2022 MARCH IN REVIEW
111/03
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ENVIRONMENTAL LOSES DUE TO UNETHICAL SAND MINING! 40
Western Blazes: Are Underground Coal Fires Responsible!
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Interview with Mario Santiago Juarez, 1st Member, Senior Mine Engineer, CADIM
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THE LEAD
10 Environmental Loses Due to Unethical Sand Mining!
SPECIAL FOCUS
16 Hamilton Harbor Lighthouse: Allow Public Access Soon
20 Plans Keep ON for Wind Turbines MINING INSIDER
08 Pedestrian Bridge Over
fined $1 M for safety, pollution violations
44 Talon is part of Battery Materials and Technology Coalition
24 Blueprint Ready for Commercial Mine Energy Storage Capacity in Sweden
40 Western Blazes: Are Underground Coal Fires Responsible!
Shoreway: On The Go
18 Signal Peak Energy was
SURFACE MINING
UNDERGROUND MINING
05 Fifty nine people killed in STATISTICS
46 December 2021 crude steel production
Burkina Faso Gold Mine blast
27 Largest Coal Project In India, More Jobs Promised
47 crude steel production December 2020
PROFILES IN MINING
30 Interview with Mario Santiago Juarez, 1st Member, Senior Mine Engineer, CADIM. www.terraomnia.ar
SHIPPING
06 The Final Laker Arrives! 38 More on the Great Lakes: Winter Begins Officially
28 Shipping Rebound For Great Lakes, Covid Turns Down www.skillings.net | 3
PUBLISHER
2022 MARCH VOL.111. NO.03
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59 people killed in Burkina Faso Gold Mine blast
A
ccording to the state television and witnesses, a powerful explosion near a gold mining facility in southwestern Burkina Faso took the lives of 59 people. It injured more than about 100 on Monday. After the blast in the village of Gbomblora, regional officials released a provisional toll, according to RTB. Chemicals used to treat gold that was kept at the site are thought to have triggered the explosion. “I saw bodies all over the place.” Sansan
Kambou, a forest ranger who was present at the time of the explosion, told The Associated Press over the phone that it was “terrible.”‘ Around 2 p.m., the first explosion occurred, followed by further blasts as people fled for their lives, he claimed. Burkina Faso is Africa’s fastest-growing gold producer and the continent’s fifth-largest, with gold being the country’s most important export. In 2019, the industry employed over 1.5 million people and
had a market value of around $2 billion. Small gold mines, such as Gbomblora, have exploded in popularity in recent years, with over 800 scattered across the country. As per the Institute for Security Studies in South Africa, much of the gold is trafficked into neighboring Togo, Benin, Niger, and Ghana. Jihadists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State are said to have employed the small-scale mines in strikes in the nation since 2016.
www.skillings.net | 5
SHIPPING
The Final Laker Arrives! Winter Has Officially Begun on the Great Lakes
T
he American Century was the penultimate ship to arrive for the 2021 shipping season. On Monday afternoon, she and her crew sailed into the frigid waters of the Superior entrance. A small throng of families and photographers met her as she entered, and the captain saluted them. Brandon Jutz and his family were on their way up to Two Harbors for a vacation when they decided to stop in Superior to see the arrival.
already received the Lee A. Tregurtha. The Burns Harbor is located at Superior's Hansen-Mueller dock. And the American Century will be docked at Enbridge.
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION JAYSON HRON STATED,
"We're collaborating with shipping container firms to make maritime container shipping a reality in the Duluth-Superior port. What it could do for retailers and regional industry is open up a whole new way for them to ship goods and bypass the bottlenecks along the coast."
The exact weight is still being assessed, but the estimate is 34 million tons. On the Arthur M. Anderson, the final load out was iron ore. The Duluth Seaway Port Authority has set its sights on the year 2022.
"My father used to sail on the Great Lakes, and I used to work on boats as well. Everything that moves piques our interest "He was willing to share. Connor, his small son, is also a boat enthusiast. The American Century will be one of five lakers in the Northland for winter layup. The Clure Public Marine Terminal is home to the Paul R. Tregurtha and James R. Barker. Fraser Shipyards has American Century arrived in Superior, Wisconsin, for winter layover and was the last ship of the season to enter the Port of Duluth-Superior. (Photo courtesy of Gus and David Schauer)
6 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
Director of Marketing and Communication Jayson Hron
On March 25th, the Soo Locks will reopen.
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Pedestrian Bridge Over Shoreway: On The Go A pedestrian land bridge over the Shoreway from downtown to the North Coast Harbor area is in the works.
M
embers of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency gathered on Friday to discuss at least five proposals for the region, including First Energy Stadium, the Great Lakes Science Center, the Rock, and Roll Hall of Fame, and Voinovich Park. The NOACA is requesting that Cleveland add two more versions for analysis. The Ohio Department of Transportation, the City of Cleveland, and Haslam Sports Group contributed $5 million to get the planning and engineering work started on the study.
A plan is moving forward for a pedestrian land bridge over the Shoreway connecting downtown to the North Coast Harbor area. Rendering shows a proposed land bridge connection Mall C to North Coast Harbor. Photo by: The Cleveland Browns.
The bridge, according to NOACA, would help the downtown economy by making it easier for residents and visitors to navigate. The agency requests that the city host public meetings to gather public feedback on the plan. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reconnect our downtown area with our lakefront community," said Kerry McCormack, a council member. The five proposals that have already been offered range from widening the East 9th street bridge to extending Mall C north, necessitating either removing or reconstructing the Shoreway. NOACA is also taking into account the effects of any project on Route 2 commuters and the impact on shipping access and the Port of Cleveland. Because of the differences in the plans, NOACA wants to look at how a bridge would affect various modes of transportation, including automobiles, pedestrians, bicycles, and public transportation. According to estimates, the bridge will cost around $230 million to construct. There are currently no public input meetings scheduled.
8 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
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copper tubes in Greece. High quality in production is achieved through strict controls applied throughout the production process. With a consistent quality focus, the company implements an ISO 9001:2015 Certified Quality Management System and leverages high technologies and expert staff. As a result of the Group’s strategic investments in research & development, Halcor is recognized as one of the leading copper producers globally, setting new
standards in copper processing. The company maintains a consistent focus on quality and environmental protection and a strong commitment to the principles of sustainable development. In this context, all production facilities in the Group’s plants leverage advanced technologies to bring in the market innovative products that are energy efficient and environmentally friendly. For more information, please visit our website www.halcor.com www.skillings.net | 9
LEAD
Sand mining terminal facility with conveyer belts and silos
10 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
Sand is one of the most essential commodities in our modern society, even if you don't realize it. Sand and gravel are the second most utilized natural resources after water, according to the United Nations Environment Program. Sand is used in almost every part of our life, from infrastructure and roadways to our own electronic devices, as a fundamental component of cement, asphalt, and glass.
www.skillings.net | 11
LEAD
What Is the Impact of Unsustainable Sand Mining on the Environment? Sand is one of the most essential commodities in our modern society, even if you don't realize it. Sand and gravel are the second most utilized natural resources after water, according to the United Nations Environment Program. Sand is used in almost every part of our life, from infrastructure and roadways to our own electronic devices, as a fundamental component of cement, asphalt, and glass. However, mining practices and restrictions differ between countries, making it difficult to keep track of global sand resources. Sand is already one of the least controlled natural resources in several regions of the world. We will continue to ruin ecosystems, cause pollution, and possibly evict thousands of people if it is not harvested and used sustainably.
Demand for Sand Is Growing Despite the fact that sand can be found almost anywhere on the earth, not all of it is used in the same way. The angularity of sand grains taken from sea-beds and coastlines aids in the formation of concrete. On the other hand, Desert sand grains are too round and smooth to be used in construction, according to Mette Bendixen, Ph.D., assistant professor of geography at McGill University in Canada. Meanwhile, silica sand, a silicon dioxide-rich sand, is utilized in golf course bunkers, computer chips, glass, electronic device screens, and even solar panels. The requirement for sand has gone three times higher in the last 20 years as a result of a growing population in a fast-urbanizing world. Consider all of the infrastructure we've developed and the 12 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
Sand and gravel usage in the world now surpasses 40 billion metric tons per year, well exceeding natural regeneration rates. By the end of 2050, 2.5 billion more people are forecasted to move in cities and other metropolitan areas, perhaps boosting global sand demand even further.
vast technical advancements we've seen in that period. "Our modern environs are essentially made of sand," Bendixen explains.
more people there are, the more sand we require for our buildings and infrastructure products, the primary cause of worldwide sand scarcity.
Sand and gravel usage in the world now surpasses 40 billion metric tons per year, well exceeding natural regeneration rates. By the end of 2050, 2.5 billion more people are forecasted to move in cities and other metropolitan areas, perhaps boosting global sand demand even further. With the way we consume sand, a global scarcity isn't out of the realm of possibility. According to Bendixen, the
While sand may be limited, some experts believe the world will never run out of it it will only become much more expensive. "While it is true that the modern world requires 20 to 40 times more sand and gravel-sized aggregate material for construction each year than all of the world's rivers naturally carry to the ocean each year," says Zachary T. Sickmann, Ph.D.,
Richard T. Buffler Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics. "For the rest of human civilization, there are enough of sand deposits to build on." The issue then becomes, "at what price?"
Sand Mining's Environmental Costs Steel is made from ore, lumber is milled from trees, and oil is pumped from subterranean wells, but nature handles most of the work and refinement for sand. "Sand is ready to use in its natural
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LEAD
Sand must be mined and used sustainably as a natural resource. However, lowcost sand solutions with low environmental and social consequences are hard to come by. Given our reliance on it, putting a complete halt to mining is unfeasible — and it isn't the solution either. state with a little washing and size sorting," Sickmann explains. "Extraction has a meager monetary cost. The true cost of sand is in the negative environmental and social externalities that are rarely factored into the pricing." Sand is formed when erosion breaks down surface rocks, and rain washes the sediment away into rivers and streams, carrying it to the coast. Consider the sediment dispersal mechanism as a conveyor belt, as Sickmann says.
replenish every year and appear endless from the perspective of a single mining location." However, this may eventually cause the entire dispersal system to be disrupted. When sand is mined at point A, less sand is moved downstream to points B and C, and if other places are mined, there will soon be no sand to feed points X, Y, and Z. This is where the issue arises.
Some of the sediment will spill out of the conveyor belt along the way, while others will continue to be transported to the coast, such as river sandbars or beaches.
"It's a straightforward mass balance equation," Sickmann explains. "River water has enough energy to convey a certain mass of sand." If that amount of sand isn't replenished naturally from upstream sources, the river will erode what's surrounding it to compensate until there's nothing left to erode."
The benefits of mining the sand that is still on the conveyor belt are undeniable. "The sand is directly on the surface, frequently un-vegetated, pre-washed, and [it] usually has a nice grain size distribution for usage in concrete," Sickmann explains. "It can
Where existing infrastructure or natural habitats are affected, mining extractions may result in channel deterioration and land erosion, even if they are far from the mining locations themselves. According to Bendixen, sand mining in China's Pearl
14 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
River lowers water levels. It increases riverbed scour, making it more challenging to extract drinking water and causing damage to infrastructure such as bridges and embankments along the river. As homes and rice farms crumble into the Mekong River in Vietnam, over half a million people must be moved. Sand removal from riverbeds and beaches can also threaten biodiversity since it destroys nesting and breeding sites and reduces protection from extreme weather events like floods and storm surges. Sand extraction has a negative influence on the environment, affecting human health and ecosystems and causing significant social and economic loss.
Solution & Possibilities Sand must be mined and used sustainably as a natural resource. However, low-cost sand solutions with low environmental and social consequences are hard
to come by. Given our reliance on it, putting a complete halt to mining is unfeasible — and it isn't the solution either. Sand resources must be continuously monitored and regulated to meet rising worldwide demand without damaging the environment.
transition us away from fossil fuels, such as solar, wind, and nuclear, there is no obvious way to move away from natural sand."
"Finding more sustainable alternatives is an obvious solution to this problem," Sickmann argues.
Bendixen and her colleagues propose using sand from Greenland's melting ice sheet to supply global demand, which is occurring due to climate change. As long as global warming continues, there will likely be a consistent supply of sand.
"However, when it comes to sand, it's much easier said than done." While the energy sector has a long list of choices to
Other solutions that can be studied further include developing methods to make desert sand useable and substitut-
ing natural sand with crushed rock sand, rice husk ash, or recycled plastic. Because many components from demolished structures are recyclable, a circular economy strategy might be used to generate incentives for construction with demolition trash. "The problem is that there are now no political or financial incentives to actually achieve this," Bendixen explains. "There are no easy fixes or short solutions to this situation, which is, in my opinion, one of the most difficult global concerns we are currently facing."
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SURFACE MINING
Hamilton Harbor Lighthouse: Allow Public Access Soon Fisheries and Oceans Canada will donate $275,000 to the
cultural site's restoration. The beach canal lighthouse in Hamilton is undergoing significant renovations. The federal government will move the ownership of the light station to the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA), according to CEO Ian Hamilton.
T
he lighthouse and the neighboring keeper's home will be transferred to the local agency. Fisheries and Oceans Canada will donate $275,000 to help move the lighthouse 60 meters west to align with the canal and refurbish it.
The move will kick off a broader rehabilitation project at the entrance to Hamilton Harbor's Fisherman's Pier, where the lighthouse is located. 16 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
Hamilton stated that the project has received widespread support from the Hamilton and Burlington communities and that the restoration will help make the landmarks more accessible to the public. Karina Gould, from Parliament of Burlington, spoke at the announcement on Friday alongside Hamilton, Mayor Fred Eisenberger, and others, saying that public access to the heritage site will help pro-
mote the maritime history and ensure that "the living port that we have continues to serve our communities." Anglers' facilities will also be improved, according to her. According to Ian Kerr Wilson, chair of the Beach Canal Lighthouse Group, one of the most critical aspects of the project is that it will connect Hamilton and Burlington (BCLG). "The actual significance of the place, in my opinion," he continued, "is that it represents a tangible link between the two populations." Eisenberger shared a similar sentiment, emphasizing the significance of water access.
"Everyone wants access to the ocean," he explained, "and this lighthouse feature is a tremendous monument to how we continue to promote and work toward those objectives."
A bit of the past Built-in 1858, the lighthouse is a 17-meter (55-foot) limestone tower. It was operational until 1961. Until today, the lighthouse and the property were owned by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Public Services and Procurement Canada, respectively. The lighthouse will be relocated close onto HOPA land
The move will kick off a broader rehabilitation project at the entrance to Hamilton Harbor's Fisherman's Pier, where the lighthouse is located.
that would allow ships to travel from the Atlantic to Lake Erie. Residents were enthusiastic about connecting the bay to Lake Ontario.
to "enable public access," according to the press release. The group hopes to preserve a piece of Hamilton's history that few people are aware of. The canal was initially intended to be a waterway
"It's critical to us at HOPA that people in our cities understand the importance of the Great Lakes in our lives and livelihoods, and that's exactly what this initiative is about," he added.
The relocation, according to Hamilton, will let tourists "visit and learn about the early days of marine shipping in Hamilton Harbor."
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UNDERGROUND MINING
Heavy equipment moves coal outside Signal Peak Energy’s Bull Mountain mine near Roundup, Mont., on Aug. 28, 2009. Signal Peak must pay a $1 million fine for violating environmental and employee safety regulations. (Associated Press )
Signal Peak Energy was fined $1 M for safety, pollution violations For health and safety infractions at its coal mine 35 miles north of Billings, Signal Peak Energy will pay a $1 million fine and serve three years of probation. 18 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
T
he corporation was sentenced by Federal Judge Timothy J. Cavan on Monday. For mine infractions connected to environmental safety and mine worker safety, the penalty consists of four $250,000 fines. "In this instance, Signal Peak Mine is held liable for its complete disregard for environmental and worker health and safety regulations. In a broad description of the case, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson stated, "Mine owners provided little in the way of real monitoring of mine operations as long as the mine's management could fulfill claimed safety and production goals." "That lack of control bred a culture of dishonesty, costing the mine $1 million in fines today." Furthermore, mine managers lied about the mine's expenses, safety record, and other matters, leading to individual criminal convictions and charges for nine people, including former mine vice presidents and their associates, on charges ranging from embezzlement, tax evasion, and bank fraud to money laundering, drugs, and firearms violations."
Mine owners provided little in the way of real monitoring of mine operations as long as the mine's management could fulfill claimed safety and production goals. hospital. It was necessary to amputate the worker's finger. A worker with a severe laceration was taken home by the mine safety manager instead of being taken to the hospital in a second instance. The injury was not reported to the federal Mine Health and Safety Administration for the second time.
Signal Peak stated that the company was willing to pay the fee and put the fiveyear-old incidents behind it. In October, the business pleaded guilty to the accusations. It claimed that a small handful of Signal Peak employees had broken the law without the mine's knowledge and that the employees involved had since left the company.
The environmental infractions included failing to obtain federal approval before pouring mine waste into abandoned parts of the mine. These included chemicals in unprocessed soil containing heavy metals, arsenic, and lead, all of which exceeded groundwater tolerances. The pumping took place multiple times over the course of several weeks. The garbage had seeped into active mine sections at one time, causing flooding. An employee with crushed fingers was told not to disclose the injury as work-related, which was one of the workers' safety infractions. When a mine vice president contacted and instructed the worker to cover it up, the worker was going to the www.skillings.net | 19
SPECIAL FOCUS
Plans Keep ON for Wind Turbines Despite opposition from some local residents and a proposed zoning regulation that may potentially halt the project, the business behind a proposed wind farm in Adams Township says it would continue to pursue it.
T
he proposal plans for the construction of twelve 575-foot turbines on land near Adams Township's Whealkate Bluff. Circle Power moved four of the turbines planned for Stanton Township into Adams after Stanton Township issued a nine-month embargo on licenses for commercial solar and wind projects.
Circle Power will be able to install turbines further away from homes to the north with the purchase of extra land, Circle Power partner Chris Moore said in an interview.
"We don't believe it's being installed properly... Nobody loves zoning, but zoning that isn't done right is harmful for everyone because it isn't dependable," he explained. Circle Power Renewables' Elise Matz, a member of the company's employees, said the project met the township's police powers ordinance's standards. A 3,000-foot buffer from the nearest non-participating property is required. It's also about a mile from the township's nearest residence, she said. According to Circle Power, the noise would not surpass 40 decibels at the nearest property line.
Adams Township has re-established its planning commission and is considering a zoning legislation after imposing a six-month moratorium. Moore said Circle Power's legal counsel had given the township a letter explaining what it viewed as flaws in the zoning process, but he didn't elaborate.
20 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
the state, with $1.7 million going to the Michigan Educational Tax. The Guardians of the Keweenaw Ridge, a citizens' group created to oppose the project, questioned the benefits in a statement, citing a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory research that found wind project profits did not increase graduation rates or other student outcomes in Texas. Residents have been dubious about property tax benefits, citing a Michigan Tax Tribunal decision last year on a DTE Energy wind farm project that would reduce needed payments for alternative energy initiatives.
Carlos Hunter and Chris Moore of Circle Power Renewables, the company trying to construct a wind farm in Adams Township(WLUC)
Adams Township has re-established its planning commission and is considering a zoning legislation after imposing a six-month moratorium. Moore said Circle Power's legal counsel had given the township a letter explaining what it viewed as flaws in the zoning process, but he didn't elaborate. "This project is actually scaled for the Keweenaw," Matz said, "and will have a minimum impact on the people of South Range and Adams Township." Residents of Adams Township received a mailer from Circle Power, extolling the program's advantages. Over a 30-year period, Circle Power estimated it would pay $15.9 million in property taxes. The most money would
go to Adams Township Schools, which would receive $6.8 million. The money would be used to pay down debt as the state government determines the formula for operational funding, according to Circle Power. Houghton County will get $6.1 million, Copper Country Intermediate School District will get $2 million, and Adams Township will get $940,000. The remaining funds would be distributed to
Through a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) arrangement, Moore said Circle Power is willing to guarantee revenues to the township, Adams Township Schools, Copper Country Intermediate School District, and Houghton County. The agreement would establish a payment schedule for the project's length. "Rather than relying on taxes or attempting to weasel out of their tax commitments, Circle is taking the opposite approach and is willing to commit to the $15.9 million sum against any future tax revenue reductions if the rules change," said Elise Matz, a Circle Power Renewables employee. During construction, an estimated $4 million will be spent locally, according to Moore. Many of the short-term jobs, however, could go to out-of-state workers, according to the Guardians of the Keweenaw Ridge. According to the Guardians, the initiative would not create a significant number of employments in the long run, citing a presentation by Sarah Mills, a researcher at the University of Michigan's Graham Sustainability Institute.
SPECIAL FOCUS
According to Moore, the Scotia Wind project would have the lowest-cost renewable energy rate ever submitted to the Michigan Public Service Commission, which governs utilities in the state, at 3.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. According to Matz, the lower cost UPPCO would have to pay for power would be incorporated into MPSC's rate-setting decision. "If you have an extremely low cost per kilowatt hour, that's what gets passed on to you through the ratemaking process and on your bill," she explained. "This isn't only UPPCO's opinion. Other people will be able to participate in the process and ensure that UPPCO has done the arithmetic correctly and that pass-through will occur." The Guardians also rejected the idea that electricity prices would fall. Tax rebates for wind turbine construction could eat up any potential savings. The gains would be small, according to the Guardians, because about 70% of UPPCO's costs are spent on operating and maintaining transmission infrastructure. "For example, DTE Electricity today gets about 10% of its energy from wind (including the Garden Peninsula)," according to the Guardians. "However, customer rates at DTE Energy have not fallen." Following a 9 percent rise in 2019, DTE requested a similar hike in 2020, which was eventually cut to a 4.7 percent increase. The project hit another roadblock this summer when Circle Power's wetlands permit application was denied by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). The decision was partly based on US Fish & Wildlife findings, which decided that the project posed 22 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
a risk to the bald eagle and northern longeared bat populations, both of which are federally threatened species. According to Moore, circle Power has maintained contact with the US Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the project and will so as to reapply for the permit with the new location. On the location,
The project hit another roadblock this summer when Circle Power's wetlands permit application was denied by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).
biologists have spent over 1,000 hours doing surveys. "With the new layout, we've also reduced our wetlands effect, which we think is a positive thing," he added. Guardians secretary James Mihelcic said in a statement that he doubted the project's new boundaries would decrease the damage on animals. Raptors, moose, wolves, and grouse are among the fauna present on the site, which is part of the commercial forest program. He cited a lawsuit filed by the National Audubon Society in California against another project in a comparable wind corridor.
"Wind developers propose mitigation strategies to reduce effects on local wildlife," he said. "Nevertheless, the place keeps on to be a very important region with respect to wildlife gathering." According to Moore, the site is the sole viable option for wind projects on the Keweenaw Peninsula, according to Circle Power. According to him, the 60-megawatt wind farm would utilize up the transmission system's extra capacity. "There isn't enough room on the Keweenaw Peninsula to build any more projects," he stated. "It's not the first of many, but it is the first of this." Moore also addressed worries regarding the turbines' disposal when the project is completed; Circle Power estimates the project's lifespan to be 20 years or potentially longer. According to Moore, about 85 percent of the turbine can currently be recycled. According to Moore, the blades, which are made of fiberglass, are still the largest issue. "It's something we're working on, but it's also not a significant problem in the grand scheme of things," he explained. The mailer from Circle Power also contained simulated images of the turbines from several vantage points within the township. From the Atlantic Mine substation, six turbines would be visible, but none would be visible from South Range Elementary School, Jeffers High School, or the South Range ballfield. Saratoga Associates, a third-party engineering firm, received pictures from the sites as well as the placement of the proposed turbines. Moore stated, "They're not going to be invisible." "We're not concealing them in any way." They will, however, fade into the background."
FloLevel Technologies www.skillings.net | 23
SPECIAL FOCUS
Blueprint Ready for Commercial Mine Energy Storage Capacity in Sweden Swedish Mining Innovation, a combined organization managed
by Sweden's Innovation Agency, government research council Formas, and Sweden's Energy Agency, has given financial support to a blueprint for what might become the world's first commercial underground mine storage facility.
24 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
A
n international consortium of mining and energy companies is now putting together the plans for the facility in Bergslagen, Sweden, which has a long history of mining. The blueprint, which will detail every stage of the process from the initial landowner and authority clearance to a grid-connected energy storage and supply facility, will be submitted to the European Union in the near future. The partnership will be led by Mine Storage, a Swedish grid-scale energy storage company. It will include Swedish mining companies Boliden and Lovisagruvan, energy provider Mälarenergi, worldwide hydropower equipment manufacturer Voith Hydro, and engineering and design firm AFRY. According to Thomas Johansson, co-founder and CEO of Mine Storage, the award from Vinnova, which is part of the agency's Swedish Mining Innovation project, "is a clear sign of the rising interest in the global potential of utilizing abandoned mines for energy storage."
Mines that have been abandoned are being repurposed as massive batteries. The idea is to repurpose abandoned mines into giant "batteries" to help balance the rising percentage of intermittent generation, effectively establishing a "cross-sectional" project that addresses numerous environmental challenges. "Many countries have thousands of unused and orphaned underground mines," says Stefan Sädbom, a long-time exploration geologist with decades of expertise in the mining and metals industries and who presently serves as an advisor to Mine Storage. In the face of growing electrification and variable energy prices, large-scale and long-duration energy storage is becoming increasingly important. "Much more than today, the world needs to store created energy and govern the energy supply," Johansson stated. Pumped storage hydropower now provides more than 90% of energy storage due to its established technologies that provide quick reaction and adaptability to fluctuations in energy demand. He did observe, however, that "most countries lack the height disparities required in the topography for above-ground storage facilities." "This is where the mine store is located." www.skillings.net | 25
SPECIAL FOCUS
Mine Storage's concept is reviving abandoned mines as giant "batteries" to help the grid balance. The turbine and pump equipment make up the powerhouse. Pumping water to a higher height stores energy from the grid. When water is released into the lower reservoir and passes through the turbine in the powerhouse, energy is returned to the grid. Mine Storage has floated a solution that effectively duplicates classic pumped storage with upper and lower reservoirs in underground mines since its founding in 2020. (Figure 1). "Closed mines are naturally filled with water (groundwater)." We investigate a wide range of mines, from those that have been closed for decades to ones that are still operational," Johansson told POWER. "While existing underground caverns and volumes may be sufficient in certain circumstances, we may need to expand to obtain necessary volumes in others." Mine Storage evaluates a proposed site's geotechnical qualities, such as rock stability; hydrological requirements, like the sort of head and mine design; environment; and operational questions, such as the necessity for draining and water quality, in order to determine its viability. It also conducts several other assessments, including grid-connections, construction needs, health and safety, and water supply; a commercial evaluation, which includes preliminary financial forecasts of the business case; a rights and regulatory part, which includes discussions with land and concession holders and assessing the legislative and permitting prerequisites; and a market assessment, which provides for gauging beneficial policies, regulation, incentives, and potential parity; and a market assessment, which includes discussions with land and concession holders and assessing the legislative and permitting prerequisites.
Figure 1
Mine Storage evaluates a proposed site's geotechnical qualities, such as rock stability; hydrological requirements, like the sort of head and mine design; environment; and operational questions, such as the necessity for draining and water quality, in order to determine its viability. A Lucrative Prospect Johansson recognized that the notion necessitates a long-term investment, which might be substantially more expensive than batteries. The projects may have a fair levelized cost of storage because Mine Storage's pumped storage plants under development range in power output from 15 MW to 400 MW and energy output from 30 MWh to 800 MWh for a single discharge. "A mine storage facility is an infrastructure/energy project with very high long-term value, and our financial calculations show profitability," Johansson added. Mine Storage has attracted a number of noteworthy investors due to
26 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
the concept's potential commercial case. Voith Hydro is one of them, with a significant investment in pumped hydropower technology and hydropower flexibility. Mine Storage partnered with Voith Hydro in June 2021 to study early project development at two specific sites in Sweden and create the necessary technical solutions. This summer, Mine Storage also signed a collaboration agreement with Ellevio, one of Sweden's most prominent regional grid operators, to investigate how a mine storage system could alleviate grid congestion. The startup announced in the fall that it had secured an oversubscribed seed round, providing the funds and skills it needed to scale up.
Largest Coal Project In India, More Jobs Promised Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, India, has proposed a ten-crore com-
pensation package for those who may be harmed due to the Deucha-Pachami coal block project. She is offering jobs for one member of each family that contributes land for India's largest coal mining project, the Deucha-Pachami coal block in the Birbhum district.
T
he cabinet has relaxed the recruitment requirements to allow one member from each family that gives land for the coal mining project to be appointed." They would be assigned to duties as junior constables or senior constables based on their qualifications," Banerjee stated at the state secretariat during a press conference.
ers would receive a one-time help of 50,000 and 100 days of employment for 500 days, according to the government. Landowners will receive between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 13 lakh per bigha.
The chief minister had previously announced a ten-crore compensation plan for residents who are anticipated to be evacuated or harmed by the Deocha-Pachami coal mine project in November 2021.
This project, which spans 3.04 lakh acres, will cost the state government about 35,000 crores. "We have already approved the hiring of 5,100 people." At least 139 villagers have expressed their willingness to donate land. Around 1,000 acres of land belonging to the state government. She stated that "the initial work will begin on government-owned land." This project, which spans 3.04 lakh acres, will cost the state government about 35,000 crores. It is projected to assist cover the state's electricity requirement for the next five decades, thanks to its estimated coal stockpile of 2.2 billion tons. In September 2019, the Union government assigned the block to the state government. The land would not be taken forcibly, according to Mamata Banerjee's administration. Around 21,000 people live in 4,314 households in 12 villages in the area, including 3,601 Scheduled Caste (SC) and 9,034 Scheduled Tribe (ST) individuals. Crusher laborers would receive annual maintenance of 1.2 lakh, while farm labor-
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SHIPPING
Shipping Rebound For Great Lakes, Covid Turns Down More than 30 million tons have passed through the Twin Ports, surpassing the previous year's total. After experiencing unprecedented lows during the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, Great Lakes ports are reporting a resurgence in cargo traffic this year, 2022.
T
his year, the Port of DuluthSuperior rebounded after cargo shipments fell to their lowest level since 1938 in 2020, with a total of 25.8 million tons passing through the lakes' major port.
28 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
The port has handled roughly 29 million tons of goods as of the end of November, a 30% increase over the same period last year. As the shipping season comes to a close on Jan. 15 with the closure of the Poe Lock at Lake Superior's eastern edge,
the port has already topped 30 million tons for the year. "We had hoped for a turnaround. All the signs were pointing to a recovery from the COVID-induced lows "The Duluth Seaway Port Authority's communications director, Jayson Hron, stated. "Domestic steel demand was on the rise, which helps considering that iron ore accounts for little more than half of our overall cargo from this port." Through November, the port handled over 17.9 million tons of iron ore, up 37% from the previous year and roughly 22% more than the five-year average.
He also highlighted that shipments of limestone and cement increased slightly, as did shipments of new commodities, including carbon anodes and ash.
Port of Toledo witnessed a 22 percent increase in overall tonnage as of the fall of November, as per the Chamber of Marine Commerce.
Demand for items has increased, according to Haen, as industry and new construction have been vital in the region.
"US Great Lakes ports have roared back this year, not only rebounding from major 2020 falls in conservative cargoes like iron ore and steel, but also getting onboard new business and seizing infrastructure investment opportunities," said Bruce Burrows, president and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce.
"The port is a leading indication," Haen explained, "so the fact that we're ending the year strong suggests the economy in our area should be strong long into the spring." Port officials declined to comment on the 2021 cargo season while waiting for final figures. Other Great Lakes ports, such as Cleveland, reported a 50 percent rise in overall cargo carried. In comparison, the
The port also saw an increase in coal shipments of more than 50%, with 6.8 million tons passing through the Duluth-Superior harbor. According to Hron, this is due to the rise in exports of petroleum coke, or petcoke, bound for other countries. Petcoke comes as a byproduct of the oil refining process that can be used in power plants to replace coal.
Through November, iron ore exports jumped 17 percent, while general cargo shipments increased 71 percent on the St. Lawrence Seaway, which connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic coast.
Dean Haen, the port's director, said the most significant increase is in the transfer of petroleum products, with overseas imports six times greater than last year. He also highlighted that shipments of limestone and cement increased slightly, as did shipments of new commodities, including carbon anodes and ash.
Through November, the Port of Green Bay reported a 9 percent increase in cargo shipments contrasting to the same period the prior year, with a total of 1.8 million tons handled. The port transported roughly 1.9 million tons last year, down more than 15% of the prior year. Dean Haen, the port's director, said the most significant increase is in the transfer of petroleum products, with overseas imports six times greater than last year. www.skillings.net | 29
MARIO SANTIAGO JUAREZ 1ST MEMBER, SENIOR MINE ENGINEER , CADIM WWW.TERRAOMNIA.AR
30 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
PiM
profiles in mining
Born in San Juan, Argentina, Mario Santiago Juarez graduated as a mining engineer from the National University of San Juan. Throughout his career, he pursued postgraduate studies at various universities in South America such as: Univ. de San Andrés, CENTRUM Univ. Católica de Perú, Universidad de Chile, Universidad de Santiago de Chile., Univ. de Cuyo (Mendoza). With registration from the Argentine College of Mining Engineers CADIM No. 353, he currently has +26 years of experience in the mining industry, both in surface and underground mining, as well as in the oil and lithium industry. Specialized in Mine Planning and Mine Operations and with a professional background in the most important mines in the country, his experience covers the different stages of mining, from advanced exploration, conceptual studies, Pre-feasibility, Final Feasibility, Construction, Operation and Closure of Mina. He has also worked as an independent consultant and technical advisor for different mining companies and institutions, such as: Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación, de los gobiernos de la provincia de Jujuy y San Juan. He is currently a member of the commission for the implementation of the CRIRSCO regulations for the certification of resources and reserves in Argentina.
www.skillings.net | 31
PROFILES IN MINING
The present and future of the company and the mining district and its communities are tied together, they go through the cycle of mining activity together and experience the challenges and also the benefits of mining. 1. What are your views on the following? The competitiveness in the resources and reserves administration, corporate interest Vs. resources & reserves’ owners. “This is probably the core issue of mining activity for any company and country. It is also so for all stakeholders, including communities of direct and indirect influence and others such as shareholders. Let us not forget here the environment, which we should consider as a particularly important stakeholder. The generation of sustainable wealth in all anthropic activity should be an act of "Optimization or maximization in the use of resources" ... be these of a common nature to other activities such as financing, time or people... however, in the mining activity, it is especially important to take advantage of the geological wealth in a logical way, since it takes decades to be located and developed. In addition, we know that it must have sufficient economic value to become a mining reserve so that it can finally be mined ... Such a “Tsunami 'of efforts, knowledge and strategies of social and market positioning, should not be left only in the hands of circumstantial local administrators of the site or subject to certain policies of corporate growth, nor should it be the target of a certain fiscal or financial ambition. Political-partisan needs and even less, subject to the influence of a fashionable ideology ... This must not happen in any way. Leaving these aspects to chance, is in itself the product of society's immaturity or an act of deliberate negligence with negative consequences for all stakeholders ... The absence of specific regulations and governing bodies of the state or specific civil organizations, cooperates negatively in this regard. Competitiveness and the best possible use of resources are basically interrelated and in no way mutually exclusive. 32 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
Low operational efficiency, mistakes in the policies for the acquisition and use of assets, inefficient mining planning systems and management of the mining operation, people, time, safety, consumables, costs in general, the environment or Community relations directly make a poor competitiveness of the mining operation, of the company and therefore of the mining district where the activity takes place. The present and future of the company and the mining district and its communities are tied together, they go through the cycle of mining activity together and experience the challenges and also the benefits of mining. Subjective financial evaluation premises or exaggerated risk hedging positions, imply, for example: using high discount rates, greatly affecting the economic value of businesses. On the other hand, inappropriate methods of asset and cost management, eventual personal or corporate goals, such as objectives of physical delivery committed to the market, can cause a lot of damage if they are not properly evaluated in the context of the general use of resources in the market on the long-term basis. Retrograde or inadequate labor laws and union policies, excessive requirements for monetary contributions outside the regulations or out of context in the world, negatively impact both the mining reserves, the useful life of the mines and, ultimately, the competitiveness of the mine and the region or district. Poor regional development of basic infrastructure of communication and transport routes, availability of energy at rates comparable with the world, among other aspects, also has an effect on the promotion or not of competitiveness. The competitiveness of the operation, the mining sector and the district or region
PiM
profiles in mining
where this occurs, is directly proportional to the use of the geological resource and the mining reserves. On the contrary, low competitiveness performances can cause irreversible effects when “sterilizing” material with mineral content (Cutoff Grade) that could boost community and business prosperity and the entire country or region. Not everything is NPV or IRR. There is mining, business, social, environmental and even market aspects that these indicators do not take into account properly and the lack of contextual evaluation in light of sustainability can result in lost opportunities if they are not evaluated
within the framework of development. geological aspects of the site, social aspects and issues such as achieving gentler asset amortization. More investment repayment time, better use of the existing infrastructure is compatible and synergistic with a longer stable employment time and a prolonged fiscal contribution ... These would be
some of the immediate effects. In the end, the so-called “Maximization in the use of resources” is a key premise of competitiveness that makes the essence of the activity, caring for nature (resources and environment) and the direct and indirect benefits of the entire chain stakeholders, including resource owners and the companies that operate them.”
The competitiveness of the operation, the mining sector and the district or region where this occurs, is directly proportional to the use of the geological resource and the mining reserves. www.skillings.net | 33
PROFILES IN MINING
2. Give your views on the mining industry, competitiveness and labor paradox: Workers right Vs. Automatization
“Some elementary concepts, which ideologies generally underestimate… The products of the industry are sold in a global market that responds to the natural laws of supply and demand and this specifically excludes political ideologies ... THE DEMAND
Human beings for their lifestyle and in relation to the environment demand from it, materials in a certain quantity. Providing the market with these materials with required quality attributes implies for miners to strive to achieve the required specifications. THE OFFER
Different parts of the world, countries, geographical districts will have, thanks to nature, the materials demanded by the market. Who will be able to produce what the market demands and, in the quantities, and characteristics required? After the technical attributes of the materials, what other requirements does the market have? Let's say that different mining producers from all these countries and / or districts are in a position to produce the materials in the required qualities, but the quantity demanded is limited… Then the logical variable that follows is the sale price. Those producers who have the best sales prices will sell in the market and the others will only occupy the remaining demand silos.
34 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
Among the essential components of the sale price are production costs, the current tax framework, expected profitability and other geostrategic aspects that define the "goodness" of the country or mining district and the nature of the producer.
Each of the elements mentioned and even more, have unique composition structures and these structures may in turn represent specific advantages or problems specific to each mining jurisdiction. The most important components
PiM
profiles in mining
of production costs in mining are related to labor costs among others. These have numerous elements that make a mining district more or less competitive in relation to others in different parts of the world, among which we find: Salary costs proper, cost of social security, cost of union requirements, local requirements, taxes prosecutors, among others.
requirements based on obsolete laws that respond to old mining technologies? How much does it help the competitiveness of companies and the useful life of the mines unions that claim for superfluous, unnecessary and sometimes even irrational working conditions? How much does the fact that the social action of a government gives money to workers for not working, decimating the labor supply, influence the baseline of pure labor cost? How much does the rigid edges of collective bargaining agreements conceived with the mentality of the 50s in the current era limit the professional growth of workers in a context of so-called mining 4.0? AUTOMATION AND DIGITIZATION
Automation enters the mining world later than other industries; an example is car factories or self-service supermarkets that include payment for selected merchandise. In the case of mining, this phenomenon of replacement of human workers by non-human systems, solves issues of labor required for tasks carried out in extreme conditions, such as working altitude above sea level and / or risky tasks. in underground mines, etc. THE CURRENT SYSTEM AND ITS INCONSISTENCIES
How much does exaggerated union requirements influence work efficiency and therefore the final cost? How much does it affect the cost of labor and the efficiency of the tasks that that labor performs, labor administrative
and when phenomena disappear such as absenteeism due to illness or seasonality ... There is also no salary scale increasing by years of service ... The reality seems, in the first instance, devastating for the hopes of human workers, since these advantages will not take long to be extended to other tasks always that exist or are produced justifications for this situation. The virtue of mining so far is that it has been one of the last anthropic activities of massive labor consumption. This is changing hand in hand with the fundamental aspects that define it intrinsically and with the behavior of social actors. The good news is that the implementation of greater automation and digitization of mining (mining 4.0) actually implies a partial replacement of human by non-human labor and rather the modern challenge is given by the need to redefine the tasks that are performed in the context of new mining. The rotation of activities carried out by conventional miners to those carried out by new miners basically implies that miners must reinvent themselves to adapt to new technologies and subsequent tasks developing new skills and basically knowledge.
THE PARADOX
It is a natural consequence to observe that these tasks not carried out by human workers, have a lower cost structure than that carried out by people as they do not have the associated social component, they are also effective, since they do not respond to labor and union conditioning
Nothing so new for this breed of production men, if we take into account that it is not the first time that this has happened, but it is enough to remember the replacement of underground mining trains by low-profile equipment and SKIPS or cages by the ramps….”
www.skillings.net | 35
PROFILES IN MINING
ingly higher quality, with requirements for lower production costs (competitiveness), less environmental trace or footprint, etc. they imply higher levels of technology to be known and to use, it requires better operational, energy and environmental initiatives, also modern approaches to social relations, that companies and states adhere to challenging management, governance and transparency standards and practices that are radically different from the old school and therefore professional mining actors are subject to higher knowledge requirements, abilities and skills in contrast to the mere development of purely scientific-technical and economic skills of professionals in the recent past century. SOME TOOLS TO IMPROVE THE CONTEXT.
The lack of mining professionals has multiple dimensions and positions our society to challenges that must also be faced with multidimensional actions in order to identify opportunities from reality and mitigate its adverse effects. 3. W hat are the global effects of lack of mining professional in mining industry? THE CONTEXT
A planet in need of better deals, geological resources and mineral reserves that are meager in quality and quantity, policies biased by progressive ideologies that fail to connect the reality implied by a society that requires products and another part of society that has to produce them economically and on the other hand, companies compulsively obliged to satisfy the shareholder communities and fiscal voracities of all kinds, put to the 36 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
young generations front a challenged to overcome technical-socio-environmental and economic scenarios, which look little less like scaling the Everest. All this results in these generations showing minimal interest in studying and dedicating themselves to the industrial sciences of the earth. The lack of mining professionals has multiple dimensions and positions our society to challenges that must also be faced with multidimensional actions in order to identify opportunities from reality and mitigate its adverse effects. The accentuated and growing demand for products of increas-
In the midst of the complex realities explained above, clearly the educational centers and among them the universities and technical schools, are facing an extraordinary challenge of completely redefining not only the specific curricular aspect of mining professionals, but it is also necessary to reinvent and prioritize teachers, invest in technological infrastructure and generate new social agreements with the entire educational community, just to mention some critical issues in a minimalist way and with the due license of education experts. A profound transformation of the mining educational system is the first line of defense against the context and explained risks and the consequent situation of disinterest of the new generations. Wakeup the interest in industrial activities and in particular in primary extractive industries, is a cyclopean task of social adaptation and improvement of the context, which can only be developed if organized society works together and in a coherent and coordinated way from primary education up to the graduate one.”
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profiles in mining
4. Please share your perspective on the use of water in mining industry THE GLOBAL AND LOCAL CONTEXT
The projections of global warming are a phenomenon that's reaches especially dramatic scales for a certain part of the continent (America). The progressive scarcity of rainfall in all its forms will put the industries in front of extraordinary existential challenges of all kinds to be able to operate successfully and it is clear that some practices, previously considered as exceptional, such as the desalination of seawater for example, will be in a future more a rule than an exception in these desert districts. Problems such as decreased rainfall, low snowfall, decreased glacier area, decreased aquifer recharge rate, salinization of aquifers due to over-exploitation, old irrigation methods used, high loss rates from distribution water systems, water traditional house use, contrast with poor or negligent resource's management policies, and is part of a reality that urgently needs to change. Urgent. The lack of sense of urgency of some private and public officials and politicians and, unfortunately, of some portion of the society, it’s the main component of the unprecedent water crisis we are facing…. and it will be worst and worst at least on the next decade.”
5. Where is mining progressing in the coming decade? “CONTEXT
Growing economic, environmental, social competitiveness and exposure to natural, technological and political risks could somehow summarize the main aspects that will shape mining in the next decade. A society and economic actors more aware of their place in the world, a gen-
erally worrisome global environmental situation, in an also growing trend of globalization of companies and investments, are part of the current scenario and of the next decade for mining. In the immediate future, where the issues that concern us in the present such as social license, safety and operational efficiency, care for the environment, in the use of water and the need to have a high performance in energy efficiency, The relationship between companies and governments will gain fundamental relevance, since they are topics of shared interest. Civic institutions at all levels, be they federal, provincial, municipal or community, and of all their official levels, as well as civil organizations, will be put to the final test. The organizational capacity of civil society, the quality and relevance of its education, the adaptability, and above all the energy and integrity of its leaders, will be key to responding positively to the present and future challenges of the mining sector in order to take advantage of the benefits of the activity.”
6. What is the role of innovation and creativity in the mining domain? “The focus of the development of this topic will not be a long list of topics that describe the amazing possibilities that modern technology offers today for mining. The approach to the subject will be carried out from another more elementary point of view, the people. The survival of modern society depends on innovation and creativity in the field of mining and how quickly and effectively these are transferred to the world of production.
However, such an appreciation contrasts with the amount of energy put in place by private organizations in working synergistically with public activity and vice versa ... sometimes it gives the feeling that we are in front of the ultimate maxim of "Who can save himself." or that "he who strikes first strikes twice"…. In general, a large part of the activity makes meager efforts to invest in technology development, leaving this only to the private initiative of the suppliers and eventually to the large mining technology centers that are already fully established, but on the other hand the industry are usually desperately expecting that technology "saves their operations" and provides them with the long-awaited numbers and KPIs that the market expects.
PROFILES IN MINING
On the government side, it seems that they only expect more and better contributions to the treasury and that these arrive almost as if it were something that will happen anyway…. In the same way, sometimes there is the same paradoxical behavior regarding HR, regardless of their professional development range.”
The survival of modern society depends on innovation and creativity in the field of mining and how quickly and effectively these are transferred to the world of production. 7. What has been the impact of Covid19 on the mining industry in the last two years? And where do you see it going forward? “The mining community has been operationally overwhelmed by the first waves of the pandemic and this has not been possible without great organizational efforts and investments, adaptation of home office practices where it has been possible, and also large personnel restructuring. With varied effects, the mining companies have undertaken the necessary changes without hesitation, accentuating both virtues and defects of the new practices, to continue advancing to meet the production’s targets committed to the market despite the pandemic. It is easier to explain a slightly higher OPEX than to justify a slightly lower production ... Like all great changes and adaptations, the people involved in them have been exposed to great stress that this reality has imposed, but it can be said that it is a great example of how to take a problem and transform it mainly into an advantage.” 38 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
More on the Great Lakes: Winter Begins Officially
T
he Maria G, loaded with grain from the CHS terminal in Superior, Wisconsin, was the last saltie to leave the Port of Duluth-Superior on December 19, 2021, bringing the grain shipping season to a close. Since then, and until January 17, 2022, when the last ship arrived, lakers loaded with coal and iron ore have sailed along the Great Lakes from the Port of Duluth-Superior. The Arthur M. Anderson, loaded with iron ore, was the last ship to leave the harbor on January 14. "This year, there are five ships wintering in the Port of Duluth-Superior, which is one more than the previous year," said Jayson Hron, Duluth Seaway Port Authority's director of communication and marketing. "Skilled craftsmen throughout the Twin Ports and the Great Lakes undertake millions of dollars in critical renovation and repair work on the U.S.-flag lakers during winter layup." The winter labor program includes a significant amount of engine work. Some vessels have power units that can generate approximately 20,000 horsepower, and a ship can travel more than 70,000 miles in a season. For boats to function practically constantly in 2022, engine parts must be re-machined and re-installed. Other winter work can involve the installation of new navigation equipment (e.g., cutting-edge radar systems), steel replacement, hull inspections, and renovations to living quarters and galleys, among other things." The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, closed to marine traffic on January 15 and will reopen on March 25. Federal regulation dictates that date, and the other Great Lakes ports typically close within that timeframe, depending on ice conditions. The USACE employs the winter months to repair the Soo Locks. During this annual closure period, the Detroit District team works long hours in severe conditions to complete a lot of maintenance. The work they do is unusual, especially given the harsh environment they work in northern Michigan, according to the USACE. The USACE Detroit District got $561 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (DRSAA) in the fiscal year 2022 for work in Michigan and on the Great Lakes, according to the USACE.
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SPECIAL FOCUS
Western Blazes The cause of Colorado's Marshall Fire is yet unknown, although at least two other flames in the last 20 years have been linked to coal mine fires that spread to the surface. Coal mine fires, according to experts, are becoming a global concern.
40 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
Are Underground Coal Fires Responsible!
An Arvada firefighter walks back to the firetruck as a fast moving wildfire swept through the area in the Centennial Heights neighborhood on December 30, 2021 of Louisville, Colorado. State officials estimated some 600 homes had already been lost in multiple areas around Boulder County and were fueled by winds that gusted upwards of 100 miles per hour at times during the day. (Photo by Marc Piscotty/ Getty Images)
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SPECIAL FOCUS
I
n 1883, a fire raging in an underground Colorado coal field produced so much smoke that the scene was compared to burning volcanoes, and the state's first mining inspector declared the flame "impossible to extinguish." Two fires smolder over 140 years later in the now-abandoned coal field outside Boulder, the same area where a wildfire last month burned over 1,000 houses and buildings and killed at least one person. The source of the December fire that became Colorado's most damaging in history is still unknown, although Boulder County officials have claimed that abandoned coal mines in the area are being investigated as one of the numerous probable reasons, along with power lines, human activity, and other possibilities. Could a fire have been sparked by a lump of smoldering coal? Yes, according to history, with at least two Colorado fires blamed on mine fires that spread to the surface in the last 20 years. Slow-burning coal reserves exacerbated by winds triggered two fires on and near the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Montana this summer, burning a total of 267 square miles. As per data from the federal Office of Surface Mining, at least 259 underground mine fires had been found burning in over a dozen states as of September last year. According to experts and government authorities, there are hundreds, if not thousands, more unrecorded fires blazing in coal seams which have not been mined ever. Such fires are an issue all across the world, particularly in India, Australia, and South Africa. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, an estimated 10 million to 200 million tons of coal are burned or 42 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
The Hazelwood coal mine fire. Photo: Keith Packenham, CFA. monash.edu
rendered inaccessible each year in China, the world's largest coal producer. Experts predict smoldering coal fires will continue to be a hazard as climate change causes drought throughout wide regions of the United States West, which is currently experiencing longer and more severe fire seasons. According to Jurgen Brune, a Colorado School of Mines engineering professor, such flames can be started by lightning, humans, or even spontaneously at
temperatures as low as 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Many are impossible to extinguish, steadily burning underground due to a limited amount of oxygen present in the coal, he explained. "Most flames are put out by covering them up and attempting to deprive them of oxygen. "It's not for coal fires," remarked Dr. Brune. Underground coal seams burn erratically and can erupt to the surface without warning decades after a fire has started,
As per data from the federal Office of Surface Mining, at least 259 underground mine fires had been found burning in over a dozen states as of September last year. to relocate at a cost of $42 million. As per the Office of Surface Mining database, the estimated future cost of controlling the 200 known abandoned mine blazes in the United States is about $900 million.
Sheriff's Office, would not say which mines were being probed in connection with the Dec. 30 blaze or what triggered officials' attention, which was originally reported by KUSA-TV.
Following last summer's fires, local officials in Montana intend to use a federal funding to map out smoldering seams across the state's southeast in the coming months. Controlling them will be challenging, and it might cost at least $300,000 per site, according to Bobbi Vannattan of the Rosebud Conservation District, which is assisting with the mapping.
Authorities made at least three attempts to put out or minimize the damage caused by the fire that a state mine inspector first discovered more than a century ago at the abandoned Marshall Mine, which is located on park territory near where investigators suspect the new fire started.
"The difficulty with coal seam fires is that we have no idea how deep or wide they are until we get in there and start excavating," she explained. As of 2019, officials in Colorado were monitoring at least 38 underground coal fires. Carrie Haverfield, a representative for the Boulder County
he said. "It's like predicting an earthquake," Dr. Brune explained. "They aren't getting any closer to forecasting them with all of the technology we have today." The same can be said of a coal fire." The flames release toxic mercury and the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, as well as sinkholes, which form as the ground's surface collapses into the charred voids beneath it. The smoke and subsidence from a coal fire that started beneath Centralia, Pennsylvania, became so awful that more than 1,000 people were forced
As per the U.S. Geological Survey report, the first occurred in 1982, when federal officials bore into the earth to see how far the fire had spread and then attempted to smother it with a 2-foot covering of dirt. A small brush fire in 2005 was connected to a hot vent from the fire. According to the Office of Surface Mining, Boulder crews cleaned plants from the area while
"MOST FLAMES ARE PUT OUT BY COVERING THEM UP AND ATTEMPTING TO DEPRIVE THEM OF OXYGEN. "IT'S NOT FOR COAL FIRES. IT'S LIKE PREDICTING AN EARTHQUAKE. THEY AREN'T GETTING ANY CLOSER TO FORECASTING THEM WITH ALL OF THE TECHNOLOGY WE HAVE TODAY." THE SAME CAN BE SAID OF A COAL FIRE." Jurgen Brune Colorado School of Mines engineering professor
SPECIAL FOCUS
federal officials attempted to plug the vent and others with rocks to prevent future fire. Workers excavated and filled in two spots where the ground had collapsed after fire burned the underground coal in 2016 after federal officials stated the state had acquired responsibility for the site. Workers for a state contractor, Tetra Tech, visited the site two years later and discovered no evidence of fire – no melting snow, no smoky odors. Because of the site's previous irregular behavior, the company recommended annual monitoring but no additional efforts to mitigate the possible harm. Tetra Tech noted in a 2019 study for the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety, "The fire's activity is relatively low and hence has limited potential to spark a surface fire." According to the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety, the property owner is generally responsible for monitoring coal mine fires. The Marshall Mine fire is burning beneath a city-owned open space park along a state highway. Boulder officials claim they are not responsible for putting out the fire. However, city spokesman Sarah Huntley said the city is supposed to tell the state if rangers or trail personnel at the popular hiking area observe smoke or shifts. Since the 2019 report, the state's mining division has not been alerted of any modifications at the mine fire, according to the state's mining division. The state receives federal funds to assist landowners in monitoring and mitigating abandoned coal mine fires. However, spokeswoman Chris Arend stated that the mining division cannot compel any work to be done at the sites. 44 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
Talon is part of Battery Materials and Technology Coalition "Not in My Backyard" arguments abound in the Twin Metals mining debate near Ely, Minnesota. There are environmental concerns, but advocates point to the hundreds of high-paying jobs the mine would provide to the community and the billions of dollars it would bring in investment as justifications for the project. CRUCIAL FOR COMBATING GLOBAL WARMING
A newer argument put out by supporters of the mine is that the minerals it will collect are crucial for combating global warming. Julie Padilla of Twin Metals estimates that we will need to raise the output of minerals like graphite, lithium, and cobalt by about 500 percent by 2050 to keep up with the rising demand for renewable energy. Climate-change technology such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicle batteries are among those that experts predict will be required to avoid the worst impacts of global warming. Minerals are a need, but they’re also at odds with the realities of the world. In the United States, many mining proposals are met with significant resistance by residents. Nowhere is this more clear than in northern Minnesota, where the Biden administration this week canceled two federal mining licenses owned by Twin Metals right on the border of the Boundary Waters. For environmentalists and local businesses, it was a big triumph. But it also shows how difficult it may be
to build up a local supply of the minerals required to convert to a green economy. Developing a domestic supply chain for these minerals has become more critical in light of predictions of looming severe shortages. Some manufacturers are even putting their money into mines. In the case of Talon Metals, a prospective nickel mine in the small town of Tamarack, roughly an hour west of Duluth, Tesla just signed a supply agreement. LOCAL SUPPLY CHAIN FOR BATTERIES
As part of the Battery Materials and Technology Coalition, a consortium of miners and other firms, Talon is advocating for developing a local supply chain for batteries, from mining through mineral processing and production. According to coalition spokeswoman Ben Steinberg, the supply chain is now mainly under the authority of China. Our allegiance to any one nation is untenable. It would be disastrous for the United States if that were ever cut off. All across the globe, people mine the metals now used in batteries, such as nickel, cobalt, and lithium. The overwhelming bulk of them is manufactured
in China. After that, they’re sent all around the world through the sea. As Steinberg points out, this is both expensive and harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Now that local mineral supply chains are being refocused on, Lee says the United States hasn’t dealt with its environmental legacies as effectively as it might have done before. In the case of Minnesota’s canoe country, that’s why mines are typically met with massive protests, like what’s going on now. Locals in North Carolina and Nevada, for example, are voicing
their opposition to the construction of lithium mining. OPPOSING GROUPS RAISING DOUBTS
Groups opposed to the Twin Metals project in northern Minnesota have raised doubt about the project’s contribution to the renewable energy supply chain. According to Becky Rom, national chair of the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, the metal concentrates produced by Twin Metals would be transferred overseas for processing, most likely to
China, and then sold on the international market. She argues that friends like Australia and Canada, who have significantly higher mineral deposits, would be a definitive source for the nation’s resources.
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STATISTICS
DECEMBER 2021 CRUDE STEEL PRODUCTION
W
orld crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 158.7 million tonnes (Mt) in December 2021, a 3.0% decrease compared to December 2020. CRUDE STEEL PRODUCTION BY REGION
Africa produced 1.2 Mt in December 2021, down 9.6% on December 2020. Asia and Oceania produced 116.1 Mt, down 4.4%. The CIS produced 8.9 Mt, down 3.0%. The EU (27) produced 11.1 Mt, down 1.4%. Europe, Other produced 4.3 Mt, down 0.8%. The Middle East produced 3.9 Mt, up 22.1%. North America produced 9.7 Mt, up 7.5%. South America produced 3.5 Mt, down 8.7%. The 64 countries included in this table accounted for approximately 98% of total world crude steel production in 2020. Regions covered by the table: Africa, Asia and Oceania, CIS, European Union (27) Europe, Other, Middle East, North America, South America.
TOP 10 STEEL-PRODUCING COUNTRIES
China produced 86.2 Mt in December 2021, down 6.8% on December 2020. India produced 10.4 Mt, up 0.9%. Japan produced 7.9 Mt, up 5.4%. The United States produced 7.2 Mt, up 11.9%. Russia is estimated to have produced 6.6
Table 1. Crude steel production by region dec 2021 (mt)
% change dec 21/20
Mt, the same as in December 2020. South Korea produced 6.0 Mt, up 1.1%. Germany produced 3.1 Mt, up 0.1%. Turkey produced 3.3 Mt, down 2.3%. Brazil produced 2.6 Mt, down 11.4%. Iran is estimated to have produced 2.8 Mt, up 15.1%.
Table 2. Top 10 steel-producing countries
jan-dec 2021 (Mt)
% change jan-dec 21/20
dec 2021 (mt)
-6.8
1,032.8
-3.0
india
10.4
0.9
118.1
17.8
japan
7.9
5.4
96.3
14.9
united states
7.2
11.9
86.0
18.3
e 6.6
0.0
76.0
6.1
6.0
1.1
70.6
5.2
3.1
0.1
40.1
12.3
3.3
-2.3
40.4
12.7
2.6
-11.4
36.0
14.7
15.1
28.5
-1.8
16.0
26.7
116.1
-4.4
1,382.0
0.6
cis
8.9
-3.0
105.6
5.6
eu (27)
11.1
-1.4
152.5
15.4
russia
europe, other
4.3
-0.8
51.2
11.6
south korea
middle east
3.9
22.1
41.2
1.2
germany
north america
9.7
7.5
117.8
16.6
turkey
south america
3.5
-8.7
45.6
17.8
brazil
158.7
-3.0
1,911.9
3.6
e 2.8
total 64 countries
% change jan-dec 21/20
86.2
-9.6
asia and oceania
jan-dec 21 (mt)
china
1.2
africa
% change dec 21/20
iran
The 64 countries included in this table accounted for approximately 98% of total world crude steel production in 2020. Regions and countries covered by the table: Africa: Egypt, Libya, South Africa. Asia and Oceania: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Korea, Taiwan (China), Vietnam. CIS: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan. European Union (27). Europe, Other: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Turkey, United Kingdom. Middle East: Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates. North America: Canada, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, United States. South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
46 | SKILLINGS MINING REVIEW March 2022
CRUDE STEEL PRODUCTION DECEMBER 2020. Source – World Steel Association COUNTRY
DEC 2020
DEC 2019
%CHANGE DEC-20/19
2020
% CHANGE
COUNTRY
DEC 2020
DEC 2019
%CHANGE DEC-20/19
2020
% CHANGE
Austria
530 e
521
1.7
6 665
-10.2
Mexico
1 550 e
1 361
13.9
16 854
-8.3
Belgium
359
505
-28.9
6 119
-21.1
United States
6 434
7 292
-11.8
72 690
-17.2
Bulgaria
40 e
43
-6.3
485
-14.3
Croatia
15 e
7
101.9
47
-32.0
North America
9 107
9 801
-7.1
101 119
-15.5
388
326
19.0
3 651
-21.4
2 886
2 462
17.2
30 971
-4.9
Argentina
Czech Republic
408
359
13.7
4 465
0.6
Finland
339
186
81.8
3 500
0.8
France
1 155
918
25.7
11 596
-19.8
Chile
105 e
109
-3.5
1 165
2.8
Germany
3 137
2 835
10.6
35 658
-10.0
Colombia
110 e
97
13.5
1 126
-15.5
94
17.0
1 430
5.9
Ecuador
50 e
50
0.5
477
-21.5
164
-44.8
1 513
-14.5
Paraguay
3 e
3
-4.4
22
-17.5
1 404
6.9
20 200
-12.9
Peru
105 e
91
15.8
671
-45.4
Uruguay
5 e
5
-7.2
47
-24.6
Venezuela
2 e
0
315.8
29
-43.6
3 654
3 143
16.3
38 158
-8.4
Egypt
994
574
73.0
8 229
13.4
Libya
73
63
16.2
495
-18.4
297
-1.5
3 877
-37.0
934
45.5
12 600
-10.1
2 224
19.6
29 030
13.4
85
186
-54.3
1 218
-52.4
Saudi Arabia
440
664
-33.8
7 775
-5.1
United Arab Emirates
280
297
-5.8
2 722
-18.2
3 465
3 371
2.8
40 745
2.7
China
91 252
84 692
7.7 1 052 999
5.2
India
9 796
9 383
4.4
99 570
-10.6
Japan
7 526
7 785
-3.3
83 194
-16.2
South Korea
5 952
5 880
1.2
67 121
-6.0
380 e
261
45.6
3 743
13.3
1 700 e
1 693
0.4
20 570
-6.3
Thailand
410 e
357
14.8
4 420
4.1
Vietnam
1 600 e
1 876
…
19 500
11.6
118 616
111927
6.0
1 351 117
1.6
473
449
5.4
5 490
0.0
59
57
3.8
586
-12.2
533
506
5.2
6 076
-1.4
Greece Hungary Italy
110 e 90 1 500 e
Luxembourg
113
97
17.3
1 886
-11.0
Netherlands
540
521
3.6
6 054
-9.1
Poland
680 e
642
5.9
7 890
-11.9
Slovenia
50 e
34
45.0
570
-8.5
Spain
891
765
16.4
10 934
-19.5
Sweden
410
376
8.9
4 409
-6.6
United Kingdom
710 e
550
29.0
7 185
-0.5
Other E.U. (28) (e)
680 e
642
6.0
8180
-12.1
10 665
10.2
138 786
-11.8
European Union (28) 11 757 Bosnia-Herzegovina
75
70
6.5
759
-5.2
Macedonia
33
24
35.9
180
-24.8
Norway
41
40
3.2
624
0.5
Serbia
119
158
-24.8
1 456
-24.6
Turkey
3 403
2 893
17.7
35 763
6.0
Other Europe
3 671
3 185
15.3
38 782
3.9
Byelorussia
200 e
225
-11.2
2 490
-5.0
Kazakhstan
355 e
374
-5.0
3 835
-7.2
45 e
35
28.2
465
18.7
Russia
6 110 e
6 159
-0.8
73 400
2.6
Ukraine
1 906
1 561
22.1
20 616
-1.1
84
-4.8
950
42.6
Moldova
Uzbekistan
80 e
C.I.S. (6)
8 696
8 438
3.1
101 756
1.5
Canada
1 070 e
1 092
-2.0
11 078
-14.1
20 e
22
-8.5
181
-21.4
El Salvador
8 e
8
-5.7
79
-22.5
Guatemala
25 e
26
-3.9
237
-22.6
Cuba
Brazil
South America
South Africa
292 e
Africa
1 359
Iran
2 660 e
Qatar
Middle East
Pakistan Taiwan, China
Asia Australia New Zealand Oceania
Total 64 countries (1) 160 858
151 969
5.8 1 829 140
-0.9
(1) - HADEED only. (2) - the 64 countries included in this table accounted for approximately 99% of total world crude steel production in 2019. e - estimated
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