Andal (community development block)

Andal (also spelled Ondal) is a community development block that forms an administrative division in Durgapur subdivision of Paschim Bardhaman district in the Indian state of West Bengal.
Geography.
Andal is located at .
Andal CD Block is part of the Ajay Damodar Barakar tract. This area is sort of an extension of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. It is a rocky undulating area with laterite soil, with the Ajay on the north, the Damodar on the south and the Barakar on the west. For ages the area was heavily forested and infested with plunderers and marauders. The discovery of coal, in the eighteenth century, led to industrialisation of the area and most of the forests have been cleared.
Andal CD Block is bounded by Pandabeswar CD Block on the north, Faridpur Durgapur CD Block on the east, Barjora CD Block, in Bankura district, on the south and Raniganj CD Block on the west.
Andal CD Block has an area of 84.87 km2. It has 1 panchayat samity, 8 gram panchayats, 146 gram sansads (village councils), 14 mouzas and 12 inhabited villages. Andal, Pandabeswar and Durgapur police stations serve this block. Headquarters of this CD Block is at Andal.
Singaran, a small stream about 35 km long has its origin near Ikra in the Jamuria area, flows past Topsi and Andal and joins the Damodar near Waria.
Gram panchayats of the Andal block, or panchayat samiti, are: Andal, Dakshin Khanda, Kajora, Khandra, Madanpur, Ramprosadpur, Srirampur and Ukhra.
Demographics.
Population.
As per the 2011 Census of India Ondal CD Block had a total population of 186,915, of which 35,611 were rural and 151,304 were urban. There were 98,149 (53%) males and 88,766 (47%) females. Population below 6 years was 20,893. Scheduled Castes numbered 52,518 (28.10%) and Scheduled Tribes numbered 7,628 (4.08%).
As per 2001 census, Andal block had a total population of 168,807, out of which 91,633 were males and 77,174 were females. Andal block registered a population growth of 9.47 per cent during the 1991-2001 decade. Decadal growth for Bardhaman district was 14.36 per cent. Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84 per cent. Scheduled castes at 54,611 formed around one-fourth the population. Scheduled tribes numbered 9,883.
Census Towns in Ondal CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Siduli (8,961), Khandra (15,383), Chak Bankola (part) (1,965), Ukhra (24,104), Mahira (4,188), Dakshin Khanda (8,449), Parashkol (part) (845), Kajora (27,275), Harishpur (8,980), Palashban (4,811), Dignala (13,633), Andal (gram) (6,177), Ondal (19,924) and Baska (6,609). Chak Bankola and Parashkol are partly in Andal CD Block and partly in Pandabeswar CD Block.
Large villages (with 4,000+ population) in Ondal CD Block are (2011 census figures in brackets): Bhadur (4,278), Madanpur (4,631) and Shrirampur (4,235).
Other villages in Ondal CD Block are (2011census figures in brackets): Mukundapur (2,913), Madhusudanpur (3,435), Gaidhoba (2,471), Dhandadihi (3,800), Madhabpur (2,216), Chak Rambati (1,557), Babuisol (1,941), Tamla (732) and Dhubchururia (3,402).(All villages included in 2011 census data are mentioned here. Other villages or localities, if any, are parts of these villages.)
Literacy.
As per the 2011 census, the total number of literates in Ondal CD Block was 128,254 (77.25% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 74,218 (85.02% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 54,036 (68.64% of the female population over 6 years). The gender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 16.38%.
As per 2001 census, Andal block had a total literacy of 72.01 per cent for the 6+ age group. While male literacy was 80.86 per cent female literacy was 61.36 per cent. Bardhaman district had a total literacy of 70.18 per cent, male literacy being 78.63 per cent and female literacy being 60.95 per cent.
See also – List of West Bengal districts ranked by literacy rate
Language and religion.
As per census definition, mother-tongue is the language spoken in childhood by the person's mother to the person. As a mother-tongue, Bengali has decreased its share from 82.3% of the population of Bardhaman district in 1961 to 79.9% in 2001, Hindi has increased its share from 8.5% in 1961 to 10.9% in 2001 Santali has remained steady at around 4.9% during the period, and Urdu has increased its share from 2.4% in 1961 to 2.6% in 2001. Other mother-tongues spoken in 2001 were: Odiya (0.3%), Punjabi (0.2%), Koda/Kora (0.2%), Telugu (0.1%), Bhojpuri (0.1%), Nepali (0.1%) and Kurukh/ Oraon (0.1%).
As of 2017, CD Block-wise/ other region-wise break-up of mother tongue is not available in census/ other official sources. There have been reports in the media about the Hindi speaking population being substantial in the Asansol (Lok Sabha constituency). Bardhaman district provided attractive livelihood opportunities for immigrants from Bihar/ Jharkhand.
According to the West Bengal Official Language Act 1961 and the West Bengal Official Language (Amendment Act) 2012, the Bengali language is to be used for official purposes in the whole of West Bengal. In addition to Bengali, the Nepali language is to be used for official purposes in the three hills subdivisions, namely Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong, in the district of Darjeeling, and Urdu is to be used for official purposes in district/subdivision/ block/ municipality where the population speaking Urdu exceeds 10% of the total population. The English language will continue to be used for official purposes as it was being used prior to the enactment of these laws.
The West Bengal Official Language (Second Amendment) Bill, 2012, included Hindi, Santhali, Odiya and Punjabi as official languages if it is spoken by a population exceeding 10 per cent of the whole in a particular block or sub-division or a district. Subsequently, Kamtapuri, Rajbanshi and Kurmali were also included in the list of minority languages by the West Bengal Official Language (Second Amendment) Bill, 2018.However, as of 2019, there is no official / other reliable information about the areas covered.
In the 2011 census Hindus numbered 169,195 and formed 90.52% of the population in Ondal CD Block. Muslims numbered 16,240 and formed 8.69% of the population. Christians numbered 472 and formed 0.25% of the population. Others numbered 1,008 and formed 0.54% of the population.
Rural poverty.
As per poverty estimates obtained from household survey for families living below poverty line in 2005, rural poverty in Andal CD Block was 18.35%.
Economy.
Livelihood.
In Andal CD Block in 2011, amongst the class of total workers, cultivators numbered 1,296 and formed 2.19% of the total workers, agricultural labourers numbered 2,026 and formed 3.43%, household industry workers numbered 1,507 and formed 2.55% and other workers numbered 54,302 and formed 91.83%. Total workers numbered 59,131 and formed 31.64% of the total population, and non-workers numbered 127,784 and formed 68.36% of the population.
The coalmines are spread across the Andal, Pandaveswar, Raniganj, Jamuria, Barabani and Salanpur region, including municipal areas. Livelihood in this region is coal-centred. The area does not produce much of agricultural products. Overall work participation rate, and female work participation rate, in the mining area are low. Interestingly the work participation rate in the predominantly agricultural rural areas of erstwhile Bardhaman district is higher than in the predominantly urbanised mining area. Human development in the mining area does not at all look good. However, in the composite livelihood index the mining area performs much better than the non-mining areas of erstwhile Bardhaman district. The decadal (1991-2001) change in composition of workers shows the growing pressure of population growth, as well as of migrants from adjacent Jharkhand.
Infrastructure.
All 14 or 100% of mouzas in Andal CD Block were electrified by 31 March 2014.
All 14 mouzas in Andal CD Block had drinking water facilities in 2013-14. There were 14 fertiliser depots, 8 seed stores and 55 fair price shops in the CD Block.
Coal mining.
Purushattompur open cast project in Bankola Area of Eastern Coalfields has a mineable reserve of 8 million tonnes.
Siduli opencast project in Kenda Area of Eastern Coalfields has a mineable reserve of 9.70 million tonnes.
Banbahai open cast project in Kenda area of Eastern Coalfields has a mineable reserve of 5.26 million tonnes.
Amongst the mines of Eastern Coalfields selected for introduction of mass production technology with the installation of the continuous miner are: Siduli UG (1.02 million tonnes year), Shankarpur UG (1.163 mty), Naba Kajora Madabpur (1.08 mty) and Parasea-Belbaid UG (1.83 mty).
See also – Bankola Area, Kajora Area and Kenda Area of Eastern Coalfields
Agriculture.
Although the Bargadari Act of 1950 recognised the rights of bargadars to a higher share of crops from the land that they tilled, it was not implemented fully. Large tracts, beyond the prescribed limit of land ceiling, remained with the rich landlords. From 1977 onwards major land reforms took place in West Bengal. Land in excess of land ceiling was acquired and distributed amongst the peasants. Following land reforms land ownership pattern has undergone transformation. In 2013-14, persons engaged in agriculture in Andal CD Block could be classified as follows: bargadars 17.10%, patta (document) holders 38.31%, small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 1.47%, marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 11.83% and agricultural labourers 31.29%.
In 2003-04 net cropped area in Andal CD Block was 1,551 hectares and the area in which more than one crop was grown was 1,275 hectares.
In 2013-14, Andal CD Block produced 3,060 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop, from 1,196 hectares and 7 tonnes of wheat from 5 hectares. It also produced pulses and oilseeds.
Banking.
In 2013-14, Andal CD Block had offices of 8 commercial banks.
Transport.
Andal CD Block has 8 originating/ terminating bus routes.
The Bardhaman-Asansol section, which is a part of Howrah-Gaya-Delhi line, Howrah-Allahabad-Mumbai line and Howrah-Delhi main line, passes through this CD Block and there is a station at Andal.
The Andal-Sainthia branch line originates from Andal.
NH 19 (old numbering NH 2)/ Grand Trunk Road passes through this CD Block.
Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport is a domestic airport at Andal. The airport has been built over 650 acres and was officially inaugurated in 2013. It is 15 km from Durgapur's City Centre and 25 km from Asasol's city bus terminus.
Education.
In 2013-14, Andal CD Block had 61 primary schools with 9,424 students, 8 middle schools with 526 students, 9 high school with 6,350 students and 11 higher secondary schools with 13,804 students. Andal CD Block had 1 general college with 1,624 students, 3 technical/ professional institutions with 420 students, 293 institutions for special and non-formal education with 11,750 students
Khandra College was established at Khandra in 1981. It is affiliated with Kazi Nazrul University.
Healthcare.
In 2014, Andal CD Block had 1 block primary health centre, 2 primary health centres, 3 central government/ PSU medical centres and 6 private nursing homes with total 274 beds and 40 doctors (excluding private bodies). It had 47 family welfare sub centres. 7,937 patients were treated indoor and 311,148 patients were treated outdoor in the hospitals, health centres and subcentres of the CD Block.
Khandra Rural Hospital, with 30 beds, at Khandra, is the major government medical facility in the Andal CD block. There are primary health centres at Andal (with 6 beds) and Baska (with 10 beds).Ondal Railway Hopital at Andal, with 50 beds, FCI Hospital at Andal, with 50 beds and ECL Bankola Area Hospital at Khandra, with 50 beds are functional within the block area.


Sancreed Beacon

Sancreed Beacon is a Bronze Age archaeological site near the village of Sancreed in the Penwith peninsula of Cornwall maintained by the Cornwall Heritage Trust. On top of the hill are several stone cists and Bronze Age archaeological remains comprising burial mounds and the remains of a Bronze Age hut on the Western slope.
This site can be taken in the context of a rich variety of archaeological evidence in the vicinity from the Iron Age, Bronze Age and dating as far back as Neolithic times including Carn Euny Iron Age village 1 mile to the southwest, Caer Bran Hill Fort half a mile southwest, Sancreed Holy Well to the southeast, and Bartinney Castle to the west about 1 mile.
Mining.
Long linear earthworks between 10 to 16 metre wide, covering 3 hectares are the remains of medieval (or later) opencast tin workings. An 8 metre diameter shaft was also found in an archaeological field survey in 1985. Wheal Argus worked the old lodes between 1873 and 1875 raising 20 ton of black tin. The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 map of 1875 shows the disused engine house of Wheal Argus along with four shafts, a windlass and smithy. By April 1885 the engine of Sancreed Beacon mine, which according to The Cornishman newspaper had been unused for many years and was being transferred to the East Blue Hills Mine at St Agnes. The 1908 Ordnance Survey map refers to the mine as Beacon Hill Mine, showing the position of four shafts but the mine buildings have disappeared.


Arthur Higgins (rugby league)

Arthur Higgins was a semi-professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1910s. He played at club level for Featherstone Rovers, as a , i.e. number 1.
Testimonial match.
Higgins's benefit season at Featherstone Rovers, following the loss of his right arm, and two fingers off his left hand in an accident in a Snydale Colliery (pit), took place during the 1914–15 season.
Colliery accident.
The coroner's inquest of March 1915 found that while repairing mineshaft brickwork from a special cradle at Snydale Colliery, Arthur Higgins and Henry Radford (a shaftman, and joiner, aged 62) were crushed. As they were using a cradle, the mine manager; Arthur Simpkin stated that the over-winding gear could not be used, the use of temporary safety location marks on the winding indicator was confirmed by the mining company director; Mr Hargreaves, and that despite the emergency-stop signaling by banksman; David Precious (of Snydale), momentary forgetfulness of the winding engineman; Noah Guest, who momentarily believed he was winding from much lower-level of the shaft at his usual position at Haigh Moor seam, resulted in the cradle crashing in to the headgear, the jury returned a verdict of accidental death, the coroner agreed with the jury that an act criminal negligence had not been committed by Noah Guest, who was of good character, and had never before made a mistake. Fifteen minutes after his arrival at Clayton Hospital, Wakefield, Radford who was badly crushed, with many broken bones, was pronounced dead by the house surgeon Ida Guillaume (1876-1929). Higgins' right arm was so badly injured it had to be amputated, and he also lost two fingers from his left hand.


Unimin

Unimin Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of global industrial minerals company SCR-Sibelco of Belgium. Unimin operates 44 mining and mineral processing facilities in the United States, Mexico and Canada. In Mexico, the Company operates as Grupo Materias Primas de México and in Canada as Unimin Canada Ltd/Ltee. Executive offices are located in New Canaan, Connecticut with technology, analytical and sales service centers situated throughout North America. Unimin has over 2,400 employees located in 19 states in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Founded in 1970, Unimin is one of North America’s largest producers of non-metallic industrial minerals. Unimin is the world’s leading producer of quartz proppants (frac sand) and a major producer of resin coated sand proppants for oil and natural gas stimulation and recovery, and the largest producer of low-iron nepheline syenite for glass, ceramic, paint and plastic applications. The Company is also the world’s leading producer of high purity quartz, a highly specialized product used in the fabrication of integrated circuits, solar photovoltaic cells and high intensity lighting.
Unimin’s product portfolio includes industrial sand, high purity quartz, feldspar, nepheline syenite, microcrystalline silica, ball clay, kaolin, calcium carbonate and calcium quicklime and hydrate. Quicklime and hydrated lime products are produced and sold by their Southern Lime subsidiary. Unimin serves a diversified customer base with technical requirements that range from high temperature foundry and metallurgical applications, functional performance in paint, plastics and rubber manufacture, chemical reactivity in water filtration and environmental engineering, and high purity in consumer products and food processing.
Unimin has been recognized for its safety and health record with the Sentinels of Safety award by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the National Mining Association (NMA). The Company is also recognized by the Wildlife Habitat Council for outstanding environmental stewardship and employee volunteerism with the Corporate Habitat of the Year award, and Community Partner of the Year and Signatures of Sustainability awards.
Unimin Corporation is certified as a sustainable company by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The GRI establishes standardized guidelines and certifies responsible business and operating practices in the four major areas of sustainability; Economic, Environmental, Social and Governance. The complete report “Value Beyond Mining” can be found at http://www.uniminsustainability.com.
In 2018, Unimin merged with Santrol to become Covia.


William Kenealy

William Stephen Kenealy VC, (26 December 1886 – 29 June 1915) was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Biography.
Born in Wexford, his father John was a colour sergeant in the Royal Irish Regiment. When his father retired from the army, the family moved to the district of Ashton-in-Makerfield, Lancashire where his father worked as a check-weigher at Bryn Hall Colliery. Kenealy became a coal miner at age 13. Ten years later, he enlisted into the army, signing up for 7 years. He joined the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, British Army as a private in during the First World War.
Citation.
On 25 April 1915 west of Cape Helles, Gallipoli, Ottoman Turkey, Kenealy was 28 years old when he performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
Kenealy was one of the six members of the regiment elected by their colleagues in the regiment for the award, and described in the press as "six VC's before breakfast". Lieutenant-General Sir Ian Hamilton, the overall Allied army commander at Gallipoli ordered that the beach be renamed Lancashire Landing because of his conviction that "no finer feat of arms has ever been achieved by the British Soldier – or any other soldier – than the storming of these beaches".
The other five members of the regiment who received the award as a result of the landing were Cuthbert Bromley, John Elisha Grimshaw, Alfred Joseph Richards, Frank Edward Stubbs and Richard Raymond Willis.
Shortly afterwards he was promoted to corporal and then lance-sergeant. He was seriously wounded in the Battle of Gully Ravine on 28 June 1915 and died the next day. Kenealy is buried at Lancashire Landing Cemetery on the Gallipoli Peninsula.


John Mitchell (United Mine Workers)

John Mitchell (February 4, 1870 – September 9, 1919) was a United States labor leader and president of the United Mine Workers of America from 1898 to 1908.
John Mitchell was born in 1870 in Braidwood, Illinois, a second generation Irish immigrant. He became an orphan when he was only six years old, and began working at that age to support his family. He worked in the coal mines his whole life. When he was fifteen years old, he joined the Knights of Labor in 1885 and was a founding member of the United Mine Workers of America in 1890. He was elected District 12 secretary-treasurer in 1895. He was made an international union organizer in 1897 and worked alongside Mary Harris "Mother" Jones before being elected an international vice president the same year. Mother Jones later became disillusioned with him. According to her autobiography, "He had tasted power, and this finally destroyed him."
In September 1898, Mitchell became acting president of UMWA after president Michael Ratchford resigned to become a member of the United States Industrial Commission. He won election outright in 1899. He helped organize the National Civic Federation in 1900. He served as fourth vice president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) from 1898 to 1900, and as second vice president from 1899 to 1913 (although he had lost the UMWA presidency in 1908).
Along with AFL Samuel Gompers and AFL secretary-treasurer Frank Morrison, he was sentenced to prison for violating a court injunction during a strike at the Buck Stove and Range Co. in St. Louis, Missouri. In a landmark case, the United States Supreme Court overturned the contempt citation in "Gompers v. Buck's Stove and Range Co.", finding that the court of appeals had erred in allowing the company to bring the complaint of contempt, rather than the district court itself. One of Mitchell's earliest challenges in the UMWA was to help incorporate new workers from various ethnicities into the union. There were numerous language barriers, as well as cultural biases and outright prejudice to be overcome. His success in this area helped him become vice-president in 1897, and president one year later, in 1898.
Labor activity was notoriously dangerous at the time. Just before Mitchell became president, the Lattimer Massacre had seen 19 miners killed by police and 58 miners died in the Twin Shaft Disaster one year earlier. But this was also a period of growth for the union: the number of members grew almost tenfold, from 34,000 to 300,000, during Mitchell's term. Mitchell engaged in contentious negotiations with mining companies, including one in which President Theodore Roosevelt had to intervene, resulting in an eight-hour workday and a minimum wage.
A statue of Mitchell stands on the grounds of the Lackawanna County Courthouse, Scranton, Pennsylvania, the site of the Coal Strike of 1902 negotiations in which President Roosevelt participated. Because of the significance of these negotiations, the statue and the Courthouse were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
When his successor, Thomas Lewis, won approval of a resolution forcing UMWA members to resign from the National Civic Federation, Mitchell left the union. He continued his association with the federation for many years, as well as serving on a number of state and federal commissions. Mitchell died from pneumonia in New York City, September 9, 1919. He is buried in Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton.


James Wyatt (air engineer)


Edward Thompson (footballer)

Edward William Thompson (1895 – 6 November 1918) was an English amateur football left back who made one appearance in the Football League for Fulham.
Personal life.
Thompson worked as a putter and stoneman at Emma Colliery, Ryton. He enlisted as a private in the Scots Guards in February 1917, during the First World War. Two months later, his brother Charlton was killed in France while serving with the Durham Light Infantry. Thompson was involved in the Battle of the Sambre-Oise Canal on 4 November 1918, and was killed in action at Bermeries two days later, just five days before the armistice. He was one of the two last English footballers to die in the war, dying on the same day as George Lake. He was buried in Bermeries Communal Cemetery.


Cairn India

Cairn India was an Indian oil and gas exploration and production company, headquartered in Gurgaon, India. The company was merged with Vedanta Limited.
History.
In early 1999, Cairn made the first Rajasthan discovery – Guda field, followed by Saraswati in 2001. Mangala was their biggest discovery in 2003, followed by Raageshwari, Bhagyam, Aishwariya, Kaameshwari and GR-F fields in Rajasthan. In 2003, Cairn acquired 100% of the exploration interest and took over as the operator of the block.
Ravva block in eastern coast of India was the first offshore oil and gas field to be developed, followed by the Lakshmi gas field in western India, which was discovered in 2000 and commenced production in 2002. In January 2004, Cairn India added the Mangala oil field in Rajasthan to its assets and this, along with, the other discoveries in Rajasthan.
In 2007, Cairn India was listed on the National Stock Exchanges and as on date has a market capitalisation of ~$14 billion and amongst the top 25 Indian company in the NIFTY 50 index. Top 250 Global Energy Company Rankings by Platts, ranked Cairn India for being the World's fastest-growing energy company in 2011. Now the Company plans to invest $3 billion in the next three years in finding more oil and raising output from Rajasthan oilfields.
The company was delisted from the NSE and the BSE on 25 April 2017 following its merger with its parent company Vedanta Limited.
Two of blocks are located onshore in the Barmer and Krishna-Godavari Basins, and the remaining seven blocks are all located offshore in the Krishna-Godavari Basin, the Palar-Pennar Basin, the Cambay Basin, and the Mumbai Offshore Basin in India, and the frontier Mannar Basin in Sri Lanka and the Orange Basin in South Africa.
Cairn – Vedanta deal.
Vedanta Resources initially reached an agreement to acquired 58.8% of Cairn India from Cairn Energy for a total consideration of $8.67 billion in August 2010, with final shareholder approval in December.
Vedanta ownership.
While waiting on government approval on its agreement with Cairn Energy, Vedanta acquired an additional 18.5% on the open market including a 10.4% stake from Petronas for $1.5 billion.
Corporate affairs.
Management.
Mr. Ajay Kumar Dixit took over as CEO Cairn Oil & Gas, Vedanta Limited in 2019
Operations.
Andhra Pradesh.
The Ravva oil and gas field in the Krishna- Godavari Basin was developed in partnership with Cairn India, ONGC, Videocon and Ravva Oil, under a production sharing contract (PSC) that runs until 2019. Currently, eight unmanned offshore platforms are being operated. A 225-acre onshore processing facility at Surasaniyanam processes natural gas and crude oil from the Ravva field. The Ravva onshore terminal operates to the internationally environmental standard – ISO 14001 – and has the capacity to handle of oil per day, per day at standard conditions of natural gas and per day of injection water. The terminal also has the capacity to store of crude oil onshore.
The Ravva field has produced more than of crude and sold of gas; about thrice the initial estimates. During the financial year, the plant uptime was 99.7% demonstrating superb operational efficiency. The asset recorded 1.61 million LTI free hours during the year. The offshore production platform at Ravva received the Oil Industry Safety Award for the year 2010–11.
Gujarat.
In 2002, gas production commenced from the Lakshmi gas field, which is situated in Block CB/OS-2 in the Cambay Basin of the west coast of India in the Gulf of Khambhat. The Gauri offshore gas field was discovered in 2001 and came on-stream in 2004. CB-X, a marginal gas field in the transition zone of the CB/OS-2 block was in production between June 2007 and August 2009. The Lakshmi and Gauri fields commenced production of oil in addition to its gas production in 2005. The CB/OS-2 Block has completed 10 years of production and crossed a cumulative production of over of oil equivalent hydrocarbons.
Safety and operational integrity have been a strong area of focus for the CB/OS-2 asset operations team. The asset team recorded 0.93 million Lost Time Incident (LTI) free hours and delivered facilities uptime of 99.9% during the financial year 2012–13. The block has recorded more than nine million safe work hours over the last seven years.
Rajasthan.
The Mangala field in Rajasthan, which was discovered in January 2004, is the largest onshore oil discovery in India in more than 20 years. The Mangala, Bhagyam and Aishwariya (MBA) fields have gross recoverable oil reserves and resources of over one bn boe. This includes proven plus probable (2P) gross reserves and resources of 636 mm boe with a further 308 mm boe or more of EOR resource potential.
The Mangala, Bhagyam and Aishwariya (MBA) fields have gross recoverable oil reserves and resources of approximately one billion barrels. Production from the Rajasthan Block currently contributes more than 23% of India's domestic production. Cairn India plans to drill in excess of 450 wells in the Rajasthan block over a three-year period; includes 100 Exploration and Appraisal (E&A) wells and the balance as development wells to sustain and enhance production volumes. Cairn India made its 26th discovery in the RJ-ON-90/1 block in Rajasthan.
Oil Discovery in Rajasthan
Cairn India's renewed exploration efforts resulted in an oil discovery, the 26th discovery so far in the RJ-ON-90/1 block, following recent policy clarity by Government of India (GoI) to conduct exploration activity in development blocks. The Management Committee approved the exploration work programme for the RJON-90/1 block on 14 February 2013, post which Cairn India, the Operator of the block, commenced the drilling of its first Exploration well, Raageshwari-South-1, on 25 February 2013 located in the southern part of the block.
Mangala : At Mangala, a total of 148 development wells have been drilled and completed with 96 producers and 33 injectors operationalised. The Company has successfully drilled and completed 11 horizontal wells at MangalaMangala field is producing at plateau rates; infill wells are planned this year for sustaining and extending plateau andgoing forward, the Company intends to bring other wells on stream in a staged manner. Bhagyam: Bhagyam is the second largest field in the Rajasthan block, with an approved production plateau of of oil per day. A total of 62 development wells have been drilled till date with 21 producers and four injectors operational; 12 producer wells are yet to be drilled. Bhagyam field is expected to ramp up to approved rate in H2 FY2013-14; and additional wells are planned this year. Both Mangala and Bhagyam are connected to the Mangala Processing Terminal (MPT), which processes the crude oil from the Rajasthan fields.
Aishwariya: The Aishwariya field is the third largest discovery in the Rajasthan block. Following an assessment of higher production potential and design optimisation due to increased reserves and resources, Cairn India has commenced development work in the field. Now Aishwariya field has commenced oil production and is the fifth oil field in the Rajasthan block to come online. The oil production from Aishwariya field was inaugurated on 23 March 2013, by the Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dr M VeerappaMoily in Barmer, Rajasthan in the presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot, the Hon’ble Union Minister of State of Petroleum and Natural Gas Smt. P. Lakshmi. The field will achieve a gradual and safe ramp up to reach the currently approved FDP rate of of oil per day.
Raageshwari Deep Gas Field: The Raageshwari Deep Gas field is meant to supply gas to meet the energy requirements at the MPT and the Mangala Development Pipeline, which runs approximately 670 km from Barmer to Viramgam to Salaya and then on to Bhogat, near Jamnagar, on the Arabian Sea coast.
Saraswati and Raageshwari Fields: The Saraswati Field, which commenced production in May 2011, is currently producing at a rate of of oil per day. Till date, it has produced over of oil. This oil is processed at the MPT, and blended with the Mangala oil which is sold through the pipeline. The marginal oil field at Raageshwari also commenced production in March 2012. The Raageshwari and Saraswati fields continue to cumulatively contribute over of oil per day towards the total production from the block. Cairn India plans to drill in excess of 450 wells in the Rajasthan block over a three-year period; includes 100 Exploration and Appraisal (E&A) wells and the balance as development wells to sustain and enhance production. Cairn India commenced gas sales from the Raageshwari field on 23 March
Commencement of Sale of Gas – Rajasthan Block.
On 23 March 2013, The Cairn-ONGC Joint Venture (JV) commenced commercial sale of gas from the Rajasthan Block (RJ-ON-90/1). Initial commercial volumes will be about at standard conditions per day. The gas sales was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dr M VeerappaMoily in Barmer, Rajasthan in the presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot, the Hon’ble Union Minister of State of Petroleum and Natural Gas Smt. P. Lakshmi. The RJ-ON-90/1 block currently produces about of gas per day from the Raageshwari Deep Gas field and as associated gas along with crude oil from the Mangala and Bhagyam fields. The continued exploration program in the block targets several other gas prospects that are expected to add to the production of natural gas from the block over the years. This is expected to pave the way in future for developing the state of Rajasthan as a gas-based economy.
Midstream operations.
The Mangala Processing Terminal: The Mangala Processing Terminal (MPT) spread over an area of 1.6 km2 and is located 40 km from the nearest town, Barmer. The MPT processes crude oil extracted from the Rajasthan fields. Following the processing, the crude oil is transported to distant consumer refineries through a diameter continuously heated and insulated pipeline. The MPT integrated production facilities support FDP approved production of of oil per day.
The Mangala Development Pipeline: The Mangala Development Pipeline (MDP) is the world's longest continuously heated and insulated pipeline and will have access to 75% of India's refining capacity.
The MDP originates from Mangala Processing Terminal (MPT) in the Mangala Field and passes through two states (Rajasthan and Gujarat), eight districts and travels up to ~670 km before it reaches its end at the coastal location of Bhogat near Jamnagar on the western coast line of India. About 154 km of the pipeline is in Rajasthan and the rest in Gujarat.
The MDP is a crude oil pipeline which is using Skin Effect Heat Management System (SEHMS) to ensure that the crude oil remains above the Wax Appearance Temperature (WAT) of 65 Deg C, through the pipeline. It has gas line which feeds gas to all the ~36 Above Ground Installations located at every ~ 18 km distance along the pipeline which produces the necessary power to keep the pipeline at the required temperature. The gas needed to fire the boilers and, more importantly, to generate the power to heat the waxy crude at an average of 65-degree Celsius along the pipeline, comes from the Raageshwari gas field, located 90 km away from the MPT.
In addition, there is an intermediate terminal at Viramgam for storage and further pumping to the coast, including a pigging facility. There are two other pigging stations at Sanchore and Wankaner to insert 'pigs' (pipeline cleaning devices) that are used to clean and inspect the pipeline. The pipeline crosses all major crude oil carrier pipelines in the Western part of India and thus, offers potential of blending the Rajasthan crude with these large crude carrier lines. As it terminates at coastal location, the marine facilities are designed to load the crude oil carriers to transport the crude oil to other coastal refiners as well.
The pipeline also incorporates the first of its kind Pipeline Intrusion Detection System. This provides security along the entire length, utilising a fibre optic electronic vibration system that generates an alarm. This is linked to a central control unit via a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based mapping system. The entire length of the pipeline is monitored at the MPT, Viramgam and Bhogat terminals for flow, temperature, pressure, and other operational parameters.
Phase 1 of the pipeline construction from MPT to Salaya, in Gujarat, includes spur lines to connect to private refiners and another spur line at Radhanpur to connect with the Indian Oil Corporation Limited's (IOCL's) Mundra to Panipat crude pipeline. Since then, oil was introduced in the pipeline on 13 May 2010 and has begun commercial sales to IOCL and private refiners. The pipeline construction from Barmer to Salaya was completed in a record time of 18 months.
Phase II: From Salaya to the Bhogat terminal on the Arabian Sea coast, and a pipeline connecting the terminal to the marine facilities is under construction
International operations: Sri Lanka.
The Block SL 2007-01-001 was awarded to Cairn Lanka Private Limited, the wholly owned subsidiary of Cairn India. Cairn Lanka commenced its 3D seismic survey in the Mannar Basin in Sri Lanka on 10 December 2009 and the data is currently being processed. The acquisition programme, which was launched by the Honourable President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, fulfilled the commitment of 1450 km2 of 3D seismic data acquisition. The Mannar basin is an under-explored frontier basin, with both structural and stratigraphic plays.
The drillship 'Chikyu' was mobilised and three well exploration drilling campaign in the SL 2007-01-001 block commenced in August 2011. Cairn Lanka's drilling programme is the first successful programme in Sri Lanka in 30 years and has
established a working petroleum system in the frontier Mannar Basin.
The drilling of the phase-II exploration well has been completed in February, 2013. The well encountered high quality reservoir sands; however these sands were water bearing. The well was plugged and abandoned and the rig was demobilized. The results of the well are being integrated with reprocessed 3D seismic data to finalize the forward programme which includes the options for appraisal of the existing two discoveries and entering exploration phase-III.
South Africa.
Cairn India has acquired an exploration block in South Africa ('Block 1') and has signed a farm-in agreement with PetroSA, the South African National Oil Company,
Block 1 covers a large area of 19,922 km2 and is currently in the initial stages of exploration. It has an existing gas discovery and identified oil & gas leads and prospects. Located in the geologically proven Orange Basin along the northwestern maritime border of South Africa with Namibia, the block is on trend with the discovered Kudu and Ibhubesi gas fields. Cairn India will hold a 60% interest in the block and will be the Operator, while PetroSA will hold the remaining interest. Government approval has been received for transfer and assignment of PetroSA's Participating Interest (PI) to Cairn in Block 1. The assignment agreement was executed in February, 2013. The 3D survey acquisition commenced in March, 2013 and is likely to be completed within this quarter. As on date more than 80% of the survey has been completed.
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Sponsorships.
Cairn India has Co-sponsored the Indian Hockey senior teams for a tenure of three years. This association, for a sum of several crores per annum, will cover the senior and junior national men and women teams. Cairn India announced the three-year association with Hockey India in the presence of Hockey India officials and the captains of the men and women hockey teams. Cairn India's association with Hockey India reinforces its commitment towards securing a positive future for the nation. Cairn has decided to join forces with the national game of the country and plans through several initiatives to encourage the sport amongst the new generation.


Jinfeng Gold Mine

The Jinfeng Gold Mine () is a combined open pit and underground gold mining operation in the Guizhou province, China. The mine is owned by China National Gold Group Corporation. It was originally owned by Sino Gold Mining and then acquired by Eldorado Gold in 2009. Eldorado Gold sold its 82% stake in the Jinfeng Gold Mine to a wholly owned subsidiary of China National Gold Group for ~US$300 million in September 2016.
Production at Jinfeng began in 2007.
History.
The deposit was discovered in 1986, Sino Gold Mining received the mining licence in 2001. Sino Gold's investment in the mine was the largest mining investment in the People's Republic of China by a foreign company, and the first foreign company to mine gold in the PRC. Construction of the Jinfeng Gold Mine started in 2005, and gold production began in 2007. Eldorado Gold acquired the property when they purchased Sino Gold in 2009. Jinfeng was still the largest foreign-owned gold mine, and the second largest gold mine in the PRC. Despite owning the second largest gold mine in the country, in 2010 Eldorado only accounted for 3% of the PRCs total gold output.
Geology.
The deposit at the Jinfeng Gold Mine is a Carlin-type gold deposit (similar to those found in Nevada) in the "Laizhishan Dome" located in a region known as the "Golden Triangle". The Laizhishan Dome is made up of sedimentary rocks from the Silurian through the Late Triassic periods. The deposit itself is located between five faults, with gold being associated with pyrite and arsenopyrite.


John Phillip White

John Phillip White (February 28, 1870 – September 21, 1934) was a miner and president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) from 1911 to 1917.
Biography.
He was born in Coal Valley, Rock Island County, Illinois in 1870 and went to work in the mines as a teenager before moving with his family to Iowa. He joined the United Mine Workers and was eventually elected District 13 secretary-treasurer in 1899. He became the district president from 1904 to 1907 and again from 1909 to 1912. He was elected an UMWA international vice president in 1909, serving for two years.
He was elected president of UMWA in 1911 after pledging to unite the union's warring factions. It is generally concluded that he was successful. During his presidency, the Colorado Coal Strike of 1913-1914 and Ludlow Massacre occurred.
He is generally considered a progressive UMWA president. He won UMWA approval of the six-hour day, a ban on the employment of anyone under the age of 16, pensions, and workers' compensation. Although he was a political conservative, he forced through an amendment to the UMWA constitution forbidding membership in the National Civic Federation.
White is well known for two actions, which eventually, determined the course of the labor movement in the United States. In 1912, he forced delegates of the UMWA convention to approve a resolution asking the American Federation of Labor to endorse industrial unionism. He also appointed John L. Lewis to be UMWA's chief statistician, a position which would allow Lewis to launch his own successful, historic run for the union presidency.
He resigned from UMWA in 1917 to serve as a consultant to the National Fuel Commission during World War I. After the war, he worked as a field representative for UMWA. He died in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1934.


Nong Xun mine

The Nong Xun mine is a large mine in the southern part of Laos in Khammouane Province. Nong Xun is one of the largest tin reserves in Laos, having estimated reserves of 29.4 million tonnes of ore grading 0.16% tin.
References.


Eureka Lilly Headframe

The Eureka Lilly Headframe is the surviving headframe at the Eureka Lilly mine in the Tintic Mining District in Dividend, Utah, United States, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Description.
The headframe is a "wood four-post type headframe with one sheave instead of two. . . and stands high. . . ." It is the only four post headframe of its type within the Tintic Mining District. The headframe is located just east of Dividend Road (formerly Utah State Route 159), about east of Eureka. (Some of the additional framework of the mine extends down the slope and west to the edge of Dividend Road.)
From 1909 to 1949 the mine produced primarily gold, lead, silver, and zinc, but also copper and bismuth and even some manganese and arsenic.
The headframe was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 14, 1979. At the time of NRHP listing it was owned by Kennecott Copper Corporation.


Kensington mine

Kensington mine is a gold mine located north of Juneau, Alaska. The mine is owned by Coeur Alaska Inc., a subsidiary company of Coeur Mining.
In 1928 the mine halted operations, and since then Coeur Alaska has attempted to resume operations. In order to resume operations Coeur Alaska required a permit to dispose of tailings created by the milling of ore from the mine. A permit was acquired in 2005 from the United States Army Corps of Engineers to dispose of the tailings in Lower Slate Lake. Following the issuance of the permit for tailings disposal, a lawsuit was filed by a group of environmental non-governmental organizations. The Alaskan court sided with the mining company, and the decision was appealed and overturned by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Following the successful appeal, the issue was brought before the Supreme Court, who found in favor of the company by a vote of 6-3.


List of collieries in Astley and Tyldesley

Astley and Tyldesley are situated on the Manchester Coalfield, historically in Lancashire, now in Greater Manchester, England.
Geology.
The underlying geology of Astley and Tyldesley comprises the sandstones, shales and coal seams of the Middle Coal Measures laid down during the Carboniferous period more than 300 million years ago and which outcrop from Shakerley to New Manchester where coal was mined from seams between the Worsley Four Foot and Arley mines. The seams generally dip towards the south and west and are affected by small faults. The Upper Coal Measures are not worked in this part of the coalfield. To the south of Astley the Coal Measures dip beneath the Permo-Triassic New Red Sandstone.
History.
Coal was got in Tyldesley in 1429 when a dispute over "seacole" was recorded. It was used in the smithies of the Shakerley nailers. Some of the earliest small coal pits belonged to Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, and his successors the Bridgewater Trustees, and were situated at the east of the township near Chaddock Lane, and north at New Manchester where the coal seams outcropped. Other colliery companies operating in the area included Tyldesley Coal Company whose pits were north of Manchester Road as were those of the Shakerley Collieries. Astley and Tyldesley Collieries had coal mines at Gin Pit to the south of the railway. The last pit to open was Astley Green Colliery by the Bridgewater Canal in Astley Green.
Some of these companies joined with others to form Manchester Collieries in 1929 as a response to the decline in coal mining and better survive the difficult economic conditions of the time. Several collieries survived until after nationalisation in 1947. The last colliery to close was Astley Green in 1970.


Chara mine

The Chara mine is a large iron mine located in southern Russia in the Zabaykalsky Krai. Chara represents one of the largest iron ore reserves in Russia and in the world having estimated reserves of 8 billion tonnes of ore grading 30% iron metal.


Manuilovskoye mine

The Manuilovskoye mine is a large iron mine located in central Ukraine in the Poltava Oblast. Manuilovskoye represents one of the largest iron ore reserves in Ukraine and in the world. It is estimated that it has reserves of 3.5 billion tonnes of ore grading 30% iron metal.


Dry Fork Mine

The Dry Fork mine is a coal mine located 8 miles north of Gillette, Wyoming in the United States in the coal-rich Powder River Basin. The mine is an open pit mine that utilizes truck and shovel mining method to mine a low-sulfur, sub-bituminous coal that is used for domestic energy generation and shipped to customers via railroad. In 2011, the mine is expected to begin supplying coal to the newly constructed Dry Fork power station that has been constructed adjacent to the mine. The mine is currently owned and operated by Western Fuels Association.
As of 2009, Dry Fork had reserves of 330 mm tons of sub-bituminous coal and a maximum permitted production capacity of 15mm tons per year. Typical annual production has been in 5.2mm ton range for the last several years though. In 2008, the mine produced just over 5.2 million short tons of coal, making it the 37th-largest producer of coal in the United States.
The average quality of the coal shipped from Dry Fork is 8,050-8,200 BTU/lb, 0.20-0.42% Sulfur, 3.8-5.1% Ash, and 1.50% Sodium (of the ash). Train loading operations at the mine are done with a batch weigh bin system that is coupled to a "weigh-in-motion" track scale system. Silo capacity at the mine's rail loop, which can accommodate a single unit train, is 10,800 tons.
History.
The Dry Fork mine shipped its first coal to members of the Western Fuels Association in 1990 and is run by Western Fuels-Wyoming an associate of Western Fuels. Since opening, Dry Fork has shipped 69.5mm tons of coal.


Logan Coalfield

The Logan Coalfield is a coalfield located in Logan County and Wyoming County of southern West Virginia, in the Appalachia region of the eastern United States.
It is part of the National Coal Heritage Area. Coal is still mined from the Logan Coalfield, but it is no longer one of the top producing coalfields in West Virginia.
History.
The coalfield has been a large source of high-quality, high-volatile bituminous coal since the field was opened by the construction of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway (C&O) in 1905. The C&O maintained a rail yard in the district at Peach Creek. Later the Virginian Railway built the "Gilbert Extension" which allowed the shipment of coal from western Wyoming County. Both steam coal and metallurgical coal have been extracted from such seams as the Cedar Grove, Eagle, Alma, and Winifrede.
The coalfield is primarily drained by the Guyandotte River, and there were mines, such as Earling, Lyburn, and Marianna in this main river valley. There has also been heavy mining in tributary hollows of the Guyandotte, such as Island Creek, Snap Creek, Rum Creek, and Buffalo Creek. Most coal mining in the Logan Coalfield has been south of the town of Logan, but there were a few coal mines north of Logan and into Lincoln County as well.
This coalfield is somewhat infamous for a couple of reasons. The sheriff of Logan County in the 1920s, Don Chafin, was allegedly paid handsomely by the coal companies to keep the United Mine Workers union out of Logan County, and he and his deputies brutally performed this task in such a thorough manner that the union could gain no foothold at all. In 1921 a "coal miners' army" pitched a battle with Chafin and his "army" of deputies and mine guards at the Battle of Blair Mountain, a skirmish in which it could be said that the miners lost.
Disasters.
Another cause for infamy in the Logan Coalfield was the Buffalo Creek Flood, when a Pittston Coal Company coal refuse dam burst in 1972. It resulted in the death of 125 people, the destruction of about a dozen towns, and is one of the worst coal mining-related disasters in American history. In 2008 a new coal mine and preparation plant opened at the site of the Pittston refuse dam.
More recently the Massey Energy Bandmill preparation plant had a fire in August 2009, resulting in the closure of the plant. This plant processed coal from several mines, including the Aracoma Mine, where two miners lost their lives in a beltline fire, known as the Aracoma Alma Mine accident, in 2006.


Gold Reserve (company)

Gold Reserve Inc. is a gold mining company founded in 1956 with operations and mining property in Bolivar State, Venezuela.
The company is currently headquartered in Spokane, Washington.
As a part of a 2016 settlement based on a dispute over withdrawal of a gold concession to Gold Reserve, the government of Venezuela entered into a joint venture with the company to mine the Brisas and Las Cristinas goldmines.


Kofa Mountains

The Kofa Mountains (Yavapai: Wi:kasayeo) of Yuma and La Paz counties in Arizona is the central mountain range of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The range lies about 60 miles northeast of Yuma in the southwestern part of the state. Kofa Wilderness takes up 547,719 acres of the refuge, making it the second largest wilderness area in Arizona. The equally extensive Castle Dome Mountains comprise the southern refuge border; the western end of the Tank Mountains are in the southeast of the wildlife refuge, and the New Water Wilderness in the New Water Mountains ends the extension of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge to the north. Scenic "King Valley" is south of the Kofa Mountains between the Castle Dome Mountains.
These mountains are home to a number of endemic or rare species including the Kofa Mountain Barberry "Berberis harrisoniana". In addition, it contains the only native California fan palms in the state of Arizona located high up in Palm Canyon. These are relicts of the ice age when the range of California fan palms was much larger than its isolated groves today.
The Kofa Mountains are a northwest-southeast range with an extension northwards meeting the New Water Mountains. There are three major peaks in the high region: two in the west: Signal Peak at and Squaw Peak at , and Polaris Mountain at in the south.
The closest community to the Kofa Mountains is Quartzsite, 30 miles northwest on Interstate 10. Access roads to the range depart a north-south stretch of US 95, five miles to the west. There are a number of winter homes in King Valley.
The wildlife refuge and the Kofa Mountains are arid and rugged volcanic remnant mountains of Tertiary age. They are home to one of the larger Desert Bighorn Sheep ranges. The wildlife refuge and the mountains are some of the hottest areas in the southwest Sonoran Desert.
Origin of name.
The Kofa Mountains are named for the rich King of Arizona gold mine, discovered in King Valley in 1896. The mine used to stamp its property "K of A" and is commonly known as the Kofa Mine. The old mine and its surroundings are private property. The Kofa, Arizona post office was established June 5, 1900 and was discontinued August 27, 1928. Some of the old buildings are still in use as winter homes.


Ralph Vince

 Raffaello "Ralph" D. Vince (March 18, 1900 – October 29, 1996) was an American football player for the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Bulldogs, and the Cleveland Panthers. He later coached at Baldwin–Wallace College and John Carroll University. Outspoken and inventive as a coach, he was the inventor of the face mask. The original he created is on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. He also was the first coach to put an armband of plays on his quarterbacks' wrists, now a common sight in the game. He attended Washington & Jefferson College and played in the 1922 Rose Bowl. He is distinguished as being the first Italian to play in the National Football League (NFL).
Early life and playing career.
Vince was an Italian immigrant who grew up working in the coal mines of southern Ohio. He watched his first football game as a senior at Martins Ferry High School. Realizing that a football scholarship was his ticket out of the coal mines and into college, he joined the varsity team. Ralph succeeded, and the next year, attended and played for Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania.
He played both offense and defense for the Presidents. In 1922, the team played the favored University of California to a scoreless tie in the Rose Bowl. On the 60th and 70th anniversaries of that game, Vince was an honored guest at the Rose Bowl.
After graduating from Washington & Jefferson in 1922, Vince enrolled at Western Reserve University's Law School in Cleveland. In order to pay his way through law school, Vince played in the early National Football League (NFL) for the Cleveland Indians in 1923 and Cleveland Bulldogs in 1924 and 1925. Vince also played for the Cleveland Panthers in 1926, in the first American Football League (AFL). During this era of professional football, Vince was on the field against such names as Jim Thorpe, George Halas, Red Grange, and Fats Henry.
Coaching career.
While in law school in Cleveland, Vince coached football for St. Ignatius High School beginning in 1923, coaching to the team to its first city championship in 1925. His football record from 1923 through 1926 was a combined 29–6 (.829), Ralph also coached St. Ignatius basketball team for the 1924–25 season.
With his success at the high school level, John Carroll University recruited him to be their head football coach. Coaching seven seasons from 1927 through 1933, Vince achieved a collegiate coaching record of 31–23–11 (.562). Vince later served as the school's athletic director for two years.
In 1935, Vince left John Carroll to practice law; however, he continued officiating at high school, college and NFL games.
During World War II, he agreed to coach football at University School for one year; however, he stayed on with the school for an additional 12 years.
Legal career and later years.
Vince was appointed as a Cleveland Municipal judge after leaving John Carroll. He also served for two years as a councilman and four years as a law director in University Heights.
In the early 1950s, he presided over the lawsuits regarding the SS Noronic disaster. The SS Noronic was a passenger ship that was destroyed by fire in Toronto Harbour in September 1949 with serious loss of life. Vince heard 669 lawsuits filed by those who were injured or lost their relatives in the tragedy.
Ralph retired as a senior partner of the Burke Haber Berick law firm in 1990. He also helped found the Cleveland Touchdown Club. In 1991, the Ralph Vince Fitness Center was dedicated at John Carroll University. In 1986, he was inducted in the Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame.


Boyongan mine

The Boyongan mine is a large copper mine located in the south of the Philippines in Surigao del Norte. Boyongan represents one of the largest copper reserves in the world, having estimated reserves of 300 million tonnes of ore grading 0.6% copper. The mine also has reserves of 9.6 million oz of gold.


Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine

Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine, also known as Pocahontas Mine No. 1, or Baby Mine, is an inactive coal mine in the Pocahontas Coalfield, near Pocahontas in western Virginia. The mine was the first in the sub-bituminous coal of the Pocahontas Coalfield, opening in 1882. In 1938 it became the first exhibition coal mine in the United States. Uniquely, it was possible to drive one's automobile through the mine, entering through the fan opening and exiting through the original entry. The practice continued until 1970, when it was discontinued due to damage to the roof of the mine from car exhaust.
The site is also notable for its history of coke production on site for transportation by rail to steel mills. Pocahontas coal was especially suitable for coking, and played a significant role in the industrial development of the United States. Coke and coal were shipped by rail to Norfolk, Virginia for trans-shipment to eastern US ports and overseas. Coking on the site was eventually discontinued, and the mine spoil pile now covers all but three beehive coking ovens.
This mine, when active, supplied the United States Navy a majority of its coal through both world wars. Its smokeless quality allowed ships to go undetected from distances, thus giving the Navy an advantage over enemies. By the end of the second world war, coal in the "baby mine" was waning. Technology was advancing and reducing the number of miners required to do the work and allowed for the creation of the exhibition mine. In 1955 mining ceased in Pocahontas altogether.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1994.


North Konawe mine

The North Konawe mine is a large mine in the east of Indonesia in Sulawesi. North Konawe represents one of the largest nickel reserve in Indonesia having estimated reserves of 498 million tonnes of ore grading 1.36% nickel. The 498 million tonnes of ore contains 6.77 million tonnes of nickel metal.


Mankayan

', officially the ' (; ; ), is a in the province of , . According to the , it has a population of people.
The municipality is known as a mining town, being the location of several mines, including the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company.
Etymology.
The name "Mankayan" is derived from "Nancayan", the Hispanic term of the native name of the place, "Nangkayang" (which means "high up in the mountain").
History.
Pre-colonial period.
Nangkayang was once a heavily-forested area. The natives of the surrounding settlements of "Panat" and "Bag-ongan" mined gold through the "labon" system, after its reported discovery in a river. Copper was later discovered by the end of the 16th century in "Kamangga-an" (location of present-day Lepanto).
Spanish period.
By the 1800s, the Spanish colonial government sent expeditions to survey the mines. On February 3, 1850, an expedition led by engineer "Don Antonio Hernandez" confirmed the presence of copper in Mankayan.
In 1852, Lepanto was established by the Spanish as a "comandancia politico-militar", composed of several "rancherias" which included Mankayan.
Seven different mines were discovered in the Mankayan-Suyoc region during Admiral Pedro Durán de Monforte's 1667 expedition, and Simón de Anda's administration (1770-1776) mentioned Igorot copperware. In 1833, Galvey sent ore samples from Gambang ("copper"), Suyoc, and Mankayan, to the governor. The first Spanish mining claim on the Cordillera was made by Tomás Balbas y Castro on 26 March 1856, and established a mining company called the "Sociedad Minero-Metalurgica Cantabro Filipino de Mancayan". The company ceased operations in 1875.
American period.
Under the American rule, Mankayan remained under the jurisdiction of Lepanto, and later Lepanto-Bontoc until the latter's dissolution. Mankayan was later annexed to the sub-province of Benguet as a municipal district in 1913.
The mining boom in Mankayan began in 1933, with American Victor Lednickey establishing the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company on September 26, 1936.
Second World War.
In 1942, following the outbreak of the war, the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company, together with the Suyoc Consolidated Mining Company, were taken over by the Japanese Mitsui Mining Company, which renamed the mines into "Mitsui Mankayan Copper Mines". The Mitsui Company controlled the mines until 1945.
Post-war era.
After the war, the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company resumed the mining operations.
Mankayan was converted from a municipal district into a regular municipality on June 16, 1955, by virtue of "Republic Act 1302".
In 2018, in order to preserve the highly artistic "gangsa"-making intangible heritage of the Mankayan elders, the cultural masters of the town converged and began teaching the younger generations the process and importance of gangsa-making to their way of life, effectively preserving indigenous gong culture in the town.
Geography.
Mankayan is on the north-western tip of Benguet. It is bordered by Bakun on the west, Buguias on the southeast, Tadian and Bauko on the east, and Cervantes on the north-west.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the has a land area of constituting of the total area of Benguet.
Barangays.
Mankayan is politically subdivided into 12 barangays.
Demographics.
In the , had a population of . The population density was .
Education.
Public schools.
As of 2014, Mankayan has 35 public elementary schools and 9 public secondary schools.


Glenbuck

Glenbuck () is a small, remote village in East Ayrshire. It is nestled in the hills east of Muirkirk, East Ayrshire, Scotland.
Glenbuck Loch.
The site of the village was slightly to the north-west of Glenbuck "Loch", on the River Ayr, and was surrounded on three sides by South Lanarkshire. The Ayrshire/Lanarkshire border runs north to south across the Loch. The "Loch" is in fact a dam created in 1802 by James Finlay for his Catrine cotton works. Much of the dam banks were created by French prisoners of war. The dam was situated so that the water to power the mill took exactly 12 hours to reach Catrine. The Tenant of West Glenbuck Farm had his rent paid by James Findlay to open the sluice at 18.00 and close it at 06.00, mirroring exactly the working hours of the Mill. The water turned the famous Catrine Wheel which powered the Mill. The double wheel was in diameter and revolved three times per minute, using of water whilst generating . The water also powered a dozen other water mills downstream. The dam's creation largely drained the valley downstream and thus allowed the road to be relocated into the valley floor along the route of the modern A70 and paved the way for the adjacent railway line around 1839. Previously the land was a dense bog with the old coach road higher up on the opposite side of valley running below Wee Darnhunch then west across the fields along to Darnhunch Farm where gaps in the stone walls (dykes) shows the old Toll Route.
Railway enthusiasts considered the loch - dissected by the 1830 line - to be an exceptional place to photograph trains with still-water either side of the line and many photos, well known to steam buffs, exist. The last local train through Glenbuck station and over this dam was in 1964. The first steam railway in Scotland was between Troon and Kilmarnock, and its iron rails were made in Glenbuck Iron works.
Economy.
Glenbuck was once a thriving coal mining community, but the last mine closed in 1931. The village was unable to provide jobs for the unemployed miners and suffered economic decline as a result. There is an informative collection of memories of Glenbuck here.
It was also an early centre for making pig iron and early coal blast furnaces were built and remained till recently. Used from 1795 to 1813 these belonged to the Glenbuck Iron Co. whose papers are lodged with the Scottish Records office. Local lore says the firm conducted early research (pre-Coalbrookdale) to make steel from coal with supposed advice provided by experts from Toledo. A deep study of local iron work was published by Donnachie and Butt, I L & J (1965) 'Three 18th century Scottish ironworks'.
Weaving was also common and 'Stair Row' in Glenbuck was the street where the weavers lived and worked. The last traditional weaver died in 1880 ('Cairntable Echoes'- 2002 p 122).
Glenbuck House.
In 1879 local mine owner Charles Howatson built a splendid high Victorian estate house known as Glenbuck House and he forested all around the loch. He was in his middle years when he built and developed the estate with fine and still extant steadings. He died in 1914, and in the following decades his inheritors, in order to avoid paying tax on the family home, eventually removed the roof (after 1945?) and the house soon crumbled as the softer red local Mauchline sandstone is highly friable when exposed to rain. The once fine house was built and turned to dust in less than a century, and was ultimately demolished by 1948 after a brief plan to turn it into flats was abandoned by Ayr County Council. The loch car park now occupies its site.
Status today.
Little of the original village exists. Opencast coal mining in the 1990s resulted in the demolition of many original properties (The School, Kirk, Mitchell's Coal Yard, Hillside market gardens, two blocks of council houses, various outlying farms Airdsgreen, Grashill. etc. Spireslack farmhouse remains but surrounded on all sides by open-cast mining). Of the seven remaining houses still extant, four are still occupied including a taxi firm and artist's (see links). A wind farm developer administers most of the properties but since taking control (Nov 1st 2010) West Glenbuck farmhouse has lain empty, leading to further de-population of the village. Lochside Cottage, now in private ownership, was the 'new' toll house and Wee Darnhunch was the old toll house for the earlier higher road which was manned by Robert Burns's maternal uncle - John Brown - in the 1790s.
Glenbuck, at the head of the River Ayr, is mentioned in Robert Burns's poem "The Brigs of Ayr" describing the River Ayr - "Auld Ayr" - in winter flood threatening the New Brig:
West Glenbuck Farm land is where one of the best examples of a flanged Bronze Axe head in Scotland was found when ploughing - this item is held by the National Museum in Edinburgh and a picture is printed in the Society Of Antiquaries of Scotland notes by Arch. Fairbairn 1913–27. The C38 road is still maintained by the council and the Shankly memorial is often visited along with a new River Ayr Way walk which loosely follows the length of the river to the coast. The innovative river walk begins at a totem pole, inscribed with "Muirkirk", located near the loch. There is also a permanent bird-hide on the loch to observe local waterfowl. A useful local collection of "Muirkirk Advertiser" items provides much historic data and articles along with births, deaths and marriages for Glenbuck. It is available in the village directly from the publisher and via East Ayrshire Council library services in Muirkirk.


Ashington Group

The Ashington Group was a small society of artists from Ashington, Northumberland, which met regularly between 1934 and 1983. Despite being composed largely of mine workers with no formal artistic training, the Group and its work became celebrated in the British art world of the 1930s and 1940s.
Origins.
The Group began as the Ashington branch of the Workers' Educational Association (WEA), which first advertised a class on 'Evolution' in 1927; after a further seven years of evening classes in various subjects they turned their attention to art appreciation. The WEA and Durham University organised for a tutor, the painter and teacher Robert Lyon (1894-1978) to come and instruct the group, but its members, mainly men employed by the Woodhorn and Ellington Collieries, quickly grew dissatisfied with the course. Lyon suggested that the group members instead try creating their own paintings as a means to develop an understanding and appreciation of art.
Critical success.
By 1936 the group - many of whose members were committed to the principles of the Independent Labour Party - had drawn up an extensive list of regulations, by which all members had to abide, and named itself the Ashington Group; it also held its first exhibition at the Hatton Gallery, part of Armstrong College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. A further exhibition was held in 1938 as an extension of the Mass Observation project.
By the early 1940s the Group had exhibited in London, and continued to thrive after Lyon left to become the fourth Principal of Edinburgh College of Art, though he remained in contact with the Group's members, and wrote his MA thesis on his educational project with the Group. Over the next few years the work of the Group was noticed and praised by a number of prominent British artists and critics, such as Julian Trevelyan and Henry Moore. Their work was collected by prominent figures such as Helen Sutherland.
Post-war.
After World War II, critical interest in the Group waned, but they continued to meet weekly, producing new art and taking on new members. The critic William Feaver met one of the Group's central members, Oliver Kilbourn, in the early 1970s, and began a renewal of interest in their work, which was restored and featured in several touring exhibitions. In the 1980s, the Group's "Permanent Collection" became the first western exhibition in China after the Cultural Revolution.
The Group's meeting hut was finally demolished in 1983; Kilbourn, the last of the Group's founder members, arranged for the paintings to be put in trust prior to his death in 1993, and they are now kept in Woodhorn Museum. Feaver's book about the Group, "Pitmen Painters: The Ashington Group 1934-1984", has been adapted into a play by Lee Hall.
The last surviving member of the Ashington Group John F. (Jack) Harrison, died in 2004, a few months short of his hundredth birthday.
The Permanent Collection of Ashington Group work can be seen at Woodhorn near Ashington, Northumberland.
Artist Narbi Price completed a PhD looking at the legacy of the Ashington Group, at Newcastle University and curated a new exhibition of work from private collections entitled 'Pitmen Painters Unseen' in 2018


Nanping mine

The Nanping mine is a large mine located in the southern part of China in Fujian. Nanping represents one of the largest tantalum reserves in China having estimated reserves of 14.1 million tonnes of ore grading 0.03% tantalum.


Misima mine

The Misima mine is one of the largest gold mines in Papua New Guinea and in the world. The mine is located in the south-east of the country in Milne Bay Province. The mine has estimated reserves of 5 million oz of gold.


Hulett C. Merritt

Hulett Clinton Merritt (August 17, 1872 – January 13, 1956) was an American real estate developer, investor, rancher and art collector. He sold real estate in his hometown of Duluth, Minnesota, developed Texas City, Texas with other businessmen, and invested in real estate in Los Angeles, California, where he built the Merritt Building. He was a director and large shareholder of U.S. Steel. As a majority shareholder of the United Electric and Power Company, he installed electricity and gas in 17 cities in California, including Santa Barbara and San Diego. He owned a large ranch in Tulare County.
Early life.
Hulett C. Merritt was born on August 17, 1872 in Duluth, Minnesota. His father, Louis J. Merritt, discovered the Mesabi Range with others. He was also a business partner of John D. Rockefeller, with whom he invested in mining, railroads and steamships in the Great Lakes. Merritt had a brother, Lewis N. Merritt, and two sisters.
Career.
Merritt began his career by working for his father at the age of 16. Father and son built the Mesabi, Duluth and Northwestern Railway. Upon his father's death, Merritt inherited the entire Mesabi Range, and he became Rockefeller's partner. The two men subsequently sold the range to U.S. Steel for US$81 million.
Merritt sold real estate in Duluth, and he developed Texas City, Texas with other investors. Upon moving to California in 1897, he invested in real estate in Los Angeles, California. He built the Merritt Building in Downtown Los Angeles in 1915. He also built a racing speedway, and as an amateur he once won a race against Barney Oldfield. Additionally, he owned an antique store in Pasadena, California.
Merritt joined the board of directors of U.S. Steel at the age of 28, and he became its largest common stockholder. He also served as its chairman.
In 1900, Merritt purchased 70% of the United Electric and Power Company, and he installed electricity and gas in 17 cities in California, including Santa Barbara and San Diego. He subsequently sold the company to Southern California Edison.
Merritt was the owner of the 7,000-acre Tagus Ranch in Tulare County, where he grew peaches. One year, he sold 10% of the world's output of canned peaches. He also invested in gold, silver, iron, coal and chromium mines as well as paper mills, banks, hotels, restaurants, merchandising, manufacturing, steamships, sugar, cattle-raising, and fisheries.
Personal life and death.
Merritt married Rosaline Ollivier of Saginaw, Michigan in July 1892. She was the granddaughter of Démosthène Ollivier, a businessman from Marseille, France, and the niece of French Prime Minister Émile Ollivier. They resided at the Hulett C. Merritt mansion in Pasadena, California. They had a son, Hulett C. Merritt Jr., who served in World War I and managed the Tagus Ranch; he predeceased them in 1945. His wife predeceased him in 1954.
Merritt was a large art collector. He also collected French and English antique furniture and Napoleonic papers. He was a member of the Annandale Golf Club, the Bolsa Chica Gun Club, and the California Club. He was also the chairman of the board of the Pasadena Methodist Church. He supported the Rose Parade and the East–West Shrine Game.
Merritt died on January 13, 1956 in Santa Barbara, at the age of 83. He was buried in the Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, California. He was survived by his brother Huntington of Stockton, his sister Evelyn Reed of El Cerrito, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Merritt was worth an estimated US$6 million by the time of his death. His estate was inherited by his four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. However, they were required to file affidavits saying they had not smoked or drunk alcohol in 90 days before receiving their share on a quarterly basis. The male heirs would also have to change their surnames to Merritt before the age of 22 if they had a different name at the time of his death.


Western Zhdanovskoye mine

The Western Zhdanovskoye mine is a large copper mine located in the north-west of Russia in Murmansk Oblast. Western Zhdanovskoye represents one of the largest copper reserve in Russia and in the world having estimated reserves of 1.4 billion tonnes of ore grading 0.3% copper.


Pralea Coal Mine

Pralea Coal Mine is an open-pit mining exploitation, one of the largest in Romania located in Căiuți, Bacău County with estimated coal reserves of 5.5 million tonnes. The legal entity managing the Pralea mine is the Ploieşti National Coal Company which was set up in 1957.


New Fryston

New Fryston is a small former coal mining village in Castleford, West Yorkshire, England, located in a river bend on the south bank of the River Aire.
The colliery opened in the 1870s in the grounds of the now-demolished Fryston Hall and was named Fryston, and the village was built in the 1880s to house some of the miners. At its peak, the pit employed around 1,300 miners. It closed in 1985. After the pit's closure, the colliery buildings were demolished.
The settlement is also called "Fryston village".
In 2005, a re-generation programme called the Castleford Project, carried out a number of re-developments in Fryston including what turned out to be a controversial new Village Green; these re-developments were the subject of a series of television programmes on Channel 4.


Ghost Mine (TV series)

Ghost Mine is an American paranormal television series that premiered on January 16, 2013, in the United States on the Syfy channel. The series features a group of hard rock miners searching for gold in Oregon's Crescent Mine. Two paranormal investigators accompany them in an attempt to determine if the location is haunted.
On April 10, 2013, Syfy renewed the series for a 12-episode second season which premiered September 4, 2013.
On December 19, 2013, Paranormal Investigator Patrick Doyle reported via his Facebook page that Syfy had decided not to renew the show for a third season.
Premise.
The series proposes that certain mines are haunted by ghosts of miners from Gold Rush days, or by spirits that superstitious miners call "Tommy-Knockers". Paranormal investigators Patrick and Kristen go into the mine first and investigate using equipment they believe can detect supernatural activity. Then it's Mine Foreman Stan's hard rock miner crew's turn to work the mine while the investigators monitor them on their DVR system in an attempt to see if they experience anything supernatural. In the end, the investigators show their evidence to the miners and state their opinions regarding the degree of supernatural activity they believe is present.
Opening introduction:
Cast and crew.
Mine Owner:
Hard Rock miners:
Paranormal investigators:
Current status.
As of 2013, the Crescent mine has been listed for sale with Cascade Sotheby's realty for an assessed value of $2.5 million. Larry Overman the mine owner finally placed a monument which had been planned for years, the stone was the corner stone to the original miners lodge that used to stand on the property to keep the spirit "at peace".
Syndication.
In October 2016, Ghost Mine premiered on Destination America.


Osisko Mining

The Osisko Mining Corporation (formerly Oban Mining Corporation) is a Canadian company that conducts mineral exploration work with a focus on seeking to develop a gold mine in Ontario or Quebec. The company adopted its name following the 2015 merger of five companies that resulted in the re-uniting of the executive management team of the original Osisko Mining Corporation.
The new Osisko Mining Corporation is the continuation of Oban Mining Corporation, which itself was the result of the 2014 merger between two Toronto Stock Exchange-listed mineral exploration companies active in South America, Braeval Mining Corporation and Oban Exploration Limited. The other mineral exploration companies involved in the 2015 merger were the TSX Venture Exchange-listed companies Eagle Hill Exploration whose Windfall Lake project would become Osisko's principal project, Temex Resources who brought with it net smelter return royalties on the Canadian Malartic Mine and Goldcorp's Éléonore mine, as well as Corona Gold and Ryan Gold whose primary assets were cash and securities. With John Burzynski emerging as the CEO, Oban would acquire TSX-Venture listed companies Northern Gold Mining, for its Golden Bear project in Ontario, and NioGold Mining Corporation, for its Marban project in Quebec, before it re-named itself to Osisko Mining Corporation in June 2016.
In 2018, the company was re-aligned its board of directors.
In 2019, Osisko acquired the Stornoway Diamond Corporation for its Renard diamond mine, and through its subsidiary O3 Mining Inc. acquired Alexandria Minerals Corporation.


Denis Ranque

Denis Ranque (born 7 January 1952 in Marseille) is a French businessman who served as CEO and chairman of Thales Group from 1998 until 2009.
He recently became a Dutch Citizen.
Career.
In 1998, Ranque was appointed chairman and chief executive officer of Thomson-CSF, rebranded Thales in 2000. In 2008, his total salary, including bonuses and options, was €1.8 million. By 2009, he met increased pressure to step down after Dassault Aviation became the company’s core industrial shareholder. He resigned from Thales in May 2009.
In 2013, EADS appointed proposed Ranque as its next chairman under a new shareholder structure, replacing Arnaud Lagardère. The French government had initially backed Anne Lauvergeon for the role but EADS insisted on picking one of the board’s independent majority in an effort to curb political influence from France and Germany.
References.
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:École Polytechnique alumni]]
[[Category:Mines ParisTech alumni]]
[[Category:Corps des mines]]
[[Category:French chief executives]]
[[Category:People from Marseille]]
[[Category:Officiers of the Légion d'honneur]]
[[Category:Officers of the National Order of Merit (France)]]
[[Category:Honorary Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
[[Category:Thales Group people]]
[[Category:Airbus people]]


San Carlos mine

The San Carlos mine is a large copper mine located in the south of Ecuador in Zamora-Chinchipe Province. San Carlos represents one of the largest copper reserve in Ecuador and in the world having estimated reserves of 600 million tonnes of ore grading 0.59% copper.


Battle North Gold

Battle North Gold (formerly Rubicon Minerals) is a Canadian company that is pursuing the development of the Bateman (formerly Phoenix) gold project near Red Lake, Ontario. Headquartered in Toronto, the company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada and the OTCQX market exchange in the US. The company's board of directors approved the construction of the mine in 2014 and raised $700 million but little gold was recovered. Consequently, the company sought creditor protection and re-structured. By 2018 the company had a market capitalization of $80 million as it pursued new resource estimates.
Corporate history.
Battle North Gold was incorporated on March 4, 1996 in Vancouver as Rubicon Minerals Corporation for acquiring and exploring the mineral properties that had been assembled by the holding company Rubicon Management Ltd. It became a public company in November 1997 with its stocks listed on the Vancouver Stock Exchange. It conducted mineral exploration work in Haines, Alaska, and on its Canadian properties in Ontario and Newfoundland. On September 30, 2003, the Company graduated to the Toronto Stock Exchange, and in September 2004, became cross-listed on the American Stock Exchange with the trading symbol "RBY". Rubicon would be listed on the S&P/TSX Composite Index between December 2009 and December 2013.
Rubicon also owned a one-third stake in the private company Africo Resources which was conducting mineral exploration in the Kalukundi copper-cobalt deposit in Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rubicon re-structured, effective December 8, 2006, to make Africo Resources a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (though it would be acquired by the private company Camrose Resources in 2016) and spun-off the new company called Paragon Minerals Corporation to hold its Newfoundland assets (though it would be acquired by Canadian Zinc Corporation in 2012).
 Canadian businessman and former CEO of Goldcorp Rob McEwen became a significant investor and strategic advisor to the company beginning in 2006 and controlled over 30% of shares.
Rubicon's Ontario property, called the Phoenix gold project, in the Red Lake area became the company's primary focus. On the strength of a 2013 preliminary economic assessment which indicated a gold reserve of 3.3 million ounces with gold per ton of ore, Rubicon's board of directors authorized the construction of the mine without a feasibility study. With the Wabauskang First Nation in opposition to the project, the company had to defend its permits in a Supreme Court of Canada case deciding that the province could issue mining permits on treaty land. The project proceeded with the company raising $700 million from investors, including the CPP Investment Board and Agnico Eagle Mines, and its stock peaking at $6 per share. However, once the mine started producing gold in 2015 unexpectedly low yields were achieved. Consequently they had to revise their gold reserve estimate down to 413,000 ounces and their stock collapsed down to 5 cents a share by January 2016. Consequently, the company sought creditor protection as it re-structured and was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. As part of the re-structuring, their stock was consolidated at 162 shares for one new share, followed by new shares being issued to secured creditors, and Royal Gold's streaming agreement being renegotiated. With George Ogilvie being hired as its new CEO, the re-structured company raised funds by issuing new shares to fund better resource estimates and a new preliminary economic assessment. In 2020, the company re-named itself from Rubicon Minerals to Battle North Gold and re-named its Phoenix Gold project to the Bateman Gold project.


Butuobinskaya diamond mine

The Butuobinskaya mine is one of the largest diamond mines in Russia and in the world. The mine is located in the north-eastern part of the country in the Sakha Republic. The mine has estimated reserves of 93 million carats of diamonds and an annual production capacity of 0.2 million carats.


Mankhan Uul mine

The Mankhan Uul mine is a large mine in Mongolia. Ongilog Lake represents one of the largest phosphates reserve in Mongolia having estimated reserves of 1.6 billion tonnes of ore grading 35% P2O5.


Bolckow, Vaughan

Bolckow, Vaughan & Co., Ltd was an English ironmaking and mining company founded in 1864, based on the partnership since 1840 of its two founders, Henry Bolckow and John Vaughan. The firm drove the dramatic growth of Middlesbrough and the production of coal and iron in the north-east of England in the 19th century. The two founding partners had an exceptionally close working relationship which lasted until Vaughan's death.
By 1907 Bolckow, Vaughan was possibly the largest producer of pig iron in the world. The firm failed to modernise at the start of the 20th century, and was closed in 1929.
History.
Origins, 1840–51.
In 1840, Henry Bolckow (1806–1878) and John Vaughan (1799–1868) set up in business in Middlesbrough to make iron. They lived side by side in two town houses, the Cleveland Buildings, about away from their ironworks which were on Vulcan Street, and they married a pair of sisters, which may explain their close friendship.
In 1846, Bolckow and Vaughan built their first blast furnaces at Witton Park, founding the Witton Park Ironworks. The works used coal from Witton Park Colliery to make coke, and ironstone from Whitby on the coast. The pig iron produced at Witton was transported to Middlesbrough for further forging or casting.
In 1850, Vaughan and his mining geologist John Marley discovered iron ore, conveniently situated near Eston in the Cleveland Hills of Yorkshire. Unknown to anyone at the time, this vein was part of the Cleveland Ironstone Formation, which was already being mined in Grosmont by Losh, Wilson and Bell.
The boom years, 1851–1868.
To make use of the ore being mined at Eston, in 1851 Bolckow and Vaughan built a blast furnace at nearby South Bank, Middlesbrough, to make use of the ore from nearby Eston, enabling the entire process from rock to finished products to be carried out in one place. It was the first to be built on Teesside, on what was later nicknamed "the Steel River". Middlesbrough grew from 40 inhabitants in 1829 to 7600 in 1851, 19,000 in 1861 and 40,000 in 1871, fuelled by the iron industry.
In 1864, Bolckow, Vaughan and Company Ltd was registered with capital of £2,500,000, making it the largest company ever formed up to that time. By that time, the company's assets included iron mines, collieries, and limestone quarries in Cleveland, County Durham and Weardale respectively, and had iron and steel works extending over along the banks of the River Tees.
In 1868, Vaughan died. The Institution of Civil Engineers, in their obituary, commented on the relationship between Vaughan and Bolckow: "There was indeed something remarkable in the thorough division of labour in the management of the affairs of the firm. While possessing the most unbounded confidence in each other, the two partners never interfered in the slightest degree with each other's work. Mr. Bolckow had the entire management of the financial department, while Mr. Vaughan as worthily controlled the practical work of the establishment."
Industrial giant, 1869–1929.
In 1871, Edward Johnson-Ferguson (1849–1929) became a director of Bolckow & Vaughan; he became chairman and managing director (and was knighted) in 1906, remaining so until his death.
In 1875, Edward Windsor Richards became the General Manager of the Middlesbrough Ironworks. Richards was in charge of the design and construction of the new plant at Eston, the Cleveland Steel Works. It had three coke fired haematite blast furnaces. Richards' work helped to improve the Bessemer process for making steel, in the case when the ore is rich in phosphorus, and an alkaline rock (dolomite, limestone or magnesite) is used. This variant is called the Gilchrist-Thomas process, after its inventor Sidney Gilchrist Thomas who persuaded Richards to adopt it.
In 1877, the Eston Ironworks acquired a rolling mill engine from the Vulcan Iron Works of Thwaites and Carbutt, Bradford. It had a bore, and a stroke.
A profitable sideline to the production of iron was salt. In 1863, John Marley discovered a deposit of rock salt at Middlesbrough while drilling for water. The salt bed was thick at a depth of below the surface, but it proved too costly to mine conventionally because of continual flooding, and mining was abandoned. However, in 1882 the technique of hydraulic extraction of salt was introduced. Salt was brought to the surface by pumping fresh water down a borehole, allowing the salt to dissolve, and pumping the brine back up. Production by Bolckow, Vaughan and other companies reached 300,000 tons per year in the 1890s.
On 2 June 1884, Sir Joseph Pease unveiled a monument to John Vaughan in Exchange Square, Middlesbrough, which still stands. He gave a speech to the crowd of 15,000 people, in which he described the town as "the greatest iron-producing district in the world", and compared Bolckow and Vaughan to the mythical founding fathers of Rome, Romulus and Remus. The bronze statue was sculpted by George Anderson Lawson of the New Sculpture movement.
Bulmer's Gazetteer of 1890 records that in 1888 Bolckow, Vaughan owned 6 of the 36 ironstone mines in Cleveland and Whitby; the ironstone in their mine at Eston contained 33.62% Iron. By 1887 the company owned 4 of the 21 ironworks in Cleveland, with 21 of the 91 blast furnaces.
In the 1900s, Bolckow, Vaughan was certainly the largest steel producer in Britain, and possibly the largest in the world. In 1905, the firm produced 820,000 tons of pig iron, which was 8.5% of Great Britain's output, and twice as much as the next largest producer. In 1907 it was one of the largest firms in Britain, with 20,000 employees.
In 1918, the firm even had its own women's football team. Bolckow, Vaughan's women workers were runners-up in a replayed final tie for the "Tyne Wear & Tees Alfred Wood Munition Girls Cup". They were defeated 5–0 by Blyth Spartans.
Collapse.
Fresh management was brought into Bolckow Vaughan in the later 1920s, Holberry Mensforth as managing director working with Henry Duncan McLaren. The works were reorganised, and consultation with the workforce introduced. Financial pressures saw it undergo a merger with Dorman Long, in 1931. The causes of failure included: poor decision-making in the period from 1900–1910 which delayed the introduction of improved steelmaking technology; optimistic belief in promises of funding made by the British government during the war, leading to reliance on costly bank loans in 1918, rather than issuing share capital as the firm later did in 1919 and 1923; failure to diversify into profitable steel products such as pipes, sheet steel and shipbuilding plates; and failure to invest in its own coal mines to provide enough for steel production, and for cash. There were thus both long-term and short-term failures of strategy. No company history was written.
The rise and fall of the company can be seen in the numbers of mines and collieries that it owned:
The production of pig-iron, which was once profitable, but later became a weakness when rivals were producing steel, shows growth and slow decline:
Legacy.
Few visible signs of the company remain. The former extent of the Bolckow, Vaughan property at the Eston Sheet and Galvanizing Works beside the River Tees Dockyard is still marked by boundary stones on Smiths Dock Road, Middlesbrough. The graves of the founding fathers of the company and of Middlesbrough, Henry Bolckow and John Vaughan, in St Cuthbert's Churchyard, Marton, fell into disrepair. They were refurbished in 2009.


Jefferson J. Standifer

Jefferson J. Standifer was an American gold miner, lawman, prospector, explorer, and member of the Knights of the Golden Circle. He was the first sheriff of Idaho County, and there is a street named after him in Placerville, Idaho where he resided for a short time.
Early life.
Jeff Standifer was born to Nancy and James Standifer around 1832. They homesteaded near Young's Settlement, Bastrop County, Texas. James died in 1843, followed by Nancy in 1846. This left a teenage Jefferson Standifer to be raised by his siblings. In 1850, Standifer and his brothers moved to California to take part in the gold rush.
Gold mining.
Standifer took part in gold prospecting and mining in California, Oregon, British Columbia, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. He also was a partner in a gold mine in Sinaloa, Mexico. He was credited as creating thousands of mining jobs in the west.
Idaho.
In 1862, Standifer was named first sheriff of Idaho County by the Washington Territorial Legislature. He mined in Florence, Idaho before leading an expedition to the Boise Basin. Standifer became a prominent citizen there. He built the Magnolia Saloon in Placerville, one of the few remaining early structures in the area. There is a street there named after him. In the Spring of 1863, attacks by Native Americans were threatening the mines. Standifer organized the first militia in Idaho to combat this threat.
Membership in the Knights of the Golden Circle.
Standifer's movements throughout his life indicate he was a member of the Knights of the Golden Circle. When Federal Troops came to establish a fort in Boise, Standifer fled the area. He then went to Mexico where he met with a known Confederate spy. Standifer helped men travel from California to Texas through Mexico to join the Confederate Army. Standifer was then ordered to camp in Bastrop, his hometown. Bastrop was also the site of a KGC Castle. Earlier in his life, Standifer was present in the Hawaiian Islands at the same time a precursor organization had filibustering plans there.
Death.
Standifer died in 1874 at Fort Steele, Wyoming, after contracting Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever on an expedition led by William F. Cody. A recent marker was placed in his grave by the Twenty First Century Confederate Legion. The marker indicates Standifer was a veteran of the "CSA CAV 1ST Calif. BN" This military unit does not seem to have existed.