Research Programs of the U.S. Bureau of Mines First Assessment, 1994 (1994) / Chapter Skim
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APPENDIX C: REPORT OF THE PANEL ON FACILITIES AND RESEARCH AT THE RENO RESEARCH CENTER
APPENDIX C: REPORT OF THE PANEL ON FACILITIES AND RESEARCH AT THE RENO RESEARCH CENTER
Pages 89-101
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From page 89... ...
, the RERC's most recent director did not hold an adjunct appointment at UNR but did serve on the Advisory Board of the Mackay School of Mines and on the research council of the Generic Center for Mineral Industry Waste Treatment and Recovery. A healthy fraction of the bureau staff attends classes at UNR, either in pursuit of degrees or as continuing education.
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From page 90... ...
Development of the RERC plan was independent of bureau headquarters, which developed the program review document with little or no input from the RERC director's stab. The RERCis to be commended in taking the initiative of developing a strategic plan that has a mission statement, goals, objectives, and approaches to achieving these.
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From page 91... ...
On the basis of project objectives and summaries provided to the panel, it is evident Hat there is no overall coherent programmatic approach. For example, projects such as "In-Place Leaching Chemistry" and "Thiosulfate as an Alternative to Cyanide for Refractory Gold Ores," both of which are in the Chemical Processing Division, are closely related to several Metallurgical Processing Division projects, such as "Heap, Stope, and In Situ Aching Lixiviants" and several tasks of the project "Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Mineral Bioprocesses." The research director at RERC is aware that the projects are not categorizes!
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From page 92... ...
Effective Closure Methods for Metallurgical Processing Operations Chemical Treatment of Wastewater Advanced Leaching Systems for Detoxification of Lime Sludge California Mine Seal Assessment Natural Minerals for Wastewater Treatment Systems Extractive Metallurgy of Wastes Treatment of Midnight Mine-Acid Mine Drainage Water Environmental Impacts of Backfi~-Cyanide Fated Western Arctic Coal-Drainage Qualityd Health, Safety, and Mining Technology ($200,000; I.6 FTEs) 92 1994 Research Assessment: U.S.
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From page 93... ...
there is no overall mission that is being adhered to in terms of research goals and objectives. A project selection process that involved the chief of each headquarters division and the center directors could eliminate this overlap of project funding and lead to a better programmatic approach for research at the centers.
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From page 94... ...
. Similar committees and task forces exist for environmental concerns and metallurgical processing within the Nevada Mining Association, Northwest Mining Association, Colorado Mining Association, New Mexico Mining Association, and other organizations.
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From page 95... ...
Research equipment is fairly modern and well maintained and appears to be adequate for current research programs. Relatively modern analytical equipment includes atomic absorption spectrophotometers, inductively coupled plasma (ICP)
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From page 96... ...
Table C.2 Disciplinary Backgrounds of RERC Employees Technical Staff Chemical engineer Chemist Physical scientist Metallurgist Biologist Geologist Support Staff (includes computer specialists, technicians, and tradesmen) Students Administrative Staff TOTAL Number 22 16 4 3 2 1 10 9 12 79
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From page 97... ...
These include internal publications, Reports of Investigations, Information Circulars, publication of journal articles and proceedings papers, patents, open industry briefings, short course training, and presentations at technical meetings. The Internet has just been introduced into the RERC, and personnel at the center are becoming more familiar with electronic communication.
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From page 98... ...
As can be noted, in this nearly four-year time period, a combined total of 48 bureau Reports of Investigations and outside publications were published, with over 50% being papers in symposium or conferences proceedings A downside of publication in proceedings volumes is the limited audience that has access to these publications. It is strongly urged that greater emphasis be given to publishing in technical journals and bureau Reports of Investigations.
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From page 99... ...
, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Carson City; James Hendrix, dean, Mackay School of Mines and director of the Generic Center for Mineral Industry Waste Treatment and Recovery, University of Nevada, Reno; Robert Blank, soil scientist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Reno; Carol Boughton, hydrologist, U.S.
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From page 100... ...
If the projects selected indeed originated from the center, this is not so bad, but if a program is assigned from the Washington office, the availability of skilled and knowledgeable people may be stretched beyond reason. A project selection process that involved the chief of each headquarters division and the center directors could eliminate this overlap of project funding and lead to a programmatic approach for research at the bureau's centers.
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From page 101... ...
also urges that more discretion be granted to center directors in reprogramming funds during a fiscal year perhaps 10 to 20% of the budget as factors change with successes and problems. They are in the best position to make adjustments.
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