Gênero, saber e poder: mulheres nas engenharias da Universidade Federal do Pará

O objetivo geral desta pesquisa é compreender e explicar as questões de gênero e suas implicações, envolvendo saber especializado e poder, com leitura nas relações desiguais entre homens e mulheres no campo das engenharias. Com recorte na Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), mais precisamente nos cursos de Engenharia Civil e Engenharia de Minas e meio Ambiente, evidenciados neste estudo pelo fato de aglomerarem o maior e o menor contingente feminino respectivamente. Por se tratar de um campo que historicamente tem sido ocupado majoritariamente pelos homens, há de se considerar que mulheres ao fazerem essa opção profissional enfrentam desafios sociais e culturais que permeiam as relações entre sexos. Deste modo, busca-se também compreender as motivações e as influências que as levam escolher a área das engenharias, bem como as dificuldades que enfrentam, as estratégias que utilizam para se manterem neste campo, e suas perspectivas quanto à profissão. A investigação adotada para a pesquisa combinou levantamento bibliográfico, estatístico, documental e fotográfico, com a realização de entrevistas semiestruturadas abordando discentes e docentes femininas dos dois cursos de engenharia selecionados, as quais, através da história oral, puderam relatar suas experiências vividas no cotidiano acadêmico e profissional. Os resultados desta investigação associados à teoria pertinente revelou que embora tenha aumentado a inserção de mulheres nos cursos de engenharias da UFPA, a maioria delas faz a escolha por acaso, justificado pela falta de orientação educativa ou porque onde os cursos são disponibilizados, não lhes oferecem outra opção. Elas ainda são limitadas em sua autonomia e liberdade de escolha, por discursos vinculados às relações de poder que sutilmente demarcam o campo profissional, quando associam o ambiente das engenharias à natureza feminina.

The Role of Water Chemistry in the Concentration of Hematite Ore

Selective flocculation and dispersion processes rely on differences in the surface chemistry of fine mineral particles (<25 >ìm) to allow for the concentration of specific minerals from an ore body. The effectiveness of selective flocculation and dispersion processes for the concentration of hematite (Fe2O3) ore are strongly dependent on the ionic content of the process water. The goal of this research was to analyze the ionic content of an operating selective flocculation and dispersion type hematite ore concentrator and determine how carbon dioxide affects the filtration of the final product. A detailed water chemistry analysis of the entire process was determined to show concentration profiles throughout the process. This information was used to explain process phenomena and promote future research into this subject. A subsequent laboratory study was conducted to show how carbon dioxide affects filtration rate and relate this effect to the zeta potential of the constituents of the concentrated hematite ore.

LARGE SCALE LANDSLIDE ON THE ONTONAGON RIVER, MICHIGAN

In 2003, a large landslide occurred along the Ontonagon River, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and adjacent to US-45 in Ontonagon County. The failure took place during the springtime, when the river reached a peak discharge that was the second highest on record. The volume of the slide has been estimated to be approximately 1,400,000 cubic yards. The colluvium blocked the river, forcing a new channel to be carved around the debris. The landslide consisted of a silt layer at its base, overlain by a coarsening upward sand sequence, and finally a varved glacio-lacustrine clay with sparse dropstone inclusions making up the upper section of hillside.

THE DISPERSION AND SELECTIVE FLOCCULATION OF HEMATITE ORE

Iron ore is one of the most important ores in the world. Over the past century, most mining of iron ore has been focused on magnetite (Fe3O4). As the name suggests, magnetite is magnetic in nature and is easily separated from gangue (unwanted) minerals through magnetic separation processes. Unfortunately, the magnetite ore bodies are diminishing. Because of this, there has been a recent drive to pursue technology that can economically separate hematite (Fe2O3) from its gangue minerals as hematite is a much more abundant source of iron. Most hematite ore has a very small liberation size that is frequently less than 25μm. Beneficiation of any ore with this fine of a liberation size requires advanced processing methods and is seldom pursued. A single process, known as selective flocculation and dispersion, has been successfully implemented at a plant scale for the beneficiation of fine liberation size hematite ore. Very little is known about this process as it was discovered by the U.S. Bureau of Mines by accident. The process is driven by water chemistry and surface chemistry modifications that enhance the separation of the hematite from its gangue minerals. This dissertation focuses on the role of water chemistry and process reagents in this hematite beneficiation process. It has been shown that certain ions, including calcium and magnesium, play a significant role in the process. These ions have a significant effect on the surface chemistry as reported by zeta potential studies. It was shown that magnesium ions within the process water have a more significant impact on surface chemistry than calcium ions due to steric hindrance effects at the hematite surface. It has also been shown that polyacrylic acid dispersants, if used in the process, can increase product quality (increase iron content, decrease phosphorus content, decrease silica content) substantially. Water, surface and reagent chemistry experiments were performed at a laboratory, pilot, and full plant scale during the course of this work. Many of the conclusions developed in the laboratory and pilot scale were found to be true at the full plant scale as well. These studies are the first published in history to develop theories of water chemistry and surface chemistry interactions at a full plant scale.

Some Early Geologists and Their Work in Montana

This paper marks an increased refinement and more detailed accuracy in the description of the geological features of the state. It includes the recent studies of mineral deposits, of oil structures, of the formations of bedded rocks and their included fossils, carried on both by the Federal and State governments and by various interested private persons, such as the mining companies. It is within this period that the Federal Government encouraged the U. S. Geological Survey in the publication of monographs on the National Parks, papers of great popular interest and educational value making these beautiful regions comprehensible in their geological features to the touring public.

Copper Commando Index - volumes 1, 2, and 3

Index for volumes 1, 2, and 3 (Aug. 1942 - Aug. 1945) lists personal names, places, subjects; page and issue numbers.

Creating Lakes from Open Pit Mines: Processes and Considerations, Emphasis on Northern Environments

Creating Lakes from Open Pit Mines: Processes and Considerations, Emphasis on Northern Environments. This document summarizes the literature of mining pit lakes (through 2007), with a particular focus on issues that are likely to be of special relevance to the creation and management of pit lakes in northern climates. Pit lakes are simply waterbodies formed by filling the open pit left upon the completion of mining operations with water. Like natural lakes, mining pit lakes display a huge diversity in each of these subject areas. However, pit lakes are young and therefore are typically in a non-equilibrium state with respect to their rate of filling, water quality, and biology. Separate sections deal with different aspects of pit lakes, including their morphometry, geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, and biology. Depending on the type and location of the mine, there may be opportunities to enhance the recreational or ecological benefits of a given pit lake, for example, by re-landscaping and re-vegetating the shoreline, by adding engineered habitat for aquatic life, and maintaining water quality. The creation of a pit lake may be a regulatory requirement to mitigate environmental impacts from mining operations, and/or be included as part of a closure and reclamation plan. Based on published case studies of pit lakes, large-scale bio-engineering projects have had mixed success. A common consensus is that manipulation of pit lake chemistry is difficult, expensive, and takes many years to achieve remediation goals. For this reason, it is prudent to take steps throughout mine operation to reduce the likelihood of future water quality problems upon closure. Also, it makes sense to engineer the lake in such a way that it will achieve its maximal end-use potential, whether it be permanent and safe storage of mine waste, habitat for aquatic life, recreation, or water supply.

Power and Politics in Organizations

Aristotle made the observation that man is a political animal. Engineers often like to think they are above the fray when it comes to organizational politics, but most organizational theorists believe politics is a fundamental dynamic in any group. This paper examines the various ways that people use power within organizations to negotiate the political interactions in the work place.

Shaping a Bright Future for Montana Tech: Developing State, National and Global Leaders in Resource Sectors

Presentation by Leigh W. Freeman. Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring published in 1962 marked the birth of concepts leading to the development of mineral resources with a balance of economic, environmental and social imperatives. Montana plays a special role in this story. It is 'the last best place.' As such it can serve as a bell-weather state for Carson's revelations. Consider: Butte as a poster child for legacy problems resulting from resource development under solely economic imperatives; and Montana as a first-adapter in 1971 of state environmental laws based on imperatives heralded with Silent Spring. What better place is there to educate and develop leaders and incubate the future of resource development in global sustainability?

The Amplifier - v. 2, no. 5

In this issue...Lois Fordmeir, Library, Mineral Club, Mining Engineering, Dale Barnum, Geological Society, Dillon, Montana, Lewis and Clark Caverns, Montana Power Company

The Dark Side of Leadership: Dealing with a Narcissistic Boss

Some of the defining characteristics of narcissists include a grandiose sense of self-importance, preoccupation with success and power, a sense of infallibility, and a supreme confidence in their ability and intelligence. Ironically, many of these characteristics are rewarded in business organizations, which may explain why there seems to be so many narcissists in management positions. Assuming we will be dealing with narcissists throughout our career, it makes sense for us to understand what makes them tick, and more importantly what we can do to work with them in a constructive manner.

Management Challenges in Nurturing a Safe Work Environment

As engineers, we are trained to use logical, rational problem solving to insure our mines operate at maximum efficiency. We tend to use the same technical approach to design safety into all mining systems. This works well for machines, but not so much for the human component. Recent insights in the field of behavioral economics provide useful ideas for addressing the fact that we are driven by emotions more often than by rational thought. Understanding the nonrational aspect of human behavior is an important piece of any safety system design.

The Amplifier - v. 8,(a-12) no. 12

In this issue...Ingersoll-Rand Company, Joseph Weindl, Sports Staff, M Club, Mother's Tea, religious history, Al Huizanga, Photo Club, mining engineering