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Blethen Mining Associates, PC "Mining Consultants giving you Mining Engineering Solutions for the 21st Century" 217 West Commerce Street Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302 - Work Phone/Fax: 856-459-3517 - Mobile: 856-392-6402
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Blethen Mining Associates, PC "Mining Consultants giving you Mining Engineering Solutions for the 21st Century" 217 West Commerce Street Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302 - Work Phone/Fax: 856-459-3517 - Mobile: 856-392-6402
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• Estimation & evaluation of resources & reserves • Mine permitting • Mineral appraisals • Mine planning & design • Evaluation & design of ground control • Design & evaluation of process flow • Legal & safety concerns • Coordination of all engineering fields • Expert witness testimony • Reclamation plans
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Frequently Asked Questions Mining Engineering is field of engineering dedicated to the science and technology of mining. Engineering, like many other applied sciences, has many disciplines. Mining, civil, chemical, structural, mechanical and electrical are some of the specialized fields of engineering. However, each deals specifically with a core knowledge of technical training and information making each a specialized field of engineering. Do I need a Civil Engineer for a site plan? How do I know when I need a mining engineer? Can you assist me with plant design? Can a mining engineer prepare mineral appraisals? What does a mining engineer specialize in? I have a piece of property I am interested in mining. How can I determine its potential? How can I keep my operation compliant? What does a mining engineer do? How can the services of a mining engineer save me money and add to my bottom line? How can Blethen Mining Associates, PC assist my small to medium sized mining concern?
Answers Do I need a Civil Engineer for a site plan? No. A mining concern does not need the services of a civil engineer for a site plan. Engineering, like many other applied sciences, has many disciplines. Mining, civil, chemical, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering to name a few. However, each deals specifically with a core knowledge of technical training and information making each a specialized field of engineering. Using a civil engineer to prepare your site plans as a part of your overall permitting process can be compared to a patient with a headache going to a podiatrist. Civil engineers have been preparing site plans for the mining industry for years even though mining and mining related technical issues fall outside of the parameters of their purview. Why? Civil engineering firms are more readily available and they've marketed their site plan services to the mining industry. It's really that simple. And because they can prepare site plans for infrastructure, housing developments, bridges and other situations they can legally prepare site plans for mine operations. But, does that make them the best choice for the job? Well, there are more pressures than ever before in our regulatory environment. Local municipalities and agencies that oversee mining operations are becoming increasingly sophisticated and they demand precise, highly technical answers to their questions and reporting requirements. Yes, a civil engineer can prepare your site plan. But, do they know anything about mining? Can they stand before a board and respond to their questions about your mine? They can't and they shouldn't. The bottom line is that an experienced mining engineer will save you time, money, and regulatory hassles and at a cost comparable to that of a civil engineer.
How do I know when I need a mining engineer? If you are engaged in mining, you need the services of a mining engineer. Mining is different from any other industry. And a mining engineer is different from any other engineer. Blethen Mining Associates understands your special challenges -- and brings you economical solutions. We offer you mining specific expertise for the whole life cycle of your mine, from exploration to site reclamation. And most of all, we know how to use technology and engineering solutions to increase your profitability.
Can you assist me with plant design? Plant design and layout are part of the specialized training a mining engineer brings to the table. Correct equipment size, placement, utilization, production methods, and utilities are all important factors to consider when building or expanding a plant in a mine environment. We work very closely with equipment manufacturers to make sure your plant works efficiently and economically.
Can a mining engineer prepare mineral appraisals? An experienced mining engineer can prepare mineral appraisals. A mining engineer has specific knowledge about geology and the importance of the geologic nature of the mineral and its potential for extraction, market and anticipated profit. Our principal, Marvin R. Blethen, PE, MBA, MS is uniquely qualified to perform this task with both an MBA and an MS in mining engineering.
What does a mining engineer specialize in? A mining engineer has a broad range of training in exploration, geology, operations, equipment, process flow, plant and mine design, reclamation, and management of mining operations. Some mining engineers may specialize in one or more of these areas. Blethen Mining Associates, PC has a varied wealth of experience in each of these areas and can show you how to maximize on your deposit and heighten the potential of your reserves. In short, our experience can save you money and show you ways to improve on your profitability even during times when markets are in flux and energy costs are on the rise.
I have a piece of property I am interested in mining. How can I determine its potential? The property needs to be evaluated for that purpose by collection and verification of relevant mineral data and information; analysis of this value related data and information; and, the application of mineral industry knowledge, experience, and judgment to develop a credible estimate of the value of the whole, or some specific interest in, mineral property or mining business which reflects all pertinent market evidence. If the property is virgin land without any history of mining, the property may have to be drilled for geologic information.
In other words, the presence as well as the quantity & quality, of the mineral must first be established through geologic examination. Once the presence of mineral has been established the ability to mine the site must be determined through analysis of process and process design as well as determining whether the property can be legally mined. Permits, approvals and other criteria will need to be met, so this is an important level of scrutiny. Blethen Mining Associates, PC is here to assist you in determining a property's mining potential.
A mining engineer is uniquely qualified to oversee the function of a series of intricate processes in a plant or process design. A mining engineer understands each piece of this puzzle and knows how to coordinate each step so that you can maximize on your reserves and make best use of your property. Blethen Mining Associates, PC can oversee and coordinate specific engineering disciplines including surveying, structural, mechanical, electrical and safety issues essentially putting all of the complex pieces of a puzzle together so the end result gives you an efficient and cost effective outcome.
How can I keep my operation compliant? Did you know that only 75% of operating mines in New Jersey are registered with MSHA?
What does this suggest? Well, for starters it suggests that not everyone knows and/or understands their legal obligations concerning the opening and operation of a mine. If you are a small to medium sized mining concern you should have professional assistance to assure that you are doing all that you are expected and required to do in order to operate legally. The penalties for missing one turn in the complex regulatory maze can be staggering so don't leave it up to yourself or your busy staff. Unless they are on top of it, you could be missing an important piece of the puzzle and you could wind up placing your business in jeopardy -- without even knowing it.
If you are a sophisticated mining concern of any size, staying abreast of regulations and remaining compliant is key. There is an old adage that "Two heads are better than one..." Blethen Mining Associates, PC is your partner in this equation.
What does a mining engineer do? Mining engineering includes a wide variety of mining technologies and engineering sciences devoted to the extraction or separation of the various mineral products – fuels, metals, and nonmetals. Separation of these minerals from the ground requires knowledge of the adaptation of equipment, manpower, and economics, and the application of reclamation, environmental control, legal, social, and administrative talents. Mining engineering is the coordination of all engineering fields and the administrative talents employed in extracting these materials from the earth, and making them available economically.
How can the services of a mining engineer save me money and add to my bottom line? Our knowledge is your best asset. The more you know...the more you understand... about your business the less likely you will be to make costly mistakes or to overlook potential. Blethen Mining Associates can keep you compliant and show you how to maximize on your deposit and ultimately, its profitability.
Standards in the regulatory environment are constantly changing. There are more pressures than ever before in the regulatory environment. Agencies that oversee mining operations are becoming more demanding and more sophisticated. Many mining companies wonder how they will ever keep up with it all.
You need someone who can guide you through the regulatory maze and help you keep your operations compliant, and that is precisely what we do.
What's more, mining technology is getting more complicated all of the time. To stay competitive, you need to have the options to use better techniques and science to make the most of your resources. A mining engineer brings the technical knowledge you need specifically related to your industry.
We can save you time, money, and regulatory hassles.
How can Blethen Mining Associates, PC assist my small to medium sized mining concern? Blethen Mining Associates, PC can keep you compliant; help you with ideas concerning profitability; give you guidance on how to maximize on the value of your deposit; how to shift with economic or market changes and how to use your reserves to coincide with these shifts; and keep you proactive in the regulatory environment by handling every aspect of your permit requirements.
Small to medium sized mining concerns have to keep many very serious balls in the air. It can be a tall order when you have a limited staff and when you want to keep your focus on more pressing matters. Blethen Mining Associates, PC is your partner in operations. We are your technical resource to enhance and add another level of oversight on matters that require very specific fields of knowledge.
Use Blethen Mining Associates, PC a key member of your team. We are here to assist you in every phase of mining from exploration...to reclamation.
If you are a large corporation with a staff of highly qualified engineers then you already understand the value a highly knowledgeable mining engineer can bring to your equation. Our principal, Marvin R. Blethen, is a registered professional engineer with a masters degree in business and a masters of science in mining engineering. There are an estimated 100 mining engineers with a masters degree (in mining engineering) working as consulting engineers in the United States today. We don't even know how few mining engineers possess both a masters in business in mining engineering.
The Department of Labor recently issued a report on the job status of mining engineers today along with proffering a projection of the availability of highly skilled mining engineers over the next ten years. There are fewer mining engineers today than ever and with the more experienced engineers reaching retirement, the mining industry is faced with an ever increasing shortage of qualified mining engineers to work with. To exasperate matters further, many colleges and universities have ceased to provide mining engineering as a course of study.
Highly skilled technical knowledge in the field of mining engineering is a valuable resource that you can utilize to augment your existing in house staff and add another tier of professionalism to your organization. Blethen Mining Associates, PC can give your company that unique advantage while offering you the practical answer to providing a local presence to existing or prospective sites. Why leave it up to a civil engineer for your permitting and interaction with local boards when the services of a qualified mining engineer are available to you?
Blethen Mining Associates, PC was founded by a mining engineer who worked as an industry insider for over 26 years on the front lines and in executive and advisory positions. This firm understands that engineering principles are not just a science, but an applied science that requires a unique, practical understanding of the business aspects that control and direct this industry.
Blethen Mining Associates, PC has a new and fresh attitude. We understand the big picture and don't view engineering support as a science in a vacuum. We provide practical information and technical support where its needed and do it in a way that gives you results.
We are eager for your business and our rates are highly competitive. In fact, we can almost guarantee that you'll save substantially.
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This page was last updated on April 7, 2011
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