(Chief Editor Mining Report Glückauf)
Editorial
The present issue marks the start of Mining Report Glückauf’s second year of publication since its re-acquisition by the German Coal Association. Looking back over 2015 it can be said that the decision to introduce thematic categories, as well as to devote a special section to ISSA Mining and place a greater focus on non coal mining themes, has proved to be the right one. This has been confirmed not only by the positive trend in subscriber numbers but also through individual comments that have come from our readership. We would of course be very pleased if more readers could let us know what they think about the makeup and content of the magazine and what they expect from the editorial team. This can best be done by visiting our website (www.mining-report.de).
The focus of this issue of Mining Report is on mining regions that have played a major role at international level for many years and others that have real potential for the future. Canada has enjoyed a long tradition as a mining nation and we shall be looking at developments in the ‘Ring of Fire’ in the Province of Ontario and discussing what kind of conditions investors and mining suppliers can expect from an involvement in this area. Russia, which has been a traditional mining market for some years, is now in the midst of an economic recession that is also affecting the mining industry and the coal sector. This situation is exacerbated by the political sanctions being imposed by the West as a consequence of Russia’s policy towards Ukraine. Yet in spite of these difficulties the Russian government remains intent on pushing ahead with an expansion of coal production.
Turkey is an important future market for the mining sector and we shall be reviewing the prospects for mining operations in that region, with the focus on coal extraction. Another mining country with real potential is Mongolia and we also include a paper outlining the latest developments in that region and the various measures of support now being provided.
No overseas project commitment is possible without secure financing. We will be discussing what kind of players are now active in the commodities financing sector and will be examining the different forms of capital that can be used for specific project phases.
And of course we will not be leaving mining technology out of the equation. Interesting developments that could well help reduce operating costs include a measurement and metering system for coal-face hydraulic fluids and new methods of ore processing.
Finally I come to the ISSA Mining section: This includes a look back at the International Mining Rescue Body Conference held in Hanover in September 2015 along with a description of one particular safety management system that could serve the international project industry very well in its efforts to meet occupational safety and environmental protection requirements.
With my best regards
Dipl.-Ing. Andreas-Peter Sitte
Chief Editor Mining Report Glückauf, Herne