Journal articles on the topic 'Semi-Precious metals'

The article is devoted to the research of the criminal legislation governing the peculiarities of bringing to criminal responsibility for the illegal circulation of amber, jade, other semi-precious stones, precious metals, precious stones, pearls, and law enforcement practice in this area.

<p>The corrosion tendencies of metals are related with their position in the electromotive series. These electrode potential degrees may change due to the composition of the alloys, the surrounding medium or due to the alterations in the composition because of the recurrent costing. The galvanic corrosion appears when different electrochemical potentials are bound to one another and the electrical conductibility is assured by the presence of an electrolyte. It is difficult to avoid coupling of different metals, a problem concerning the choice of the alloy used for the implant bone supra-structure. One has studied the galvanism of several couples formed between a dental implant and diverse dental alloys in Afnor saliva. The electrochemical behavior of 8 commercial dental alloy superstructures with titanium and titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) implants was investigated by electrochemical techniques. Non-precious alloys were Ni-Cr based (Wiron NT and Verasoft), Co-Cr based (Vitallium alloy) and Cu based (Gaudent). Semi-precious alloys were Ag-Pd based (RX91 and Unique White). The precious alloys were Au-Pd based (Ceram) and Au-Ag based (Argenco). Some of the corroded and non-corroded surfaces were observed by optical microscopy. From linear polarization curves the corrosion potential and the current densities were evaluated. The results showed very low corrosion rates, ranking from 10^-6 to 10^-9 A/cm². All the results obtained indicate the fact that the corrosion process intensity corresponding to the coupling between titanium (respectively Ti6Al4V) and semi-precious alloys is reduced. The surface of precious and semi-precious alloys is not attacked, but the titanium (Ti6Al4V) surface is oxidized in time.</p>

Changes made to Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation at the end of 2019 in order to eliminate gaps in legislation, in fact, created even more conflicts in the theory and practice of applying criminal and administrative law. The legislator has not fully calculated the risks of the new edition of Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. The elimination of these risks requires more changes to the federal legislation, the adoption of new by-laws. Within the framework of Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation the legislator created a contradiction regarding the qualification of illegal circulation of unique amber formations. Russian legislation does not contain a legal definition of semi-precious stones, clarification of their difference from precious stones. The concept of precious stones does not prove to be successful, since it contains a list-based reference of a particular stone to the category of precious stones, which does not always really reflect the economic value of a particular mineral. The list of semi-precious stones at the level of the Government of Russia has yet to be approved. Taking into account the administrative prejudice as one of the conditions for criminal prosecution for illegal trafficking in semiprecious stones, it should be the same with the list of semi-precious stones established to bring an individual to administrative responsibility for similar offenses. The legislator did not pay attention to the issues of delimiting jewelry and household products and scrap of such products from the subject of crimes under Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. An even greater problem is the inconsistency between the norms of administrative and criminal legislation on liability for illegal trafficking in semi-precious stones.

Traditionally, precious metals are processed by either lost-wax casting or the casting of semi-finished products followed by cold or hot working, machining, and surface finishing. Long process chains usually conclude in a high material input factor and a significant amount of new scrap to be refined. The maturing of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies is advantageous with regard to resources among other criteria by opening up new processing techniques like laser-based powder bed fusion (LPBF) for the production of near net shape metal products. This paper gives an insight into major advantages of the powder-based manufacturing of precious metal components over conventional methods focusing on product carbon footprints (PCF). Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) for selected applications show energy and mass flows and inefficient recoverable losses in detail. An extended MFCA approach also shows the greenhouse gas (GHG) savings from avoiding recoverable material losses and provides PCF for the products. The PCF of the precious metals used is based on a detailed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the refining process of end-of-use precious metals. In the best case, the refining of platinum from end-of-life recycling, for example, causes 60 kg CO2e per kg of platinum. This study reveals recommended actions for improvements in efficiency and gives guidance for a more sustainable production of luxury or technical goods made from precious metals. This exemplary study on the basis of an industrial application shows that the use of AM leads to a carbon footprint of 2.23 kg CO2e per piece in comparison with 3.17 kg CO2e by conventional manufacturing, which means about a 30 percent reduction in GHG emissions and also in energy, respectively.

The article contains elaborate algorithms and techniques of the design process sheet, flat-and-edge rolling and drawing of long semi-finished products for the production of jewelry made of precious metals and their alloys. This paper describes the developed software, which allows one to calculate deformation modes and energy-power parameters of the designed processes with the visualization of the data in tabular and graphical form.It also describes the process of adaptation of the developed CAD systems for production conditions jewelry chains of gold 585 at JSC "The Gulidov Krasnoyarsk Non-Ferrous Metals Plant".

The purpose of this work is to develop a low-cost and high-performance catalyst for the selective catalytic hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene. Non-precious metals Cu and Ni were selected as active ingredients for this study. Using ZSM-12 as a carrier, Cu-Ni bimetallic catalysts of CuNix/ZSM-12 (x = 5, 7, 9, 11) with different Ni/Cu ratios were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method. The total Cu and Ni loading were 2 wt%. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the acetylene conversion was 100%, and the ethylene selectivity was 82.48%. The CuNi7/ZSM-12 prepared in this work exhibits good performance in the semi-hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene with low cost and has potential for industrial application.

India's infrastructure development would require crucial minerals, and mining is one of the important industries to supply them. An important sector and engine of the Indian economy's growth is mining. Basic raw materials for numerous significant industries, including thermal power generation, iron and steel, cement, petrochemicals, fertilizers, precious and semi-precious metals and stones for jewelry, electrical and electronics equipment, glass, ceramics, etc., are found in minerals and ore. India's mining industry was expected to grow significantly in the 2020–2021 fiscal year due to increased demand from end-user sectors and new investments made by mining businesses. But the spread of COVID-19 at the start of the fiscal year has caused problems in a number of industries. There is a great deal of room for expanding mining capacity in iron ore, bauxite, coal, and other minerals. There are also a lot of chances for subsurface deposit discoveries in the future. Infrastructure projects continue to offer producers of steel, zinc, and aluminum profitable economic prospects. One essential element of the real estate sector is iron and steel. Strong growth expectations are expected in the residential and commercial building industries because of the continued demand for these metals. India's mining industry is anticipated to grow positively in 2021 over 2020. It's crucial for the government's mining policymakers to keep changing these laws, as they can increase the sector's GDP contribution, as many branches collaborate with stakeholders to put the economy back on a growth trajectory. This article examines the influence of lockdown on the mining industry in India, specifically focusing on the production scenario of minerals, employment, export-import scenarios of minerals and ore, and other events that occurred throughout the period.

Background. Jewelry is one of the components of material, ritual, cultural and historical heritage of mankind.Modern jewelry has acquired significant differences from those created in the past. Changes in the field of production and trade in jewelry explain the relevance of the analysis of cost indicators in the modern jewelry market and the feasibility of improving commodity expertise. The aim of the workis to analyze the cost indicators on the jewelry market in Ukraine, to conduct their commodity expertiseand to develop an algorithm for cost forecastingof jewelry in accordance with their quality characteristics. Materials and methods. A database of initial data on jewelry present on the market was created in the following range: weddingrings, rings, pendants and earrings. All named products weigh up to 10 grams and are made of 925 silver and 585 gold. Most of them are decorated with precious and semi-precious stones or inserts that imitate them. To develop an algorithm for cost forecastingof jewelry, a mathematical model was built and the quality of the approximation was calculated according to K. Pearson. Results. The results of the analysis of cost indicators in the modern jewelry market are described, and also recommendations for performance of tasks of their com­modity expertise are given. Three commodity groups of jewelry have been identified and an algorithm for predicting their value has been developed.A protocol for assessing the quality of jewelry and standards for visual comparison operations are presented. An approach to determining the estimated value of exclusive jewelry is proposed. Conclusion. The general regulations of work of commodity expertise of jewelry are established. Creating a mathematical model for cost forecastingof jewelry requires the compi­lation of a database of initial data of representative samples presented on the market. For each cost interval it is necessary to build a regression mathematical model that will ensure maximum consideration of pricing factors and the authenticity and reproducibility of the results of commodity research. Commodity expertiseof the cheapest jewelry can be carried out only on the basis of the value of the used precious metals. Medium-value jewelry requires market analysis and mathematical forecasting. Jewelry with precious stones of natural origin also requires analysis of databases on precious stones. More expensive jewelry (more than UAH 300,000 per sample) can be valued only at the value of the gemstone. Keywords: commodity expertise, jewelry, cost forecasting, protocol, evaluation criterion.

Savings are essential for protecting and boosting the assets of rural populations. The paper analyses rural households’ saving strategies in eastern Bosnia. It is based on a secondary data and primary information collected by a questionnaire survey carried out in March 2013 with 147 rural households from nine municipalities in eastern Bosnia. The questionnaire focused on saving purposes; access to various saving means, including formal and semi-formal ones; membership in and management of saving/credit groups; and reasons for using formal money deposits (banks). The formal and semiformal sectors are currently not meeting the demand for financial services of all rural households. Survey results showed that 72.8% of respondents prefer keeping their savings as cash at home. Savings are also kept in form of livestock, precious metals and jewellery or invested in buildings. Access of rural households to appropriate saving services is of paramount importance for rural livelihood diversification in Bosnia.

The Spanish Empire in America —so envied by other countries— has never been regarded by economic historians as an unmixed blessing. For Hamilton, the precious metals from the Americas caused a parallel rise in prices and wages, reducing industrial investment and thus aborting the development of capitalism. For Vilar, a critic of that view, the Empire, as «the supreme phase of feudalism», led to a primitive accumulation of capital responsible for freezing structures inhibiting to capitalism. Wallerstein recognised that America was essential for the conversion of Spain into a semi-periphery of the world market1. To that can be added other less general but equally negative approaches concerning the effects of emigration or of American treasure, seen by many as contributing to an absolutism powerful enough to impose a foreign policy alien to the interests of the country and highly damaging to the Spanish economy, and to that of Castile in particular.

A geological study was conducted in Kulon Progo and its surrounding areas (Kulon Progo and Purworejo Regency). It focused on regional geology, tectonic configuration, geodynamics and magmatism, lithology and volcanology, and mineralization. Although there has been considerable research of mineralization in the area—particularly in Kokap (Kulon Progo Regency), Bagelen (Purworejo Regency) and Gupit (Magelang Regency), the potential of precious metals has not been determined due to data limitations. The study combined qualitative and semi-quantitative methods using a desktop geologic analysis, which facilitates lithology interpretation, volcanic boundary system, and lineament density assessment. The geology of the region is composed of an ancient volcanic complex of the Old Andesite Formation formed during the Late Oligocene-Miocene, and the mineralization in Kokap, Bagelen, and Gupit is epithermal. Based on the analysis results, the mineralization occurs in the central to proximal facies of the paleo-volcano, and the system ranges from 2.2 to 3.8 km in diameter. The manual analysis of the lineament density showed that the main direction of the lineaments was SE-NW with a maximum density of 2025.9 m/km2 and an anomaly limit of >1800 m/km2. In the combined semi-automatic analysis, the maximum density was 8.3 km/km2. The target area of mineralization included four anomalous areas, namely Bagelen-Kokap, Salaman, Kaligesing, and Loano, associated with the central and proximal facies of each small paleo-volcano.

There are many various materials suitable for the creation of sculptural nudes, but they are almost identical to those used to create a sculptural portrait. Among them, there is clay, stone (from limestone and granite to marble and some semi-precious stones), metals (bronze, aluminum, silver, gold), wood (of various types), wax (as a preliminary material), plasticine (which is also used for sketches) and gypsum (intended for casting works). Plastic techniques, as well as modeling ones, expand the range of interpretation of nude with the assistance of sculptural language elements and original compositional solutions. Thus, modeling techniques, in all their diversity, represent the wide scope and freedom of creativity that sculptors use to validate their ideas and artistic concepts. Plastic techniques and anatomical structures are of great importance, which, together, give originality to the works. Regardless of the period, in which the sculptors created, and of their stylistic preferences, they advocated a complex dialogue with the audience, in which the methods of modeling the material, or, in other words, the expression of the external form in the sculptural nude was a very important one.

Polymetallic vein-type ores are important sources of precious metal and a principal type of orebody for various base-metals. In this research, Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) remote sensing data were used for mapping hydrothermal alteration zones associated with epithermal polymetallic vein-type mineralization in the Toroud–Chahshirin Magmatic Belt (TCMB), North of Iran. The TCMB is the largest known goldfield and base metals province in the central-north of Iran. Propylitic, phyllic, argillic, and advanced argillic alteration and silicification zones are typically associated with Au-Cu, Ag, and/or Pb-Zn mineralization in the TCMB. Specialized image processing techniques, namely Selective Principal Component Analysis (SPCA), Band Ratio Matrix Transformation (BRMT), Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) and Mixture Tuned Matched Filtering (MTMF) were implemented and compared to map hydrothermal alteration minerals at the pixel and sub-pixel levels. Subtle differences between altered and non-altered rocks and hydrothermal alteration mineral assemblages were detected and mapped in the study area. The SPCA and BRMT spectral transformation algorithms discriminated the propylitic, phyllic, argillic and advanced argillic alteration and silicification zones as well as lithological units. The SAM and MTMF spectral mapping algorithms detected spectrally dominated mineral groups such as muscovite/montmorillonite/illite, hematite/jarosite, and chlorite/epidote/calcite mineral assemblages, systematically. Comprehensive fieldwork and laboratory analysis, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), petrographic study, and spectroscopy were conducted in the study area for verifying the remote sensing outputs. Results indicate several high potential zones of epithermal polymetallic vein-type mineralization in the northeastern and southwestern parts of the study area, which can be considered for future systematic exploration programs. The approach used in this research has great implications for the exploration of epithermal polymetallic vein-type mineralization in other base metals provinces in Iran and semi-arid regions around the world.

This study aims to identify the groups of closely spaced mineral deposits located in the Southern East Siberia and to describe these clusters. The mineral resource base of this region includes the deposits of lead, zinc, tungsten, tin, molybdenum, uranium, copper, gold, lithium, tantalum, niobium, silver, fluorite, zirconium, rare-earth metals, iron, mica, precious and semi-precious stones, oil, gas, and coal. Many of these deposits contain a significant part of the explored mineral reserves of Russia. The deposits are located in the tectonic structures of the Siberian platform (Tunguska syncline, Nepa arch, Cheremkhovo and Priangarie depressions), as well as in the fold belts framing the platform from the south and southeast (Baikal-Patom, Dzhida-Vitim, etc.). These structures and belts formed under the influence of plate tectonic and plume tectonic processes. This article describes the clusters of mineral deposits of the Angara, Sayan, Baikal and Transbaikalia regions. Currently, the most developed are the clusters located in the southern part of the study area (Shilka, Argun, Yeravnino, etc.). In the northern part (Mama-Bodaibo, etc.), the clusters have been either partially developed within the existing mining areas or are at the initial stage of development. In these territories, the road infrastructure, power supply and other facilities required for mining industry are either underdeveloped or lacking. Prospects for the regional development are related to the economic development of the territories adjacent to the Baikal-Amur railroad (BAM) and hydrocarbons production in the zone near the East Siberia – Far East oil pipeline. On the Siberian platform, mineral deposits formed during the stages of formation of its basement (Aldan, Anabar, and Sharyzhalgai shields) and platform cover (Tunguska syncline, and Nepa-Botuoba anticline). Within the fold frame, ore formation was associated with subduction, spreading, collision, and plume tectonic intraplate settings. To start the development of small-size deposits and mining of technogenic raw materials, it is advisable to establish exploration and production enterprises that can operate and manage expeditions and use compact ore-dressing plants.

Since the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, as a result of the large-scale implementation of the industrialization policy in Azerbaijan, a large number of industrial enterprises with powerful potential have been created. Based on this, the volume of industrial production over the past 10-15 years has increased 2.7-3.0 times. The current state of the country's economy has created ample opportunities for the development of the non-oil sectors along with the oil sector. At the same time, attention is drawn to the variety and speed of work on the extraction of precious metals. Azerbaijan International Mining Company (AIMC) is one such company and is currently engaged in exploration, production and processing at the Gadabay deposit. The high technology used here and the associated equipment and tools emphasize the need to apply and update recovery technologies, as well as various improvements over time. One of the main directions of scientific and practical work carried out here is to increase the resistance of grinding balls to corrosion. The article is devoted to determining the relationship between the wear rate of grinding balls of a semi-autogenous grinding mill and the parameters that control the process. Keywords: industrialization, industrial production, non-oil sector, mining company, drum mill, grinding balls, wear, the relationship between process controllers.

Both Roman generals and modern historians have tended to find Julian's moves in the civil war of AD 361 hazardous as well as difficult to understand. This is especially true of his long, ultra-rapid and semi-clandestine journey down the Danube, which was carried out by a dangerously small corps (under the command of the Usurper himself !) and ended with a very brief visit to Sirmium. A competent and, otherwise, cautious general, Julian must have had strong reasons for the risky haste that led him to Sirmium. These reasons were not primarily of a military nature, though enlistment of fresh troops and formation of vexillationes was among the measures he undertook/ initiated in the Pannonian metropolis. A (neglected) passage (13. 287 a) of his Letter to the Athenians (? mainly written during the river journey but sent from Sirmium itself) implies that his visit to Sirmium was chiefly caused by his urgent need to secure the rich mines of precious metals managed by that city (mines situated in the Drinus valley and the Mt. Cer area), as well as silver and gold objects (coins, ingots, plates etc.) stored in Sirmium, which had a mint and the metal officinae of its own. All this would help him i.a. distribute the donativa, already promised to his soldiers and officers. Analogous strategies, inspired by the old experience that the pecunia and/or metalla is/are nervus belli civilis, left traces in the sources describing the wars between Constantine I and Licinius, Vitellius and Vespasian, Otho and Vitellius ? to cite the most illustrative examples only.

The article aims at analysing the changes to Chapter 22 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation on the basis of the Federal Laws of the Russian Federation No. 500-FZ of December 27, 2019; No. 73-FZ of April 1, 2020; No. 352-FZ of October 27, 2020. The analysis has shown that the introduced changes are not sufficient to improve the Chapter, since they affected only an insignificant part of its norms. The introduced changes have expanded the scope of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, since its new version provides for the liability for not only the illegal circulation of precious metals, natural precious stones, or pearls, but also for the illegal circulation of amber, jade, or other semi-precious stones. In addition, its Part 1 now contains an administrative prejudice. Part 1 of Article 193 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation has also included an administrative prejudice after the above changes. Its new version has expanded such evaluative dimensions as “large scale” and “extra large size”, which has narrowed its scope. In its turn, these changes can be interpreted as the liberalisation of criminal law that protects public relations in economic activities. The legislator has precisely specified the amounts of “large” and “extra large” in Articles 198, 199, 199.1, 199.3, 199.4 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Chapter 22 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation has included Article 200.7 to provide for liability for bribing an arbitrator, which indicates the “expanded” interference of criminal law into economic activities. This “expansion” is to eliminate the legislative gap in the chapter under study. However, the analysis of Articles 169, 178, 183, 189, 190, 194 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation has revealed certain shortcomings of the legislative structures, which means that the considered changes failed to improve the Chapter. Yet, the comparative analysis of other norms that make up Chapter 22 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation has demonstrated that most of these norms provide for criminal liability for acts that, by their legal nature, do not constitute an encroachment on social relations in economic activities. Thus, the improvement of the criminal legislation protecting social relations requires the norms prohibiting the acts that are not encroachments on these relations to be transferred from Chapter 22 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation to its other Chapters. The analysis has made it possible to correctly establish the range of crimes against public relations in economic activities. They are crimes under Articles 171, 171.2, 171.3, 171.4, 172, 172.1, 172.2, 172.3, 178, 183, 195, 196, and 197 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. By their legal nature, these acts are various manifestations of unfair competition. Therefore, the improvement should also include the criminalisation of new forms of its manifestation, such as discrediting the business reputation of legal entities, misleading consumers, and lending illegal loans of all types. However, decriminali-sation of certain acts prohibited by Chapter 22 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation can be also considered as a way to improve the criminal code that protects public relations in economic activities.

Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) attract much attention since they play a crucial role in the hydrogen economy. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode is a fundamental reaction in electrochemical energy conversion systems like AEMFCs. However, the kinetics of the ORR are sluggish and the precious metal catalysts such as Pt which are highly efficient for the ORR are scarce and costly. Owing to their disadvantages, it is required to replace the precious metal catalysts with abundant non-precious metal catalysts. In the past decade, the transition metal nitrogen carbon catalysts (M-N-C) have been accentuated as possible alternatives to Pt catalysts due to their wide applicability to electrochemical catalysis and high ORR performance in alkaline media [1, 2]. Fe is generally known as the most efficient transition metal for the ORR [3, 4]. However, the ORR activity of Fe-N-C catalysts is not competitive with that of Ptcatalysts. To boost the activity and performance of theFe-N-C catalyst, doping additional heteroatoms (such as B, S, P, and F) to the Fe–N–C catalysts is widely investigated since it is a simple and practical strategy. In this work, we synthesize Fe-N-F-C catalysts using chelating agents like ethylene diamine and ethylenediamine (EDA) and 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetone (HFAc) as the N and F precursors, respectively. The annealing temperature and doped heteroatoms were systematically designed to arrange control samples to elucidate their synergistic effects on the ORR activity. We used high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) using the 1D-XRS KIST-PAL beamline of the PLS-II light source at the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory as well as a rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) system. Well-dispersed uniform iron carbide particles were detected in Fe@NFC700 by HR-TEM. Among the catalysts, the highest amount of heteroatom functional groups (i.e. semi-ionic C–F bonds and Fe–Nx) that expedite the ORR activity were observed in Fe@NFC700. In addition, Fe@NFC700 exhibited higher contents of the Fe–Nx, pyridinic-N, and graphitic-N than Fe@NC, which indicates that F doping influences the formation of the N functional groups. As a result, Fe@NFC700 showed a high onset potential (0.981 V) and a small Tafel slope (79.11 mV dec‒1) compared to the catalysts synthesized at different annealing temperatures. The F-doped Fe–N–C system is a highly potential candidate for electrochemical energy applications such as AEMFCs and metal-air batteries. This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. 2020R1C1C1004206). References [1] Lef`evre M, Proietti E, Jaouen F, Dodelet JP. Iron-based catalysts with improved oxygen reduction activity in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Science 2009;324:71–4. [2] Liu Y, Ruan J, Sang S, Zhou Z, Wu Q. Iron and nitrogen co-doped carbon derived from soybeans as efficient electro-catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. Electrochim Acta 2016;215:388–97. [3] Jung WS, Kim Y, Noh Y, Han H, Park S, Lee J, et al. Comparative investigation of nitrogen species in transition metals incorporated carbon catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. Chem Phys Lett 2018;708:42–7. [4] Domínguez C, P´erez-Alonso FJ, Abdel Salam M, G´omez De La Fuente JL, Al-Thabaiti SA, Basahel SN, et al. Effect of transition metal (M: Fe, Co or Mn) for the oxygen reduction reaction with non-precious metal catalysts in acid medium. Int J Hydrogen Energy 2014;39:5309–18.

AbstrakThis study took place within the entire autonomous region on the island ofLombok, which is in West Lombok regencylcity of Mataram, LombokCentral, and East Lombok District. Perhatan focus of this research is to findanswers to "how the people on the island of Lombok, Sasak tribe resolvetheir business disputes, the procedures undertaken, and the legal rules thatare used", a series of problems to study. From the resuit, obtained by thefindings that show the models out of court settlement of disputes betweenfellow citizens Sasak, including debt-related accounts, buying and sellingcars, buying and selling of precious metals, with reference to the local values(the customs, habits, tradisis-traditional, religious values) are used as termsof reference the parties dispute to end the disputes. Results showed processfast, simple, easy and cheap that is based on principles of fairness,deliberation, the agreements that were led by religious leaders, communityleaders as mediators. In this circuit, the parties dispute tends to avoid thecourts to resolve disputes with reason "could damage the relationship ofbrotherhood" (social relations), in addition to the perception that only "thosewho were disputing only" who took the court mechanism. Within the aboveframework, this study refers to the theory of "Legal Pluralism" fromGriffiths, the theory of "Semi-Autonomous Social Fields" from Sally FolkMoore, in addition to the theory of the "Living Law" from Erlich. All dataobtained were processed according to the rules prevailing methodologicalqualitative research, and then analyzed to obtain a deep understanding of theimportant aspects implicit in a series of studies the object of dispute.Evaluation and data analysis take place simultaneously, with the final result of the conclusions, the arguments that give the foil picture of the wholeprocess of studies showing the interrelation between the various researchfindings with the concept off act-theoretic grip author

The discovery of new mineral deposits contributes to the sustainable mineral industrial development, which is essential to satisfy global resource demands. The exploration for new mineral resources is challenging in Canada since its vast lands are mostly covered by a thick layer of Quaternary sediments that obscure bedrock geology. In the course of the recent decades, indicator minerals recovered from till heavy mineral concentrates have been effectively used to prospect for a broad range of mineral deposits including diamond, gold, and base metals. However, these methods traditionally focus on (visual) investigation of the 0.25–2.0 mm grain-size fraction of unconsolidated sediments, whilst our observations emphasize on higher abundance, or sometimes unique occurrence of precious metal (Au, Ag, and platinum-group elements) minerals in the finer-grained fractions (<0.25 mm). This study aims to present the advantages of applying a mineral detection routine initially developed for gold grains counting and characterization, to platinum-group minerals in <50 µm till heavy mineral concentrates. This technique, which uses an automated scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer, can provide quantitative mineralogical and semi-quantitative chemical data of heavy minerals of interest, simultaneously. This work presents the mineralogical and chemical characteristics, the grain size distribution, and the surface textures of 2664 discrete platinum-group mineral grains recovered from the processing of 5194 glacial sediment samples collected from different zones in the Canadian Shield (mostly Quebec and Ontario provinces). Fifty-eight different platinum-group mineral species have been identified to date, among which sperrylite (PtAs2) is by far the most abundant (n = 1488; 55.86%). Textural and mineral-chemical data suggest that detrital platinum-group minerals in the studied samples have been derived, at least in part, from Au-rich ore systems.

Belief, hope and loveThe symbolism of medieval ring broochesOrnaments and costume accessories have always been worn for decorative and functional reasons as well as for signalling status etc. However, they have also often been ascribed properties by virtue of their form and decoration – properties which would aid or protect the wearer. A belief in the inherent power of objects was a part of the world view during the Middle Ages. Medieval lapidaries contain descriptions of the properties or virtues that were ascribed to metals, precious and semi-precious stones and other geological materials. These properties constituted for example the ability to cure particular illnesses, impart spiritual insight, bring fortune in the matters of the heart and confer protection when travelling. In addition to the powers resident within the various materials, decoration has also played a major role. Inscriptions were common and were deemed very efficacious. Furthermore, shape, geometric figures and numerical symbolism could also have played a role which is, however, more difficult to decipher today.This article focuses on the ring brooches that were employed as costume accessories in Europe between the 12th and 15th centuries, and which were especially popular during the 13th and 14th centuries. In the High Middle Ages, in particular, three themes dominated the symbolism of the ornaments, i.e. religion, magic and love. The religious aspect saw expression in the form of inscriptions or images showing the worship of holy men and women (figs. 2-5). A second kind of symbolism is that which can be termed magical. This is most clearly seen as inscriptions in the form of anagrams or illegible words (fig. 6). It seems likely that materials such as metals or stone were attributed magical properties relative to ring brooches, but this is difficult to prove today (fig. 7). It is obvious to imagine that the actual form of the “ring” or frame of the brooches, for example as stars or quatrefoils, had a significance over and above the purely decorative (figs. 3 & 8). Especially so, when a comparison is made with brooches where the form of the frame has an undoubted romantic symbolism, which we readily recognise today (figs. 2a, 4, 10, 11). These symbols, i.e. hearts and clasped hands, together with a series of inscriptions, bear witness to the fact that ring brooches, on a par with finger rings, were used as tokens of love (fig. 1). The amorous inscriptions speak directly to us of relations between people (fig. 7). The romantic inscriptions of the French court, of which there is one Danish example, are especially refined (fig. 9).These three themes are not clearly delimited and often merge together. It seems likely that the mingling of, for example, religious and magical inscriptions took place with the intentional aim of creating a special or more powerful effect. Ring brooches with symbolic expression occur in a wide range of qualities, from valuable examples of gold and silver to mass-produced brooches of cheaper metal alloys (figs. 4 & 10). This demonstrates that the symbolism was familiar and widespread in a very broad social sense. The symbolism seen on ring brooches and other types of ornaments from the Middle Ages is, in many instances, a direct expression of feelings, belief and hope and constitutes a fascinating source relative the medieval secular world.Mette Højmark SøvsøSydvestjyske Museer

The Gulf of Gabès, located on the south-east Tunisian coast, is an important maritime area, with great influence on the local economy and human welfare. The aim of the current study was to assess the response of meiobenthic copepod populations from this gulf to anthropogenic disturbances. Nine sampling sites, situated along the shores of the gulf were surveyed seasonally from winter of 2004 to autumn of 2005. Interestingly, this biotope has one of the highest semi-diurnal tides in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite the fact that the data being presented here are not that new, such a high maximum amplitude of tides reaching 2 m makes any information available on animals with diurnal dispersal cycles such as copepods extremely precious. Furthermore, the lack of knowledge on these crustaceans is obvious and lags behind that of numerous other meiobenthic taxa and planktonic calanoids. Actually, most publications do not reach the species level and are limited to determining densities. This is mainly due to the modest size of harpacticoids, and the lack of qualified taxonomic experts and global taxonomic databases. Sediment samples were analyzed for fluorine, carbohydrates and trace metals (i.e., Fe, Zn and Cd) content. A pollution index, based on the eigenvalues of the main ordination axis of a Principal Component Analysis, was applied. The highest values of chemicals were detected at the sites situated near an industrial complex, along with significant variations among seasons. The copepod community comprised 38 species, including five species new to science. Species richness, density and biomass of copepod communities varied among sites and seasons. These community-based indices were also analyzed separately for each season with conditional autoregressive models, revealing a significant negative response with the level of pollution. However, the results of partial Mantel tests showed positive correlations between species richness and pollution level, after controlling for the effect of geographic proximity in-between pairs of sites (winter: r = 0.927, p < 0.0001; spring: r = 0.935, p < 0.0001; summer: r = 0.918, p < 0.0001; autumn: r = 0.937, p < 0.0001). The overall pattern was that nearby sites were characterized by similar pollution levels and inhabited by similar species of copepods. Moreover, the copepod communities were significantly influenced by pollutants, mainly by trace metals. The results of the current survey emphasize the usefulness of meiobenthic copepods in biomonitoring programs not only for the gulf of Gabès, but also for other coastal areas from the Mediterranean Sea region.

Medieval ring brooches from Denmark – Typology, dating and use Ring brooches are one of the most common types of jewellery from the Middle Ages. They consist of a closed frame with a fixed pin (fig. 1). The metal detector activity of recent years has increased the number of these brooches. They have not previously been dealt with separately in Denmark. This article is based on the collection and typological classification of 215 ring brooches from present-day Denmark. These brooches can be classified into seven types with 23 sub-types (fig. 2). Nine of the brooches have no Danish parallel. The frames are most often circular, but their form varies. The circular brooches (types 1-3) are the most common. They make up 83% of the Danish brooches, whereas other frame shapes are less common (fig. 3). The use of ring brooches arose simultaneously with the Byzantine fashion of dress from the 12th century. The fashion dictated long coats or kirtles for both sexes (fig. 4). The neck opening of the kirtles was equipped with a slit which was fastened with a ring brooch (fig. 5); the brooches were also used to fasten cloaks. The ring brooches can be dated to a period extending from the 12th century until some time in the 15th century. In the beginning, functionality had priority, but later ring brooches appeared which were solely for decoration or were used to attach other items to the clothing. Dating of the individual types is based on stylistic and archaeological criteria together with numismatic dates from hoards. The latter two dating methods in particular provide a narrower dating framework for some of the types; this applies to, for example, types 3 and 4.1 (fig. 8). The earliest example in Scandinavian art of the use of ring brooches is from around AD 1200 (fig. 15), whereas there are archaeological finds from Denmark from the second half of the 12th century. Fig. 8 provides an overview of Danish and foreign dates for the ring brooch types. Types 1 and 2 both occur in the 12th century, whereas the other types appear from the 13th century. Some of the types are seen across large parts of Europe. This applies, for example, to types 1.1, 1.3, 2.1 and 2.6. Others have a more limited geographical distribution, which reflects cultural and trade-related links. This applies to types 1.4, 2.5 and 3. Some brooches are unique to Denmark but all have parallels in other countries. This underlines the fact that there are, by and large, no unique brooches, but that they all have a greater or smaller distribution (figs. 12 and 13). The ring brooches are often made from various types of copper alloy, while precious metals are more rarely used (fig. 14). They occur in a series of social contexts and this underlines the applicability of this type of jewellery. Most of the types occur as precious metal as well as alloy, and the same decorative elements are seen on brooches of very different quality (figs. 7 and 10). Ring brooches were worn by both men and women and probably also by children. Their size can give an indication of who wore them and how. The visual arts are a good source in this respect (fig. 5). Other sources include wills and, in rare cases, inscriptions on the brooches themselves, revealing the sex of the person who wore them. The greatest diameter of the ring brooches lies typically between 20 and 29 mm. A group comprising 12 brooches differs in this respect, having a diameter of between 13 and 19 mm, and eight medium- sized brooches have a diameter of between 50 and 59 mm. A group comprising 10 brooches has diameters of between 60 and 96 mm. These large brooches were probably cloak-fasteners. Medieval jewellery was often associated with great symbolism. This could be through the material from which they were made, in the form of metal and precious or semi-precious stones which was ascribed special significance. The symbolic value becomes clearest through the many inscriptions of a religious or amorous nature (fig. 9). Ring brooches were, like finger rings, a symbol of fidelity and love, and their function as a fastener for a cloak became, in a figurative sense, a picture of chastity. Mette Højmark SøvsøSydvestjyske Museer

The purpose of the study is to investigate the electrochemical behavior of two dental alloys: palladium alloy (Palidor) and Ni-Cr alloy (Verasoft) in three types of artificial saliva. Determination of corrosion potential and recording of linear and cyclic polarization curves were performed with PGP201 potentiostat (VoltaLab 21- Radelkis Copenhagen. In order to study the modifications produced on the surface of the electrodes, a complex optical microscope MC 1 research type (IOR, Romania) was used, adapted to a digital camera, which was connected to a computer for the digital acquisition of images . Two metal alloys based on Ag-Pd and Ni-Cr were used for the experiments. The materials used came from different types of dental restorations removed from the oral cavity of the patients after a 5-15 years period. As corrosion environments, three artificial saliva were used: Fusayama, Afnor and Rondelli. The Pd-Ag dental alloy exhibits a very good corrosion resistance and the treatment in the Afnor saliva does not affect the surface of the alloy. Electrochemical behavior in Fusayama-Meyer�s saliva of the alloy surface results in a series of spots representing deposits of insoluble salts resulting from the oxidation process, while in the Rondelli saliva there is a series of small corrosion points on the alloy surface. The behavior of the Verasoft alloy in the Afnor and Rondelli saliva is similar; In both solutions, the potential breakthroughs are very close, but in Fusayama-Meyer�s saliva, the potential for initiation of corrosion points is very low (206 mV), a potential that can be encountered in the oral cavity. All metals and metal alloys, even the noble and semi-precious ones, are susceptible to corrosion, forming compounds with properties different from those of the metal or base alloy, which change their surface condition. Metallic dental restorations are permanently affected by the factors of the oral environment (physical-mechanical, chemical and biological), being subjected to a continuous process of degradation.

As integrated circuit design rules shrink in semiconductor, Copper (Cu) has been employed as the back end of line (BEOL) interconnect metal to enhance device performance through reduced resistivity and resistive-capacitive delay.[1] However, Cu metal lines are prone to degradation caused by Cu oxidation-induced defects, including extrusions and voids, owing to their inherent properties.[2] Consequently, it becomes essential to regulate the oxidation rate during the chip fabrication process, particularly when the Cu metal line is exposed during the Damascene process. This control is crucial for ensuring long-term reliability and achieving a higher yield.[3] From the learning of earlier technological nodes, we are aware to and already precisely controlling both process queue time and wafer surface humidity. We must exercise control over the queue time, addressing both inter-process intervals and in-process queuing. [4] This underscores the importance of managing queue time and maintaining low environmental humidity to mitigate wafer surface defects when the FOUP (Front Opening Unified Pod) is opened at the EFEM (Equipment Front End Module).[5] Those humidity and queue times related Cu corrosion defects have been mitigated by N2 purge in FOUP and reducing the wafer quantity. However, dividing the lot, typically consisting of 25 wafers, by half or less to reduce queue times leads to an imbalance in low humidity due to N2 purging. This occurs when the FOUP is opened in EFEM. This paper examines Cu corrosion under low humidity conditions in a FOUP with a small quantity of wafers, specifically examining the influence of queue time during N2 purging in the EFEM. Through simulation of the interaction between the inlet air entering the EFEM and the purged N2 gas, a vulnerable area is identified where copper oxidation takes place. In addition, we propose an arrangement to mitigate high humidity, supported by experiments conducted under real equipment conditions. Fig. 1 shows Cu corrosion defects after ILD etching at around 20% RH in the FOUP. This defect is only observed in the lower slot of the FOUP on the N2 purged load port. Figure 2 illustrates a chart depicting the humidity inside the FOUP under various conditions. The humid region within the FOUP when opened on the N2 purged load port without wafers. (Fig.2a) While the extent of the humid area is contingent upon the flow rate of the N2 purge and the intake of air through the Fan Filter Unit (FFU), the vortex of the inlet air from the cleanroom (<42% RH) is notably observed at the bottom and front side of the FOUP. Therefore, wafers stored in the lower slot of the FOUP face an increased risk of Cu corrosions when subjected to elevated humidity levels during processes like ILD etching and subsequent cleaning. Specifically, an extended queue time amplifies the probability of Cu defects occurring in this high-humidity slot compared to slots with lower humidity. We observed an unintended increase to 28.2% RH in specific configurations when reducing the quantity of wafers to minimize queue time. (Fig. 2b) Hence, we propose an arrangement for wafers that maintains low humidity with small quantity. When placing 12 wafers in the FOUP, an arrangement with equal spacing from the first slot to the 25th slot ensures uniform N2 flow, thereby reducing the highest humidity from 28.2% RH to 14.0% RH by half. (Fig.3a) Alternatively, positioning all wafers on the upper section is another method. (Fig.3b) Therefore, by halving the quantity of wafers and reducing the process wait time by half, and applying the optimal wafer arrangement that maintains low humidity balance even with a small number of wafers, we confirmed the absence of Cu corrosion. References [1] Y.-L. Cheng et al. Copper Metal for Semiconductor Interconnects. Noble and Precious Metals – Properties. Nanoscale Effects and Applicationshttp://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.723962018 (2018) [2] N. R. Kamat et al. A Study of Sulphur Assisted Corrosion in Technologies with Copper Interconnects. 2006 13th International Symposium on the Physical and Failure Analysis of Integrated Circuits 183–186 (2006) [3] B. Li et al. Reliability challenges for copper interconnects. Microelectron. Reliab. 44, 365–380 (2004) [4] J. Jeong et al. Control of Wafer Slot-Dependent Outgassing Defects during Semiconductor Manufacture Processes. 2019 30th Annual SEMI Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Conference (ASMC) 21, 1–4 (2019) [5] S. C. Hu et al. 450mm FOUP/LPU system in advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes: A study on the minimization of oxygen content inside FOUP when the door is opened. 2015 Joint e-Manufacturing and Design Collaboration Symposium (eMDC) & 2015 International Symposium on Semiconductor Manufacturing (ISSM ), 1-4 (2015) Figure 1

The article examines the problematic issues of taxation on the extraction of minerals of those taxpayers who are users of deposits of precious metals. Within the framework of the study, the author hypothesized that under the conditions of sanctions pressure on the sector of extraction and processing of precious metals, the financial process management system in the field of fiscal obligations and payments has certain disadvantages that exert internal negative pressure on this branch of economic activity, which in turn acts as a more significant factor constraining the economic activity of subsoil users compared to with external sanctions. The issues of dependence of the national economy on the export of hydrocarbon raw materials and mineral semi-finished products, as well as on the import of high-tech products are considered. The country and product structures of exports and imports are investigated, the role and significance of exports of precious metals to world markets are determined. The aggregate structure of metal exports is considered, as well as the share of precious metals in it. The methods and consequences of sanctions pressure on the domestic precious metals mining industry are characterized. The practice of tax control on the tax on the extraction of minerals in relation to users of deposits of precious metals is investigated. The systemic, methodological and terminological errors of tax authorities made by them in the implementation of standard-setting activities, in the qualification and interpretation of the provisions of Chapter 26 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, as well as industry legislation on precious metals, are considered and characterized. Using the example of some objects of taxation by the mineral extraction tax, the substantive essence of the object of taxation and the concept of "concentrates and other intermediates containing gold", as well as the fiscal consequences of errors in their qualification, are revealed.

Optimizing glycosylation conditions for automated glycan assembly is highly challenging, demand wasteful use of precious building blocks and rely on nontrivial analyses. We developed a semi-quantitative method for automated optimization...

The process of archaeological inference begins prior to the beginning of interpretation or even the actual discovery of a particular object. Certain objects, materials, or groups of finds raise more intense interest among researchers and general public alike. Object made of precious materials and minerals are particularly attractive, especially if they are recovered from even more attractive contexts such as richly furnished graves or groups of objects found together – hoards. Objects deposited in groups of identical or similar artefacts, particularly if laid into a recipient such as a vessel or a casket, have raised attention for centuries or even longer. Researchers and general audience are equally interested in hoards consisting of precious metals, jewellery, weapons, and principally of coins. In the context of archaeological research and interpretation, hoards consisting of ordinary everyday objects, such as raw and semi-processed materials and tools, also figure prominently. In their form and context, they are similar to hoards containing precious objects, and are therefore intriguing to researchers, since it is expected that some of enduring questions on behaviour of prehistoric people, especially in symbolic domain, will be solved by examining these finds. Ascribing symbolic meaning to hoards has been the constant practice of archaeologists from the times of formation of professional archaeology till today. This text is a review of interpretations of stone and bronze hoards, registered in the region of the valley of Sava, and dated into late Neolithic and Late Bronze Age. The exceptionality of the finds in the perception of archaeologists dictates the archaeological interpretation, not only of the particular find, but also of the whole context. Hoards and depositions, along with many other archaeological assemblages of finds, are mainly interpreted according to the dominant narrative and conceptual framework of prehistoric society as the one of primordial communities, whose every action is imbued by ritual and mystery, at the same time being exceptionally rational in their economic relations.

The process of archaeological inference begins prior to the beginning of interpretation or even the actual discovery of a particular object. Certain objects, materials, or groups of finds raise more intense interest among researchers and general public alike. Object made of precious materials and minerals are particularly attractive, especially if they are recovered from even more attractive contexts such as richly furnished graves or groups of objects found together – hoards. Objects deposited in groups of identical or similar artefacts, particularly if laid into a recipient such as a vessel or a casket, have raised attention for centuries or even longer. Researchers and general audience are equally interested in hoards consisting of precious metals, jewellery, weapons, and principally of coins. In the context of archaeological research and interpretation, hoards consisting of ordinary everyday objects, such as raw and semi-processed materials and tools, also figure prominently. In their form and context, they are similar to hoards containing precious objects, and are therefore intriguing to researchers, since it is expected that some of enduring questions on behaviour of prehistoric people, especially in symbolic domain, will be solved by examining these finds. Ascribing symbolic meaning to hoards has been the constant practice of archaeologists from the times of formation of professional archaeology till today. This text is a review of interpretations of stone and bronze hoards, registered in the region of the valley of Sava, and dated into late Neolithic and Late Bronze Age. The exceptionality of the finds in the perception of archaeologists dictates the archaeological interpretation, not only of the particular find, but also of the whole context. Hoards and depositions, along with many other archaeological assemblages of finds, are mainly interpreted according to the dominant narrative and conceptual framework of prehistoric society as the one of primordial communities, whose every action is imbued by ritual and mystery, at the same time being exceptionally rational in their economic relations.

In 2018-2019, the archaeological Temple Mount Sifting operation was at a limited scope, and on June 2019 was fully resumed at a new location (License Nos. G-12/2018, G-42/2019; map ref. 223137/632797). The authors initiated the project in late 2004 under the auspices of Bar-Ilan University and with the assistance of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. From 2005 to early in 2017, the sifting operation was funded and operated by the Ir David Foundation. Since June 2019, the sifting is conducted at the Mi&#7827;pe Ha-Masu'ot complex on Mount Scopus (map ref. 223484/632893) and financed by private donors through the Israel Archaeology Foundation. As of 2011, the research and publication of the finds have been carried out at the sifting project's laboratory in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Talpiot, with ongoing funding by the Israel Archaeology Foundation. The sifting project is directed by Z. Dvira and G. Barkay, assisted in 2018-2019 by Y. Farhi, O. Cohen-Klonymus, Y. Marcus, H. Shaham, A. Avraham, A. Greener and D. Gutreich (archaeological management of sifting process), D. Shani (drawing, research administration assistant, gaming pieces), I. Dashberg and H. Elboim (administration and finances), H. Cohen-Klonymus (research director, data processing, weights, stoneware and flint items), F. Snyder (opus sectile, glass bracelets, glass rings, beads, cross pendants), H. Richman (Iron Age and Persian pottery, modern weapons), P. Reuven (Hellenistic-Early Islamic pottery), I. Eisenstadt (preliminary pottery and bone sorting), H. Mienis (shells and mollusks), A. Greener (figurines), D. Gutreich (glass, Crusader pottery), N. Ahipaz (pre-Byzantine numismatics), R. Kool (medieval numismatics), A. Berman (Early and Late Islamic numismatics), B. Brandl (Egyptian glyptography), R. Buchnik (archaeozoology), Y. Marcus (stucco, fresco and plaster), S. Amurai-Stark and M. Hershkovitz (gems and metal rings), K. Shwartsman (pottery research assistant), T. Pace (keys), J. Damm (organic residue analysis), G. Ludvik (semi-precious stone beads), Y. Elkayam (semi-precious stones), R. Richman and Y. Luban (drawing), T. Rogovski and Z. Radovan (photography), M. Lavi (coin conservation and cleaning), O. Cohen (conservation of architectural features, metals, and coin cleaning), D. Lavita (material identification and geological consultation), S. Sapir and M. Swirsky (sorting and processing finds for statistical analysis), and J. Greene and D. Shani (public relations and online content).

The Mackenzie and eastern Selwyn Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada, are the northeast expression of the Cordilleran orogen and have a geologic history that spans the last one billion years. The region has undergone a diverse tectonic evolution, which is reflected in an equally diverse collection of mineral deposits and prospects. More than 300 of these deposits and prospects have been documented in this area of the Northwest Territories and here they are categorized into mineral deposit types and their mode of formation evaluated and highlighted. Stratiform/stratabound Cu-Ag occurrences are hosted in the Neoproterozoic Coates Lake Group, generally preserved in the hanging wall of the Cretaceous Plateau fault, and define a belt through the central part of the Mackenzie Mountains. Low-grade phosphatic stratiform iron (47.5% Fe) occurs as iron formation in the Neoproterozoic Rapitan Group in the very northwest of the Mackenzie Mountains. Sedimentary exhalative Zn-Pb (± Ba) deposits are preserved in Cambrian through Devonian strata of the Selwyn Basin in the eastern Selwyn Mountains. Numerous carbonate-hosted Zn-Pb (± base-metals) occurrences are located in the Paleozoic strata of the Mackenzie Platform in the Mackenzie Mountains. Cretaceous felsic-intermediate plutons, which occur throughout the eastern Selwyn Mountains, are associated with tungsten skarn (proximal to intrusions), base-metal skarn (distal from intrusions), rare metals, semi-precious tourmaline related to pegmatites, and vein-hosted emeralds. Other resources of potential interest include coal deposits, placer gold, and possible Carlin-type gold deposits that have recently been identified farther west in the Yukon.SOMMAIRELes monts Mackenzie et ceux de la chaîne orientale de Selwyn, dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest, au Canada, sont l'expression au nord-est de l'orogène de la Cordillère, et leur histoire géologique s’étale sur le dernier milliard d’années. La région a été l’hôte d’une évolution tectonique diversifiée, et cela se reflète par une suite tout aussi diversifiée de gisements minéraux et d’indices prometteurs. Plus de 300 de ces dépôts et indices prometteurs ont été documentées dans cette région des Territoires du Nord-Ouest, et le présent article ils sont classés en types de gîtes minéraux, et l’attention est portée sur leur mode de formation. Les gisements de Cu-Ag stratiformes ou stratoïdes sont encaissés dans le Groupe néoprotérozoïque de Coates Lake, et ils sont généralement préservés dans l'éponte supérieure de la faille du plateau crétacé, et ils forment une bande qui traverse la partie centrale des monts Mackenzie. Le fer se retrouve dans des gisements phosphatées stratiformes à faible teneur (47,5% Fe) qui provient de formations de fer dans le Groupe néoprotérozoïque de Rapitan situé dans la pointe nord-ouest des monts Mackenzie. Des gisements sédimentaires exhalatifs de Zn-Pb (± Ba) sont préservés dans des strates cambriennes à dévoniennes du bassin de Selwyn dans la portion est des monts Selwyn. De nombreux indices de Zn-Pb (± métaux communs) dans des roches carbonatées des strates paléozoïques de la plate-forme de Mackenzie, des monts Mackenzie. Des plutons felsiques intermédiaires crétacés, qui pointent tout au long de la chaîne est de Selwyn, sont associées à des skarns de tungstène (proximaux), à des skarns de métaux communs (distaux), à des concentrations de métaux rares, de tourmaline semi-précieuses liés aux pegmatites, et à des émeraudes filoniennes. Parmi d’autres ressources d'intérêt, on retrouve des gisements de charbon, d'or alluvionnaire, et d’éventuels gisements d'or de type Carlin qui ont été découverts récemment plus à l'ouest au Yukon.

Historic-Archaeological Research of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Milano on the Indus Delta (2010-2018). The following text is only an abridged note on the excavations at Banbhore and some significant extra-moenia surveys carried out by the Italian Team within the Institutional framework of a “Pak-French-Italian Historical and Archaeological Research at Banbhore” on the basis of a Licence issued by the competent Pakistani Authorities (2010-2015 - Coordinator of the Project Dr Kaleemullah Lashari), and, some later, within a new institutional asset: a “Memorandum of Understanding” (MoU) signed in the 2017 between the Director General of the Department of Antiquities of Sindh (Manzoor A. Kanasro) and the Magnifico Rettore of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Milan (Prof. Franco Anelli). Aims of the said MoU are: (a) historical-archaeological research-work at Banbhore and Rani Kot; (b) training (theoretical and on the job) to selected students and officers of the DAS. The Italian group works under the sponsorship of the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs (now Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation/MAECI). Scientific director for the Italian Team is Prof. Valeria Piacentini, member of the Board of Directors of the Research Centre CRiSSMA of the Catholic University. In the following dissertation I won’t linger on the debated issue about the identification of the site of Banbhore with historic sites on the Indus delta (the historical Mihrān river) mentioned and described in the written sources of the past. Too many respected scholars and archaeologists have entered this debate since the end of the 19th Century, for which I refer to a well-known exhaustive literature. In the “50s of the previous century, Leslie Alckok – then official to the Department of Archaeology of Pakistan – carried out some preliminary excavations, followed by Dr Rafique Mughal and F.A. Khan. This latter carried out a systematic and extensive archaeological campaign of several years between the “50s and the “60s, well backed by one of the most authoritative Pakistani historians, N.A. Baloch. Khan brought to light extraordinary archaeological and architectural evidence, but, unfortunately, his excavation-notes have gone lost and little or nothing has been published. Thence, our research-work had to start from nothing. First of all and most urgent was an updated planimetric and altimetric study of the site by kite-photos: a massive wall of c. 1,4 km with 55 towers, 7 posterns, and major and secondary accesses to the citadel (2010-2012 by Y. Ubelman, S. Reynard, A. Tilia), regularly updated with advanced technologies (A. Tilia). Then, in collaboration with Dr M. Kervran, head of the French Team, we undertook an accurate study of the bastions and the shapes of its towers (squared, U-shaped, circular), which has brought to envisage three main occupational phases of the intra-moenia area: 1. Indo-Parthian/Indo-Kushan phase (c. III-II Century b.CE – III-IV Century CE); 2. Sasanian/Indo-Sasanian phase (c. III-IV Century – early VIII Century CE); 3. Islamic phase (VIII – XII/early XIII Century CE). Decay and/or abandonment and end of any settled life on the site can be dated around the XII-early XIII Century, due to attacks and pillaging by Turco-Mongol nomadic tribes, and/or the deviation of this branch of the Indus delta and consequent filling of the harbour, or both. Archaeological evidence come to light confirms the historical information. Our third aim (2010-2015) was to arrive to a first chronological panorama of the site through levels in stratigraphy and the assemblage of pottery and other significant evidence with the individual levels (N. Manassero – A. Fusaro – A. Tilia). Deep trenches were excavated (T/7 and T/9 on the Italian side; T/1 on the French side near the western portion of the bastions skirting the Hindu Temple. These brought to the very early Sasanian period or late Indo-Parthian (c. II-III Century CE), then the water-table invaded the trenches preventing us to go deeper; however, drillings (T/9) have allowed to go deeper for c.1,8 mt of shards …thus reaching a much earlier occupational phase. The question about an Hellenistic occupation at the bottom of the site (Arrian’s harbour of Alexander) is still unanswered… a dream…but the importance of Banbhore has induced to take it seriously and include it within our priorities. Ours and the French trenches have also produced significant information on the architectural panorama of the site for its earlier periods of life. A main N-S and E-W road axis was traced. The site was organised in insulae, each insula with its pits of organic and inorganic refusals, densely built along narrow roads by small mono-nuclear houses, roofed, bases in local stones and the elevation in unbacked bricks. Interesting the presence of refusals of some crafts, as if each building had at the same time the function of “home” and workshop. The refusals shew activities of ivory-working (T/1,T/4, T/9), and other crafts carried out “within the bastions of the citadel”, such as glass, shells and mother of pearl, alloys and various metallurgic activities, too, and so on. Significant the presence of a wealth of clay-moulds. T/5 has produced a clay-mould nearly intact in its shape. No less interesting, in the deeper layers, the presence of a well arranged organisation of the hydraulic resources (small canals, little domed cisterns in roughly cut local stones, wells..: T/9). One element of the site attracted our attention: the so called “Partition Wall”. It has a North-South direction; then, it bends Eastwards, including the Mosque and the Eastern lagoon, but cutting out the majestic Southern Gate. So far, it had been interpreted as a Wall that had a “religious” or “social” function to separate – after the Islamic conquest – the Muslims from the non-Muslim inhabitants of the site. Manassero dedicated the 2014 Field-Season to investigate: T/7 and T/8 were the trenches that gave a new profile to this structure and to the general occupational organisation of the citadel during its last period of life. The round-shaped tower in mud-bricks and the walls on both sides show that they had been hurriedly erected in a late phase of the life of the citadel (around the end of the X – early XI Century CE). They had been built on the top of pre-existing buildings either abandoned and collapsed or hastily flatted-down, likely to defend this eastern portion of the site and its Mosque by some human ravage that had succeeded to open a breach in the lower western bastion leaving the higher north-eastern area exposed to attacks (the skeleton found by Dr Kervran on her portion of the wall, and Khan’s skeletons with arrow-heads in their skulls and chests). According to F.A. Khan’s excavations and what he left us in his little booklet that so far – printed and re-printed – is the guide for visitors to Banbhore, in the eastern portion of the site during the latest stage of its life still stood beautiful palaces, the Friday Mosque, markets, and an eastern gate where a staircase (still in situ in the 2015) brought to a lagoon at the foot of the eastern bastions and to the river. At the end of this first stage of our historical and archaeological research-work, the identification of the site of Banbhore with the historic Sasanian/Indo-Sasanian fortified harbour-town seemed quite feasible. When we resumed our field-work in the 2017, we decided to go deeper in this direction. In the meantime, Dr Manassero had resigned due to personal choices of life. Dr Simone Mantellini bravely accepted to be our Field-Director for the archaeological sector. T/9 had unearthed an imposing Building (Building 1) running along the East-West road-axis, parallel to a second Building (Building 2). The road – wide about 5 meters – must have been a major road, that had played a central role within the general architectural urban asset of the site. Building 2 had the typical structure of the local houses: base in rough stones, elevation in mud-bricks. Excavations of Building 1 produced fillings well flatted and an endless chronological procession of floors in row mud, likely the re-occupation of an important palace during the last phase of the occupational life of Banbhore. The material (pottery and others) associated with the various levels in stratigraphy (Dr A. Fusaro) confirmed the dating of the dug portion from c. the early XIII to the XI Century CE. Historically speaking, it makes sense: chronicles of the time report about the invasion of Lower Sindh by the Seljuks (second half of the XI Century CE); they indulge on the assaults against the walls of its great harbour-town named Daybul, its long siege concluded with a peace-treaty that fixed the border with Makrān at Gwadar and gave to Daybul an autonomous status (nāḥiya) within the Seljuk dominion of Qāvurd-Khān ibn Chaghrī Beg. More interesting was the copious filling with ivory refusals. Along Building 2, were found semi-worked shells, glass, iron and brass rivets, iron instruments, alloys, coins and other. This induced to think to a late quarter of work-shops outside the Partition Wall, built on previous buildings. Lastly, some surveys extra-moenia and in the Lahiri Bandar and Mullah-ka Kot islands have revealed a close connection and interaction between these spaces and the citadel. Around the bastions: the remains of a densely settled area and a well organised regulation of the waters and the territory, rock quarries, urban quarters, dwellings, cairn-tombs (some of them re-used), an artificial lake of sweet water delimited to the south by a “barrage”, wells, and a vast so called “industrial area” to the north-northwest of the bastions, pottery kilns and others completed the image of a urban asset at least for a given span of time. Architectural and archaeological evidences have regularly been graphically, photographically and topographically documented (A. Tilia). Archaeometric analyses on the job (pottery, metals, alloys, coins…) and in Italy (ivory, glass, clay-moulds, shards…) have provided precious support and new elements to the archaeological work. We are now confronted with the plan of a positive shahristān. Banbhore is no longer only a fortified citadel. Written sources in Arabic and Persian confirm this feature. After the Jan.-Feb. 2018 field-season, the Islamic occupational phase of Banbhore and the “archaeological park” surrounding it enhanced this image: a positive fluvial and maritime system stemmed out, a well-fortified system and harbour-town, a centre of mercantile power, production and re-distribution of luxury goods, an international centre of pilgrimage and religious learning, too, outlet to the sea of the capital-city of the moment. For the forthcoming field-seasons, it was decided to concentrate the attention on the sector where the North-South axis crosses the East-West one. In particular: to further investigate Building 1; to look for the ivory-workshops that must be there around – given the copious pieces so far brought to light and used as refilling (more than 9.000 fragments) and some fragments of rough ivory (specialist of the Italian Team G. Affanni); to organise a deep-trench in the Pakistani sector (T/11), in order to resume Manassero’s investigations on the urban and architectural features of the pre-Islamic phases...and (why not?) try to overcome the water-table problem with the technological support offered by the Bahrya University of Karachi…the much dreamed quest of Alexander the Macedonian’s port. All in all and to conclude. Nowadays, at the end of this first stage of historical and archaeological research-work in collaboration with the DAS, the identification of the site of Banbhore and its surrounding area with the Sasanian/Indo-Sasanian and the Early-Islamic well-fortified harbour-town of Daybul/Debol can be confirmed. No other site with the characteristics described by the written sources of the time (chronicles, geographies, travelogues…plus Marco Polo and some significant Genoese archival documents) has so far come to light on the Indus deltaic region. Conversely, still un-answered are other queries: Banbhore can be identified also with the great harbour of Alexander the Macedonian? Or with the Barbaricum/Barbarikon/Barbariké, harbour-town of Parthian rulers or local lords of “Skuthia”, also mentioned in the Periplus Maris Erythraei? Or again with Dib/Deb, harbour mentioned in a Parthian-Manichaean text? Or again the Dibos of Greek sources? Or the Dêbuhl/Dêphul of an Arminian text à propos of the Prophet Mani? Wishful thinking; however, these queries represent some amongst the ambitious aims of our future research-work.