Copper Mining and Production Wastes in Sudan
Copper Mining and Production
If you’ve ever thought about the potential for undersea mining of metal-rich mud, you should know that there is a major project underway. It is a partnership between the Saudi Arabian government and the Sudan. The Saudi-Sudanese Red Sea Commission was formed to support research and development. The two countries will fund the whole project. It is expected to begin production about fourteen to eighteen months after the project begins.
The Red Sea has long been a place where thick layers of mud have collected for thousands of years. The mud is rich in copper, zinc, gold and silver. Its potential for mining is tremendous. These mineral deposits are located deep in the ocean along the center of the Red Sea.
The mining boom in Sudan has a negative impact on the country’s social and political relations. It also affects the economy of different regions. Its impact has been accentuated by the emergence of a centre/periphery problem. This is a result of economic discrimination against people living in the peripheral areas of the country.
The government of Khartoum has recently announced a new policy on mining. It wants to make the Central Bank the ultimate purchaser of gold. It is aiming for an increased use of gold in the artisanal sector as well. It also aims to improve the quality of gold produced through its refinery in Khartoum.
While it is not the purpose of this article to evaluate government policy, it does discuss the reorganization of the mining industry in Sudan. There are several strategies that have been implemented by the government in order to boost the industrial production of gold and make the Central Bank a unique vendor in the international market.
Copper Mining and Production Wastes in Sudan
The government is also trying to attract foreign investment into its mining sector. In addition to promoting the export of agricultural products, the government has introduced austerity plans to restore the balance of payments. As part of these austerity measures, most subsidies for staples have been removed. It has also imposed more strict regulations on mining.
Why to Invest in Copper Mining
Another important aspect of the mining boom is that it has reshaped relations between different regions. For example, a German mining company conducted an experiment for the Saudi-Sudanese Red-Sea Commission. In its work, it studied leaching behaviors of copper ores, using citric acid and non-conventional organic acids. The results showed that the ores exhibited leaching behavior similar to those of iron ores.
However, there are some significant differences between the two approaches. The former involves the removal of overburden from the ore body and the use of groundwater. The latter requires the introduction of chemicals into the ore body and the use of injection wells. The two methods have differing costs. The latter could result in a much smaller amount of copper being mined and its revenues being reduced.
Although a major focus of the article is on gold, the main point is that the mining industry is facing a growing demand for various minerals. These factors make it necessary for the industry to develop clean technologies and become more efficient.