Aborigines

For Some Nations’ Leaders, The Only “Mine” Of Which They Are Seeking, As To A ‘Green Energy’ Source, Is “Mine” [As In Legal “Possession”]

We have found over the years: Many Attorneys>Politicians>Governments’ Leaders are ‘way over their heads’ when it comes to the subjects of ‘Mining’ and ‘Manufacturing’, while they are very adept at ‘Marketing’. It behooves them to endorse easily saleable concepts such as: ‘Green Energy’ or ‘Zero Carbon’, or ‘Non-Polluting’, or most laughable perhaps ‘Free Energy’! That is why many become Politicians and evolve into ‘Career Politicians’ [what other line of work can they perform competently?]

We, in International Business, have a operational adage regarding the many flamboyant ‘Project Front-Men’ we have met or have seen in the past, and today’s current iterations of the same ilk: “Delusions of grandeur are based on illusions of adequacy”. These “Prophets of Profit” never use their own funds for projects but instead seek out the sheep to invest. Some of the more opportunistic sorts implore foreign corporations to provide funds, since the ‘entrepreneurs’ are so “Connected to the ‘BIG GUY‘” [great success is surely theirs to be].

We can certainly witness, for example, the Rare Earths and Strategic Metals quest currently going on with the Americans. The Selected President, who has probably never seen a mine adit any closer than the ‘big screen’ in a old cowboy movie, is gratuitously endorsing mining operations in several Western States. There are few Presidents in the entire world, like Mr. Macky Sall of Senegal, a Geophysicist by education and career.

Cultural violations are very possible if one only considers ‘mammon’ and not the communities contiguous to mining projects. Analogous to this is the tragedy, a couple of years ago, that befell the aborigines in Australia; both State and Federal Government approved beforehand ‘okays’ for detonations. PERMANENT DESTRUCTION of the cultural artifacts became the reality. Unfortunately, we are of the opinion that the mining corporation took a bigger ‘image hit’ than did the Australian government ‘managers’.

As we have written many times: “There is NO free lunch!”. To drive ‘non-polluting’ electric vehicles is made possible by the: Pollution of the raw materials mined and processed for vehicular and ‘E.V.’batteries production; Pollution in mining and manufacturing electrical transmission lines to proper sites; and Pollution in creating the power-gain devices of windmills, solar ‘cities’, geo-thermal recovery plants, et al. How many countries’ Leaders had the forethought to become “Giants” in ore processing [such as ‘Rare Earths’] as did the Leaders in Beijing?

It is our hope for 2022 and beyond that the Puppet Masters’ Masters, their Acolytes and Minions consider that a possible ‘Fiasco-In-The-Making’ is under the guise of “Clean Air/Earth Atmosphere Temperature Control/Economic Prosperities Re-Located”. The Sheep may gullibly follow the Pied-Pipers off the cliff; or may ‘Wise-Up’. If they realize the effects of Cosmic and Solar radiation, Volcanism, De-Forestation, et al have, they might take exception to the “Electric Vehicle ‘Global Salvation'”and “NAT [Not Always There] Energy sources for what they are: Small Gains at Great Costs. We think that the important thing to remember is: “Altruism for one’s fellow man” is a nice utterance performed by ‘Wheeler-Dealers’ on their way to meet their bankers.

Reality: Selling ‘Grand Concepts’, be they of Commerce or of War, historically are peddled, not by Saints, but by Hawks.

Reference: https://www.theverge.com/22858437/2021-mining-critical-minerals-clean-energy-renewables-climate-change

When: “What Is Yours, Is Ours” In Mining Occurs, Tribes Become Irate At The Interlopers From Other Continents

Our varied interests in Geology in general, and ‘Mining’ more specifically, over the decades, have allowed us to see the worst side of many Corporations [‘Earth Extraction Entities’ (EEE’s)]. All too often, they have sown the ‘Seeds of Discontent’ in the areas of land they mine or desire to mine. This has repeatedly been done around the world.

In Australia, we had previously written of the destruction of aboriginal artifacts through explosions in mining areas: approved in advance by elements of an Australian state government and EEE’s management. The damage done cannot be corrected. To the aborigines, what has gone, will only remain in their collective memories of their noble past.

In Africa, ‘Artisanal Miners’, who merely want to have a mere scintilla of a morsel of the diamonds, emeralds, gold, or silver they find with their hand and shovel diggings; in ocean shores, in riverbeds, or in jungles, to be sold to support their families. Large mining companies from continents afar, typically get law enforcement authorities to toss them off properties, using undo force. The management of many EEE’s do not care for the locals economic plight. They merely want the extracted mineralization at the lowest possible price [rather than ‘fair market value’]. Presently, more of the African governments are reviewing earlier mining agreements prior administrations contracted. They are finding rampant bribery to former government officials by mining companies. Furthermore, the monies attained were sent to bank accounts in Panama and elsewhere. This was the situation in Angola, for example. The citizens of the countries victimized were promised Gold, but given spoons plated with Chalcopyrite. The governments are demanding ‘Fair Market Value’ of the ores mined, not ‘Peanuts’ typically negotiated.

In northern India, artisanal riverbed rock miners have had a hard time to extract from various areas. They have decried the fact of being denied access to streams to engage in mining. Fortunately, it appears that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi, has heard of their issues and is getting ‘officialdom’ in the territory to examine the facts involved. One would expect no less of this gentleman.

Papua New Guinea, has vast mineral reserves, of which Gold is a priority of EEE’s. A problem in the country, of which there are a number, is the damage done to the rivers and streams due to contamination to the watershed. In fact, this is a expansive issue with Gold mining everywhere on Earth. ‘Heap Leaching’ is employed with Potassium Cyanide or Sodium Cyanide being sprayed over the extracted ore to release the Gold from the rock. Percolation into the soil is possible where voids are present in the ‘material liners’ on which the ore is dumped. Where percolation occurs, contamination can become widespread in the immediate vicinity. Also, if a crack develops in piping taking the ‘Pregnant Liquor’ to the ‘Carbon Trees’ for convergence of Gold Particles with wire ‘wool’ contained therein, contamination of the soil underneath is probable; fauna and flora are thereby jeopardized. ‘PNG’ citizens demand accountability of the EEE’s.

In Bolivia, the indigenous groups’ lands, of which the EEE’s have been or want to mine, are upset as to the terms of contracts that have been signed. They demand dissolution of the agreements and want new, ‘balanced and fair’ terms entered into. Again, it will take Bolivian Leaders with the integrity of a Indian Prime Minister Modi, to review the complaints. They need to get their bureaucrats to renegotiate equitable terms for the citizens of Bolivia in general, and the affected tribes specifically; rapprochement should occur. Since the “Seeds of Discord’ have been sown long ago, we think the possibility of hostilities are too important to not act decisively. Physical belligerence may soon happen, with all participants losing, as a result. We anticipate the Bolivian government will understand the grievances of the tribes and deal fairly with them as well as with EEE’s, so all parties ‘win’.

It has been demonstrated, companies mining in Russia, have gone to great lengths so landowners, neighbors, as well as the environment where mining is presently occurring, are satisfied. The wise Russians learned for experiences of years ago, as to the benefits of responsible mining. In fact, EEE’s in other countries of the world, should look at Russia’s mining ‘Horn of Plenty’: Siberia [for mining extraction and processing investment opportunities]. The resource riches of Siberia, other world leaders can only dream about.

Long-term rewards in Mining, are available to only be attained by the Wise.

Reality: Mining is a industry where ‘Good Business Opportunities on Solid Ground Are Discovered, May Be Located On Quick Sand: A Mirage Is, As A Mirage Does’.

Reference: https://www-lostiempos-com.translate.goog/actualidad/economia/20211016/indigenas-del-norte-paz-anuncian-movilizaciones-exigir-reformas-ley?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=nui

From The Smallest Of Mineral Grains, May Nations And People Prosper

In [Sri Lanka] Ceylon, as in all other parts of the world, Minerals of all elements and deposit sizes, may be imperiled by unenforced mining controls. We, who are in International Business in general, and having been involved in various mining activities in many countries specifically, have witnessed wanton waste and environmental destruction. These negatives of which we write, have been performed by local individuals, all the way to Foreign Corporate Interests [FCI’s], from other continents.

Common threads by the FCIs in their practices are: Destroying ‘Miner’s Monuments’; “Over-staking” properties; MINIMAL ‘Royalties Percentages’ to landowners; Non-payments (or tardy submissions) of royalties to landowners, thereafter; No property remediation after mining; Lacking insurance for deaths or injuries to miners working deposits; and no payments for fauna injuries and deaths in mining areas. We have seen it all.

On a smaller business scale, are individuals ‘usurping’ mineralization deposits with their ‘self-interest entrepreneurship’ of taking what they find [no matter who the property belongs (personal, local, state, or federal)]. They do this with no intentions of paying for their bounties through remissions to others and/or tax remunerations to governments.The sad thing which typically occurs, is the logarithmic damages to the environment flora and fauna. However, these individuals could care less.

To Sri Lanka’s, North, in India, it has been widely reported, and some of us have witnessed the the widespread damages that have occurred with “Bandit” ‘river-rocks’ mining activities. Without following prescribed permitting and regulation, substantial damages occur, especially in Spring run-offs in the affected areas.

In South America, rampant illicit [as well as poorly observed legal Gold mining operations] have torn up the land and contaminated ground-waters with Cyanide [used in ‘heap-leaching’]; this chemical contamination is long-lasting to the affected areas. These damages, some of us have observed ‘first-hand’.

In Australia, a recent “Culturally Blasphemous“ incident occurred with both government as well as mining company executives allowing for detonations which destroyed some of the aborigines’ property. Apparently both groups were in need of education as to “Explosives Potentials” as well as “Cultures Respect”. The damage done is permanent; monetary redress is only a partial substitute, we maintain.

It appears very obvious to all of us, in our varied geographic locations that: Government leaders need to understand the financial benefits to their jurisdictions and nation with mining operations; Funding for enforcement activities should be advanced; Miners should realize they must follow the rules of mineral removals; Remediation must occur to the properties following mining activities; Land-owners must be paid a appropriate and fair percentage of that wealth which they are losing by mineral subtractions on their property; Taxes MUST BE PAID for this process to work.

We certainly realize that the “Mining Horn Of Plenty” SIBERIA [with Mineral Riches beyond belief], is avariciously looked at by Foreign Governments and their Intelligence Agencies. One can certainly understand others HUGE interest in this part of Russia. However, as to Moscow’s Wise Leadership, one can assume, understands ‘Wolves bleating as though they are Sheep’. Foreigners, as they have historically had learned, or will learn: “The Strong Bear Protects It Turf With A Ferocity No Sane Man Wants To Endure.”

Reality: There can be NO SOCIETY without “Mining”. It is Man’s incipient activity, which precedes all that endures physically in nations.

Reference: https://ceylontoday.lk/news/bureaucracy-lack-of-resources-let-sand-miners-off

Australian Bureaucrats, In A Short Span Of Time, Allowed 46,000 Years Of Culture To Be Devastated

When a mining company wanted to engage in site development, it obtained the proper certification from the Australian government. The problem is that the bureaucrats in the government did NOT properly engage in ‘Due Diligence’; this, in assessing the effects of the intended actions of the mining company applicant. Negligently, they approved its permit. The explosives detonated, during site development, collapsed the Aborigines sacred caves; artifacts were destroyed. Unfortunately, 46,000 years of culture went up in smoke, due to the explosives’ forces. .

It appears that the Federal Government of Australia is re-thinking the entire Permit Process on Indigenous lands; this is good. Another large mining company, apparently understood the tragedy of the damage due to ‘Bureaucrat Inefficiency’ and lack of cultural cognizance. This new applicant must now carefully proceed with its intended mining activities. Since mining companies want to engage in resources extractions, with NO intentions of destroying cultures, they ALL must heed the opinions of those who own the land; this, if they want to mine successfully therein.

We love mining and understand the arduous nature of this ‘beast’; one which can be very unforgiving to those ‘plying the ground [above or below]’. It is our opinions that in evaluating a possible site, beyond the topography, core and seismic evaluations, mining executives MUST consider: the flora, fauna, and “Occupant Culture”. That which existed and/or exists, must be entered into the investment equation. This, even if it adds expenses to a potential operation.

Land remediation should also be duly costed into a potential project. It behooves EVERY mining operation to leave a mine site similar to what it was, before even core samples were obtained. Good “Community Will’ is priceless for a successful business. The smell of a bad reputation exceeds the location of the ‘business corpse’.

Reality: There is NO substitute for Integrity, an asset which can only be earned, never purchased.

Reference: https://www.brazilsun.com/news/265435162/australian-indigenous-groups-vow-to-protect-sacred-sites-from-mining