Producción científica de la Facultad de Geología y Minas del Instituto Superior Minero Metalúrgico, Cuba, en el período 2003-2015 / Scientific production of the Geology and Mining Faculty of Higher Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Cuba, in period 2003-2015

RESUMEN El objetivo de la investigación fue describir la producción científica de la Facultad de Geología y Minas del Instituto Superior Minero Metalúrgico de Moa (Cuba), en revistas científicas durante el período 2003-2015. El estudio se desarrolló a través de una estrategia de investigación que combina técnicas exploratorias de búsqueda de información y análisis cuantitativos, mediante el análisis documental y la estadística descriptiva. En este sentido, se analizó la producción científica por años, departamentos docentes, autores y en revistas. Se consultó un total de 224 publicaciones, de ellas 80 en revistas científicas, a partir de la identificación de los focos temáticos de investigación, la información contenida en los curriculum vitae y la consulta a las bases de datos. Los resultados muestran la evolución e impacto de la producción científica en los doce años del período en estudio. Se concluye que, a pesar de que el número de publicaciones registradas en revistas científicas es pequeño, existe una correspondencia entre la producción científica y las líneas de investigación establecidas por la institución. Estos resultados son un reflejo de los intereses y áreas activas de esta Facultad, por lo que los resultados pueden constituir un indicador de su evolución en la institución.

Abstract The purpose of the research was to describe the scientific production of the Geology and Mining School of the Higher Institute of Mining and Metallurgy of Moa (Cuba), in scientific journals during 2003-2015 period. The study is developed by means of a research strategy that combines exploratory techniques of information search and quantitative analyses, through the documentary analysis and descriptive statistics. In this sense analyzed the scientific production for years, teaching departments, authors, and journals. A total of 224 publications were surveyed, of those 80 in scientific journals, through of the identification of the thematic focuses of research, the information given in the curriculum vitae and the databases queries. The results show the evolution and impact of the scientific production in the twelve years of the period under study. It concluded that, despite the number of registered publications in scientific journals is small, there is a matching between the scientific production and the established lines of investigation by the institution. These results reflect the interests and active areas of this Faculty, so the results can be an indicator of his evolution in the institution.

Occupational noise induced hearing loss in the mining sector in South Africa: Perspectives from occupational health practitioners on how mineworkers are trained.

The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of occupational health practitioners (OHPs) regarding education and training of mineworkers on occupational noise induced hearing loss (ONIHL) and its impact on mineworkers' health. Qualitative, in-depth telephonic and face-to-face interviews were conducted with 16 OHPs. Purposive and snowball sampling was utilized to recruit participants. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Three themes emerged from the data: seeing is believing, not my department, barriers and facilitators to raising awareness (with two subthemes -blame it on the language and level of education, and compensation pay-outs). Superficially, OHPs believe that mineworkers are aware of the impact of noise health, however, the OHPs are not knowledgeable on how the mineworkers are educated on ONIHL and its latent consequences. Furthermore, language, low levels of education and literacy, as well as financial constraints are factors found to affect education and training of the mineworkers about the risks of ONIHL. If the mining industry is committed in eliminating ONIHL, they should prioritize health literacy, and mines need to have an effective awareness raising plan in place at every mine. This plan should consider diversity of the workforce, including linguistic as well as educational level diversity.

Entrenamiento de estudiantes de Medicina en investigaciones cualitativas y minería de texto durante el 2015 en Camagüey / The training of medical students in qualitative research and text mining during 2015 in Camagüey

Introducción: los estudiantes manifiestan pobres habilidades investigativas y el entrenamiento que reciben no satisface estas necesidades.Objetivo: entrenar estudiantes de quinto año de Medicina en realizar investigaciones cualitativas durante la educación en el trabajo para caracterizar, en este caso, elementos de sexualidad en adolescentes y analizarlas con técnicas de minería de textos.Métodos: durante abril de 2015, un grupo de estudiantes de Medicina de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Camagüey, realizó una exploración de tipo cualitativa en una secundaria y un preuniversitario sobre sus primeras relaciones sexuales y como le hubiera gustado que hubiese sido. Cada estudiante escribió de manera anónima la respuesta a esta pregunta en un papel, el cual se transfirió en un documento texto por cada persona, estos se reunieron por grupos en un folder común que agrupaba a los tres grupos. Se evaluaron los textos en su conjunto, se procedió a transformar las palabras pertenecientes a una familia de palabras (lematización) y se determinaron de manera descendente las palabras más frecuentes encontradas, se procedió a realizar un gráfico para explicar el impacto de las respuestas más importantes.Resultados: la técnica de minería de textos permitió identificar las palabras de más frecuencia y reflejarlas en un gráfico en el que se facilita la interpretación, los alumnos entrenaron las diferentes etapas de la investigación cualitativa.Conclusiones: con el presente trabajo fue posible entrenar a estudiantes de Medicina en realizar investigaciones cualitativas en sus actividades de educación en el trabajo para caracterizar elementos de sexualidad en adolescentes y analizarlas con técnicas de minería de textos(AU)

Introduction: Students manifest poor research skills and the training they receive does not meet these needs.Objective: to train fifth-years medical students in conducting qualitative research in education at work to characterize, in this case, elements of sexuality in adolescents and discuss them with text mining techniques.Methods: During April 2015, a group of medical students from the University of Medical Sciences of Camagüey conducted a qualitative exploration in a junior high school and a senior high school about their first sexual relations and how they would have preferred as it would have been. Each student wrote on a paper and anonymously his/her answer to this question, which was transferred into a text document for each person, later gathered in groups in a common folder which brought the three groups together. The texts as a whole were evaluated, later on the words were transformed as to a word family (lemmatization) and the most frequent words were determined in descending order, we then made a chart to explain the impact of the most important answers.Results: the text mining technique permitted the identification of the most frequent words and to empty them into a graph that made their interpretation easier; the students were trained in the different stages of qualitative research.Conclusions: The present work made possible to train medical students to conduct qualitative research in their education at work activities, in order to characterize elements of sexuality in adolescents and discuss them with text mining techniques(AU)

Managing equipment innovations in mining: A review.

BACKGROUND: Technological innovations in mining equipment have led to increased productivity and occupational health and safety (OHS) performance, but their introduction also brings new risks for workers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to provide support for mining industry managers who are required to reconcile equipment choices with OHS and productivity. METHODS: Examination of the literature through interdisciplinary digital databases. Databases were searched using specific combinations of keywords and limited to studies dating back no farther than 1992. The ``snowball'' technique was also used to examining the references listed in research articles initially identified with the databases. RESULTS: A total of 19 contextual factors were identified as having the potential to influence the OHS and productivity leverage of equipment innovations. The most often cited among these factors are the level of training provided to the equipment operators, operator experience and age, supervisor leadership abilities, and maintaining good relations within work crews. CONCLUSIONS: Interactions between these factors are not discussed in mining innovation literature. It would be helpful to use a systems thinking approach which incorporates interaction between relevant actors and factors to define properly the most sensitive aspects of innovation management as it applies to mining equipment.

Occupational accidents in artisanal mining in Katanga, D.R.C.

INTRODUCTION: This study focuses on accidents in artisanal mining, to support policies improving miners' employability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on a questionnaire administered in November 2009 to a sample of 180 miners from the artisanal mining of LUPOTO, in the Province of Katanga, we explored significant trends between the accidents and their consequences and behavioral or sociological variables. RESULTS: During the 12 months preceding the study, 392 accidents occurred, affecting 72.2% of miners. Tools handling represents 51.5%, of the accidents' causes, followed by handling heavy loads (32.9%). Factors such as age, seniority or apprenticeship did not generate significant differences. Contusions were the most common injuries (50.2%), followed by wounds (44.4%). These injuries were located in upper limbs (50.5%) and in lower limbs (29.3%). 80.5% of miners were cared for by their colleagues and 50% of them could not work for more than 3 days. Physical sequelae were reported by 19% of the injured miners. DISCUSSION: Many surveys related to accidents in the area of artisanal mining report such high frequency. The unsuitability of tools to jobs to be done is usually raised as one of the major causes of accidents. The lack of differentiation of the tasks carried out in relation to age is another factor explaining the lack of protective effect of seniority as it minimizes the contribution of experience in the worker's safety. The apprenticeship reported is inadequate; it is rather a learning by doing than anything else. That is why it lacks protective effect. Low income combined with precariousness of artisanal mining are likely to explain the low level of work stoppages. CONCLUSION: Tools improvement associated with adequate training seem to be the basis of accident prevention. Availability of suitable medical care should improve artisanal miners' recovery after accidents.

The shrinking mining city: urban dynamics and contested territory.

Shrinking mining cities ­ once prosperous settlements servicing a mining site or a system of mining sites ­ are characterized by long-term population and/or economic decline. Many of these towns experience periods of growth and shrinkage, mirroring the ebbs and flows of international mineral markets which determine the fortunes of the dominant mining corporation upon which each of these towns heavily depends. This dependence on one main industry produces a parallel development in the fluctuations of both workforce and population. Thus, the strategies of the main company in these towns can, to a great extent, determine future developments and have a great impact on urban management plans. Climate conditions, knowledge, education and health services, as well as transportation links, are important factors that have impacted on lifestyles in mining cities, but it is the parallel development with the private sector operators (often a single corporation) that constitutes the distinctive feature of these cities and that ultimately defines their shrinkage. This article discusses shrinking mining cities in capitalist economies, the factors underpinning their development, and some of the planning and community challenges faced by these cities in Australia, Canada, Japan and Mexico.

Limitations in small artisanal gold mining addressed by educational components paired with alternative mining methods.

Current solutions continue to be inadequate in addressing the longstanding, worldwide problem of mercury emissions from small artisanal gold mining. Mercury, an inexpensive and easily accessible heavy metal, is used in the process of extracting gold from ore. Mercury emissions disperse, affecting human populations by causing adverse health effects and environmental and social ramifications. Many developing nations have sizable gold ore deposits, making small artisanal gold mining a major source of employment in the world. Poverty drives vulnerable, rural populations into gold mining because of social and economic instabilities. Educational programs responding to this environmental hazard have been implemented in the past, but have had low positive results due to lack of governmental support and little economic incentive. Educational and enforced intervention programs must be developed in conjunction with governmental agencies in order to successfully eliminate this ongoing problem. Industry leaders offered hopeful suggestions, but revealed limitations when trying to develop encompassing solutions to halt mercury emissions. This research highlights potential options that have been attempted in the past and suggests alternative solutions to improve upon these methods. Some methods include buyer impact recognition, risk assessment proposals exposing a cost-benefit analysis and toxicokinetic modeling, public health awareness campaigns, and the education of miners, healthcare workers, and locals within hazardous areas of mercury exposure. These methods, paired with the implementation of alternative mining techniques, propose a substantial reduction of mercury emissions.

Managing artisanal and small-scale mining in forest areas: perspectives from a poststructural political ecology.

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is an activity intimately associated with social deprivation and environmental degradation, including deforestation. This paper examines ASM and deforestation using a broadly poststructural political ecology framework. Hegemonic discourses are shown to consistently influence policy direction, particularly in emerging approaches such as Corporate Social Responsibility and the Forest Stewardship Council. A review of alternative discourses reveals that the poststructural method is useful for critiquing the international policy arena but does not inform new approaches. Synthesis of the analysis leads to conclusions that echo a growing body of literature advocating for policies to become increasingly sensitive to local contexts, synergistic between actors at difference scales, and to be integrated across sectors.

Miners, masculinity and the "Bataille du Charbon" in France, 1944-1948.

In 1944, the French provisional government, backed by the Parti communiste français and the Confédération générale du travail, undertook an aggressive propaganda campaign to persuade miners to embark upon a 'battle for coal' which raised their efforts in extracting coal to that of a national endeavour. At the same time, miners had great hopes that nationalisation of the coal industry, under discussion at this time, would bring significant improvement to their working lives. In identifying the ways in which publicists posited miners as an ideal of working-class manhood, this article will argue that "la bataille du charbon" marks a crucial moment in the celebration of working-class masculinity and that the "statut des mineurs" which was passed in 1946 as a part of nationalisation enshrined many of the existing gender assumptions about mining life. What does an incorporation of gender to an analysis of the treatment of miners in the years 1944-1948 add to our understandings of the various economic, political and social dynamics around "la bataille du charbon"? How do these insights inform our perceptions of French coalfield societies in the mid-twentieth century?

Minors in name only: child laborers on the diamond mines of the "Companhia de Diamantes de Angola" (Diamang), 1917-1975.

Although African men and women comprised the vast majority of the labor force on Angola's colonial-era diamond mines, child laborers, or "minors," also played important roles, primarily as mineworkers and plantation laborers. While these young male and female laborers' daily tasks were often lighter than those assigned to adult males, they often worked side-by-side with more senior workers and were equally subject to physical abuse, poor rations, and injuries. Similarly, minors also employed many of the same strategies as their more senior coworkers to better their lives. Their experiences suggest that these young laborers were minors in name only.

Using performance indicators to evaluate an environmental education program in artisanal gold mining communities in the Brazilian Amazon.

The Tapajos River Basin in the Brazilian Amazon is the location of one of the largest concentrations of artisanal and small-scale miners in the world. Today, 40,000 miners produce 8 t of gold annum(-1) and at least double this amount of mercury is released into the environment. This region was selected under the Global Mercury Project, a United Nations program that aims to reduce the environmental and health impacts caused by mercury through the application of cleaner technologies and increased awareness. A group of educators provided support to miners, training 4200 people in 141 mining locations. The effectiveness of this training was evaluated based on 20 performance indicators. After 120 days of training, an absolute improvement of approximately 29% had been achieved. As a result of this training, it is estimated that annual mercury emissions in Tapajos have been reduced by 1762 kg or around 10% of the total mercury released in the region.

Autopsy findings in Witwatersrand gold miners, 1907-1913.

This article reports autopsy findings in black Witwatersrand gold miners who originated mainly from Portuguese East Africa. These men died at the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association compound in Johannesburg between 1907 and 1913, just over 20 years after the discovery of gold in South Africa. At that time there were shockingly high levels of death and disease on the mines. The main causes of death were pneumonia, meningitis, tuberculosis and dysentery. Pneumonia and meningitis were the principle causes of death in new recruits arriving from Portuguese East Africa and tuberculosis the main cause of mortality in referrals from the mines.

Labor de Andrés Manuel del Río en México: profesor en el Real Seminario de Minería e innovador tecnológico en minas y ferrerías / No disponible

El trabajo analiza la formación científica y tecnológica de Andrés del Río en Europa, y su desempeño profesional en Nueva España a fines del siglo XVIII y principios del XIX: Se estudia su práctica científica en el Real Seminario de Minería de la ciudad de México como una forma de cultura, y por lo tanto se examina la "practica científica" de Andrés del Río y sus objetivos desde una perspectiva historicista y cultural. Del Río contribuyó a forjar una cultura científica como parte del imaginario colectivo del nuevo país de residencia. Pero serían los encargos de desaguar las minas de Morán en el distrito minero de Real del Monte y el establecimiento de una ferrería en la sierra de Coalcomán, en el antiguo Obispado de Michoacán, las que dejaron ver sus dotes de tecnólogo y la pericia en el diseño, proyección y ejecución de dos obras de ingeniería, una hidraúlica y la otra industrial, las primeras de su género en el nuevo continente

This article analyzes the scientific and technological training of Andrés del Río in europe and, his professional activities in New Spain at the end of the eighteenth and the begining of the nineteenth century. I study his scientific practice at Mexico City´s Royal Mining Seminary as a form of culture; therefore, this research examines the "scientific practice" and goals of Andrés del Río from a historicist and cultural perspective. Del Río contributed to forge a scientific culture that became part of the collective imaginary in his new country of residence. However his direction in the draining of the Morán mines in the mining district of Real del Monte and the establishment of the ferrería (pre-industrial iron smelter) of Guadalupe in the Coalcomán highlands, in the former Michoacán Bishopric, allowed him to show his abilities as a technician and his skill in the design, projection and execution of two engineering projects (one hydraulic, the other industrial)- the first of their genre in the New World

Damaged goods: return to sender. A review of the historical medical records of repatriated Chinese miners.

After the Anglo-Boer (South African) War (1899-1902), there was a shortage of unskilled labor on the South African gold mines. Chinese men were imported to make up for the deficit. This article reviews the records of indentured Chinese mine workers examined for repatriation in 1905. The records tell of high proportions of social disorders, respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, opium addiction, and injury. These reflect the social and physical conditions to which these men were exposed in the mines.

Introducing ethics across the curriculum at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

This paper describes how the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has chosen to integrate ethics into their curriculum. All university freshmen engineering students are introduced to ethics through the presentation of ethical dilemmas. During this exercise, students are forced to argue both sides ('for' and 'against') of a hypothetical ethical engineering dilemma. It provides a setting for great discussion with the desired outcome that they learn to carefully analyze a situation before they draw conclusions. In the sophomore year, students are introduced to methods to use the fundamental principles, the fundamental canons, and the suggested guidelines for use with the fundamental canons of ethics when analyzing appropriate action to be taken when confronted with ethical dilemmas. We currently use the 'sophomore' method for seniors because the sequencing is just beginning. Next year the seniors will do more in-depth analysis of ethical case studies.