up control.

Vertical farming: tin mining and agro-mineros in Bolivia

ABSTRACT Throughout Bolivia, collectives of small-scale miners known as ‘mining cooperatives’ have developed a reputation for cutthroat extractive practices that were shaped by neoliberal restructuring starting in the 1980s. Charting a history that starts at the turn of the twentieth century, this paper argues that cooperative mining in the tin belt of Northern Potosí has emerged as a vertical instantiation of small-holder farming practices that migrated, along with miners themselves, from surrounding indigenous ayllus. In the subterranean, however, these practices interacted with the legacies of tin mining, which was characterized by labor hierarchies that corresponded with vertical variation in ore quality. New social striations crystallized as small-holder farming customs settled into the subterranean structure, creating sharp social differentiation across these subsoil ‘family farms.’ The class composition of mining cooperatives at the national level has been shaped by these entangled underground histories, with implications for the country’s economic and environmental futures.

Cooperative Mining in Blockchain Networks With Zero-Determinant Strategies.

In proof-of-work (PoW)-based blockchain networks, the miners contribute their distributed computation in solving a crypto-puzzle competition to win the reward. To secure stable profits, some miners organize mining pools and share the rewards from the pool in proportion to each miner's contribution. However, some miners may exhibit malicious behaviors which cause a waste of distributed computation resource, even posing a threat on the efficiency of blockchain networks. In this paper, we propose a new game-theoretic framework to incentivize miners mining honestly and help to bring about a higher total welfare of blockchain networks. We first formulate the mining process as a noncooperative iterated game. We then propose a mechanism in terms of zero-determinant strategies (ZD strategies) to encourage the cooperative mining and improve the efficiency of mining in PoW-based blockchain networks. In addition, we theoretically analyze the maximum system welfare of the target pool through the method of optimization. Numerical illustrations are also presented to support our theoretical results.

Cooperative Mining of Limestone at Mt. Buko and the Task Group for Research on Rock Slope in Chichibu Area (Chichibu Zanken)

Cooperative Mining of Limestone at Mt. Buko and the Task Group for Research on Rock Slope in Chichibu Area (Chichibu Zanken)

New responses to mining extractivism in the Bolivian lowlands: the role and potential of indigenous cooperatives in self-managing mining resources

ABSTRACTThe plurinational state of Bolivia serves as role model for the implementation of indigenous peoples’ participatory rights in extractive projects. However, recent cases reveal significant deficiencies in relation to budget, corruptive practices and lacking respect for indigenous structures, customs and traditions in Chiquitano territories. This article questions the legitimacy of said processes and demands alternatives to guarantee indigenous peoples’ genuine participation in projects which affect them. Apart from hydrocarbon extraction, other natural resource sectors remain to be explored and exploited; in this case mining extraction plays an essential role. Due to high levels of institutional empowerment of indigenous peoples’ organisations in the Chiquitano lands, corporate and state-led mining exploitation has encountered opposition and led to alternative management of resources in said territories. Indigenous cooperatives that self-manage mining resource use exemplify the latest response to state and corporate extractivism. At first view, participatory rights have been ruled out due to a sophisticated and widely recognised system of indigenous cooperative mining resource exploitation. However, the consistent presence of state and corporate actors, as well as other outside pressures, jeopardise the smooth functioning and role of such new actors in extractive industries.

BASF and Toda Kogyo Corp enter negotiations to collaborate in cathode active materials in North America

In this article, we argue that relationships between key actors in extractive industries – in our case, mining cooperatives and the state in Bolivia – develop not only on the basis of calculated interest-perceptions and advocacy of rationally understood concerns and goals in policy negotiations, but also on the basis of histories and memories. These influence attitudes and negotiation or confrontation strategies on both sides. The relationship between, on the one hand, individual mining cooperatives and a national federation of cooperative mining organizations, and on the other hand, the Bolivian state, demonstrates that it is crucially important to take into account the specific historical, regional and intra-organizational aspects and memories. More specifically, we show that there is a contrast between the strategy of the national mining cooperatives federation FENCOMIN and a local mining cooperative (ASOBAL), and that to understand this contrast we need to introduce a historical and cultural dimension. After sketching more general conceptual and regional matters, we move on to the current position of cooperative mining in the country and the strategies deployed by FENCOMIN, and subsequently address the situation of a case-study cooperative called ASOBAL. We connect stands and negotiation strategies to issues of identity, memory and place.

Cooperative miners and the politics of abandonment in Bolivia

In Bolivia, cooperative activities wield significant influence over national mining politics. They have become a powerful representational voice for the mining sector, generally supporting, rather than opposing, foreign investment. I use examples from cooperative partnerships with the transnational mining company, Coeur Mines, and draw on newly-released census data and findings from several visits to Bolivian underground mines to demonstrate how cooperative mining realities are intricately linked to those of the private and State-owned sectors. I argue that the historical development of cooperative miners, coupled with their experiences of poverty and exploitation, has shaped their experiences with, and thus reactions to, foreign investors following neoliberal restructuring. I conclude the article by drawing attention to the recent general strikes in Potosi as a way of challenging how much the situation has really changed for Bolivian mining cooperatives since the election of Evo Morales.

Small-scale mining cooperatives and the state in Bolivia: Their histories, memories and negotiation strategies

In this article, we argue that relationships between key actors in extractive industries – in our case, mining cooperatives and the state in Bolivia – develop not only on the basis of calculated interest-perceptions and advocacy of rationally understood concerns and goals in policy negotiations, but also on the basis of histories and memories. These influence attitudes and negotiation or confrontation strategies on both sides. The relationship between, on the one hand, individual mining cooperatives and a national federation of cooperative mining organizations, and on the other hand, the Bolivian state, demonstrates that it is crucially important to take into account the specific historical, regional and intra-organizational aspects and memories. More specifically, we show that there is a contrast between the strategy of the national mining cooperatives federation FENCOMIN and a local mining cooperative (ASOBAL), and that to understand this contrast we need to introduce a historical and cultural dimension. After sketching more general conceptual and regional matters, we move on to the current position of cooperative mining in the country and the strategies deployed by FENCOMIN, and subsequently address the situation of a case-study cooperative called ASOBAL. We connect stands and negotiation strategies to issues of identity, memory and place.

An Experimental Study on the Mechanical Properties of Cemented Rock-Tailings Fill

This paper outlines an effective approach to making composite backfill using mine waste material. Composite materials are widely used in many areas of engineering because of their unique structural properties. Cemented rock-tailings are one of the most prevalent materials used for composite backfill because they can effectively make use of mine waste rock and mill tailings that would otherwise be simply considered waste. This backfill method has the capability of maintaining the mine environment while still allowing for continued mine development. An experimental study is being conducted in a cooperative mine research project to investigate the properties of backfill material and specifically the mechanical characteristics of cemented waste rock-tailings fill. This study details the characteristics of the composite backfill aggregate with respect to the compressive strength of the cemented rock-tailings fill and the backfill mix-proportion, as well as outlines a new method of study for cemented rock-tailings fill mechanics. The study results show the compressive strength of cemented rock-tailings fill is dependent mainly on the cement and waste rock content. Ensuring a precise backfill mix proportion can effectively reduce the cement dosage, thereby decreasing the backfill cost realized for the mine.

Measuring the relative performance in mining industry: A case study of cooperative Seif mining company

Article history: Received May 15, 2013 Received in revised format 25 June 2013 Accepted 7 August 2013 Available online August 7 2013 In this paper, we present an empirical study to measure the performance of a salt refinery named Seif cooperative mining. The study uses Political–Economical-Social– Technological Analysis (PEST) technique to evaluate opportunities and threats associated with external as well as internal factors influencing the firm. The study designs a questionnaire in Liket scale and asks decision maker to evaluate internal/external threats. In terms of external factors, there are four opportunities and ten threats associated with External factor evaluation (EFE) factors. In terms of opportunities, existing potential for export has received the highest priority followed by easy access to national transportation and government support. On the threats part, firm’s dependency on importing necessary parts, global price reduction and mineral reserve termination in near future are the most important issues. In addition, in terms of internal factors, on the opportunity part, access to necessary utilities is considered as the most important factor followed by availability of high level lab equipment and sufficient assets and equities. On the threats, depreciation is considered as the most important issue followed by lack of optimum utilization of equipment and lack of enterprise resource planning. In addition, the study uses balanced score card (BSC) technique to look at the performance of the firm in terms of learning and growth, internal process, customer and financials. The study determines the present and ideal status of the firm. © 2013 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Self-organization of the MinE protein ring in subcellular Min oscillations

We model the self-organization of the MinE ring that is observed during subcellular oscillations of the proteins MinD and MinE within the rod-shaped bacterium Escherichia coli. With a steady-state approximation, we can study the MinE ring generically--apart from the other details of the Min oscillation. Rebinding of MinE to depolymerizing MinD-filament tips controls MinE-ring formation through a scaled cell shape parameter r. We find two types of E-ring profiles near the filament tip: either a strong plateaulike E ring controlled by one-dimensional diffusion of MinE along the bacterial length or a weak cusplike E ring controlled by three-dimensional diffusion near the filament tip. While the width of a strong E ring depends on r, the occupation fraction of MinE at the MinD-filament tip is saturated and hence the depolymerization speed does not depend strongly on r. Conversely, for weak E rings both r and the MinE to MinD stoichiometry strongly control the tip occupation and hence the depolymerization speed. MinE rings in vivo are close to the threshold between weak and strong, and so MinD-filament depolymerization speed should be sensitive to cell shape, stoichiometry, and MinE-rebinding rate. We also find that the transient to MinE-ring formation is quite long in the appropriate open geometry for assays of ATPase activity in vitro, explaining the long delays of ATPase activity observed for smaller MinE concentrations in those assays without the need to invoke cooperative MinE activity.

Noise controls for drills in the dimension stone industry

Drills in the dimension stone industry have proven to be a problem when it comes to overexposures to noise. These drills include, but are not limited to slot drills, down-hole drills, and horizontal lift-hole drills. Although drills with acoustically treated operator cabs exist for this industry, most drills encountered do not have them. Considerable effort has been made by both the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and industry to achieve compliance with the noise standards stated in Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 30, part 62 for the drills without operator cabs. Several individual noise controls are available for these drills. They include exhaust mufflers, operator control barriers, hammer covers, face shields, and three-sided enclosures. A joint noise study was conducted by MSHA and a cooperative mining company to determine the effectiveness of these individual noise controls alone and in various combinations. Previously, these noise controls were studied separately under varying conditions and some found to provide significant noise reductions. The study was conducted to determine their effectiveness under the same conditions and to quantify not only their reduction in sound level, but also overall noise dose.