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The article discusses a major new fluorite discovery at the Blanchard mine in New Mexico in March 2023. The Hansonburg mining district, where the mine is located, has a rich history of mineral mining dating back to the late 19th century. The recent discovery of large fluorite specimens, including the impressive "Museum Plate," has generated significant interest among mineral collectors and researchers. The recovery of the massive "Blanchard Beast" specimen from the Eagle's Nest Pocket in 2023 was a remarkable feat, showcasing the potential for continued production of high-quality mineral specimens from the mine. [Extracted from the article]

The Little St. Francis River and its tributaries drain metals-contaminated areas of the Madison County Mines National Priority List Superfund site (MCM) which was designated in 2003 to facilitate remediation of metals contamination within the MCM. One concern for natural resource trustees in the MCM is the potential effects of elevated metals concentrations on the federally threatened St. Francis River crayfish, Faxonius quadruncus, which has a geographic range that is limited to the St. Francis River watershed. A survey of riffle-dwelling crayfish, in-situ cage study, and laboratory toxicity tests were conducted to assess the effects of mining-derived metals on F. quadruncus and other crayfish species in the MCM. Crayfish densities were significantly greater at sites upstream of metals releases from historical mining (henceforth mining releases) compared to densities at sites downstream of mining releases, and metals concentrations in whole-body crayfish, surface water, sediments, macroinvertebrates, fish, and plant material were greater at sites downstream of mining releases compared to sites upstream of mining releases. Crayfish densities were also negatively correlated with consensus-based adverse effects indices, expressed as surface-water toxic units and sediment probable effects quotients. Decreased growth and increased mortality during cage and laboratory studies were likely due to exposure to, and subsequently uptake of, elevated concentrations of metals. Crayfish in all studies were found to bioaccumulate metals, which supports their utility as bioindicators of metals contamination. Study results show that elevated metals concentrations associated with mining releases in the MCM continue to adversely affect biota, including the federally threatened F. quadruncus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This paper presents the interdisciplinary investigation (archaeology, geochemistry, history) of a medieval silver and lead production site located in southern France, in the Minier valley (Occitanie, Aveyron, Le‐Viala‐du‐Tarn). In order to identify the production sites, in situ geochemical surveys were carried out using a portable X‐ray fluorescence spectrometer and differential GPS, guided on the analysis of medieval archival sources. The cartographic representation of the metal concentrations in the surface horizons shows significant enrichment of zinc and lead in the vicinity of the mines. This first type of enrichment makes it possible to highlight the activities of separation of sphalerite and silver‐bearing galena. The galena thus isolated on the hillsides is then transported to the vicinity of watercourses, where it is crushed, washed, and smelted. These secondary activities result in a last type of enrichment in which only lead is found in large quantities. The cross‐referencing of the information made it possible to overcome the challenges related to the location of the mineral processing workshops, which were often invisible on the surface. The medieval workshops have been located and a function suggested, outlining the first trends in the spatial and social division of labour and providing a solid corpus for future archaeological excavations. Finally, this study highlights the persistence of significant metal contamination in the soils of a rural valley and encourages the consideration of former mining areas when examining the environmental impact of metal production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the emergence and development of mining history societies and their role in promoting mining history and mining museums. These societies, comprised mostly of non-academic enthusiasts, have played a significant role in organizing field meets, publishing research activities, and maintaining the integrity of mining sites. The article highlights the formation of mining history societies in different countries, including England, Wales, Germany, France, Japan, North and South America, and Australia. It also emphasizes the importance of these societies in keeping the subject accessible to the wider public and avoiding academic obscurity. However, these societies are facing challenges, with declining membership numbers and an aging membership base. The changing popular perception of mining as a negative industry and a lack of interest from younger generations are contributing to the decline. The future of mining history societies may depend on attracting new, younger academics and finding ways to adapt to a changing intellectual environment. [Extracted from the article]

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This study aimed to determine the amount of As and Pb in the water in the Meoqui-Delicias' aquifer and their spatiotemporal dynamics. Twenty-one water sampling points were selected. Seventeen samples were from wells and four were from surface water; two were used for human consumption and the rest for agricultural use. The samples were taken from May 2019 to January 2020 in four sampling events, one for each climatological season of the year. The studied geochemical anomalies seem to be linked to the nature and mechanism of volcanic emplacement. Several samples exhibited high concentrations of arsenic ranging from 1.20 to 156.54 ppb, unlike lead, with low values being the maximum value of 26.32 ppb. These elements (As and Pb) are in the water in Naica, part of the mining district where tons of Au, Ag, Pb, Cu, and Zn were obtained. From a geographical standpoint, it is impossible to establish that these elements are related, even though these elements (As and Pb) are present in the water in Naica, a mining zone where tons of Au and Ag were historically mined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Songbirds incidentally ingest soil contaminated with lead and several species in the Southeast Missouri Lead Mining District have a negative relationship between soil lead concentration and reproduction. We used an individual-based model (IBM) to simulate nesting processes throughout the breeding season to estimate annual productivity for 5 songbirds in relation to soil-lead concentration. We modeled daily nest survival and number fledged in relation to soil lead and incorporated these relationships into the IBM using a Bayesian approach that fully captured parameter uncertainty and process variation. The proportion of the posterior distribution for the effect of soil lead on daily nest survival was mostly negative for Pipilo erythrophthalmus (Eastern Towhee), Passerina cyanea (Indigo Bunting), Cardinalis cardinalis (Northern Cardinal), Sialia sialis (Eastern Bluebird; f = 0.972, 0.990, 0.741, 0.581, respectively), and slightly positive for Spizella pusilla (Field Sparrow; f = 0.680). The proportion of the posterior distribution for the effect of soil lead on the number fledged from successful nests was mostly negative for S. pusilla , P. erythrophthalmus , and C. cardinalis (f = 0.867, 0.585, 0.508, respectively) and positive for P. cyanea and S. sialis (f = 0.773, 0.744). Simulated annual productivity decreased by 0.04–1.47 young/female/year among species across the range of soil lead concentrations, with the greatest declines for P. erythrophthalmus and P. cyanea. The probability of fledging one or more young changed from 51% to 15% for P. erythrophthalmus , 57% to 23% for P. cyanea , 60% to 48% for C. cardinalis , 94% to 84% for S. sialis , and 57% to 64% for S. pusilla as soil-lead concentration around a nest increased from 20 to 4,000 ppm. Most nest failures were the result of predation; therefore, we suggest lead may have affected birds' behavior at the nest, or affected nest site quality, which resulted in higher nest predation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mine exploitation has led to the rangeland's destruction. In this study, the phytoremediation of Pb-contaminated soils by Chrysypogon zizanioides was investigated in the soil around the lead mine of Lashkar region, located in Malayer county. In the initial measurement, the amount of soil Pb contamination in the rangeland was estimated to be 600 milligrams per kilogram of dry soil. By evaluating the environmental effects of lead in the region, the coefficients of geoaccumulation index, pollution degree, and potential ecological risk were observed in the infinite to very high range. The research was conducted in a completely randomized design with 4 Pb pollution levels (0, 300, 600, and 1600 mg/kg) in 4 replications in the greenhouse of Malayer University for 130 days. At the end of the period, lead concentration in soil, root, shoot, BCF bioaccumulation index, TF transfer coefficient, shoot, and root productivity in vetiver plants were measured. The results showed the increasing effect of soil Pb concentration on the amount of root and shoot Pb concentrations. At the level of 1600 mg/kg contamination, the Pb concentration in the shoot and root reached 242.94 and 242.02 mg/kg, respectively. At most levels of contamination except the level of 1600 mg/kg, the BCF indicators in the root and shoot and the TF coefficient were less than one. TF <1 indicates the lack of high concentration of Pb in harvesting organs and the health of the aerial production. So, vetiver is recommended for the rangeland reclamation in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the book "Before Gold: The Northampton Mineral District 1846-1880" by J.M.R. Cameron, which explores the forgotten early history of the mining industry in Western Australia. The book highlights the efforts of early colonists to develop the mining industry, particularly in copper and lead mining, as a means of economic salvation. However, the industry faced numerous challenges including lack of capital, underdeveloped infrastructure, natural disasters, and a shortage of labor and expertise. Despite some moments of hope, the overall development of the mining industry in the Northampton area was slow and ultimately unsuccessful. The book provides valuable insights into this lesser-known period of Western Australian mining history. [Extracted from the article]

In the watersheds of abandoned mining districts, it is common to find remains of former facilities and waste dams on stream banks and slopes—a situation that results in the transport and accumulation of metal(loid)s in alluvial deposits. To analyze this problem, an area of the former mining district of Linares–La Carolina (southern Spain) was selected to evaluate the contents and distributions of Ag, As, Ba, Cu, and Pb as potentially toxic elements (PTEs) found in the mineral paragenesis. Specifically, this study focused on the Siles Stream, which runs through a sector where underground mining for the exploitation of galena veins generated abundant mining wastes, mainly waste rock and tailings. Thirty-four sediment samples from the stream bed of the Siles Stream and two sediment samples from the Guadiel River, of which it is a tributary, were analyzed. Floodplain sediments were sampled in the stream banks at the middle and lower reaches (11 samples), as well as the riverine soils developed at the mouth of the Siles Stream (22 samples). The analyzed samples presented high levels of PTEs, in most cases with values much higher than the generic reference levels established by European and regional legislation for PTEs in soils. In the case of Pb, the main metal mined in this district, contents of up to 27,074 mg·kg−1 were observed in the stream bed sediments. Very high concentrations of Pb also appeared in the floodplain sediments, with maximum values in the middle course of the stream, where the concentration reached 43,692 mg·kg−1. With respect to the sediments of the Guadiel river bed, the Pb content was 699 mg·kg−1 before the confluence with the stream and 2537 mg·kg−1 downstream, which clearly reflects the influence of the contributions from the Siles Stream. The enrichment factors (EFs) show that the sediments present a severe to very severe anthropogenic influence for Ag, As, Ba, Cu, and Pb. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) indicates that the entire basin is extremely polluted by Pb, to which As and Ag are added in the middle course of the stream. The potential ecological risk index (RI) and pollution load index (PLI) based on the contamination factor (CF) suggested that metal loads far exceeded the reference values. Selective chemical extraction methods were used to assess the potential bioavailability of these elements in sediment and soil samples. The results showed high concentrations of Pb in the exchangeable fraction, which poses a significant ecological risk and potential human health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ozarks watersheds have responded to land clearing and settlement disturbances by transporting large amounts of gravel and sediment to main valleys of medium-large river systems. Historical gravel and sediment accumulate in disturbance zones, which are areas of excessive channel activity that can be detected over time using historical aerial photographs. This project uses a series of aerial photos from 1937–2018 to identify disturbance zones in the Big River of southeast Missouri, which has a history of lead mining and ore processing that has caused widespread contamination of the channel and floodplain deposits. Variations in active areas of the historical meander belt show that disturbance zones account for 24 percent of the channel length at an interval of one per 2.5 km of channel. Megabars and extensions are the most prominent types of disturbance zones, but translations and cutoffs are larger with higher potential for sediment storage. From 1937 to 1976, areas of channel activity have cycled between expansion and contraction. However, after a period of recovery prior to 1976, disturbance zone areas have been expanding over the last 40 years likely in response to an increase in flood magnitude and frequency from more high intensity rainfall events since 1973. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fort Roberdeau was a lead mine in central Pennsylvania during the period of the American Revolution. Scant information exists on the original position of the fort, the location of mining activity in the area during the period of the Revolution, or artifacts from this period. Subsequent farming, mining exploration, and the placement of the current replica fort (erected 1976) obscure the landform and hinder identification of Revolutionary-period mining activities. As a means of locating where the mining activities occurred and the original position of the fort, this study integrates historical, geological, geophysical, geochemical, geomorphological, and archaeological data. Geological mapping identified potential areas of past mining, and geophysical resistivity surveys verified at least one Revolutionary-period mine, since the location and dimensions of the subsurface anomaly match historical records. The positions of period metallic artifacts in conjunction with a road and corner of the original fort (identified with LiDAR and thermal imagery) place the original fort near the current replica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the shared mining heritage between Australia and Linares, Spain, focusing on the efforts of the Colectivo Proyecto Arrayanes. The Colectivo has recognized the international significance of their mining landscape and culture, particularly the influence of British mining companies and the presence of Cornish miners. They have conducted research, enhanced the value of their mining heritage, and established connections with other organizations dedicated to mining heritage. The Colectivo has pursued World Heritage status for their mining district and participated in international conferences to exchange knowledge. The article also discusses the history of mining in Linares, the lack of preservation compared to Australia, and ongoing efforts to protect and promote the mining landscape as a cultural and tourism resource. Various initiatives and actions related to mining heritage in Linares are mentioned, including the recognition of good practices, the opening of an interpretation center, and plans for underground visits and the adaptation of a tunnel for cultural and tourist purposes. The importance of mutual knowledge and cooperation in developing mining heritage is emphasized, as well as the potential economic benefits. [Extracted from the article]

This article investigates the socioeconomic contexts of Wordsworth's Peter Bell in relation to Peter's 'profession' – to use Wordsworth's term, when he wrote that first among the 'great defects' of Coleridge's Ancient Mariner is that the protagonist 'has no distinct character ... in his profession of Mariner'. Peter Bell is a 'potter'; Wordsworth's footnote to the 1819 first edition defines this as 'a hawker of earthenware'. Modern scholarship accepts the northern definition of potter as 'pedlar', effacing the connection to pottery. Yet evidence in the poem suggests that Wordsworth understood the socioeconomic contexts of the poem's Swaledale setting in 1798–1800, with particular knowledge of the area's role as the heart of Britain's lead-mining industry. Peter's presence in Swaledale links him, through his 'professions', to lead mining in the Pennines; and through lead mining, to the Staffordshire pottery industry and Wordsworth and Coleridge's friends and patrons, Tom Wedgwood and Josiah Wedgwood II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an overview of modern studies on the assessment of the state and management of the quality of atmospheric air in mining deposits. It is estimated that more than 8,100 ore tailings are formed worldwide with a discharge volume of 10 billion m³. The Global Assessment of Pb-Zn Mineral Resources found that the mining and processing of ore in 67 countries, with an average grade of 0.44% Pb and 1.20% Zn, has given rise to a number of environmental problems, the most acute of which is related to air pollution. However, a large amount of waste from Pb-Zn mines is disposed without proper management in tailings, which are potentially dangerous due to exposure to oxidants and weather conditions, such as the eolian effect. Numerous studies unequivocally indicate that pollution of the surface layer of the atmosphere is the most powerful, constantly acting factor influencing humans, the food chain and the environment. In industrialized countries, the optimal combination of the amount of atmospheric pollution and the degree of protection against it is the air quality management system, in accordance with the principles of Environmental Impact Assessment. The review describes the existing methods and technologies for managing dust and gas pollution of atmospheric air at mining enterprises. It is shown that when assessing atmospheric pollution, it is advisable to use, instead of individual meteorological elements, complex parameters that characterize a specific meteorological situation and conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the operating costs of exploiting underground mines is related to ventilation operations. The development of the underground mining network during the process of mining and the necessity for additional excavations, will require a repeatedly redesign of the ventilation plan. Excavating the waste pass in the Anguran underground lead and zinc mine and expanding new ways to transfer cement filling requisites from the surface, necessitates a comprehensive reassessment of the ventilation network plan. The present research aims to analyze the efficiency of the mine ventilation network through simulation with considering the effects of waste pass based on the consequences of natural ventilation. For this purpose, based on the assessment conducted on the needed parameters of the underground development plan, the required airflow intensity of this mine was 57.5 m3/sec and the air pressure drop was estimated to be a value of 116.79 millimeters of the hydrological column. The dataset related to underground mine network was imported into the Ventsim software. Furthermore, the simulation and delineation of each branch have been included as well. Subsequently, considering the benefits of natural ventilation within different seasons, various placements of the primary fan were analyzed in accordance with the positioning of the mine entrance and air passages. Ultimately, an optimal ventilation design was proposed. The investigation of modeling natural ventilation comprised two distinct phases: pre-excavation of waste/ore pass and post-excavation. This study was conducted using Ventsim software, considering variables such as temperature, pressure, and varying levels of humidity. Based on the outcomes of the simulation, the mining network necessitates a minimum natural ventilation flow of 14 m3/sec during the winter season, leading to energy savings of 16.02 Kwh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

William Smith (1769–1839) chose large scale topographic manuscript maps for recording his field observations. Those for the northeastern counties of Durham and Northumberland were at one inch to the mile. They were made by Andrew Armstrong, and published in 1768 and 1769, respectively. The copies acquired by Smith, and colored and annotated by him, are the only early large–scale manuscript maps to have survived. They offer a rare insight into how he carried out fieldwork in counties that were unfamiliar to him, as he began work on what would become his celebrated map of England and Wales with Part of Scotland, first published in 1815. The Durham map has a near complete delineation of the strata, but the Northumberland map has little more than an outline. The stratum Millstone Grit was added on both maps, and the 'stratum' Whinstone on the Northumberland map. These were omitted from Smith's 1815 map. On each map, Armstrong plotted lead mines and coal mines then operating. Smith made use of these, particularly on the Northumberland manuscript map. Armstrong gave names to several features on his Northumberland map, which hinted at some mining activity there. This did not escape Smith's notice. In 1821 Smith, and his nephew John Phillips, began a fresh survey of northern England for the county maps that would form part VI of Smith's New Geological Atlas. Some information was carried over from the early manuscript maps to later manuscript maps, for which the topographic county maps by John Cary were the base maps. This included some of the geological information that Armstrong had printed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The obituary in "Rocks & Minerals" pays tribute to the life and contributions of Dr. George Willard Robinson (1946–2024), a respected figure in the field of mineralogy. Dr. Robinson's extensive career spanned from being a field collector to a curator at various institutions, where he amassed a wealth of knowledge in mineralogy and crystallography. His significant publications, contributions to museum exhibits, and professional service have left a lasting impact on the field. Dr. Robinson's legacy is honored through various accolades and the dedication of the George W. Robinson Mineralogy Laboratory. [Extracted from the article]

Unregulated metal mining mobilises high volumes of waste sediments to river systems within impacted catchments, increasing sediment yields, contaminating floodplain stores, and profoundly altering long-term patterns of channel planform evolution. However, quantifying the actual scale of historical mine sediment production and dispersal remains a significant challenge, due largely to the variable quality, character and availability of disparate datasets relating to past mining operations. In this study, we reconstruct anthropogenic sediment production associated with historical lead mining between 1700 and 1948 for a globally significant orefield in the North Pennines, UK, that includes the headwater catchments of two major river systems: the River South Tyne and the River Tees. Using a range of interdisciplinary methods including digital terrain analyses and ore-to-waste sediment scaling ratios, we find that mining produced 4.4 × 105 t of lead ore during the study period, but also mobilised an estimated 7.2 × 106 t of associated waste sediment. Approximately 67 % of this waste sediment cannot be accounted for within extant anthropogenic sediment storage landforms within the catchment areas. Surface working using managed water supply (hushing) was the key sediment production process, with 64 % of waste sediment originating from surficial hushing but only 36 % from subterranean mining. The high connectivity of hushes with river channels resulted in minimal (<1 %) long-term sediment storage in the form of hush outwash fans. We find pronounced spatial and temporal variability in legacy sediment production and storage, which has important implications for understanding reach-scale patterns of channel response to historic mining operations. • Historical mines represent key sediment source locations within impacted catchments • 85 % of the excavated mass from historical mining is generated as waste sediment • The majority of mine waste (67 %) is likely to have entered the major river systems • Surface working using water (hushing) was the primary sediment production process [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mine and a Pb–Zn flotation plant operated in the Northeast of Brazil until 1993 and about 4.5 million tons of untreated tailings were disposed of in a dam. The chemical analyses of the tailings indicate that the major constituents are Fe, Si, Mg, and Ca. The toxic metals(oids) content are: Pb 1.3%, Zn 1.3%, Cu 135 mg/kg, Cd 127 mg/kg, and As 5 mg/kg. The mineralogical analysis shows that the major phase is composed of minerals from the amphibole group, more specifically cummingtonite, actinolite, and tremolite, which are all fibrous silicates defined as asbestos. Electron probe microanalysis and synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy show sulfide mineral weathering. The Pb bearing compounds in the tailings are a mixture of cerussite and anglesite. The leaching tests show strong leaching of Cd, Pb, and Zn. It indicates they might be a relevant source of toxic metals and fibers that can have a significant effect on the local population's health due to water and air contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unusually large, steep-sided gullies and gorges incised into bedrock at Coldberry Gutter and Pike Law in Teesdale in the North Pennines are traditionally associated with 'hushing', a hydraulic mining process designed to gain access to lead-bearing veins. However, it is difficult to reconcile the size and form of these features, as well as the bedrock geology, entirely with a hushing origin. Instead, it is proposed that these landforms originated naturally on valley sides and interfluves through a combination of karstification, spring sapping, steephead evolution, fluvial slope channel enlargement, landsliding and meltwater channel erosion, which preferentially developed in fault and mineralised zones. The practices of hushing and quarrying then targeted the natural bedrock exposures for the extraction of visible mineralised materials, which were small and locally workable orebodies that would likely have led the way to the discovery of much more substantial mineralised ground and then subsequent adit excavation in adjoining areas. Large numbers of leats and hushing dams were constructed above and around Coldberry Gutter and Pike Law and were used to enlarge some engineered trenches/gullies (hushes), but were mostly too small to account for the excavation of the substantial volumes of bedrock necessary to create the largest incisions. Volume calculations on the alluvium located at the base of the incisions, likely to contain all the waste rock from the hushing process, are also incompatible with the total sizes of the proposed excavations; additional rock waste contained in spoil tips are composed of material excavated directly from adits within the gulleys and gorges. It appears that engineered reservoirs and leats were employed mostly to clear out waste material, wash processed rock and contribute to hydro-power activities in the larger gullies and gorges. Some of the most intensive hushing activity is in the surficial (Late Pleistocene and Holocene) deposits laid down by glaciation and postglacial fluvial processes, suggesting that it was employed also as a placer mining technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An alleged ancient lead anchor stock core of Mediterranean design, which had spent many years under the stairs in the lobby leading to the bar at Fort Bovisand, was transferred to Plymouth City Museum in May 2010. Due to the possible overlap of British and Mediterranean lead isotope ratios, it was decided to refrain from sample extraction and provenance analysis. With reference to typological and historical data, particularly comparable artefact discoveries from in and outside of the Mediterranean as well as the absence of evidence for significant lead exploitation before the Roman Conquest, this article will argue that the object is probably not British.

The supply of coins and their metal materials is important for state governance. Many details about the monetary supply network in ancient China still need to be verified. In this paper, 15 early Tang dynasty Kaiyuan Tongbao 開元通寶 coins excavated from the Lafu Queke 拉甫却克 cemetery, Hami 哈密 city, were studied by combining scientific analyses (PXRF and MC-ICP-MS etc.) with the archaeological context and historical texts. The results show that all of these coins are made of Cu-Sn–Pb ternary alloy. The lead isotopes match with the isotopic signatures of some southwest China lead mines consistent with historical records, 14 coins are located in the range of Southern China geochemical province, and the lead of 5 coins could be considered as highly radiogenic lead (HRL). Combining these results with the archaeological context and historical texts, it can be inferred that the coins minted in southwest China were made from locally exploited raw metal, and supplied to the northwest borderland of the Tang dynasty in the seventh century CE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of written sources and the difficulties of establishing close chronologies from archaeological material mean that it is difficult to identify initiatives other than the commissioning of Hadrian's Wall that can confidently be attributed either to the emperor's visit to Britain in 122 or to his reign more generally. However, the early second century presents several archaeological proxies which point to a quickening of economic activity integrating the frontiers of Wales and the north of Britain with the civil zone of the south. Developments in the countryside hint at the growth of larger estates, including the emergence of larger, 'complex' farms, villages and better communications, together assuring the province's sustained ability to feed both military and civilian populations. At the same time there is evidence for public building across the towns of the south, especially of forum basilicas, which may be linked to administrative reforms including the establishment of new civitates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of surface waters of the Przemsza River flowing through Upper Silesia (in southern Poland) is strongly affected by Zn and Pb ore, and less by Carboniferous hard coal deposits. The chemical type of surface water is Ca-HCO3. In the waters, three groups of metals and metalloids were found that directly interfere with the mineralization of the deposit. Although genetically related to the same deposit, each group exhibits a different fate in the environment. A typical deposit association is Pb-Zn-Ag-As-Sb-Hg. The first group of metals in surface waters is consistent with the typical association of the ore Zn-Pb-Cd-(Tl), the second includes Ag-Sb-Hg, and the third includes the additives in the zinc and lead ore Co-Ni-Mo-Mn: ... Depending on the pH-Eh conditions, metals and metalloids precipitate out of the solution or sorb on solid particles. The concentrations of individual groups of metals are interdependent but show different environmental fates along the river course. The natural process of the enrichment of surface waters with Zn-Pb-Cd-(Tl) is by water circulation in a rock matrix naturally rich in the metals and draining groundwaters by the river. Under oxidizing and slightly alkaline conditions, Ag-Sb-Hg incorporated into the soluted chemical compounds, may, when the physicochemical parameters of the waters change, be adsorbed and/or precipitated. The presence and ratio of concentrations of Co-Ni-Mo-Mn with respect to zinc are almost identical, differing only in concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin of the lead materials containing highly radiogenic lead (HRL) isotopes found in bronzes dating back to the 4th–2nd century BCE in Korea and Japan remains enigmatic. The lead isotope analysis conducted on 111 bronzes, slags, and lead ores from Shandong, China, has provided valuable insights into the establishment of the metal trade network in Northeast Asia. The findings reveal a notable transition in the source of lead material used in Shandong from the early to the middle and late Warring States periods. Initially, Shandong bronzes heavily relied on imported lead materials from Central China; however, during the middle and late Warring States periods, there was a shift towards the utilization of HRL (206Pb/204Pb range: 18.6–23.1) and lead with low 206Pb/204Pb ratios, which were uncommon in other regions of China contemporaneously. The isochron relationship (2.29 Ga) between the 207Pb/204Pb-206Pb/204Pb of the HRL bronzes from Shandong, Japan-Korea, and the HRL lead ores of the Xiliang lead mine in Yishui, Shandong, demonstrates a strong correlation, suggesting that the HRL metal materials prevalent in Northeast Asia during the 4th–2nd century BCE likely originated from the Tai-Yi Mountains in Shandong Province. • The origin of the lead materials used in Qi bronzes changed in the 4th centuries BC. • The Qi bronzes generally contain highly radiogenic lead. • HRL lead ore was discovered in Shandong for the first time. • HRL's findings suggest metal flows in Northeast Asia in the 4th to 2nd centuries BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive metal mining considerably altered many British upland landscapes between the 18th and 20th centuries, modifying both subterranean and surface environments and fundamentally changing the character of local settlements, infrastructure and society. However, our understanding of the landscape-scale patterns of development through time in mining districts is still limited. In this study, we take an interdisciplinary approach to understand the historical development of the mining industry within a nearly 200 km2 area of the North Pennines, UK. Our approach combines documentary and cartographic records, archaeological mapping, and geomorphological analysis of changes to the physical environment. We demonstrate pronounced spatio-temporal variability in the intensity of mining and the nature of associated landscape impacts. Production time series data indicate a widespread intensification of operations during the 18th century, with archaeological evidence suggesting that the environmentally destructive practice of hushing, a hydraulic mining technique, was also widespread during this period. The scale of ore production from subterranean mines increased considerably throughout the mid-19th century, before a rapid decline from the late 1800s onwards. The influence of large mining corporations reached into all aspects of the local economy and society; altering the settlement patterns, infrastructure and demographics of the area and shaping the finances, health and wellbeing of the miners and their families. The environmental and societal changes that accompanied the mining industry were profound, resulting in mining districts with a distinctive landscape character and legacy that persist to the present day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zhihe Copper Mine is located in the Lenglongling volcanic rock belt in the middle section of the North Qilian Tectonic Belt, and the copper mineralization is mainly endowed with basal volcanic rock (fine turquoise), accompanied by jet rock (jasper rock), and the ore type is mainly block copper ore, which belongs to the Cyprus type block sulphide deposit. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb was given a fine bluestone age of (457.1±2.8) Ma at the fixed year, indicating that the diagenetic age was late Ordovician. Fine turquoise TiO2The content (mass fraction, the same below) is 1.12% to 1.37%, between the island arc porphyry basalt and the ocean ridge basalt, strongly enriched with large ionic lithic elements, loss of Nb, Ta and other high field strength elements, similar to the island arc volcanic rock characteristics, while the rare earth element distribution pattern is flat light rare earth element loss characteristics, similar to the ridge basalt (N-MORB), its geochemical characteristics are between the island arc and the ridge basalt, indicating that its output is in the post-arc basin environment. The Ore-bearing volcanic rocks of the Zhihe Copper Mine are more natrified (Na2The O content is greater than 4%), indicating that the water-rock exchange reaction is strong, and the circulating convective hydrothermal system can be leached from the submarine volcanic rock to dissolve more metal into minerals, showing good mineralization potential. The Zhihe Cyprus type copper mine, together with the Yincan Black Ore type copper zinc lead mine, the Langlik sub-volcanic type copper mine, and the Maozang temple porphyry type copper molybdenum ore, which are also located in the Lenglongling volcanic rock belt, constitute the Ordovician arc-basin mineralization system [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining dumps, particularly inactive or abandoned mines located near makeshift mining towns, have significant environmental and social impacts. The Touissit-Boubker lead mine, operated for years by the Touissit Mining Company (CMT) and abandoned without rehabilitation, is an example of this socio-economic and environmental collapse. Large quantities of harmful solid waste containing clayey aggregates rich in lead sulphide have been dumped in dykes on the edge of the village of Touissit. These mining wastes were rewashed to extract galena causing a depletion of lead sulphide. The objective of this study is to evaluate the possibility of using washed mining waste as sandy aggregate for the manufacture of masonry mortar. Cylindrical mortar tests, made with various proportions of sand and mine waste were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and mechanical analysis by uni-axial compressive strength after curing for 3, 14, 28 and 60 days. The results obtained revealed that the mining waste consists of dolomite, quartz and clay. The dehydration rate of the mortar specimens is strongly affected by the amount of the waste added and the grain size. The mechanical strength of the mortar specimens mostly depends on the grain-size of the aggregates than on the amount of mine waste added. The microstructure of the mortar did not change when sand was replaced by mine waste of the same grain size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Big River, in the Old Lead Belt, southeast Missouri, experienced large-scale contamination of channel sediments and floodplain soils from over 200 years of lead mining pollution. Sediments of gravel bars downstream of mining in Big River are contaminated with Pb and Zn and have higher metal concentrations than upstream sites. Plants on these contaminated gravel bars are thus exposed to high metal concentrations and can accumulate metals. We measured multielement concentrations in leaves, branches, stems, and bark of American sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) from a contaminated and non-contaminated gravel bar in the Big River to determine the extent of metal accumulation in these trees. Element concentrations were 2–70 times higher in contaminated than non-contaminated tree parts. Contaminated sycamores were enriched with Cd, Co, Pb, and Tl in leaves; Cd, Na, Ni, Pb, Tl, and Zn in branches; Cd, Co, Pb, Tl, U, Zn, and Zr in stems; and Cd, Co, Ni, Pb, Tl, and Zn in bark (enrichment ratio >2). Contaminated bark accumulated higher concentrations of Ba, Cd, Co, Fe, Er, Ho, Li, Na, Ni, Pb, Tl, U, Zn, and Zr than other tree parts. Leaves had the highest P concentrations and the second highest concentrations of Ba, Fe, Li, Tl, U, Zn, and Zr after bark. Contaminated sycamores have the potential to disperse accumulated metals in the environment, particularly those in bark and leaves, as sycamores frequently shed these tree parts. After contaminated tree parts shed and become detritus, they can transfer accumulated metals from the sediment to food webs. The resulting detritus can change microbial and macroinvertebrate communities and subsequently inhibit decomposition in rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of the Islamic glass industry in Egypt is explored entirely through the chemical composition of Islamic glass coin weights dated between the seventh and twelfth centuries (they frequently bear the names of Egyptian officials), and recently analysed by the author and colleagues. Particularly interesting is the section on the possible existence of a specialized Mesopotamian production of high-quality colourless glass, which was used to manufacture luxury glass such as facet-cut vessels and which appears to have travelled over very long distances. However, to what extent the variations traced in the glass weights are representative of the whole Egyptian glass industry is difficult to say, as the author points out. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Anuario do Instituto de Geociencias is the property of Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Geociencias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Agro-Environment Science is the property of Journal of Agro-Environment Science Editorial Board and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

High concentrations of heavy metals in mine soil disturb the interactions between legumes and microorganisms leading to select strains adapted to these specific conditions. In this work, we analyzed the diversity of fifty strains isolated from Trifolium sp. nodules growing on Pb–Zn mine soil, in the Northeastern of Algeria and highlighted their potential symbiotic traits. The phylogeny of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed a high bacterial diversity with a predominance of non-rhizobial endophytes. The identified isolates belong to the thirteen following genera Cupriavidus, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Roseomonas, Paracoccus, Frondihabitans, Microbacterium, Kocuria, Providencia, Micrococcus and Staphylococcus. Regarding rhizobial strains, only isolates affiliated to Rhizobium genus were obtained. The symbiotic gene nodC and the nitrogen fixation gene nifH present showed that Rhizobium isolates belonged to the symbiovar trifolii. In addition to bacterial, one yeast strain was isolated and identified as Rhodotorula mucilaginosa by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Red Bird Crisis, also referred to as the Winnebago War. According to the author, violence as a way of life along the frontier in the Upper Midwest along with lead miners encroaching on the land of the Ho-Chunk, for whom lead was an important commodity, created growing tensions between the Native Americans and the white frontiersmen. It is also suggested that the crisis was the result of the Ho-Chunk's left over resentment from the War of 1812. The actions of the leader of the Ho-Chunk, Red Bird, and army officer William Whistler are also discussed.

Copyright of Revista Chapingo Serie Ciencias Forestales is the property of Universidad Autonoma Chapingo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article provides updates on various oil and gas developments in Africa. In Angola, Sonangol and Chevron's subsidiary signed contracts for the exploration of oil blocks in the Lower Congo Basin. In Congo, a Chinese company's oil exploration permit in a national park is causing concern for the ecosystem and local communities. Djibouti launched the construction of a new oil refinery, while Kenya received its first consignment of directly imported Ugandan fuel. Niger and Nigeria are also making strides in oil exploration and production. Senegal started oil production in its Sangomar offshore oil field, marking its entry into the oil industry. The article also mentions developments in coal, copper, graphite, lead, lithium, and uranium mining in Zimbabwe, DR Congo, Tanzania, Namibia, and Niger, respectively. [Extracted from the article]