Contribution of small-scale mining to employment,development and sustainability – an Indian scenario

Small-scale mining is more prevalent in India. The maximum production capacity of 50,000 tonnes/year has been accepted as a criterion to Indian small-scale mine. Such mines constitute about 90% of total number of mines, 42% of the total non-fuel minerals and metals, 5% of the fuel minerals. Some 3000 small scale mines account for a work force of about 0.5 million people. Yet this sector is a neglected sector in Indian economy and still considered as an unorganized sector. This paper examines the contribution of small-scale mines to employment and national mineral production, practices, and Indian policy on small-scale mining. It identifies the drawbacks in the existing Government policy and discusses the role of Government for up gradation in this sector. It focuses the need for technical up gradation and to ensure the economic and social infrastructure. It also discusses how the pursuit of sustainable livelihoods, poverty alleviation and indigenous peoples right in artisanal and small-scale mining be more effective when these communities are disadvantaged or neglected by Government policies. This paper concludes that this sector can make significant contribution to Indian economy and employment generation. It recommends that by establishing mining centre consist of shared mining and processing facilities, educating and training related initiatives it can be achieved.     

A simple method for preparing prometaphase chromosomes from amniotic fluid cell cultures

A simple method for preparing prometaphase chromosomes from amniotic fluid cell cultures is described. The technique is based upon several key steps including: (1) reduced colcemid concentration, (2) reduced exposure to trypsin-EDTA, and (3) maintaining cells in single suspension by adjusting cell concentration appropriately. Chromosomes with banding resolution up ot 800 bands per haploid set can be routinely produced. The described methodology is particularly useful in defining and establishing the clinical significance of subtle structural aberrations.     

COMPUTER-AIDED PLANNING FOR MULTIPLE-PURPOSE RESERVOIR OPERATING POLICIES1

ABSTRACT: Computer-aided planning (CAP) for multiple-purpose reservoir operations involves use of state-of-the-art simulation and optimization methods, color graphic displays, and interactive computing interfaces. These technologies were integrated into a coherent system that has user-friendly interfaces to help the process of communicating reservoir system operations, solicit planning participant preferences and valuation judgments, and provide understandable feedback of system performance. The CAP system was imbedded in a comprehensive public involvement program that paralleled the reservoir operating policy modeling process, as part of multipurpose reservoir operations planning on the Great Plains Reservoirs in Colorado. Experience with the approach indicates the involved publics can quickly learn of reservoir system limitations and opportunities, and can indeed participate in the operations planning process.     

Rent dissipation in a limited-access common-pool resource: Experimental evidence

This paper examines group behavior in an experimental environment designed to parallel the conditions specified in noncooperative models of limited-access common-pool resources. Using experimental methods, we investigate the strength of theoretical models which predict that users of such resources will appropriate units at a rate at which the marginal returns from appropriation are greater than the marginal appropriation costs. Our results confirm the prediction of suboptimal accrual of rents and offer evidence on the effects of increasing investment capital available to appropriators.     

Fissiparity and population genetics of Coscinasterias calamaria

The effect of asexual reproduction on the population genetics of the fissiparous seastar Coscinasterias calamaria was examined at Rottnest Island and the adjacent mainland, Western Australia, in 1985. Field samples and laboratory observations on growth rate and regeneration showed that fission is common at all 14 sites examined. Electrophoretic analysis of six polymorphic enzymes revealed low genotypic diversity and strong genetic disequilibrium at each site, confirming the highly clonal structure of local populations. Striking variation in clonal composition over distances as short as 50 m emphasizes the very localized subdivision of these populations. In the combined sample from all sites, however, the expected range of multilocus genotypes was found in the proportions expected from random mixing of sexually produced larvae, confirming that clonal diversity results from sexual reproduction. Local genotypic diversity was not correlated with fission, emphasizing the difficulty of determining the short-term roles of asexual and larval recruitment in the maintenance of populations. Subtidal populations, however, appear to have both lower incidence of fission and lower larval recruitment than do intertidal populations.     

Triad case study: Rattlesnake Creek

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (US ACE) is responsible for conducting the cleanup of radiological contaminated properties as part of the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program. One property is the Rattlesnake Creek (RSC) portion of the Ashland sites. The RSC stream sediments are contaminated with thorium‐230, radium‐226, and uranium. The US ACE is closing RSC using protocols contained within the Multi‐Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual (MARSSIM). At RSC, the US ACE developed site‐specific derived concentration guideline level (DCGL) cleanup requirements consistent with the MARSSIM guidance. Because of uncertainty about the distribution of contamination within the creek, the US ACE used the Triad approach to collect data and design remedial actions. Systematic planning helped target the areas of concern, develop a conceptual site model, and identify data gaps to be addressed before remediation plans were finalized. Preremediation sampling and analysis plans were designed to be explicitly consistent with final status survey requirements, allowing data sets to support both excavation planning needs and closure requirements in areas where contamination was not encountered above DCGL standards. Judicious use of real‐ time technologies such as X‐ray fluorescence and gamma walkover surveys minimized expensive off‐ site alpha spectrometry analyses, and at the same time provided the ability to respond to unexpected field conditions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The effects of long-term unemployment on attitudes to employment

This paper is concerned with whether long-term unemployment (6-24 months) affects people's attitudes to employment once they have found a new job. One hundred and forty men aged 25-40 were asked whether they felt various aspects of employment (e.g. job security, pay) are more important to them as a result of being unemployed. The effects of mental well-being when unemployed on attitudes to employment are explored. Unemployment is reported to have made most aspects of employment more important to people. Those whose mental health was worst when unemployed report that job security is most important to them.     

Building Capacity for Protected Area Management in Lao PDR

Declining biodiversity in protected areas in Laos is attributed to unsustainable exploitation of natural resources. At a basic level, an important need is to develop capacity in academic and professional training institutions to provide relevant training to conservation professionals. The paper (a) describes the capacity building approach undertaken to achieve this goal, (b) evaluates the effectiveness of the approach in building capacity for implementing conservation and (c) reviews implementation outcomes. Strong linkages between organizations implementing field conservation, professional training institutions, and relevant Government agencies are central to enhancing effectiveness of capacity building initiatives aimed at improving the practice of conservation. Protected area management technical capacity needs will need to directly influence curriculum design to insure both relevance and effectiveness of training in improving protected area management. Sustainability of capacity building initiatives is largely dependent on the level of interest and commitment by host-country institutions within a supportive Government policy framework in addition to engagement of organizations implementing conservation.