Anyone interested in offering editorial contributions to the mine planning and software, Nordic technology or wear parts articles should contact [email protected]. There will be extra distribution of the magazine at Zinc Processing 2010, Process Mineralogy 2010 and BioHydromet 2010, all being held in Cape Town, South Africa in November, between the 8th and the 14th. Before that, John and Phil will be attending Electra Mining in Johannesburg at the beginning of November.There is great technology coming from manufacturers in the Nordic region. It is one of the strongest technology centres of the mining world, Nordic mining is strong too with significant numbers of new mines and projects. What progress has been made since we last reported 12 months ago?Mine planning and mine software – New ideas to fast track projects and reduce costs, more effective use of computing power, and more.

Wear parts – Reducing wear on equipment parts is a significant way to cut costs. We will report on some of the latest aids in wear protection for mining equipment.

Great Mines – Angel Mining: Black Angel was a great example of man’s ability to go to the ends of the earth for rich orebodies, it remains a testament to innovation and great engineering as does the Nalunaq gold mine. I look at these two Greenland mines and processing in the mines.

San Jose miners – Following John Chadwick’s interview on BBC World News last week, we will hope to update readers on the worldclass technologies being used to help save the 33 miners trapped 700 m underground in Chile.