International Journal of Economic and Environmental Geology
Not a member yet
352 research outputs found
Sort by
Machine Learning Innovations for Improving Mineral Recovery and Processing: A Comprehensive Review* : Machine Learning Innovations for Improving Mineral Recovery and Processing: A Comprehensive Review*
No full textTo overcome the limitations of traditional mineral processing and recovery methods, cutting-edge technologies, including Machine learning (ML), emerge as a paradigm shift in this sector, offering predictive insights, data analysis, and real-time monitoring capabilities. The emergence of ML algorithms, such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Support Vector Machines, and others, trigger this paradigm. This review explores real-world examples and case studies to unveil the transformative potential of ML in mineral processing and recovery (exploration, mining, production). This attempt unveils that ML algorithms are extensively utilized in enhanced ore sorting and classification, predictive modeling, real-time process control and fault diagnosis, and automated mineral identification. Among these applications, predictive modeling for process optimization and enhanced ore sorting and classification stand out, with ANN being the most frequently employed algorithm. While challenges persist, such as limited data availability, non-normally distributed and non-linear data, and varying data dimensions and rates, the advantages of employing ML algorithms are undeniable. These advantages include enhanced operational efficiency, waste reduction, increased recovery rates, real-time monitoring, cost-effectiveness, time efficiency, and reduced energy consumption. This article aims to catalyze further research and promote the widespread adoption of ML for more efficient and sustainable mineral processing and recovery practices.
Keywords: Mineral recovery, conventional mineral processing, machine learning, artificial intelligence
Pre and Post-Development Concerns of High–Rise Housing Density Revisited: Pre and Post-Development Concerns of High–Rise Housing Density Revisited
No full textThe demand for high-rise housing in Malaysia continues to rise, driven by urbanisation and land scarcity. While high-rise developments address spatial constraints, they present challenges related to environmental sustainability, social dynamics, and urban quality of life. This study aims to analyse high-rise housing density within the Malaysian context, focusing on pre-development and post-development stages and evaluating the planning methodologies employed by local authorities. A qualitative research approach was employed, integrating a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and Thematic Analysis. Data mining techniques using Keywords in Context (KWIC) identified critical themes, and qualitative analysis software (Atlas.ti.8) was used to process 150 datasets, including journal articles, policy documents, and government reports. The research refined these datasets through thematic coding into 30 core references that underpin the findings. The study reveals significant inconsistencies in how density standards are applied, often resulting in environmental degradation, social challenges, and infrastructure strain. While Malaysian planning authorities rely heavily on gross and net density metrics, comparisons with international benchmarks, such as those in Singapore and Japan, highlight the potential for integrating advanced digital tools and alternative density measures to enhance planning outcomes. Future research should explore the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) to improve density planning. Additionally, long-term studies on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) initiatives and strategies for retrofitting high-density developments to enhance liveability and sustainability are recommended. This study advances understanding by offering a nuanced framework for addressing high-rise housing density and its implications for sustainable urban growth.
Keywords: Density, housing, Malaysia, sustainability, urbanisation
SHORT COMMUNICATION Impact of Climate Change on Land use/Land cover of Chakwal District: SHORT COMMUNICATION Impact of Climate Change on Land use/Land cover of Chakwal District
No full textSHORT COMMUNICATION
Impact of Climate Change on Land use/Land cover of Chakwal Distric
Land Use Land Cover Analysis of Peri-Urban Area of Murad Memon Goth-Karachi
Full text linkAgricultural activities are historically practiced in Murad Memon Goth i.e. the peri-urban (PU) region of Karachi, located on the northwestern side of Malir River. This study seeks to examine the agricultural and nonagricultural land use land cover (LULC) of the peri-urban region. A very high-resolution satellite image of the SAS planet has been used to digitize on ArcMap 10.8 for the LULC of the study area. The obtained results revealed that the estimated settlement sprawl had increased up to 9.6% in Murad Memon between 2013 and 2021. The maximum cropland area was observed by 38.86%, whereas the lowest farmhouse area was 1.76% in 2013. The highest cropland area was noted at 26.11%, but the lowest dairy farm area was observed as 1.14% in 2021. The LULC of peri-urban areas will be useful in examining Land use land cover change in the study area and identifying the encroachment of settlements in the study area.
Keywords; Urban and peri-urban agriculture, Land-use land cover analysis, Object-Based, Urban Growth Boundaries, Urban Sprawl
Tourism Impact on Water Quality in Swat during Winter and Summer Seasons : Tourism Impact on Water Quality in Swat during Winter and Summer Seasons
No full textTourism may be a source of income or it may pose harm to the environment. This study examines the effects of unplanned tourism on the degradation of essential resource like clean water. This study includes fieldwork and lab analysis to evaluate the consequences of tourism activities on water quality. Forty-eight samples were analyzed for physicochemical and microbiological characteristics collected from four sampling sites. During the busiest travel seasons, tourist destinations samples had greater amounts of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), conductivity, chloride, and coliform bacteria than specimens from non-tourist and off-season locations. TDS varying from 87. 34 mg/l to 112. 29 mg/l to 223. 26 mg/l; conductivity ranged from 150. 32 µs/cm to 199 µs/cm, increasing to 307 µs/cm; and chloride varied from 5. 37 mg/l to 7. 1 mg/l, and reached up to 18. 89 mg/l. The range of fecal coliform bacteria was 1. 0 to 3. 6 (MPN/100ml), while the range of coliform bacteria was 1. 0 to 2. 8 (MPN/100ml) and up to 5. 1 (MPN/100ml). More than half (52%) of the hotels evaluated had inadequate waste management procedures, which led to waste being discharged into nearby rivers and streams. The industry needs environmentally responsible strategies, as suggested by the 76% of travelers who support sustainable tourism practices. The findings demonstrate a direct correlation between rising tourism and deteriorating water quality. Keywords: Tourism, water quality, physicochemical, microbiological analysis, mitigations
Comparison of Weibull and Gaussian Mixture Models for Wind Speed Data Analysis : Comparison of Weibull and Gaussian Mixture Models for Wind Speed Data Analysis
No full textIn order to have a reliable estimate of wind energy potential of a site, high frequency wind speed and direction data recorded for an extended period of time is required. Weibull distribution function is commonly used to approximate the recorded data distribution for estimation of wind energy. In the present study a comparison of Weibull function and Gaussian mixture model (GMM) as theoretical functions are used. The data set used for the study consists of hourly wind speeds and wind directions of 54 years duration recorded at Ijmuiden wind site located in north of Holland. The entire hourly data set of 54 years is reduced to 12 sets of hourly averaged data corresponding to 12 months. Authenticity of data is assessed by computing descriptive statistics on the entire data set without average and on monthly 12 data sets. Additionally, descriptive statistics show that wind speeds are positively skewed and most of the wind data points are observed to be blowing in south-west direction. Cumulative distribution and probability density function for all data sets are determined for both Weibull function and GMM. Wind power densities on monthly as well as for the entire set are determined from both models using probability density functions of Weibull function and GMM. In order to assess the goodness-of-fit of the fitted Weibull function and GMM, coefficient of determination (R2) and Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) tests are also determined. Although R2 test values for Weibull function are much closer to ‘1’ compared to its values for GMM. Nevertheless, overall performance of GMM is superior to Weibull function in terms of estimated wind power densities using GMM which are in good agreement with the power densities estimated using wind data for the same duration. It is reported that wind power densities for the entire wind data set are 307 W/m2 and 403.96 W/m2 estimated using GMM and Weibull function, respectively
Occurrence of a Likely Tuff Bed between the Middle and Upper Siwaliks, Taunsa area, Dera Ghazi Khan, Eastern Sulaiman Range, Pakistan: Occurrence of a Likely Tuff Bed between the Middle and Upper Siwaliks, Taunsa area, Dera Ghazi Khan, Eastern Sulaiman Range, Pakistan
No full textA likely tuff bed lies along the gradational contact of the Middle and Upper Siwaliks in eastern Sulaiman Range, Taunsa area of Dera Ghazi Khan district, Pakistan. This tuffaceous unit is 0.5–3 m thick and extends for 10 km along the north-south strike in the eastern limb of the Zindapir anticline. It is greyish white to white on fresh surface, fine-grained to silty at the bottom and clayey at the top and thus shows a fining upward grain-size grading. The lower part of the ash bed shows a prominent lamination defined by megascopically visible abundant biotite, while the central and upper parts are so fine-grained that the individual minerals cannot be seen in hand sample. Unlike the lower well-laminated part, the central and upper parts are crudely laminated to apparently massive. The bulk samples analysed with X-ray diffraction consist of quartz, feldspar (plagioclase), biotite, clays, calcite and some ore mineral likely spinel, while the clay-size fractions contain illite, chlorite, biotite and probably their mixed-layered varieties. The colour, texture, presence of abundant biotite and stratigraphic position of the Taunsa tuff correlate with those reported from Potwar plateau and from Kashmir basin. However, the apparent absence of smectite from the XRD pattern makes the Taunsa ash bed different from both Potwar and Kashmir tuffs. The present stratigraphic position of the tuff bed corresponds to shallow diagenetic zone, while the absence of smectite in the tuff and crystallinity of illite suggest that the tuff is probably derived upon reworking from a deeper diagenetic zone belonging to a lower stratigraphic level. The Eocene or other older pre-Siwalik units in Pakistan may have or had some primary ashfall deposits as reported in the northwestern Himalayas of India. This older volcanic ash may have been reworked to its present site of occurrence along the gradational contact of the Middle and the Upper Siwaliks in Taunsa area of Dera Ghazi Khan. However, the primary source of the Taunsa tuff may belong more likely to Chagai arc in Pakistan than to Dacht-e-Nawar volcanic complex in Afghanistan
Hydrocarbon Potential Evaluation of Sandstone Reservoirs in Lower Goru Formation Miano Gas Field in Middle Indus Basin, Sindh, Pakistan: Hydrocarbon Potential Evaluation of Sandstone Reservoirs in Lower Goru Formation Miano Gas Field in Middle Indus Basin, Sindh, Pakistan
No full textThe Middle Indus basin (MIB) is a potential hydrocarbon sedimentary basin of Pakistan. This study was carried out to interpret the petrophysical well log data of Minao gas field of three wells (Miano-1, 2 and 3) to characterize the Lower Goru reservoir. Indonesian model was applied to estimate the in - situ water saturation Sw of the Lower Gorureservoir. Contour maps were used to understand the lateral and vertical variation in reservoir characteristics. In addition,M-N lithology cross plots were also used to interpret the lithological heterogeneity and homogeneity within the reservoir.There were four sand units recognized as Sand A, B, C and D within Lower Goru reservoir based on the estimation ofeffective porosity (Фeff), permeability (K), shale volume (Vsh), water saturation (Sw) and hydrocarbon saturation (Shc). The Sand B showed good potential for hydrocarbon as indicated by shale volume Vsh (10 to 14%), effective porosity Фeff (19 to 22%), permeability K (798 to 847 mD), water saturation Sw (19 to 22%) and hydrocarbon saturation Shc (77to 80%). Data revealed that in north and northeast side, there is an increase in reservoir quality and thickness, while it decreased in south to southwest side. Shale volume decreased in north to northeast with low water saturation and highhydrocarbon saturation. Results reveal that north to northeast direction of Miano gas field is ideal for the hydrocarbon recovery. More exploratory wells are recommended to be drilled in this direction to maximize the hydrocarbon productionfrom the Lower Goru reservoir
Structural Styles and their Suitability for Hydrocarbon in Eastern Sindh Monocline, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan
Full text linkThe present study is aimed to recognize the structural styles of hydrocarbon exploration and petrophysical properties of the LGF. The 2-D seismic and well log data set is composed of three seismic lines and well log data of Chak 66–1. Five horizons have been marked with the help of well to seismic tie namely tops of Ranikot, Parh, upper Goru, lower Goru, basal and top massive sands, and out of which basal and massive sands are the objective focus of the present study. Based on seismic data, the study area is characterized by normal faults showing NW–SE dipping trend. Horst and graben structural features are prominent on the seismic lines, which indicated the extensional tectonic regime. Time–depth contour maps and 3D surfaces of objective horizons depict their actual spatial distribution in this area. Wireline logging analysis revealed the physical properties of both basal and massive grains of sand, as 17% effective porosity, 25% average volume of shale (Vsh), 40% water and 60% hydrocarbon saturations for basal sands, Whereas, 16% effective porosity, 35% Vsh, 30% water and 70% hydrocarbon saturations are interpreted for massive sands. Cross–plots of Nphi–Dt and Dt–Rhob also identified that both areas of sand are clean, gas–saturated and have the potential to produce hydrocarbons
A Case Study on Distribution of Gemstone in Bela Ophiolite, District Khuzdar, Balochistan
Full text linkBela Ophiolite and suture zone host several types of gemstones in the underlain and overlain rocks such as garnet (demantoid and almandine), quartz, brucite, malachite, chrysocolla, azurite, calcite, natrolite, green chert, jasper, serpentine, agate, epidote, augite and prehnite. However, the rare gemstones including demantoid garnet are found as dodecahedron green crystals associated with the altered peridotite rocks such as serpentinite. Brucite is found in the botryoidal habit in the ultramafic rocks of Bela Ophiolite associated with the chromite mines in the Baran Lak and Amorzai area of Wadh in the host rock dunite. The serpentine is found in several locations associated with the altered ultramafic rocks formed after the serpentinization of peridotite. Furthermore, one of the rare gemstones such as petroleum and diamond quartz is formed due to the hydrothermal intrusion in the sedimentary rocks such as limestone; calcite also occurs in limestone as dogtooth crystals. While azurite, malachite and chrysocolla are formed as secondary deposits in the oxidized zone of copper and sulphide mines in the Manjawi, Nal and Sonaro associated adjacent to basalt. Moreover, epidote is found as green crystals having porphyritic texture in the host rock granite mainly in the Bakhalo area, Wadh. Agate, jasper, green chert and several other kinds of chert are found associated with the basalt chert unit in the mélange and gossan. In addition to that natrolite is found in the Nal ophiolite mainly in the Hazarghanji town found associated with the cracks and vugs of dolerite dykes as fibrous and cylindrical crystals. In metamorphic sole rocks of Bela Ophiolite in the Sonaro area, marble and quartzite are associated with the metamorphic rocks such as greenschist and amphibolite facies that are formed during the e volution period of the ophiolite. In pegmatite gabbro, the elongated and prismatic black crystals of augite are found in the host rock gabbro near the Ornach cross area, and the prehnite gemstone is found associated with the basalt and gabbroic rocks transition zone in the Ornach area