The records and materials collected by drilling methods are essential sampling products in a mineral project, which characterize deposit the type and will be used in later analyses.
The drilling and perforation campaigns in a project are high-cost procedures and therefore there must be measures for the proper management of the sampled materials, to better preserve them.
Have you ever thought about how to store drilling records?
Millions of dollars might be spent on a project to make an incredible drilling campaign, but after all the collection procedure, it is decided to store the samples in dubious conditions, opting for wooden boxes that are eventually cheaper.
This factor might be crucial for poor sample management, and significant losses can occur as a result of storage conditions. In other words, it ends up investing heavily in drilling holes, but in storing the data so that it is well packaged and organized for future analyzes and consultations with auditors, it decides to opt only for the economic criterion.
Remember that records are not just your project data, they are the geological legacy of your company’s mineral deposit.
This way, thinking of a smart alternative to store your enterprise’s drilling records is the ideal way to manage your samples!
Core Case plastic boxes - Why use Them
Millions of dollars might be spent on a project to make an incredible drilling campaign, but after all the collection procedure, it is decided to store the samples in dubious conditions, opting for wooden boxes that are eventually cheaper.
Using wooden boxes to transport and storage diamond samples generated a series of difficulties, common to many companies in the mining sector. Core Case developed new products for this task, which offered a new alternative to the market, solving these problems and bringing other benefits.
Main benefits of Core Case plastic cases:
Best cost benefit: Medium and long term use of Core Case products generates a better cost benefit compared to other materials, such as wood or metal.
Economical transport: Core Case plastic boxes are lighter than wood, which significantly reduces the cost during transport.
Sustainability and ESG: Does your business follow ESG strategies? Core Case products are made from 100% recycled materials.
Greater durability: Plastic has a longer shelf life than wooden boxes, especially if properly stored.
Efficient use of space: Core Case products considerably improve the organization of warehouses and storage locations, reducing the need of high investment in infrastructure Greater stacking capacity.
Resistance and no contamination risk: Core Case products present a lower risk of fire when compared to paperboard and wooden boxes. Plastic is an inert material that does not chemically react with other substances. Core Case boxes have holes for water drainage, preventing contamination with the box stacked below.
In the table below we can compare different types of records storage box available on the market.
Core Case’s principle is making everything with 100% recycled materials. Core Case’s purpose is preserving the planet through responsible exploration, promoting sustainability.
We are committed to constantly improve our processes and develop innovative solutions to limit negative environmental impacts (whenever possible), and minimize the waste production that is harmful to the nature.
So, do as the biggest mining and drilling companies, use CORE CASE products and ensure your samples quality.
Mining industry, technological development and sustainability
In addition to the economic benefits of using suitable boxes to store geological drilling records from your mineral enterprise, we know that the mining industry is going through a key moment in the use of new technologies to reduce the environmental impacts generated in the industrial process.
By using plastic boxes produced with 100% recycled material that have greater durability than other materials, your enterprise contributes to the waste reduction disposal to the environment, investing in a material with an innovative proposal to the mineral sector.
Our Core is Preservation
Core Case’s principle is making everything with 100% recycled materials. Core Case’s purpose is preserving the planet through responsible exploration, promoting sustainability.
We are committed to constantly improve our processes and develop innovative solutions to limit negative environmental impacts (whenever possible), and minimize the waste production that is harmful to the nature.
So, do as the biggest mining and drilling companies, use CORE CASE products and ensure your samples quality.
QAQC stands for Quality Assurance and Quality Control.
Quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) are the two major components of any quality management system.
According to ISO definition, QA is “the set of all planned and systematic actions required to provide appropriate assurance that a product, process or service will comply with certain quality requirements.”
While QC refers to an “actions system to check for efficacy of control activities quality.”
QA is about issues prevention, while QC is about detecting them, should they occur.
QAQC application to mineral projects
QAQC applies to various types of data management projects, and it is a mining industry standard to be applied in various countries, regarding mineral survey and exploration data – especially associated with sampling, laboratory analyses, and data management.
For all practical purposes, geological quality control procedures aim at monitoring test data precision and accuracy, as well as potential sample contamination during preparation and test.
QAQC application to the mining industry aims at ensuring the quality of data and information used for decision making associated to the project is solid – thus interfering with relevant aspects of a mineral project that directly affect its development.
A positive QAQC stands for an approval seal to the database. Without such seal, all effort made during complex geological interpretation, mathematical estimation, and resource classification will be jeopardized.
Diagram showing QAQC process in the mining industry Source: Instituto Minere
QAQC applicability to the mining industry
QAQC is more effective if applied during a drilling program to MONITOR data collection and suspend low-performance programs or laboratory testing.
Performing QAQC upon the completion of a data collection program is an effective way to manage data collection.
A good QAQC process is the one that is active, continuous, and reviewed as data are collected; an easy-to-understand process that makes sense and provides sufficient information for timely corrections to its sampling or laboratory procedures.
QAQC – Major ways to analyze data quality in the mining industry
Statistical process control
Develop control graphs
Define standards
Define control bounds
QAQC process activities for the mining industry are driven by a series of technical standards and analytical procedures. Statistical control and data organization are major QAQC tools.
Photo: Afonso Gonçalves – TOP GEO
QAQC and sampling standards in the mining industry
Sampling in the mining industry is one of the most relevant quality control procedures. It includes some definitions used for control sample description. They include:
Twin samples: Used to assess sampling error and indicate low or high variability of mineralogical sample characteristics. They are samples obtained from the second core drill split. Both samples must be prepared and analyzed at the same laboratory, same lot, however with different identifications, without characterizing which ones will be for quality control.
Coarse whites:Samples used for identification of contamination during preparation stage. They are mine waste material samples (no mineralization), with coarse particle size, which must be subject to the whole preparation process along with original samples of the project. They are recommended to be added right after mineralized samples.
Fine whites: This tool is used to identify potential contamination during analysis. They are pulverized material samples free from active components (waste) and must be added and analyzed right after sample mineralization.
Standards:Used to assess analytical accuracy. They are samples prepared under special conditions and must be used as lots for analysis by primary and secondary laboratories. A standard of at least three-degree ranges (low, medium, and high) is recommended. Accreditation criteria are used to assess analytical accuracy.
Coarse (or preparation) duplicates: Tool used to assess errors during the preparation stage (quartering). They are duplicates collected right after crushing and quartering stage. They must be added to the same original sample lot, with different numbers, and analyzed at the same laboratory.
Slurry duplicates: Used to access analytical laboratory precision. They are replicates (duplicates) of the original samples, pre-crushed, added to lots for analysis and identified differently from the original samples. Such samples are used to assess the analytical laboratory precision.
QAQC and application to mineral project phases
A Mineral Project has several phases or stages with common data generation or sampling. Therefore, QAQC. procedures must be complied with. In general, these phases/stages include:
Mineral Prospection: This stage is the outset of a mining project, with ore and associated rock characterization being required (thus involving analysis of its mineralogy, grades, and resource and reserve definition). Thus, QAQC will provide data transparency and reliability required for economic feasibility of the project. Sampling and its description (drill cores or manual) and data management are relevant steps for QAQC application.
Chemical analyses: Reliable and transparent results for samples sent over to the laboratory are fundamental for appropriate ore deposit characterization and decision-making. Several sampling control tools (previously referred to) are used for the chemical analysis process, e.g. mass control, preparation white, duplicates, reference materials.
Database: All ore deposit information obtained are managed on a database. Thus, it is important for such data to be correct for project development and upcoming stages not to be jeopardized. A responsible person for database management must be appointed, and permissions for each user and backups must be obtained.
Geological Modeling: All deposit-related information (drilling data, samples, rock types, chemical analyses, grades, and density, amongst others) can be visualized on a geological model. Thus, it is paramount for all data to be appropriately located and shown on the model, with this being the essential tool for decision-making of the mineral project (e.g., resource definition, economic feasibility, and even mine location for ore exploration).
Thus, sampling, analyses, and data management stages, along with QAQC procedures, are fundamental for good mineral survey or exploration project performance.
You can count on Core Case! We’ve got the perfect solution to assist you with your project drill core and soil sample storage requirements.
To the extent the demand for renewable energy continues to grow, the mining industry is facing a decisive moment for becoming a recognized contributor in the transition to broader energy.
Mining is fundamental for the growth of renewable energy, since green technology strongly relies on certain metals and minerals – that come from mining.
Therefore, both industries – mining and energy – must undergo adaptations for the growing demand for these materials to be met.
In this text we will approach the main characteristics of the energy transition (the so-called clean energy) and its relation to the mining industry. Read until the end to learn more about this important matter!
Renewable energy in the future
The effects of climate change already affecting several parts of the world and the alerts made by scientists, especially in the last IPCC report point to an alarming situation in the worldwide energy system.
The raising of sea levels, intense heat eaves, loss of habitat and animal species, droughts and floods have led to global pleads to diminish the impacts of climate change – which must happen sooner rather than later.
According to the Paris Agreement and global pressure, governments and large companies are trying to reduce energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. They try to achieve that especially by implementing renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar and hydro.
The International Renewable Energy Agency projects that, for meeting the climate goals, total participation of renewable energy must increase in two thirds by 2050, suggesting that renewable energy may represent 60% or more of the total final consumption in many countries.
This demand means that the sources of renewable energy will have to increase both their capacity and generation. For instance, the global cumulative installed power of onshore wind power will have to be expanded threefold by 2030 and ninefold by 2050.
For offshore wind power, the increase would have to be tenfold by 2030. In terms of solar power, the global capacity will need to grow from a total 480 gigawatts in 2018 to 2,840 gigawatts by 2030 and 8,519 gigawatts by 2050. As for solar power, it is projected to reach 8,519 gigawatts in capacity worldwide by 2050.
These changes are significant and to that effect, companies need to be tuned to current demands which, in addition to being necessary for the environment, impact the economy – ESG’s agenda and sustainability and are attracting more and more investments; therefore, it is necessary for these demands to be broadly met.
Clean energy and dependency on mining
Discussions concerning sustainable energy and the global supply chain are often at odds with the fact that a renewable energy dependency plan relies deeply on the mining industry – since it supplies and metals and minerals necessary for building and operating it.
Solar power relies on the supply of aluminum, copper and certain rare earth elements (including indium and cadmium) for producing photovoltaic panels.
Likewise, wind turbines are made of steel and their manufacturing, consequently, requires the production of iron, but also some rare earth elements, such as neodymium, which are necessary for the magnets used inside the turbine generators.
Overall, copper is essential for the entire energy-generation infrastructure, as well as for electrical vehicle technology (EV).
Rare Earth Materials and wind turbines
For example, the case of rare earth metals, such as dysprosium and neodymium: Both metals are used for making alloys for permanent magnets found in wind turbine generators, with China mining approximately 63% of the global rate earth materials market. Currently, one 5-megawatt wind turbine requires one ton of alloy.
Given future projections for wind power, the global demand for neodymium and dysprosium is projected to increase 2.1 times, with 65% of new turbines installed int he next ten years, incorporating technology that requires rare earth materials.
Copper and wind turbines
Likewise, copper is in high demand due to its high conductivity and durability. Inside an installed wind turbine, the copper content is from 2.5 to 6.4 tons per megawatt, used in the generator, transformers and wiring.
The global wind power market, currently requires an average 450 kilotons of copper a year and that is expected to increase to 600 kilotons per year by 2028. This number will probably be substantially increased, considering that future requirements for renewable energy will lead to larger wind turbines notwithstanding the need for copper for other technologies, such as solar power and electrical vehicles.
The demand for copper due to electrical vehicles alone is likely to increase in 1,700 kilotons by 2027, since electrical vehicles are projected to represent more than 7% of annual vehicles sales until 2025.
Copper and rare earth metals are difficult to replace and reuse thereof depends on recycling initiatives, which means their continued mining is essential to support the renewable energy industry.
Silver and solar panels
Silver, due to its high resistivity, is used in solar cells in the form of a past that collects electricity from the cell, so it may be stored or consumed. The metal is used in 95% of photovoltaic panels installed, which is equivalent to 9% of the total global production of silver.
With the solar power capacity growing rapidly, the demand for silver mining is high.
Storage batteries – copper, lithium, nickel and cobalt
Given its intermittent nature, the increase in the generation of renewable energy will require large power storage units, which, on its turn, will lead to the increase in demand for minerals contained in storage batteries, especially copper, lithium, nickel and cobalt.
However, there is a concern that the fast increase of the demand for these metals cannot be met based on annual production rates. Automakers, such as Tesla and Mercedes-Benz are already cutting down production forecasts due to concerns with the offer.
Mining challenges for clean and sustainable mining
The core objective of the change into renewable energies is the reduction in greenhouse gas, caused by fossil fuels.
However, this change cannot cause even more impacts on the environment we are trying to preserve, and therefore, it requires that mining operations also become more sustainable concurrently with the energy transition process.
Climate change also represents a broader threat to the mining sector. Metals that will probably have an increased demand, due to their importance in the production of renewable energy technology, tend to be concentrated in areas that are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Furthermore, the activities of the mining industry also require energy, and therefore, they are sources of emission of greenhouse gas.
The mining industry, which already has its environmental impacts broadly known by society, has even greater challenges to change this scenario, since the demand for minerals will be continued – as will the need for adaptation into a more sustainable world.
More sustainable mining, cleaner energy and opportunity
The Financial Times reported in September 2019 that the number of institutional investors that committed to completely remove fossil fuels from their portfolios by 2030 soared from 180 in 2014 to over 1,100, representing approximately US$ 11 trillion in assets.
Therefore, at the same time the demand for renewable energy continues to grow, the enthusiasm for investment in fossil fuels and mining is decreasing.
Consequently, the industry challenges are great and it will be necessary implementing continuous adaptations for managing a broad and detailed ESG agenda, thus attracting investment and development that is adequate to current demands.
The mining industry, therefore, must pay attention to opportunities renewable energy present as one of the several solutions for making the industry more sustainable.
One of the top advantages of renewable energy applied to mining is it can supply the energy needs of mining operations in remote areas, where the cost of building the infrastructure necessary for connecting the mine to the grid or building a conventional power plant would be substantial.
Therefore, with the progress in renewable energy technology and the commitment of some of the top players in the industry, the industry is ready for the change and there are many benefits to mining companies moving to renewable energy:
Reduced reliance of fossil fuel that is vulnerable the fluctuations of global prices and reduction in carbon emissions;
Meeting environmental and social criteria (ESG) used for measuring the sustainability of a given project – will be a prerequisite requirement for both investors and creditors.
Our Core is preservation
CORE CASE is a Brazilian-Canadian company founded 11 years ago, which has consolidated itself in the mining market and that is present in the most important companies in the industry.
Core Case’s cases and accessories are produced in 100% recycled and recyclable plastic (Polypropylene – PP), in ergonomic shape, enduring, light and easy to transport, in addition to being more durable than wooden boxes or other materials.
If you want to learn more about our services, contact us!
One of the major processes in characterizing a mineral deposit is sampling. This is the process of systematic and specialized material collection for analysis.
Sampling of metallic or industrial mineral deposits is performed for several reasons and at various stages of their assessment and exploration
The mining industry routinely collects samples to help decision-making, whether for exploration, resource estimation, grade control or mine planning.
In this text, we will address the major characteristics of sampling in mining. Read to the end to find out more!
What is mining sampling?
The sampling process in mining consists of removing certain amounts of material (increments) from a whole to be sampled (population), to make up the primary or overall sample so that it is representative of the population it was taken from.
The sample is, therefore, a representative amount of the whole to be sampled (population) and comprises increments.
Sampling is characterized as a selection and inference process, geared at representing a whole (a mineral deposit, for example) as concretely as possible through the analysis of its parts (samples).
Samples are prepared and sent for further laboratory analysis, enabling an increase in knowledge on the deposit or ore bed.
The representativeness of the sample is related to the characteristics of the deposit analysis interest characteristics, such as:
Type of rock and minerals in it
Density
Grade
Moisture
Porosity
Particle size
The importance of ore sampling relates to:
Assessment of mineral deposits (quantification, economic feasibility, etc.)
Process control (variability, capability, etc.)
Product sale (inspection, batch classification, etc.)
Deposit sampling and representativeness
Accurate resource estimates depend on collecting reliable samples during exploration.
Therefore, sampling programmes must be carefully designed to minimize the chances of collecting biased, unrepresentative or contaminated material.
Whether for direct and manual collection samples, in trenches or drill cores, the sampling process must be adapted to the target mineralization and soil conditions.
Poorly designed sampling protocols can result in increased project risk due to increasing variability.
Protocols for sample collection, preparation and testing or test work optimized to suit the ore type, along with QAQC systems, will reduce variability.
Mineral sampling errors
According to GÓES, LUZ e POSSA (2004, p. 19)
“Ill-conducted sampling can result in costly losses or result distortions with unpredictable technical consequences”
“Sampling is, without a doubt, one of the most complex and error-inducing-prone operations encountered in the mining and
steelmaking industries”
Mineral sampling error involves a difference between the value of a given characteristic of interest and the estimate of this characteristic in the analyzed sample.
Techniques to correct these errors in the sampling process are applied in order to obtain satisfactory results.
Types of mineral sampling
The sampling process in a mineral project can be performed in two main ways:
Random sampling: It is typically used when little information is available about the material to be sampled. The increments are chosen at random (all parts of the material are equally likely to be selected)
Systematic sampling: Increments are collected at regular, preset intervals.
Sampling can be done by several methods, such as:
Sampling of existing exposures, manual collections.
Use of manual or mechanized excavations (e.g., trenches)
During the exploration phase, sampling is largely confined to the analysis of drilling gravel or drill cores, and is geared at assessing intersections in the deposit.
Drill cuttings and gravel are broken pieces of solid material removed from a drilled well by rotary, percussion or auger methods and brought to the surface in the drilling slime.
During the exploration phase, sampling is used to define grade over mineable thicknesses, taking into account not only the mineralized zone, but also its potential dilution by low grade material or waste rock.
Mineral deposit characterization for sampling purposes
A mineral deposit’s occurrence mode and morphology has a considerable impact on sampling type and density and the amount of material required.
Sample type and amount collected depend on a number of factors including:
Type of mineral deposit – composition and structure
Distribution and particle size
Process assessment phase
Existence of direct access to mineralization
Sampling cost
Thus, based on prior knowledge on the deposit or ore bed of interest, it is necessary to perform a study on the types, objectives and sampling methods to be used in the mineral project.
Core Case – a complete and innovative system for drill core management.
The use of wooden boxes for shipping and storing diamond drilling cores caused operational difficulties, common for many companies in the mining industry.
Core Case and fixtures are made of 100% recycled and recyclable plastic (Polypropylene – PP), are ergonomically-shaped, resistant, light and easy to haul, in addition to being more durable than boxes made of wood and other materials. This reduces environmental impact from the use of wood and remove plastic waste from the environment through recycling.
To carry out a real estate project, whether it is for one’s own home or for the construction of commercial and tourist buildings, and so on, it is necessary that all the soil study stages be carried out with the highest possible level of excellence and care, and one of these studies is the drilling.
Drilling consists in a process of terrain recognition and characterization, being a very efficient and complete way to know the site characteristics where the construction will be executed.
According to Márcio Leão, geologist and post-doctorate in Geotechnics from the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), “the purpose of a soil drilling is to provide representative geotechnical data about the terrain conditions that are relevant to the project under consideration”.
Based on drilling methods used in civil construction it is possible to capture information such as:
identification of different soil layers;
classification of each layer;
water table level;
Strength of soil layers.
These data are crucial in the decision-making process regarding the project, allowing a more efficient, precise, safe and economical execution, based on information regarding the building positioning on the terrain and the best type of foundation, avoiding a series of pathologies to the construction work. (BELINCANTA,1985).
Drilling Types carried out in Civil Construction
Auger Drilling
Manual or mechanized, the most common are the clamshell (or auger) and helical.
This type of drilling consists of an excavation with a small diameter and reduced depth, whose purpose is to collect deformed samples to perform laboratory tests, making it possible to determine the profile of the soil under investigation.
Manual augers can also be mentioned in this category.
This method is generally simpler than other types, fast and economical, but is not as effective in depth, as it only penetrates soil layers above the water level and with low strength.
Another method within this category is the Mechanical Auger:
A method widely used on construction sites because it is a clean process that does not produce mud, is easy to transport and mobilize on site, requires a small number of operators, and is relatively quick to execute.
Auger drilling is widely used in sanitation and road construction.
SPT percussion drilling
Also called SPT (Standard Penetration Test) is the most widely used process to determine soil type, strength and water level.
It is a method of soil investigation where the drilling advance is done by means of an auger or washing, and a sampler is used to measure the indexes of resistance to penetration, obtain samples, determine the water level, and perform various tests in situ.
The number of blows required to drill into the rock allows the strength of the soil to be determined.
SPT drilling is widely used in engineering works.
Rotary Drilling
It is the drilling type that presents the highest cost, but it is the drilling with the most advantages, since it allows the analysis of greater depths and several other types of soils to be drilled, besides being of easy transportation.
It consists in the use of a mechanized set for drill rock masses and obtain samples of rocky materials with a cylindrical shape, named as core. It can also sample soils and other materials.
It is one of the most widely used methods to qualify rock masses.
Data acquired from drilling
After presenting the main types, we can say that drilling
Provide proper geotechnical data for all aspects of an economical, safe and reliable design of foundations, earthworks and temporary works, including an assessment of the effects of any previous uses of the site;
Assesses problems associated with construction of the site arising from subsurface conditions, including temporary works, excavations, and drainage;
Considers changes in the stability, drainage, or other geotechnical aspects of the site and surrounding buildings;
Compares alternative construction methods and their impacts on the ground.
Do you see how drilling is an essential practice for civil construction?
Performing this step in your project brings financial security, efficiency to the processes, reduces risks during the work, and ensures safety for those who will buy/rent/frequent that environment after it is finished.
The mining industry is important in contemporary societies, supplying the continuous demand for minerals in various branches of the market and promoting economic development.
However, this continuous increase in demand for natural resources, coupled with population growth and consumerism of today’s society, go against the concept of sustainability.
For this reason, the theme of sustainable practices in the mining industry is increasingly highlighted, regarding the importance of developing solutions that can be adopted by the industry, generating less environmental and social impact and ensuring the availability of resources for future generations.
Read this text to the end to learn more about this topic!
UNO Sustainable Development Goals
In the fall of 2015, the world’s heads of state adopted the UN Agenda 2030 with the 17 sustainable development goals. The overall goals of the Agenda are as follows:
Eradicate poverty and hunger
Ensure human rights for all, achieve social and gender equality
Ensure the protection of the planet and its natural resources
The sustainable development goals balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental.
The 2030 Agenda is a positive step towards a global cooperation and can contribute to a greater realization that require the balance of different social goals – economic sustainability is a prerequisite for social and environmental sustainability and vice versa.
One of the most prominent sectors that require the adoption of sustainable practices is the mining industry.
A sustainable view of the mining industry means taking into account the people, the environment, and the economy.
The human aspects include health, social and cultural elements. It is necessary to take into account the environmental matters such as emissions, waste management, post-extraction remediation, nature conservation, energy use, and climate. Economic aspects include social development, prosperity, competitiveness, resource management, and the circular economy.
The mining industries affect all three dimensions of sustainability, but the use of mineral resources is indispensable for our society, including to provide raw materials for a more environmentally friendly technological and energy transformation.
The regulation of mining activities depends mainly on national frameworks and policies, but the implementation of good practices remains problematic.
In order to effectively shift to “sustainable mining,” governments and companies must recognize the environmental and social impacts of mining and enact laws and regulations that require community consultation throughout the mining life cycle.
How can mining become more environmentally sustainable?
Proper disposal and treatment of waste and tailings
Reducing water use and waste production
Alternative energy sources, such as solar or wind power
Battery-powered equipment
Use of equipment from recyclable sources
Improvements in the extraction process
Appropriate mine closure measures
Environmental restoration
Recycling
Regarding to energy, a mining company can seek alternative energy sources, such as solar or wind power, as well as use electric-powered equipment and vehicles, reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.
Waste management plans are required to avoid soil, air and water pollution. Such plans are also in place to properly store the large volumes of waste produced in the mines.
The use of cleaner production techniques, environmental control technologies, using waste as a raw material, and process re-engineering are other ways to reduce waste production from mines.
Proper waste disposal is crucial to reducing the environmental impact of mines. Companies can invest in equipment that helps transform waste into reusable materials.
Importance of sustainable vision for mining
In addition to the importance of reducing the environmental and social impacts of mining, the industry itself can also benefit from adopting a sustainable vision for the industry.
Mining companies can find the unexpected benefit of financial gains from improved sustainability.
While green policies may seem expensive, they actually can provide a competitive advantage to the company. Also, the ability to recycle and reduce waste may lead to an improved bottom line.
Ultimately, for mining companies to thrive in today’s political, social, economic, and environmental scenario, sustainable practices must be at the heart of operations.
Many companies are starting to understand that their economic feasibility relies on the adoption of an environmentally and socially responsible approach at all operation levels.
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Preservation is our Core business
CORE CASE is a Brazilian-Canadian company with 11 years of activities that consolidated its position in the mining market and is present in the most important companies in this industry.
Cases and accessories supplied by Core Case are produced using 100% recycled and recyclable plastic (Polypropylene – PP), have an ergonomic shape, are resistant, light, and easy to transport, besides being more durable than boxes made of wood and other materials. If you want to know more about our services, contact us! https://corecase.com/br/contato/
ESG is a term that you probably heard not long ago, right?
Even though it is used frequently at present, it is not such a new term. It was used for the first time in 2004, in an issue called ‘Who Cares Wins’.
ESG topics have become stronger along the years and have been referred to more often in Brazil, in specific way, in the last 5 years. The mineral sector is one of the fields that tries to fit and be part of such culture.
ESG acronyms are closely connected to topics and actions related to the environment, corporate governance and social welfare.
Companies that do not comply with such principles can be seriously compromised in the future. They cannot be supported by investors, they cannot be appreciated by employees, they cannot be supported by the community they work, among other consequences.
ESG concept enforcement in your company is essential for a correct, sustainable and lasting future.
Shall we learn more about the topic?
What is ESG?
The term Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) has been widely used nowadays and has become a way of rating actions that companies take concerning the environment, community they are related, employees and even with its customers and work partners.
Each one of the elements – environmental, social and governance – includes a series of criteria that can be considered, whether by investors, at the time of assessing a business, or by companies, that wish to adopt a more friendly, sustainable and responsible posture before society.
Three ESG acronym milestones include:
Environmental
Environmental criteria include using renewable energy sources by the company, deploying a waste management program, deforestation issues (if applicable) and its attitude and actions related to climate change issues. Other possible environmental issues include raw material supply and use, for instance.
Social
Social aspects are based on the way the company is related to its employees, partners and investors. Other relevant points include respect to human rights and labor laws, team diversity and labor safety.
Governance
Governance in ESG context is related to how a company is managed by its managers and officers. Governance pillar shall consider interests of every stakeholder, including officers, investors, suppliers or customers.
Why comply with ESG
According to XP Investimentos, in the last years, increasingly more investors are considering the concept of ‘responsible investors’ as a decisive factor to allocate assets and the trend is that this movement becomes standard practice in the next years.
In investor perspective, companies that are well assessed in ESG become increasingly relevant to investment destination.
Also according to XP, responsible investments have also become gradually strong worldwide in the last two years – globally, more than US$35.3 trillion in investments are managed by institutional funds that set sustainable strategies, standing for ~36% of total assets managed worldwide.
When it comes to Brazil, there is a lot to be done, however, since July 2020, it was possible to realize a change (Figure 1), a significant acceleration in the search for ESG investments.
Figure 1: Search for the term ESG on Google Brazil (Jan/2020 – Feb/2022). Source: Google Trends.
ESG in Mining
In 2019, Brazilian Mining Institute (IBRAM) and mineral sector representatives met to enable mining industry change, and discuss topics related to sustainability and the environment.
After wide debate, Brazil Mining ESG agenda was created, and the document sets forth action pillars to be adopted by mining companies, to improve their indicators.
Mining ESG agenda foresees improving indicators in 12 areas, as follows:
Operating safety;
Dams and tailing disposal structures;
Labor health and safety;
Environmental impact mitigation;
Territory local and future development;
Relationship with communities;
Communication and reputation;
Diversity and inclusion;
Innovation;
Water;
Power;
Waste management;
According to IBRAM, Mining is the first sector that releases a wide ESG agenda, and it is a very solid evidence of the commitments the sector has with new postures the world is demanding.
Actions and results achieved so far by mining ESG agenda shall be presented by Exposibram 2022.
Mineral sector ESG initiatives
Amid the need for changes, mineral sector companies have developed projects that comply with ESG pillars.
Know some mineral sector ESG initiatives:
Ferbasa: since 1975, it relies on José Carvalho Foundation to care for people. Leader in ferro-alloy production, the company has six schools in four municipalities, benefiting more than 3,500 students;
Mineração Caraíba: it develops programs designed to small farmer productivity, fostering education and professional qualification, and access to drinkable water;
Yamana Gold: it sponsors Yamana Social and Environmental Development Institute, developed a composting plant in partnership with Recicla Jacobina cooperative;
Atlantic Nickel: it preservers 750 hectares of Mata Atlântica and keeps a plant nursery that has produced more than 56 thousand replanting seed stocks;
Vanádio de Maracás: it provides equipment and inputs to Active Women project, benefiting 110 women with homemade soap workshops, and free dressmaking course;
Core Case – a company that supports and complies with ESG pillars
Since its establishment, Core Case carries with it ESG pillars. The company was established with the goal of producing cases to store boring cores in 100% recycled plastic. This target has been achieve, and within 10 years, Core Case has become a reference in Brazil. Check a few figures:
Apart from sustainable cases for boring cores, Core Case performs actions that enable developing projects linked to corporate governance, environmental and social sustainability. See some company projects and initiatives:
ENVIRONMENT
– Products manufactured with 100% recycled and recyclable raw material;
– Core Case Collection products with production low environmental impact;
– Zero Garbage Certification.
SOCIAL
– Campaigns with always present social engagement of other local institutions, for better action usage;
– Good Coats. Incentive to exchange used product for a new one with discount;
– Clean Beach Project; Introduction to local community of each region to collect garbage and environmental education.
GOVERNANCE
– Commitment with every stakeholder (suppliers, customers, community, etc.);
– Product use manuals for better user ergonomics;
– Production (ISO 9001) and operating procedure standardization;
– Transparency, legality and fiscal responsibility in every business field.
Support to projects, companies and initiatives which essence is ESG pillars.
If you want to learn more on Core Case action, contact us.
Brazilian Mining leadership in ESG practice implementation can enable significantly visibility increase and sector acceptance that, despite being relevant, it is still widely criticized by society.
In order to understand natural massives, information is required by means of drilling (samplings and assays) that enable identifying different soil/rock types and mineralogical, structural, mechanical strength and permeability characteristics.
The sampling performed shall represent the natural massive surveyed, enabling essential geological and geotechnical information achievement to develop a project.
If you are interested at this topic, keep on reading this material, let´s approach the following topics:
What is Drilling in Mining
Drilling Types
How to choose drilling type for your project
Shall we go?
What is Drilling in mining
Drilling is executing bores in soil or rock, and sample/core, product generated in drilling, provides information to the region surveyed. It is a very significant stage, for several projects, in civil construction, hydrology, mining or geotechnics, for instance.
Drilling is required to:
Water catchment projects by means of artesian wells;
Constructions that need better region soil knowledge;
There are several drilling types and each one has a specific function.
Main drilling types include :
Auger drilling;
SPT percussion drilling;
Rotary drilling;
Mixed drilling;
Geophysical drilling;
Auger drilling
It is a survey method that uses auger as drilling tool. Auger is a soil sampler type comprised by sharp blades, that can be comprised by two pieces, in convex (shell auger) or single shape, in helical shape.
This drilling type is widely used in sanitation and road works.
SPT percussion drilling
Also known as SPT (Standard Penetration Test) drilling, it is a soil survey method which drilling progress is performed through auger or washing, and a sampler driving is used to measure penetration strength indexes, achieve samples, assess water level and execute several assays in situ.
Strike number required to drill the rock enables soil strength assessment. This drilling type is widely used in engineering works.
Rotary drilling
It is a motomechanized set designed to drill rocky massives and achieve rocky material samples with cylindrical shape, core calls. Soils and other materials can also be sampled.
Through rotary drilling, it is possible to achieve great subsoil depths.
It is one of the most widely used methods to rate rocky massives.
Mixed drilling
Mixed drilling, as per its name, is a joint rotary drilling and SPT drilling usage; It is a method that uses percussion drilling to soil section and rotary drilling to rocky section.
Geophysical drilling
Unlike options above mentioned, geophysical drilling does not take soil or rock samples of survey area. The measurements are indirect through seismic, electrical, electromagnetic, potential (magnetic and gravimetric), radiometric, geothermal surveys and methods, etc.
This method can be used to mining, geotechnics and artesian well projects, for instance.
How to choose the best drilling method
The drilling type to be applied in your project can be set forth according to several factors, including:
Region soil/rock type;
Place infrastructure, access roads and accessibility;
Ore type to be surveyed;
Companies operating in region of interest;
Bibliography available of the area where the project is to be developed;
It is worth noting that soil drilling/samples must be stored in safe and contamination-free places. In case this action is executed correctly, all work performed previously can be impacted.
The drilling provides basic data that will supply work conceptions foundation and underground and outdoor excavations, slope cut angle, work costs in different project stages, stability calculation, recovery and remedy sizing of contaminated lands, etc. Thus, they are essential for a reliable project and that is concerned with generated data quality.
Rely with Core Case, we have the optimal solution to assist in soil drilling and sample storage for your project.
Also known as the gold of the 21st century, Rare Earth Elements are widely used in high-tech equipment such as catalysts, solar cells, magnets, batteries, and lasers.
Because of this, government agencies in several countries have started to encourage the development of the production chain of this mineral commodity.
In Brazil, one of these initiatives is the National Mining Plan 2030, strategic tool to guide medium and long term policies that can contribute to the mineral sector being a foundation for the sustainable development of the Country.
Let’s learn a little more about these elements?
What are the Rare Earth Elements?
The Rare Earth Elements are a group of seventeen elements, fifteen of which belong to the lanthanide group [elements with atomic number (Z) between 57 and 71, i.e. from lanthanum – La to lutetium – Lu], which are joined by scandium (Z = 21) and yttrium (Z = 39), included because they have physical-chemical properties similar to the REEs.
Yttrium, Lanthanum and Neodymium. Source: Rocio et al. (2012).
REE do not occur as free metals in the earth’s crust, due to their behavior
The geochemical concentrations occur as a mixture of various REEs in minerals. These elements are found as components of accessory minerals, in the form of inclusions, filling fractures in other minerals and/or as replacement elements in the mineral.
The geochemical similarity of all the REEs allows for substitution between them in the structure crystalline mineral. This results in their wide distribution in the earth’s crust and the formation of minerals composed of several of the REE.
Despite these similarities in geochemical properties, the metallurgical, chemical, catalytic, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties vary subtly from one element to another.
REE minerals can be easily exploited, such as monazite from placer deposits. The separation of REEs from other elements is relatively easy, however their separation into individual oxides and/or metals are complex and expensive processes due to the small differences in their chemical behaviors.
Applications of Rare Earth Elements
REE are considered strategic elements because of their wide application in high-tech products. Its importance in modern industry is due to its numerous applications in metallurgy, wind and nuclear power, the oil industry, mining, and agriculture, among others.
Check out some applications of the Rare Earth Elements:
NdFeB alloy – to produce super magnets, widely used in electric cars, power systems, and high-speed trains;
Europium – on computer and television screens;
Lutetium, cerium, scandium, lanthanum and neodymium – separation of components of Petroleum;
Lanthanum – solar energy;
Tulio – X-Ray devices.
World Rare Earth Market
Brazil was one of the largest producers of monazite (rare earth phosphate, uranium and thorium) until the middle of the last century, replaced by the US in the 1980s, which came to dominate the market.
Starting in 1984, China began producing REEs, sharing the world market with the US, and from 1990 on, gradually began to dominate the market.
Brazil currently has the world’s third largest known reserve of rare earths, but this wealth is not exploited due to the cost of extraction and separation technology, which forces the country to import these elements to use as raw material in the industries.
The world’s largest known reserves of REE are located in China, Vietnam, Brazil, Russia, and India, respectively.
Country
Reserves (Million tons – Mt)
China
44
Vietnam
22
Brazil
21
Russia
12
India
6.9
The world’s largest reserves of REE. Source: U.S.GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 2022
Regarding production, China continues to stand out and produced about 140 Mt in 2020.
It is worth mentioning that there is a worldwide effort to develop the production chain of
REE in view of its importance in high-tech productsand clean energy.
According to Fernando Landgraf (Escola Politécnica USP), the world market for rare earths is relatively small in financial terms, moving about $5 billion per year.
The viability of REE extraction projects depends on important points to be highlighted, such as: small market, high production costs, technological and environmental issues.
Rare Earth Deposits in Brazil
The known deposits and occurrences in the country are distributed nationwide. The most economically important are associated with the alkaline carbonate complexes, mainly of the Igneous Province of Alto do Paranaíba.
REE deposits occur in naturally rich rocks influenced by rock-forming processes, such as magmatic enrichment by hydrothermal fluids, magmatic segregation and/or redistribution and concentration by superficial processes.
Walters et al. (2010) proposes the simplified division of REE deposits into two main categories:
primary – associated with igneous rocks and hydrothermal processes;
secondary – formed by concentration through sedimentary and weathering processes.
The table below shows the Brazilian REE deposits and their classifications.
Classification of the Brazilian REE deposits. Source: Walters et al. (2010).
Challenges of rare earth elements production in Brazil
The Brazilian potential for RRE is great. Today, the country has the second largest reserve world with 21 Mt of mineable reserves of rare earth oxides (REO).
This scenario, however, does not put Brazil at an advantage in relation to the other countries, since there is a need for strong investment in the development of the technological routes of each deposit. This is because each mineralization requires routes appropriate to the type of ore in order to be economically viable, as they are expensive, low yielding and highly polluting processes.
Despite the growth in consumption of clean energy products and electric cars, which use REO in their manufacture, the demand for this mineral good will not show a significant increase in order to make the different projects that are underway in theworld.
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Garbage-made product. Even better, taken from the beaches.
The product is a sounding landmark for mining. It is usually made with concrete, as it must be resistant and raw, like this mass that is made from waste removed from beach cleaning actions (CORE CASE’s We Nature Project). Actions are taken weekly. In 2021, the sum of garbage collected resulted in an amount of 43 tons.
The material used is a mixture of many materials that are crushed and melted into a super resistant mass that is molded into the shape of the product.
