O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar os efeitos que as fontes orgânicas e inorgânicas de cobre e enxofre possuem na interação cobre-enxofre-molibdênio, estimando a biodisponibilidade de duas fontes de cobre na dieta de ovinos. Para isso, foram utilizados 40 ovinos desmamados, com aproximadamente 3 meses e peso médio 20 kg, distribuídos em 10 tratamentos, sendo: 1) dieta basal; 2) dieta basal contendo 10 mg de molibdênio/kg de MS; 3) dieta basal + 10 mg cobre inorgânico/kg de MS + 0,2% enxofre inorgânico/kg de MS; 4) dieta basal + 10 mg cobre inorgânico/kg de MS + 0,2% enxofre orgânico/kg de MS; 5) dieta basal + 10 mg cobre orgânico/kg de MS + 0,2% enxofre inorgânico/kg de MS; 6) dieta basal + 10 mg cobre orgânico/kg de MS + 0,2% enxofre orgânico/kg de MS; 7) dieta com 10 mg molibdênio + 10 mg cobre inorgânico/kg de MS + 0,2% enxofre inorgânico/kg de MS; 8) dieta com 10 mg molibdênio + 10 mg cobre inorgânico/kg de MS + 0,2% enxofre orgânico/kg de MS; 9) dieta com 10 mg molibdênio + 10 mg cobre orgânico/kg de MS + 0,2% enxofre inorgânico/kg de MS; 10) dieta com 10 mg molibdênio + 10 mg cobre orgânico/kg de MS + 0,2% enxofre orgânico/kg de MS. O experimento teve duração total de 84 dias, sendo realizadas pesagens dos animais nos dias 1, 28, 56 e 84 dias para acompanhamento do desenvolvimento. Foram realizadas também coletas sanguíneas para estudo de teores de cobre, enxofre e molibdênio sanguíneos, teores de glicose, albumina, ureia, colesterol, triglicerídeos, hematócrito e ceruloplasmina. Foram realizadas biópsias do fígado no tempo zero para análises de cobre, enxofre e molibdênio. Ao término do período experimental os animais foram abatidos e colheu-se amostras de fígado e líquido biliar para determinação final dos teores de minerais, bem como acompanhamento do pH e peso das carcaças quente e fria. No terço final do período experimental foi realizado um balanço metabólico para cobre, enxofre e molibdênio, sendo a biodisponibilidade do cobre calculada pela técnica \"slope ratio\", utilizando-se os teores de cobre hepático. Os parâmetros foram analisados considerando-se a existência de uma estrutura de tratamento fatorial 2 x 2 x 2 (com e sem molibdênio, cobre orgânico e inorgânico e enxofre orgânico e inorgânico) e uma dieta basal e uma basal mais molibdênio, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. As concentrações de glicose, albumina, ureia, colesterol e hematócrito sanguíneos não sofreram efeito (P>0,05) pela adição de molibdênio ou adição de cobre e enxofre, ou pela interação cobre-enxofre-molibdênio. Entretanto as concentrações de triglicerídeos sanguíneos foram alteradas (P<0,05) pela interação cobre-enxofre, mostrando redução na sua concentração quando da adição de cobre e enxofre nas fontes orgânicas. O peso vivo dos ovinos não foi influenciado (P>0,05) pelos tratamentos, porém o ganho de peso foi influenciado pela interação cobre-enxofre-molibdênio onde se observou redução no ganho de peso com a adição de molibdênio exclusivo e aumento no ganho de peso quando adicionado molibdênio com cobre e enxofre nas fontes orgânicas quando comparados com as fontes inorgânicas. A suplementação de fontes de cobre e enxofre e adição de molibdênio não influenciaram (P>0,05) os valores de pH e peso das carcaças. A presença de molibdênio na dieta diminuiu os teores de ceruloplasmina e a presença e molibdênio exclusivo reduziu as concentrações de cobre no soro dos ovinos, bem como a interação cobre-enxofre-molibdênio com as fontes inorgânicas dos minerais reduziu a ceruloplasmina e cobre no soro. Em contrapartida, a ceruloplasmina mostrou aumento nos níveis quando da administração de enxofre orgânico. Os teores de enxofre sanguíneos não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos. No líquido biliar contatou-se efeito do molibdênio exclusivo sobre os minerais, mostrando redução nas concentrações de cobre e enxofre e aumento na concentração de molibdênio. Os valores hepáticos de cobre e enxofre não foram influenciados (P>0,05) pelos tratamentos, somente o molibdênio hepático mostrou efeito na interação cobre-enxofre-molibdênio. A biodisponibilidade do cobre proteinado (145,09%) foi superior à do sulfato de cobre (100%), independente da fonte de enxofre e na ausência e molibdênio, quando determinado pela regressão múltipla \"slope ratio\". / This research aim to study the effect of organic and inorganic copper and sulfur sources in the interaction copper-sulfur-molybdenum, estimating the bioavailability of two sources of copper in the diet of sheep. For that used 40 weaned sheep at about 3 months of age and weighing 20 kg and distributed in 10 treatments, as follows: 1) basal diet; 2) diet containing molybdenum; 3) basal diet + copper inorganic + sulfur inorganic; 4) basal diet + copper inorganic + sulfur organic; 5) basal diet + copper organic + sulfur, inorganic; 6) basal diet + copper organic + sulfur organic; 7) diet with molybdenum + copper inorganic + sulfur inorganic; 8) diet with molybdenum + copper inorganic + organic sulfur; 9) diet with molybdenum + copper organic + sulfur inorganic, 10) diet with molybdenum + organic copper + organic sulfur. The experimental period lasted 84 days, animal weighing was performed on days 0, 28, 56 and 84 days to monitor its development. Blood collections to study levels of copper, sulfur and molybdenum, concentrations of glucose, albumin, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides, hematocrit and ceruloplasmin were also performed. Liver biopsies were made on zero day for copper, sulfur and molybdenum analysis. At the end of the experimental period, the animals were slaughtered and samples were collected from liver and bile fluid for final determination of mineral, and was measured pH and weight of hot and cold carcasses. At the end of the third experimental period was done a metabolic balance of copper, molybdenum and sulfur. The bioavailability of copper was calculated by \"slope ratio\" technique, using the concentration of copper in the liver. The parameters were analyzed considering the existence of a factorial structure 2 x 2 x 2 (with and without molybdenum, organic and inorganic copper and organic and inorganic sulphur) and a basal diet and a basal diet plus molybdenum. The concentrations of glucose, albumin, urea, cholesterol and blood hematocrit levels were not affected (P>0,05) by the addition of molybdenum or adding copper and sulfur, or the copper-molybdenum-sulfur interaction. However, blood triglyceride concentrations were changed (P<0.05) by copper-sulfur interaction, with a reduction in their concentration after the addition of copper and sulfur in organic sources. The live weight of the sheep was not affected (P>0,05) by the treatments, but the weight gain was influenced by the interaction copper-molybdenum-sulfur there was a reduction in weight gain with the addition of molybdenum and an increase was observed in the weight gain when added with copper and molybdenum in the organic sulfur sources compared to the inorganic sources. The supplemental sources of copper and sulfur and addition of molybdenum had no effect (P>0,05) on pH values and carcass weight. The presence of molybdenum in the diet reduced the levels of ceruloplasmin and the exclusive molybdenum presence reduced copper concentrations in the serum of the sheep. The copper-molybdenum-sulfur interaction with the inorganic sources of minerals decreased serum ceruloplasmin and copper. On the other hand, there was an increase in ceruloplasmin levels with organic sulfur administration. The blood levels of sulfur were not affected by treatments. Bile liquid was affected by molybdenum, it was a reduction in the concentrations of copper and sulfur with increase in the molybdenum concentration. The copper and sulfur liver levels were not influenced (P>0,05) by treatments, only the liver Molybdenum effect showed on copper-molybdenum-sulfur interaction. The bioavailability of organic copper (145.09%) was higher than that of copper sulphate (100%), irrespective of the source and in the absence and sulfur and molybdenum, as determined by multiple regression slope ratio.

O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar uma resenha das principais contribuições teóricas sobre a regulação de recursos minerais não-renováveis, com vistas a avaliar algumas perspectivas sobre o futuro do setor de petróleo e gás natural no Brasil, objeto de substanciais transformações institucionais nos últimos anos. Inicialmente, apresenta-se um panorama histórico sobre o conceito de renda ao longo da literatura, procurando explicitar as peculiaridades da renda mineral. Argumentamos que a forma como o Governo tributa a renda mineral com vistas a extrair seus benefícios tem impacto sobre a percepção de risco do investidor privado, podendo alterar sua decisão de investir. Busca-se, fundamentalmente, avaliar sob que condições um tributo incidente sobre o setor de petróleo é neutro e que possíveis conseqüências o novo modelo institucional brasileiro terá sobre a atração de investimentos exploratórios. / The goal of this work is to present a report of the main contributions in the regulation of non-renewable resources, searching to evaluate some of the perspectives about the future of the oil and natural gas sectors in Brazil, which have being the object of substantial institutional changes in the last years. To begin with, we present a historical overview about the idea of Rent along literature, trying to show the particularities of mineral rent. We argue that the way the Government taxes mineral rent, with the purpose of extracting its benefits, has an impact over investor’s risk sensitiveness, possibly leading to a change of investment decision. We search mainly to evaluate under whichc onditions a tax over oil sector is neutral and which possible consequences the new Brazilian institutional model will have over the attraction of investments in exploration.

A síntese de zeólitas a partir de cinzas leves e pesadas de carvão mineral foi realizada por tratamento hidrotérmico alcalino, as quais foram nomeadas ZCL e ZCP, respectivamente. As zeólitas organomodificadas ZML e ZMP foram obtidas a partir da modificação superficial de ZCL e ZCP, respectivamente, utilizando o surfactante catiônico brometo de hexadeciltrimetilamônio. A partir das soluções remanescentes geradas na síntese de ZCL e ZCP foi possível sintetizar duas novas zeólitas. As características físicoquímicas dos nanomateriais zeolíticos sintetizados, bem como de suas respectivas matérias primas, tais como: capacidade de troca catiônica, massa específica, área específica, composição química, mineralógica e morfológica, entre outras, foram determinadas. Os adsorventes ZML e ZMP foram utilizados na remoção dos corantes Azul Direto 71 (DB71) e Rodamina B (RB) de soluções aquosas em sistema de batelada. Desta forma, quatro sistemas DB71/ZML, RB/ZML, DB71/ZMP e RB/ZMP foram investigados. Os modelos de pseudoprimeira ordem e pseudo-segunda ordem foram aplicados aos dados experimentais para o estudo da cinética de adsorção. O modelo de pseudosegunda ordem foi o que melhor descreveu o processo de adsorção de todos os sistemas corante/zeólita organomodificada. O equilíbrio da adsorção foi analisado a partir de quatro modelos de isoterma, sendo eles: Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin e Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R). Os resultados mostram que os modelos de Freundlich e Langmuir melhor descreveram os dados experimentais dos sistemas DB71/ZML e DB71/ZMP, respectivamente. Para os sistemas com RB, o modelo de D-R foi o que melhor se ajustou para ambos adsorventes ZML e ZMP. O planejamento fatorial 24 foi aplicado para a análise dos seguintes fatores que influenciam o processo de adsorção: concentração inicial do corante (Co), pH, dose de adsorvente (M) e temperatura (T). De acordo com as condições estudadas concluiu-se, com o intervalo de confiança igual a 95%, que para o sistema DB71/ZML, os fatores e suas interações que mais influenciam foram C0, M, pH, pH*M, pH*C0, M*C0, pH*M*C0, nessa ordem. No sistema DB71/ZMP, a ordem de influência foi: M, C0, pH, pH*M, pH*C0, M*C0, pH*M*C0. Para os sistemas RB/ZML e RB/ZMP, os resultados foram: M, C0, M*C0, pH, pH*M e M, C0, M*C0, respectivamente. O equilíbrio de adsorção foi atingido em cerca de 40 min para todas as amostras. As porcentagens de remoção do DB71 estavam na faixa de 50 80% e 20 50% para ZML e ZMP, respectivamente. A faixa de porcentagens de remoção do RB variou entre 60 80% e 30 50% para ZML e ZMP, respectivamente. / The synthesis of zeolites from mineral coal fly and bottom ash was performed by alkaline hydrothermal treatment, which were named ZFA and ZBA, respectively. Organo-modified zeolites, SMZF and SMZB, were obtained from surface modification of ZFA and ZBA, respectively, using the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. From the remaining solutions generated in ZFA and ZBA synthesis it was possible to synthesis two new zeolites. The physicochemical characteristics of the synthesized nanomaterials zeolite as well as their respective raw materials, such as cation exchange capacity, density, specific area, chemical composition, mineralogical and morphological, among others, were determined. The adsorbents SMZF and SMZB were used to remove the dyes, Direct Blue 71 (DB71) and Rhodamine B (RB) from aqueous solutions in batch system. Thus, four systems DB71/SMZF, RB/SMZF, DB71/SMZB, RB/SMZB were investigated. The models of pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order were applied to the experimental data for the study the adsorption kinetics. The model of pseudo-second order was the one that best described the adsorption of all dye/organomodified-zeolites systems. The equilibrium adsorption was analyzed from four models isotherm, namely: Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-B). The results show that the model Freundlich and Langmuir best described the experimental data systems DB71/SMZF and DB71/SMZB, respectively. For systems with RB, the model D-R was the best fit for both adsorbents (SMZF and SMZB). The factorial design 24 was applied to the analysis of the following factors influencing the adsorption process: initial concentration of dye (Co), pH, amount of adsorbent (M) and temperature (T). Under the conditions studied it concludes with the confidence interval of 95%, which for the DB71/SMZF system, the factors and their interactions that influence more were C0, M, pH, pH*M, pH*C0, M*C0, pH*M*C0, in that order. In DB71/SMZB system, the order of influence was: M, C0, pH, pH*M, pH*C0, M*C0, pH*M*C0. For RB/SMZF and RB/SMZB systems, the results were: M, C0, M*C0, pH, pH*M and M, C0, M*C0, respectively. The adsorption equilibrium was attained in about 40 min for all samples. The DB71 removal percentages were in the range of 50 80% and 20 50% for ZML and ZMP, respectively. The range of RB removal percentages varied between 60 80% and 30 50% for ZML and ZMP, respectively.

As enzimas são incorporadas aos alimentos das aves, com o propósito de melhorar o desempenho destas e, com isso, a rentabilidade do setor avícola. O uso de fitase em rações avícolas é uma prática aceita mundialmente em diversas realidades deste setor produtivo, sendo uma das enzimas mais estudadas na nutrição animal. Ela degrada as moléculas de ácido fítico e fitato. A hidrólise do fitato não é responsável somente pela liberação de fósforo, mas também de minerais e proteínas, que podem estar associadas aos íons fosfato. O uso desta enzima permite diminuir a quantidade de certas substâncias adicionadas às rações, o que pode reduzir custos de produção e melhorar resultados zootécnicos. Pesquisas sobre o uso de fitase foram desenvolvidas com frangos de corte e poedeiras. Entretanto, não se encontram dados na literatura a respeito do uso de fitase na dieta de codornas. Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos do fornecimento de rações com níveis diferentes de fósforo e fitase, sobre o desempenho das codornas e a qualidade dos ovos, durante 84 dias, com 320 aves de 35 semanas de idade. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 4 níveis de fósforo disponível (0,106; 0,210; 0,315; 0,385%) e 2 níveis de fitase (0 e 600FTU), totalizando 8 tratamentos com 5 repetições. Os resultados mostraram que os níveis de fósforo e o uso da fitase não influenciaram no consumo de ração, na conversão alimentar por dúzia de ovos e no peso dos componentes dos ovos (albúmen, gema e casca). Já para a produção de ovos e produção de ovos comercializáveis por dia por ave, houve interação fósforo x fitase, demonstrando uma tendência ao efeito linear, sendo que o melhor desempenho foi com o nível de 0,385% fósforo disponível sem adição de fitase. Para o peso e a massa dos ovos a interação também apresentou efeito, porém de desvio da quadrática, e os melhores resultados foram observados com o nível de 0,210% fósforo disponível sem adição de fitase. Para gravidade específica o melhor resultado foi observado com a adição de fitase e 0,106% fósforo disponível, mostrando um efeito de desvio da quadrática para a interação fósforo x fitase. Resultados significativos para a porcentagem de casca, um efeito linear para a interação fósforo x fitase com a maior porcentagem observada com o nível de 0,385% fósforo disponível sem adição de fitase e para a porcentagem de gema um efeito de desvio da quadrática para os níveis de fósforo, com a maior porcentagem observada com o nível de 0,315% fósforo disponível. Pode-se concluir que a suplementação de 600FTU é eficaz na qualidade da casca dos ovos, em dietas com 0,106% de fósforo disponível. Os níveis de fósforo disponível podem ser reduzidos para 0,106% sem alterar o consumo de ração, a conversão alimentar, o peso dos componentes dos ovos e a porcentagem de albúmen. Para a massa e o peso dos ovos o nível ideal de fósforo disponível na dieta é 0,210% e para a porcentagem de gema e de casca o nível ideal é de 0,385% de fósforo disponível. / The enzymes are incorporated into foods from poultry, in order to improve their performance and thereby the profitability of the poultry sector. The use of phytase in poultry rations is an accepted practice worldwide in diverse realities of this sector, being one of the most studied enzymes in animal nutrition. It degrades the molecules of phytic acid and phytate. Hydrolysis of phytate is responsible not only for the release of phosphorus, but also minerals and proteins that may be associated with the phosphate ions. The use of this enzyme can reduce the amount of certain substances added to the rations, which can reduce production costs and improve outcomes husbandry. Research on the use of phytase were developed with broilers and layers. However, there are no published data regarding the use of phytase in the diet of quails. The objective was to evaluate the effects of feeding with different levels of phosphorus and phytase on performance and quality of quail eggs for 84 days, with 320 birds of 35 weeks of age. We used a completely randomized design with four levels of available phosphorus (0.106, 0.210, 0.315, 0.385%) and two phytase levels (0 and 600FTU), totalizing eight treatments with five replications. The results showed that phosphorus levels and the use of phytase did not influence the feed intake, feed conversion per dozen eggs and weight of egg components (albumen, yolk and shell). As for egg production and commercial egg production per day per bird, phosphorus x phytase interaction was observed, demonstrating a tendency to linearly, with the best performance was with the level of 0.385% available phosphorus with no added phytase. For the weight and egg mass also showed the interaction effect, but the deviation from quadratic, and the best results were observed at the level of 0.210% available phosphorus with no added phytase. Specific gravity for the best result was observed with the addition of phytase and available phosphorus 0.106%, showing an effect of the quadratic deviation for phosphorus x phytase interaction. Significant results for the percentage of shell, a linear effect for phosphorus x phytase interaction with the highest percentage observed at the level of 0.385% available phosphorus with no added phytase and the yolk percentage deviation from a quadratic effect on the levels of phosphorus, with the highest percentage observed at the level of 0.315% available phosphorus. It can be concluded that supplementation of 600FTU is effective as the egg shell in diets with 0,106% available phosphorus. The available phosphorus levels can be reduced to 0.106% without changing feed intake, feed conversion, weight of egg components and the percentage of albumen. For mass and weight of eggs to an optimal level of available phosphorus in the diet is 0.210% and the percentage of yolk and shell is the ideal level of 0.385% available phosphorus.

The current mining method in Zinkgruvan today is underhand stoping. With this method the ore is mined downwards in disks. When the ore is extracted the stope is backfilled with paste which contains tailings, cement and water. The paste will constitute the ceiling in lower levels and are therefore vital for the safety and the requirements of the strength. The goal of this thesis is to increase knowledge about the paste’s strength after the usual tests within 28 days. Test objects are taken from two different paste’s in Burkland and Nygruvan and compares with old data from the same sights. Besides the test objects that are taken from the mine there are also some studys on the literature with consideration on mine backfill in other mines using a similar mining method. By interviewing experts at Zinkgruvan increased knowledge is acquired about the production and the company. By the results an indication is given regarding the possibility of optimizing the paste containing eight percent cement to a lower amount in order to reduce costs. The results shows that the paste increases in strength after standard testing within 28 days.

I detta examensarbete undersöks energibehov och emissioner hos mobila krossanläggningar tillhörande NCC Industry AB. Bergtäkterna Eker och Dylta i Örebro län samt Mörtsjön i Södermanlands län har studerats och analyserats. Dessa bergtäkter producerar ballastprodukter som till större del används i anläggningsindustrin och vid asfaltstillverkning. Tester har genomförts på den elektriska konsumtionen i de olika anläggningarna för att beräkna relevanta parametrar som varit eftersökta. Produktionsrapporter och elmätningar har sammanställts, löpande under ett flertal veckor, i ett räknedokument för att kunna erhålla efterfrågade datavärden. De sökta faktorerna har varit energibehov i form av kWh/Ton samt emissioner i form av kg CO2/Ton. Mätningarna avser krossar, siktar och transportband vid maskinuppställningar för mobil krossning. Resultaten visar att värden på elförbrukningen uppgår till 2,1 kWh/ton med en variation från 1,1 till 3,1 kWh/ton beroende på ingående maskiner och driftförhållanden. För CO2-emissionerna var motsvarande genomsnitt 0,9 kg CO2/ton vid dieseldrift med variation 0,4 till 1,6 kg CO2/ton. Vid omräkning till en tänkt nätdrift med el låg genomsnittet på 0,17 kg CO2/ton. Beräkningarna skall bidra till en grönare tillverkningsprocess av ballastprodukter och kom att visa att skillnaderna i utsläpp (kg CO2/Ton) är uppemot 90 % större vid dieseldrift gentemot eldrift på en av de olika anläggningarna. Dessa resultat har sedan analyserats och rekommendationer görs för framtida drift och investeringar i samtliga anläggningar. Dessa rekommendationer utvärderas sedan av NCC för att avgöra huruvida de är relevanta eller icke. Att genomföra ombyggnationer och modifiera utrustningen kan dock vara mycket kostsamt. Elektricitetsproduktionen är inte analyserad i rapporten. Beräkningar är utförda med förutsättningen att elen är av nordisk mix. Dessa uppgifter är inhämtade från Naturvårdsverket. En ekonomisk analys av denna investering ingår inte i denna rapport.

M.Com. (Business Management) / All valuations of mineral assets in South Africa are guided by the South African Mineral Resources Committee (SAMREC) and South African Mineral Valuation (SAMVAL) codes. They have also been adopted by the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) in order to protect shareholders. Different capital budgeting methods are used for mineral assets valuation in South Africa. These are the net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), payback period, cost, market and real options methods. It is not known which capital budgeting method is most often used for mining property valuations, as South African mining companies and associations are not required to share their capital budgeting processes with the public. In addition, the SAMVAL code does not recommend the use of the real options method and no reasons are provided. The study was aimed at establishing the capital budgeting method most often used for mining property valuations in South Africa, as well as the reasons why the real options method is not recommended by the SAMVAL code. A judgement sample of expert valuators was utilised in the study and interviews were carried out using open ended questions. The research revealed that NPV is the capital budgeting method most often used for mining property valuations followed by the IRR method. Outside South Africa, Bhappu & Guzman (1995) found that these preferences were reversed. Since the IRR method represents a notional rather than an actual return on investment, South African valuators were found to be more rational than their overseas counterparts in the application of these discounted cash flow (DCF) methods. The findings also revealed that the cost, market and payback methods were less preferred to the NPV and IRR methods. The reasons given were all consistent with the theory. The cost method was avoided because it uses historical cost data which is not usually applicable, the market method was limited due to the lack of available information on truly comparable projects and the payback method was shunned for undervaluing mining properties by ignoring cash flows that arrive after the payback period. The respondents also indicated that the real options method is the least used. The method (which includes the value of embedded optionality) was regarded as complex and not widely understood and this was also thought to explain why it is not recommended by the SAMVAL code. This finding indicated that in South Africa the embedded optionality in mining projects may not be taken into account and as a result, opportunities for the exploitation of its mineral assets could be missed.

Conventional drill and blast tunnelling consists of mainly seven elements which together makes a cycle. This cycle includes drilling and blasting which are crucial factors in tunnelling projects, as these have a major influence on how the project will progress. After blasting there can be occurrences of under-break with so called bootholes in it and a re-blast is needed. This is expensive and time-consuming, and is therefore indefensible due to causing extra costs as well as a delay in the completion of the whole project. A solution for this problem is needed to avoid blasting second times. Due to laws regulating the allowed fracture zone in tunnel-blasting, contour blasting is performed. The reason behind why bootlegs emerges after blasting is still unknown and depends on many varied factors, such as geology, blast pattern and the volume of explosives used. Different tests are done while blasting, thereafter the results are evaluated and documented. Each test was tried three times to get as a most reliable result as possible. Among others the amount of explosives ranged, double detonators in poor rock sections and a new drill plan was made. The main theory behind this project was that the problem with bootlegs mainly depended om poor geological situations in the rock. None of the test however have been successful enough to solve the problem and after almost every blast there where bootholes in the remaining rock. Recommendations for further testing are using a less amount of explosives as this was a successful method in Björkdalsgruvan in northern Sweden. Another thing worth giving a try is to remove the “helping-row” because it seems like it is breaking the contour-row and not doing any difference.

Investors consider commodity prices to be one of the major criteria critical in the selection of stocks of mining companies. This is done as part of the net present value (NPV) valuation of mining companies. It is believed that one of the three sets of mineral commodities prices, which are: spot price, forward price and long term price, has a greater impact on the share valuation processes used by investors. This research study investigated the extent to which each set of commodity prices influences the valuation process in order to provide investors of mining stocks with a greater understanding of how fluctuations of commodity prices over time affect prices of the mining stocks they hold, intend to sell or buy. A literature review conducted identified different valuation methods employed in valuing share prices. The literature study also revealed price cycles experienced in the commodity sector. Emerging from the literature review was the prominent role of commodity prices in valuing stocks of mining companies. Three mineral commodities namely, gold, silver and copper were used as case studies because stock market data on these commodities is readily available in the public domain. Nine market indices covering all three mineral commodities were selected based on defined criteria that ruled out any ambiguity and tested for correlation with the three sets of mineral commodity prices. An equal number of stocks of individual mining companies, which were not the primary drivers of the indices, were used to validate the results obtained from the indices in order to avoid duplication of the same correlation during cross – checking. Each mineral commodity price was adjusted for operating costs. For market indices, an average operating cost for each index was calculated from the companies in its basket, while for stocks of individual companies, the company’s annual operating costs were used. The data was collected for the period January 2004 to October 2010. This period was further split up into three sub – periods to account for the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) period that started in mid – 2008. This research study concluded that mining stock prices are correlated with mineral commodity prices, but with spot and forward prices exhibiting stronger correlations than long – term price. This finding is useful to mineral stock evaluators and any evaluator of a mineral asset in that where cash flow approach methods are to be used and the commodity price is required to estimate future cash flows, spot price forecasts of that mineral commodity should be used and not the long – term price.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are differences in bone mineral content and density between paralyzed and nonparalyzed sides of patients who had sustained strokes associated with unilateral muscle weakness, to determine the relationship between duration of stroke and degree of demineralization and to compare the degree of demineralization in upper and lower limbs. The bone mineral content and density were measured by dual photon absorptiometry (high resolution scanning mode, Lunar DP4) in ambulant patients with a history of single completed strokes associated with unilateral weakness. The bone mineral content and density of each limb was determined by the region of interest analysis program. In the 30 patients included in this study, the bone mineral content and density were significantly less on the paralyzed than on the nonparalyzed side. The degree of demineralization was more pronounced in the upper than in the lower limbs. The mean percentage differences in bone mineral content and density between paralyzed and nonparalyzed arms were 13.8% (P < 0.00001) and 7.95% (P = 0.0003), respectively, and between paralyzed and nonparalyzed legs the differences were 4.5% (P = 0.0012) and 3.42% (P = 0.0028), respectively. A better correlation was noted between the time elapsed since the stroke and the degree of demineralization in the upper limbs (r = 0.75, P < 0.0001), than in the lower limbs (r = 0.60, P = 0.0004). In conclusion, patients who have strokes associated with muscle weakness are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis on the paralyzed side and particularly in the upper limbs.