Mining Lease Research Articles

Local experiences with mining royalties, company and the state in the Solomon Islands

Royalties, rents and other material benefits from mining ventures have been of interest to development discussions. These benefits are important to all stakeholders but the first mining agreement in the Solomon Islands only accommodated a tiny percentage of the gross value of gold and silver produced as the mining lease to landowning groups. The questions that led me to the Gold Ridge mine and surrounding communities on Guadalcanal in 2007 and 2010 are: (i) Can royalties from the mine be sustainable agents to improve people’s livelihoods? (ii) To what extent have royalty payments, licence fees and rents from mines impacted on local Solomon Islanders’ lives? (iii) How do mining agreements and courts of law do or do not safeguard local social capital and the environment? In analysing the data, the processes of negotiating mining agreements; movement and resettlement of people; livelihood and gendered opportunities offered by the mine; and the state’s role in the mine are discussed in this paper. Moreover, the paper responds to the three questions above and assesses the sustainability of mining royalties and the role of the modern state and processes in the Solomon Islands mining sector.

Importance of Radius of Influence and its Estimation in a Limestone Quarry

Limestone mining at Lanjiberna limestone and dolomite quarry has created positive as well negative impacts on ground water. With further deepening of the mine, drawdown trend (negative effect) is observed and at the same time ground water recharge of the order of 4,527.48 m3/day, through mine pits (positive impact) is noticed. The aquifer present in the area is unconfined and mainly consists of weathered quartzite, phyllites, limestone and dolomite. To know the cumulative impact of mining on surroundings, the effective radius of influence (Re) for excavated mine area is calculated as 1,059 m. Here, it may be noted that three ‘concentric working pits’ (Pit No. 2 & 6; Pit no 1 & 3 and Pit No 4 & 5) produces limestone at this mine and the pit-wise radius of influence (Ro) is estimated. Value of Ro for Pit-2 & 6 is 612.14 m; Pit-1 & 3 is 475 m and Pit-4 & 5 is 384.15 m. Its average i.e., Ro (for all three pits, cumulative) is estimated as 490 m. From this typical case study and estimation of Ro and Re values, it is concluded that the maximum and minimum value of overall impact/influence lies in between 0.49 and 1.05 km. These estimated values of ‘area of influence’ are less compared to the whole mine lease area values. Local aquifer, which lies at shallower as well as at deeper depth had behaved consistently with respect to recharge and drawdown conditions. Thus, assessment of Ro and Re is extremely helpful for ‘integrated mine planning’ to achieve targeted production, economically with minimum interruptions.

Construction of concentration fields of elements in 3D in groundwater of an industrial hub using GIS technologies

Developing the scientific heritage of V.I. Vernadsky, the founder of hydrogeochemistry, and based on his research studies in the Tambov region (Russia) the authors have established a methodological approach to access information about hydrological, geochemical, and industrial objects located on the territory of an industrial hub using GIS technology. This approach allows (1) the generation of a spatial information model of an industrial hub, where all objects are geo-referenced, (2) the creation of retrievable data on water quality in an industrial hub, and (3) the presentation of data processing results in the form of concentration fields of elements or their compounds. The data for the model were obtained from several sources including raster maps of an industrial hub and attribute data about industrial and natural objects over a five year period. Typical components, which define the chemical composition of groundwater of the area, are increased hardness, excessive iron content and increased mineralization (dry residue). Analysis of operating conditions of observation wells located on the territory of an industrial hub and evaluation of contamination spread in the aquifer within the mining lease are carried out using the following models: a geo-filtration model, which allows obtaining pressure distribution values at the injection wells, and a geo-migratory model, which helps in forecasting the spread of industrial wastewater in the aquifer. These models allow estimating the size of contamination spread areas and validity of applied methods of industrial waste utilization.

Estimating greenhouse gas emissions from open-cut coal mining: application to the Sydney Basin

A new site-specific (Tier 3) method has been developed to determine greenhouse gas emissions from open coal mining. The Tier 3 method presented here is based on extensive measurement of gas emissions from open-cut coal mines and the physics of gas desorption from coal. It was adopted by Australian National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting in 2009 and since 2012 formed the scientific basis for the Australian Government guidelines on calculating greenhouse gas emissions from open cut mines. The main strength of this method is its site-specific nature and accuracy, as well as its ability to be integrated with routine coal exploration programs. New concepts were produced for the model: a coal mine is regarded as a ‘gas reservoir,’ with coal seam gas being emitted from a ‘gas release zone’ that consists of sedimentary geological units (emission layers) above and below the base of the mine. The primary data required for the method are the in situ gas content and gas composition of the coal and carbonaceous rocks contained within the gas-release zone. These data are obtained through direct measurement of gas desorption from bore cores. To reduce gas drilling, a mine lease is compartmentalised into ‘gas zones’ of similar gas content and reservoir properties. The outputs of the method are emission density (the potential volume of gas emitted from mining site per unit area of the ground surface) and emission factor (the gas volume emitted per tonne of raw coal extracted). Owing to spatial variability and errors of measurement, the estimate of emissions is associated with uncertainty. A simple method of calculating uncertainty of emissions is presented in this work.

Prediction of sea water intrusion for mining activity in close precincts of sea shore

The mining lease area of Surka [District Bhavnagar, Gujarat (India)] is located within 6–12 km horizontal distance of sea shore of Gulf of Cambay. Whenever, there will be onset of lignite extraction, there will be always a threat of sea water intrusion into the mining lease area due to its close proximity to seashore. This article describes the prediction of sea water intrusion into the lease area of whole mining block using Ghyben-Herzberg relation between fresh and saline water, Remote Sensing, Ground Truth verification, Electrical Resistivity Survey and groundwater table monitored during the year 2004. As per the Ghyben-Herzberg relation, results show that there will not be sea water intrusion. If there is excess pumping of water then also the basement rock below the lignite seam will put hindrance to any possible upconing of saline water interface.

Techno-Economic Evaluation of Exploration & Production

ABSTRACTOil and gas producing industry, which is extractive in nature, involves activities related to acquisition of minerals interests in properties, exploration, development and production of oil and gas. Oil and gas companies consist of many types of activities before it starts its operation in the field. It involves bidding procedure, acquiring mining lease, petroleum exploration license (PEL). It consists of high risk and uncertainties which may cause financial distress for a company. The aforesaid activities are collectively referred to an upstream operation and form the ‘Upstream Petroleum industry’.  The industry is commonly referred to as the E&P industry.In order to assure the receipt of fair market value for oil and gas asset economic evaluation is performed. Economic evaluation consists of the assessment of oil and gas resources the valuation of resources in the market and the use of evaluation in considering the bid, exchange offer or other action. Full development of all three components of economic evaluation is essential if it is to be successful evaluation. Evaluation process embraces a range of procedures which, when applied to available data leads to an estimation of the right’s and property’s value. So to quantify the risk and uncertainties a good economic evaluation process is needed. There are many economic evaluation processes. Among the existing economic evaluation processes, which one is the best, is the main motto of our study.The study discusses different method of economic evaluation like Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Net Present Value (NPV), discounted payback period, etc. This report also consist some example on various methods. These methods does not account for risk and uncertainties. A trivial change in predictions alters the whole calculation of profit and loss and may compel the company to be great loser. Now to analyze the risk and uncertainties, Risk analysis is necessary. In this report we have included Sensitive analysis, Decision Tree and Monte Carlo simulation. At the end of the report analysis is broadly given in support of the best method of economic.                                             Key Words: Simulation, Economic Evaluation, SensitiveÂ

Modeling the impact of revegetation on regional water quality: A collective approach to manage the cumulative impacts of mining in the Bowen Basin, Australia

In this paper we quantify the additional water quality benefits that can be achieved through coordinated cumulative impact management. To do this we simulate coordinated and un-coordinated revegetation investments and compare their impact on achieving regional water quality goals. Our results show that coordination between multiple mining companies achieves additional benefits since prioritization is enabled across a broader range of investment opportunities. Additionally, when coordinated investment is permitted beyond the boundaries of coal mining leases, results show that additional benefits are greatly enhanced since these regions provide more rewarding investment opportunities. Results illustrate (a) how regional coordination may influence reputational benefits of investments, and (b) that coordination is beneficial when investment opportunities are unevenly distributed across the landscape. When additional benefits are achievable, we suggest that mining companies should develop collective investment projects with an understanding of how coordination influences project costs. Similarly, investment projects should be developed with an understanding of investment tradeoffs and how these may adversely impact on regional stakeholders and hence industry reputation. The mining industry has significant potential to contribute to regional wellbeing; however, land management policies must be flexible and promote incentives to enable companies to invest beyond compliance.

Fungi outcompete bacteria under increased uranium concentration in culture media

As a key part of water management at the Ranger Uranium Mine (Northern Territory, Australia), stockpile (ore and waste) runoff water was applied to natural woodland on the mine lease in accordance with regulatory requirements. Consequently, the soil in these Land Application Areas (LAAs) presents a range of uranium concentrations. Soil samples were collected from LAAs with different concentrations of uranium and extracts were plated onto LB media containing no (0 ppm), low (3 ppm), medium (250 ppm), high (600 ppm) and very high (1500 ppm) uranium concentrations. These concentrations were similar to the range of measured uranium concentrations in the LAAs soils. Bacteria grew on all plates except for the very high uranium concentrations, where only fungi were recovered. Identifications based on bacterial 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed that the dominant cultivable bacteria belonged to the genus Bacillus. Members of the genera Paenibacillus, Lysinibacillus, Klebsiella, Microbacterium and Chryseobacterium were also isolated from the LAAs soil samples. Fungi were identified by sequence analysis of the intergenic spacer region, and members of the genera Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, Penicillium and Curvularia were dominant on plates with very high uranium concentrations. Members of the Paecilomyces and Alternaria were also present but in lower numbers. These findings indicate that fungi can tolerate very high concentrations of uranium and are more resistant than bacteria. Bacteria and fungi isolated at the Ranger LAAs from soils with high concentrations of uranium may have uranium binding capability and hence the potential for uranium bioremediation.

Geochemical assessments and classification of coal mine spoils for better understanding of potential salinity issues at closure

Coal mining wastes in the form of spoils, rejects and tailings deposited on a mine lease can cause various environmental issues including contamination by toxic metals, acid mine drainage and salinity. Dissolution of salt from saline mine spoil, in particular, during rainfall events may result in local or regional dispersion of salts through leaching or in the accumulation of dissolved salts in soil pore water and inhibition of plant growth. The salinity in coal mine environments is from the geogenic salt accumulations and weathering of spoils upon surface exposure. The salts are mainly sulfates and chlorides of calcium, magnesium and sodium. The objective of the research is to investigate and assess the source and mobility of salts and trace elements in various spoil types, thereby predicting the leaching behavior of the salts and trace elements from spoils which have similar geochemical properties. X-ray diffraction analysis, total digestion, sequential extraction and column experiments were conducted to achieve the objectives. Sodium and chloride concentrations best represented salinity of the spoils, which might originate from halite. Electrical conductivity, sodium and chloride concentrations in the leachate decreased sharply with increasing leaching cycles. Leaching of trace elements was not significant in the studied area. Geochemical classification of spoil/waste defined for rehabilitation purposes was useful to predict potential salinity, which corresponded with the classification from cluster analysis based on leaching data of major elements. Certain spoil groups showed high potential salinity by releasing high sodium and chloride concentrations. Therefore, the leaching characteristics of sites having saline susceptible spoils require monitoring, and suitable remediation technologies have to be applied.

Deep Sea Mining of Submarine Hydrothermal Deposits and its Possible Environmental Impact in Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea

The Manus back-arc basin host three distinct well known submarine hydrothermal deposits of Vienna Wood, Pacmanus and Onsen sites. The Vienna Wood site is a typical Cu-Zn type of mineralization consisting predominantly of pyrite, marcasite, sphalerite, wurtzite and chalcopyrite. The Pacmanus site is a polymetallic type of mineral deposit consisting of sphalerite, chalcopyrite, bornite, wurtzite, pyrite, marcasite, enargite, tennantite, galena, Pb-As-Sulphosalt, gold, covellite, digenite and chalcocite. The Onsen site is the first deep sea acid sulfate type of mineralisationconsisting ofenargite, covellite, chalcopyrite, pyrite and marcasite.The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Government has granted exploration license to Nautilus Mineral Cooperation to explore for submarin e hydrothermal deposit in the Manus Basin. It has done extensive exploration around the existing hydrothermal depos its of Vienna Wood, Pacmanus and Onsen site. This has resulted in the discoveries of well over twenty hydrothermal deposits (Solwara 1 to Solwara 20). Nautilus Minerals has done resource drilling on Solwara 1 and Solwara 12 deposit due to its polymetallic type of mineralization and its geochemicalsimilarities to the Pacmanus site. From resources drilling, Nautilus Minerals reported an indicated and inferred mineral resource of 1030 kt and 1540 kt respectively for the Solwara 1 project at 2.6% Cu equivalent cut off grade. The PNG government has granted mining lease (ML154) to Nautilus Minerals to mine the Solwara 1 deposit in January 2012. If mining activity commences at the Solwara 1 site then Nautilus needs to address possible environmental impacts of water usage and discharge, water quality, sedimentation and dewatering and preservation of hydrothermal vent communities.

Know what is at stake: the importance of the safety regulatory interface for the personal liability of executives

The operations of a company involved in the Australian petroleum industry are subject to a range of health and safety regulatory regimes. Knowing what regulatory regime applies to each of the company’s operations is not only important to ensure the company’s compliance but also to determine the due diligence priorities and exposures of its executives. Different regulatory schemes can apply to a company’s exploration, drilling, construction, accommodation, transport, and administrative operations conducted onshore and offshore and in multiple jurisdictions. Additional complicating factors also exist when the operations overlap with other industries, for example when pipelines cross mining leases or agricultural land. Understanding the regulatory interface is crucial for corporate compliance, but is also necessary to help company officers and executives understand their personal liability for the company’s operations. Executive liability is intended to influence company decisions because of potential personal consequences for decision makers. Depending on the particular safety regime the company’s operations fall in at a particular time, executives could be at risk of five years of imprisonment. There are also limits on the financial support the company can provide, whether directly or through directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. The key action for companies is to be proactive in determining what regime applies and assessing what steps their executives need to take to comply with their duties to avoid penalties. This extended abstract provides a model for the development and discharge of effective governance frameworks in the complex petroleum industry.

Dispatches

Dispatches

Navigating the floral Milky Way: the taxonomy of the microgeophytic triggerplants (Stylidium petiolare and allies: Stylidiaceae)

Stylidium petiolare Sond. and allies (Stylidiaceae) are a group of diminutive triggerplants from southern Western Australia that have evolved small corms capable of significant desiccation during summer dormancy. A taxonomic review of these microgeophytes has identified 14 taxa, of which S. cornuatum Wege, S. scintillans Wege and S. xanthellum Wege are newly described and S. asteroideum F.L.Erickson & J.H.Willis and S. rubricalyx F.L.Erickson & J.H.Willis are reinstated. S. emarginatum subsp. exappendiculatum Lowrie & Carlquist and S. emarginatum subsp. decipiens Carlquist are elevated to species level and their respective distributions significantly expanded following the assessment of herbarium specimens and field survey. Revised descriptions are provided for S. emarginatum Sond., S. insensitivum Carlquist, S. obtusatum Sond., S. periscelianthum F.L.Erickson & J.H.Willis, S. petiolare Sond., S. pulchellum Sond. and S. udusicola Lowrie & Kenneally. S. bolgartense F.L.Erickson & J.H.Willis is retained as a synonym of a broadly defined S. obtusatum, and S. petiolare var. paucifoliatum Sond. is newly placed into synonymy under S. xanthellum. Lectotypes are selected for S. asteroideum, S. emarginatum, S. petiolare, S. petiolare var. paucifoliatum, S. pulchellum and S. obtusatum. S. emarginatum var. macranthum E.Pritz. is newly placed into synonymy under S. emarginatum, with a neotype designated. S. scintillans, discovered during surveys of mining leases in the Yalgoo region, is considered Threatened in Western Australia, whereas S. asteroideum, S. cornuatum, S. exappendiculatum (Lowrie & Carlquist) Wege, S. periscelianthum and S. rubricalyx are all listed as being of conservation concern. Further field survey and collections of the microgeophytic triggerplants are required to refine the taxonomy presented herein and to better understand the distribution and conservation status of these taxa.

Processing of high alumina iron ore slimes using classification and flotation

The generation of iron ore slimes in India is estimated to be 10–15% by weight of the total iron ore mined. The iron ore values are lost to the tune of 10–15 million tons per year. Moreover these slimes which are stored in slime ponds at mine site pose threat to the environment. Considering the present magnitude of the iron ore slimes generation annually, quantity of slime accumulated over the years, depletion of high grade ore reserves, acute shortage of land at mining lease areas and stringent government norms, these slimes can be considered as a national resource if properly beneficiated using innovative technology. These slimes are readily available in finer size typically assaying 55–60% Fe and 6–8% alumina eliminating the need for crushing to finer sizes. This paper presents the research work carried out to recover Fe values with low alumina and silica content from high alumina iron ore slimes of India, using combination of hydrocyclone and flotation. Fine particle size, complex mineralogy and presence of locked particles determine the impossibility of direct production of hematite concentrate by froth flotation. Classification of slimes with two stage hydrocyclone gives a concentrate containing 61.99% Fe, 4.0% Al2O3 and 3.22% SiO2, with Fe recovery of 54.55% in Stage-I. Concentrate from Stage-II hydrocyclone contains 62.19% Fe, 3.45% Al2O3 and 2.79% SiO2 with Fe recovery of 47.45% with respect to initial feed. Further the concentrate from Stage-II hydrocyclone is beneficiated using reverse cationic flotation by using amines and direct flotation with fatty acid. A final concentrate of 64.46% Fe, 2.66% Al2O3, and 2.05% SiO2 with Fe recovery of 69.03% in flotation stage and 34.13% with respect to the initial feed was obtained with reverse cationic flotation. While conducting flotation of aluminosilicates by using amines as a collector and starch as a depressant for iron ore, starch adsorption occurred on aluminosilicate particles covered by iron oxides and on minerals which contains Al and Si ions in their structure; consequently an entire flotation of mineral complex is possible by controlling electrokinetic phenomenon.

Were intercalated komatiites and dacites at the Black Swan nickel sulphide mine, Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia, emplaced as extrusive lavas or intrusive bodies? The significance of breccia textures and contact relationships

Intercalated Archean komatiites and dacites sit above a thick footwall dacite unit in the host rock succession at the Black Swan Nickel Mine, north of Kalgoorlie in the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia. Both lithofacies occur in units that vary in scale from laterally extensive at the scale of the mine lease to localized, thin, irregular bodies, from>100m thick to only centimetres thick. Some dacites are only slightly altered and deformed, and are interpreted to post-date major deformation and alteration (late porphyries). However, the majority of the dacites display evidence of deformation, especially at contacts, and metamorphism, varying from silicification and chlorite alteration at contacts to pervasive low grade regional metamorphic alteration represented by common assemblages of chlorite, sericite and albite. Texturally, the dacites vary from entirely massive and coherent to partially brecciated to totally brecciated. Strangely, some dacites are coherent at the margins and brecciated internally. Breccia textures vary from cryptically defined, to blocky, closely packed, in situ jig-saw fit textures with secondary minerals in fractures between clasts, to more apparent matrix rich textures with round clast forms, giving apparent conglomerate textures. Some clast zones have multi-coloured clasts, giving the impression of varied provenance. Strangely however, all these textural variants have gradational relationships with each other, and no bedding or depositional structures are present. This indicates that all textures have an in situ origin. The komatiites are generally altered and pervasively carbonate veined. Preservation of original textures is patchy and local, but includes coarse adcumulate, mesocumulate, orthocumulate, crescumulate-harrisite and occasionally spinifex textures. Where original contacts between komatiites and dacites are preserved intact (i.e. not sheared or overprinted by alteration), the komatiites have chilled margins, whereas the dacites do not. The margins of the dacites are commonly silicified, and inclusions of dacite occur in komatiite, even at the top contacts of komatiite units, but komatiite clasts do not occur in the dacites. The komatiites therefore were emplaced as sills into the dacites, and the intercalated relationships are interpreted as intrusive. The brecciation and alteration in the dacites are interpreted as being largely due to hydraulic fracturing and alteration induced by contact metamorphic effects and hydrothermal alteration deriving from the intrusion of komatiites into the felsic pile. The absence of autobreccia and hyaloclastite textures in the dacites suggest that they were emplaced as an earlier intrusive (sill?) complex at a high level in the crust.

Assessing the social impacts of the resources boom on rural communities

Until the 1970s mining leases were issued by state governments subject to conditions that companies build or substantially finance local community infrastructure, including housing, streets, transport, schools, hospitals and recreation facilities [Houghton (1993). Long-distance commuting: A new approach to mining in Australia. The Geographical Journal, 159(3), 281–290]. Townships and communities went hand in hand with mining development. However, in the past 30 years mining companies have moved progressively to an expeditionary strategy for natural resources extraction – operating a continuous production cycle of 12 hour shifts – increasingly reliant on non-resident, fly-in, fly-out or drive-in, drive-out (FIFO/DIDO) workers who typically work block rosters, reside in work camps adjacent to existing communities and travel large distances from their homes. This paper presents the key findings of our survey into the social impacts of this kind of mining development in Qld. Based on the results we argue that the social license to develop new mining projects is strong for projects requiring a 25% or less non-resident workforce, diminishes significantly thereafter and is very weak for projects planning to recruit a non-resident workforce in excess of 75%. This finding is significant because there are at least 67 new mining projects worth around $50 billion undergoing social impact assessment in Queensland, and many it appears are planning to hire significant proportions of non-resident workers. The paper concludes that this is a growing social justice issue requiring Australian Government leadership in formulating a consistent national policy framework for guiding sustainable mining development into the next millennium.

Landscape Composition Influences the Restoration of Subtropical Coastal Dune Forest

Successional processes should increase habitat complexity, and increase resources available for forest‐associated species. However, according to the theory of Island Biogeography, the size, amount of edge, and isolation of a habitat patch will influence the probability of successful colonization. If this is true for restoring patches of coastal dune forest, then restoration managers need to mitigate for spatial characteristics.We used patch occupancy models to assess correlations between the probability of forest birds and trees being present in a patch and patch characteristics that measured age, area, isolation, and the amount of edge. We surveyed birds and trees in an unmined coastal dune forest, remnant patches within the mine lease, and regenerating patches, some of which were being rehabilitated by a mining company. Contrary to expectations patch age only explained the patch occupancy of 6 of 21 birds and 11 of 25 woody plant species. Landscape spatial parameters, measuring edge, isolation, and area explained the patch occupancy of the remaining 15 birds and 14 woody plant species. However, responses to patch characteristics were varied and idiosyncratic. These varied responses may be related to species habitat affinities, dispersal abilities, and establishment constraints. For restoration to succeed, managers need to consider the spatial configuration of the landscape to facilitate colonization of rehabilitating patches.

Anthropogenic Influence on Recent Bathymetric Change in West-Central San Francisco Bay

Two multibeam sonar surveys of west-central San Francisco Bay, California, were conducted in 1997 and 2008. Bathymetric change analysis between the two surveys indicates a loss of 14.1 million cubic meters (-3.1 cm/yr) of sediment during this time period, representing an approximately three-fold acceleration of the rate that was observed from prior depth change analysis from 1947 to 1979 for all of Central Bay, using more spatially coarse National Ocean Service (NOS) soundings. The portions of the overlapping survey areas between 1997 and 2008 designated as aggregate mining lease sites lost sediment at five times the rate of the remainder of west-central San Francisco Bay. Despite covering only 28% of the analysis area, volume change within leasing areas accounted for 9.2 million cubic meters of sediment loss, while the rest of the area lost 4.9 million cubic meters of sediment. The uncertainty of this recent analysis is more tightly constrained due to more stringent controls on vertical and horizontal position via tightly coupled, inertially aided differential Global Positioning Systems (GPS) solutions for survey vessel trajectory that virtually eliminate inaccuracies from traditional tide modeling and vessel motion artifacts. Further, quantification of systematic depth measurement error can now be calculated through comparison of static surfaces (e.g., bedrock) between surveys using seafloor habitat maps based on acoustic backscatter measurements and ground-truthing with grab samples and underwater video. Sediment loss in the entire San Francisco Bay Coastal System during the last half-century, as estimated from a series of bathymetric change studies, is 240 million cubic meters, and most of this is believed to be coarse sediment (i.e., sand and gravel) from Central Bay and the San Francisco Bar, which is likely to limit the sand supply to adjacent, open-coast beaches. This hypothesis is supported by a calibrated numerical model in a related study that indicates that there is a potential net export of sand-sized sediment across the Golden Gate, suggesting that a reduction in the supply of sand-sized sediment within west-central San Francisco Bay will limit transport to the outer coast.

Australian Indigenous-resource Developments: Martu People v Reward Minerals

In a recent decision, the National Native Title Tribunal of Australia has decided that a mining lease for a potash mine in Western Australia must not be granted because of its impact on indigenous people. The Attorney-General, on the application of the miner, declined to exercise a ‘national interest’ power under the Native Title Act to overrule that decision. This article examines the tribunal’s decision.

An additional record of the dusky hopping mouse Notomys fuscus in South Australia.

The dusky hopping mouse (Notomys fuscus) is present in the arid areas of South Australian, north-west New South Wales and south-west Queensland. In October-November 2007 during the seventh year of annual fauna monitoring on the Beverley mine lease, north of Lake Frome, 4 animals were detected. The closest known population is 70 km north-east. Heavy rainfall earlier in the year may have contributed to their presence.