The Mining Industry and the State: The Politics of Tin Restriction in Bolivia, 1936–1939

In the aftermath of the Chaco War (1932–1935) a strong left nationalist political current emerged in Bolivia which defined the three large mining companies of Patiño, Hochschild and Aramayo as a superstate, controlling both the economy and the politics of the nation to their own advantage. This article challenges that characterisation by examining the way in which the state exercised control over the two largest producers. Unfortunately, the state lacked the technical capacity to use its powers responsibly, preventing the development of a coherent mining policy.     

以社会管制为主的矿业立法初探

经济和社会的发展,需要矿业制度做出更为精细和准确的安排.计划经济体制下的现行<矿产资源法>,是一部以公权力配置矿产物权的公私诸法合体的法律,已不适应新形势并阻碍矿业发展.按矿产物权结构,明确矿产归属的静态物权由私法调整,对已明确归属的矿产进行开发的动态物权由公权力界定和限制.重构一部以维护公共利益为主要目的、以"业"为基本对象、对矿产动态物权进行限制、为公权力设定边界的<矿业管理法>.由现在的以矿为本向以人为本提升,以此建立现代矿业文明制度.制度变迁的其他条件基本成熟,关键是政府社会管制职能与国有权代表职能分开,才能使政府成为制度创新的缔造者.     

Unusual sources of Sn in GSR. An experimental study by SEM and IBA

Gunshot Residue (GSR) produced by the discharge of a firearm often provides very useful information in criminal investigations in cases involving the use of firearms. Scanning Electron Microscopy equipped with an Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (SEM-EDS) is typically used worldwide to visualize micrometric particles constituting GSR and to analyse their elemental composition. The 2017 ASTM Standard guide for gunshot residue analysis by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy specifies that “Particles classified as characteristic of GSR will have one of the following elemental compositions: Lead, antimony, barium; Lead, barium, calcium, silicon, tin”. For the first time, the presence of an additional element, such as Sn, plays a key role in ASTM particle classification. It is known that some ammunitions, used for pistols, revolvers and rifles, contain tin foil discs for sealing the primer mixture into the cup, resulting in GSR particles containing Sn. The authors faced some cases in which Sn was unexpectedly found in GSR particles from a 0.22 Long Rifle derringer and from some 12 gauge shotguns. No tin foil discs are used in rimfire ammunitions and there is no published evidence of tin foil discs in shotshell ammunitions. Following a “case by case” approach, experimental research has been carried out to explain how Sn can be present in GSR particles when the last discharged cartridge also does not contain any Sn either in components and in the explosive charges.Moreover, the use of Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) showed the capability to overcome overlap ambiguity of Sb and Sn peaks in the X-ray spectra, being a possible key issue in real shooting cases if Sn quantities are below the lower limit of SEM detection, especially when Sb is also present.     

Whither the state? Mining codes and mineral resource governance in Africa

In contrast to the early post-independence era in which African states predominantly controlled the mining sector, the 1980s saw African countries update their mining codes to attract foreign capital. These reform measures largely diminished the power of the state, either resulting in its “selective silence” or its retraction. However, after three waves of these reforms, the disparity between natural resources and sustainable development has continued to widen. Two theories offer a nuanced approach to understanding the state of flux of mining codes and mineral governance in Africa: governance theory and the developmental state theory. This article argues that the activist, interventionist state is making a comeback in mineral resource governance throughout Africa. Moreover, regional initiatives such as the African Mining Vision represent a fundamental departure in mineral governance. However, such initiatives will only bring development to the extent that they are owned by African governments and backed by local communities.     

‘So nobly struggling for their manhood’: masculinity and violence among steelworkers in the wheeling district, 1880–1910

ABSTRACT

Between 1880 and 1910, new technologies and managerial schemes undermined skilled steelworkers’ ability to control production and demand high wages, which also threatened their sense of manhood. The steelworkers in the Wheeling District of northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio remained a union stronghold until the 1909–1910 steel strike. Steelworkers defined manhood in terms of their family wage, a manly bearing toward their bosses, solidarity with fellow workers, and their rights, all closely associated with union membership. Faced with the loss of their union, they turned to violence – not just out of frustration or to win the strike – but also to defend their rights and freedoms and reclaim their masculine identity.     

数据挖掘技术在高校图书馆管理中的应用

数据挖掘技术应用于图书馆管理中,有利于分析和处理图书馆的日常业务数据,为图书馆合理分布馆藏提供技术和决策管理支持,同时也为图书管理员准确把握读者需求,提供个性化的信息服务。     

加速广西与东盟国家矿业经济合作

广西与东盟国家在矿业经济上具有优势互补的发展潜质,通过规范的国际合作,在双边政府、企业的努力下打通产业链,构建基于优势企业的产业链合作关系,对于促进广西与东盟国家矿业经济的发展具有重要意义。本文对广西与东盟国家矿业进行产业链对接的发展思路进行分析,并提出广西与东盟国家在具体矿种上的合作策略,进而就促进合作的对策进行阐述。     

Australia's mining interests within Nigeria and Libya: Policies,corruption and conflict

Crude petroleum remains the single most imported commodity into Australia and is sourced from a number of countries around the world (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), 2011a). While interest in crude petroleum is widespread, in recent years Australia's focus has been drawn to the continent of Africa, where increased political stability, economic recovery and an improved investment climate has made one of the largest oil reserves in the world increasingly more attractive. Despite improvement across the continent, there remain a number of risks which have the potential to significantly damage Australia's economic interests in the petroleum sector, including government policies and legislation, corruption and conflict. The longest exporters of crude petroleum products to Australia – Nigeria and Libya – have been subject to these factors in recent years and, accordingly, are the focus of this paper. Once identified, the impact of political instability, conflict, government corruption and other risk factors to Australia's mining interests within these countries is examined, and efforts to manage such risks are discussed.     

采矿权负外部性内化是构建和谐社会的关键

社会学呼吁,矿难频频发生,一些矿主暴富,矿产资源向少数人集中,炒卖资源引发严重不公等等都是妨碍着和谐社会建立的主要因素。经济学分析,矿产开采利润空间太大,主要是采矿权人向第三人分摊成本而形成了负外部性,包括无偿或低价的矿产资源,政府寻租成本转嫁,对矿工保障安全的不投入,对他人土地权的无偿损害等,将负外部性内化是消除不和谐因素的关键。法学认为负外部性成本内化首先是界定权利,然后完善相应法律制度。因此,以法律化的制度将采矿权负外部性成本内部化,是建立和谐社会的重要途径之一。