Alpha Exploration Ltd.  has provided an update on the drilling results from Aburna Gold Prospect, located within the Kerkasha Project in Eritrea.

Potential

The ongoing drilling program consists of both reverse-circulation drilling and diamond core drilling. Assays have been received from 16 holes completed over the Hill 52, Central, and Northeast Area prospects on Aburna. Aburna is a major orogenic gold prospect covering an area of at least 7km long and 2km wide. It is one of the three significant discoveries made by Alpha on the Kerkasha license in the last three years. These holes extend a wide, high-grade zone of mineralization initially defined in 2022.

Michael Hopley, Alpha’s President & CEO, expressed satisfaction with the results, particularly highlighting the extension of high-grade zones and the identification of shallow, high-grade mineralization at Hill 52. The technical team is preparing additional drill targets to further extend mineralization.

A total of 33 drillholes for 6,033 meters have been completed at Central Area, Hill 52, and Northeast Area. Further assay results are awaited, and additional drilling is planned as part of the ongoing program. The highly mineralized shoot at Hill 52 is larger in size and higher in grade than expected, with a shallow plunge. The shoot is contained within a larger shear zone, with high-grade zones developed within dilate areas created by internal structures. The shoot is fairly well defined for 200m along strike and is open down dip and down plunge.

Pasofino Gold Limited is is gearing up for an extensive exploration campaign in Bukon Jedeh, Liberia, as part of its Dugbe gold project.

Bukon Jedeh

Bukon Jedeh is situated on a 4.1km trend of productive artisanal gold mining, located about 10 km southeast of the Dugbe Gold Project in Liberia. Despite its abundant gold and history of production, the area’s geology and potential are not fully understood.

In 2012/2013, Reverse Circulation (RC) drill holes found high-grade gold intervals in the Tuzon and Dugbe F deposits. Pasofino revisited the area in 2022 and collected up to 31 g/t gold samples. Pasofino plans to commence exploration with diamond core drilling in March 2024. The drilling will involve testing a selection of ‘hard rock’ pits, twinning some previous RC drill holes, and testing the fold-hinge target. The company aims to better understand the geology through geological mapping and high-resolution ground magnetic survey data.

The drill rig has been mobilized from Monrovia to Greenville, a coastal town located about 70 km from Bukon Jedeh. Preparation of access roads and drill sites is ongoing. A 125-150 line-km ground magnetic survey will be conducted by SEMS Exploration of Ghana to assist in positioning drillholes and interpreting results.

K92 Mining Inc. has reported the findings from its inaugural drill program at Arakompa, situated near the Kainantu Gold Mine in Papua New Guinea.

The project, located approximately 4.5 km southeast of the Kainantu Gold Mine’s processing facility, has shown promising results from the first two drill holes. John Lewins, the CEO and Director of K92 Mining Inc., expressed enthusiasm about the early results, highlighting the multiple intersections and substantial size potential observed through surface sampling, drill holes, and local workings.

Drill results

The mineralized corridor at Arakompa spans approximately 1.7 km in strike length, with a width ranging from 150 to 225 m and a vertical extent exceeding 500 m. Importantly, Arakompa’s proximity to existing infrastructure and the processing plant presents an opportunity for potential production expansion beyond the ongoing Stage 4 Expansion at Kainantu.

Plans are already underway to expand the drilling program at Arakompa in the near future, indicating confidence in the project’s prospects. Chris Muller, the Executive Vice President of Exploration at K92, noted that Arakompa represents a vein system similar to the Kora-Judd consolidated corridor, with significant potential. Besides high-grade massive sulphide veins, gold mineralization associated with widespread phyllic alteration suggests the presence of a fertile porphyry system at depth.

Hydraulic and Automation Warehouse (HAW), a Bosch Rexroth Africa Group Company,has incorporated Power Team SA’s SPXFLOW and Bolting Systems into its offering, effective 1 November 2023.

The strategic incorporation of this range of high-force precision tools and workshop equipment from SPXFLOW Hydraulic Technologies complements HAW’s extensive range of hydraulic components. It will also provide even more turnkey solutions for clients in the maintenance, mining, power generation, construction and port industries.

All existing orders will be honoured as well as any work in progress, which will be carried out in the Group’s ISO-accredited repair centre. The two companies will work in tandem to address all orders received prior to 1 November. “We would like to assure our client base that, as a leading component supplier with distribution outlets across Africa, we envisage a seamless transition ensuring that clients benefit from HAW’s African distribution network and in-house expertise,” said Werner Joubert, HAW General Manager. “The current high standard of service will be maintained during this transition and into the future.”

The company’s five strategically located branches in Johannesburg, Middelburg, Cape Town, Pinetown and Gqeberha, as well as its distribution network throughout Africa, will ensure that industries across the continent get the products they need quickly and efficiently.

“HAW and Power Team SA are committed to making the transition as smooth as possible for all clients and employees,” Joubert concluded.

About Bosch Rexroth Africa

Bosch Rexroth Africa, also known as Bosch Rexroth South Africa Group of Companies, is the continent’s leader in hydraulics, pneumatics and automation. The Group comprises eight specialist companies: Bosch Rexroth South Africa, Hytec South Africa, Tectra Automation, Bosch Rexroth Smart Mine, Hytec Fluid Technology, Hydraulic & Automation Warehouse, Hytec Engineering and Bosch Rexroth Africa Development. The companies collectively manufacture, source, market and distribute over 30 international hydraulic, pneumatic and automation brands. Bosch Rexroth Africa is on your doorstep through a network of over 35 branches and 20 strategic distributors

Weir Minerals Africa recently manufactured a 20-way cluster of Cavex® 500 CVX hydrocyclones. This hydrocyclone delivers exceptional operational efficiencies, reduced wear and consistent metallurgical performance. With a design built for longevity, this unit is anticipated to exceed a 20 year lifespan because of its easily replaceable wear parts that ensure peak performance throughout its service life.

The hydrocyclone cluster was specifically tailored to the classification and processing requirements of a gold project in West Africa. Lerato Ramanala, Product Manager Hydrocyclones at Weir Minerals Africa, says it will be used in a milling application as part of a flowsheet with an HPGR and ball mill – the Cavex® hydrocyclones will classify the mill discharge. Operating at a relatively low pressure of 73 kPa, the hydrocyclones are meticulously engineered to minimise equipment wear under demanding conditions.

“Our design process considered factors such as port sizes and pipe schedules, ensuring obstruction- free operation, even under challenging conditions in which the hydrocyclones have to contend with a wide range of particle sizes. The feed and discharge pipes were engineered to accommodate the required flow rate and pressure, maintaining a launder geometry that ensures optimal slurry levels during regular operation, without any spillage during normal and design operation,” she explains.

Hydrocyclone cluster

The hydrocyclone cluster operates efficiently: the overflow goes to the trash screen, the underflow launder diverts the discharge, returning some to the ball mill for further grinding, while the other portion is fed to a gravity circuit.

Ramanala says the hydrocyclone cluster is custom-engineered featuring Cavex® hydrocyclones, Linatex® rubber linings and Isogate® WR valves. The Cavex® hydrocyclone features an innovative 360⁰ laminar spiral inlet that significantly enhances separation performance.

“To prolong wear life and reduce the need for frequent replacements, we’ve used R55 rubber, a patented Weir Minerals material, in the hydrocyclones’ rubber inserts,” she adds.

To address abrasion resistance, Linatex® premium rubber, known to consistently outperform other rubber materials in abrasive wet processing applications, was selected. The integration of Linatex® rubber minimises maintenance requirements and guarantees optimal equipment performance. The Isogate® WR valve is a lightweight valve designed for a hydrocyclone cluster of this size, featuring advanced rubber sleeve technology for improved wear life and full bore design for unrestricted flow.

“Notably, this is the first greenfield cluster to incorporate Synertrex IIoT technology for performance monitoring, specifically to detect any roping or splashing events,” Ramanala says. This proactive performance monitoring platform enhances the overall effectiveness of the Cavex® hydrocyclones by providing accurate data on cyclone performance, supporting the operator in maintaining optimal operating conditions, and enabling proactive intervention for unforeseen incidents.

“Synertrex is much more than a condition monitoring system for individual pieces of equipment. As the technology continues to develop and Weir Minerals works to leverage the equipment and process data it alone has as the OEM, its customers are increasingly seeing it as the preferred partner for intelligent solutions and digitally-enabled services,” she says.

Hydrocyclones provide cost efficient separation in mineral processing applications, especially compared to traditional screens. Even with its substantial size, a cluster of this magnitude maintains a more compact overall footprint, facilitating space optimisation within the process plant while still achieving the necessary cut point.

Weir Minerals Africa’s experienced local team carefully analysed operational requirements, flow rates and pressure differentials when designing this Cavex® hydrocyclone cluster to maximise efficiency and meet required throughput rates. Structural integrity was a primary focus due to the cluster’s large size, and extensive use was made of computer-aided design (CAD) to ensure a robust design capable of withstanding demanding conditions. The structural design includes walkways, support beams and bracing mechanisms.

The large cluster was manufactured at Weir Minerals Africa’s facility, undergoing trial assembly and quality checks before being disassembled and packaged for shipment to the customer. Installation on-site will be part of the greenfields process plant construction project, with Weir Minerals Africa specialists readily available for installation and commissioning support.

Leveraging over a century of experience, Murray & Roberts Cementation is working with some of the world’s most respected mining companies to pave the way for safe and efficient underground mining.

According to Graham Chamberlain, New Business Director at Murray & Roberts Cementation, the busy pipeline of projects demonstrates the mining sector’s faith in the company’s unsurpassed industry knowledge and depth of skills. In southern Africa, the main projects underway are at De Beers’ Venetia Mine, Ivanhoe Mines’ Platreef project and Palabora Mining Company.

At the Venetia Underground Project near Musina, work has been ongoing since 2013 in one of the largest investments in South Africa’s diamond industry in decades. Transitioning from opencast to underground mining will extend the mine’s life until 2046. Murray & Roberts Cementation has been engaged in sinking, lining and equipping of two shafts – the production and service shafts – to a depth of 1,080 metres. The company also developed a decline tunnel and is completing associated surface and underground infrastructure, in a project whose scope included raiseboring work to establish ventilation infrastructure.

“In this maturing project, the mine is now getting into ore and starting to develop the infrastructure levels,” says Chamberlain. “At the shaft bottom, good progress continues to be made with the construction of workshops, pumping stations, silos and loading arrangements.”

Project update

Murray &Roberts Cementation is also conducting all the infrastructure development at Ivanhoe Mines’ Platreef project near Mokopane. This includes the sinking of a 5,1 metre ventilation shaft to meet horizontal development at 950 metres below surface. To achieve the high accuracy levels demanded by the project, the raiseboring equipment was guided by directional drilling technology.

“A unique aspect of this project is that the shaft will be hoisting ore at that same time as allowing upcast air to reach surface,” he says.

Another vent shaft by Murray & Roberts Cementation – measuring 8,5 metres in diameter and reaching a depth of 1,200 metres – is nearing completion at Palabora Mining Company near Phalaborwa. Part of the mine’s Lift II expansion, the project has earned an impeccable safety record – being fatality free and achieving 574 days without a Lost Time Injury (LTI) in 2022. Ground conditions were among the reasons why a blind sink was chosen as the optimal method instead of raiseboring, as the side walls needed immediate support to prevent scaling.

“We also have a number of services projects underway related to raiseboring, grout plants and rehabilitation,” he explains. “Much of our work in this field is focused on old infrastructure that requires maintenance, repairs or upgrades; we also conduct extensive vertical work in ore passes and silos.”

The company carries out vital rehabilitation in ore passes where ground conditions have deteriorated to prevent ore from moving smoothly – thereby risking production targets. Innovating safer techniques for this work, it has developed the tube-and-fill method, first applied about seven years ago at an underground platinum mine in South Africa. These installations are also expected to outlast the lifespan of an ore pass rehabilitated with traditional shotcrete.

“On the engineering front, we continue conducting rebuilds of underground mining equipment at our Bentley Park facility near Carletonville,” says Chamberlain.

He highlights the work of the company’s design department, which remains extremely busy with feasibility studies associated with vertical work. With the renewed interest in commodity segments like copper, there is also previous work that customers are asking Murray & Roberts Cementation to review and update.

Training in underground mining and related skills at the company’s world class Training Academy on Carletonville continues to empower many thousands of learners each year, he points out. This skills development is done on behalf of clients, as well as for the company’s own requirements.

“At any one time, we can host about 420 learners, and we are generally at full capacity,” he says. “We have just recently upgraded these facilities to further enhance training technologies that allows learning to take place safely but in a realistic environment.”

In compliance with many African countries’ localisation regulations, Murray & Roberts Cementation has registered companies in eight countries in the Southern African Development Community – most of which have seen the company active with raiseboring. Chamberlain notes that there are specific opportunities in Zambia that the company hopes to capitalise upon in the near future, and is encouraged by the mining sector’s progress in countries like Namibia and Botswana.

Trafo Power Solutions has supplied 40 dry-type mini-substations, as well as seven standalone ring main units, to one of the Africa’s largest and fastest growing copper operations, situated in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“We are immensely proud to be involved in this mega project,” says David Claassen, Managing Director at Trafo Power Solutions. “Considerable design work and planning went into this contract, with very demanding lead times to keep up with the mine’s rapid expansion.”

The mini-substations include units of between 630 kVA and 1,600 kVA capacity with primary voltages of 11 kV and 33 kV. The secondary voltage configurations are 400 V, 690 V and 1,000 V – and some units have dual-ratio secondaries. Protection against the ingress of water and dust was also designed into the units, with an IP54 ingress protection rating.

Fully designed and manufactured in South Africa, the mini-substations were completed in a streamlined production process that facilitated a fast track delivery in batches of five to six units every 10 days. After the manufacturing and assembly process, each unit went through a programme of intensive testing before it was ready for dispatch.

“The units are designed to be as compact as possible,” he explains. “While many will be used for surface infrastructure, the design had to ensure that they could be used underground, where space is limited.”

Safety regulations

The underground environment is governed by stringent safety regulations and standards, making the dry-type transformer an ideal choice. This technology uses air rather than oil to cool the windings, making it safer with less risk of fire, explosion or environmental contamination through leakage. The windings in dry-type transformers are also encapsulated with cast resin, protecting them against humidity levels up to 95%.

Undertaking both the electrical and mechanical design, Trafo Power Solutions has ensured a limited footprint through the use of air-to-air heat exchangers. Air is channelled through the transformer windings and flows over the aluminium tubes of the heat exchanger, while a fan blows air through the tubes to cool the air on their outer surface.

“The substation design also includes arc protection, which will shut the unit down in the event of an arc occurring – before any further damage can be caused,” he says. Each mini-substation is equipped with a control system that will allow the protection functions to be monitored remotely.

The contract was conducted through a leading South African engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) firm, and Trafo Power Solutions ensured that all units were delivered by the end of 2023.

“Our early engagement with the EPCM was important on this project, as it allowed our team to understand the project requirements and develop a cost effective solution,” Claassen says.

During this process, all documentation was strictly managed within an online system, including designs, specifications and test certificates – to which the EPCM and end-client had easy access. In this way, designs could be uploaded, shared and signed off using this platform, further streamlining activities for the fast pace of the project.

“The ring main units are fully motorised and controlled externally by remote pendant switching,” he says. “This enhances safety and ease of management, so that personnel seldom have to open the panel doors which requires the necessary safety equipment and protocols.”

The transformers are rated for Class H insulation – for temperatures up to 180 degrees – while the dual-voltage boards are sizeable for a relatively complex voltage distribution system on each mini- substation.

“The detailed design and variety of solutions within the complete contract package really highlights the technical capability of the Trafo Power Solutions team,” says Claassen. “This can be seen in the mini-substation from the medium voltage side and its control and protection functionality, through to the low voltage distribution and the customised transformer design for these applications.”

He emphasises that the standard attributes of dry-type transformers allow them to operate reliably with very little maintenance. With air rather than oil for cooling, for instance, they do not require any regular oil testing or oil changing.

The robust nature of dry-type transformers makes them well-suited for mining applications, whether surface or underground. Claassen notes that Trafo Power Solutions’ extensive experience in Africa reflects that dry-type technology is becoming more popular in the mining sector. The reasons for this trend include their inherent safety, their reliability and their ability to operate without much maintenance.

The government of Egypt is set to launch a mining portal that aims to provide valuable information for investors interested in minerals projects in various parts of Egypt.

Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ministry will unveil the digital platform that represents a significant step towards promoting the country’s mining sector and attracting investments. The platform, will offer geological data and maps for mining areas across Egypt. This information is crucial for investors as it helps them assess the potential of different regions and make informed decisions about setting up minerals projects.

Goal

The primary purpose of the platform is to facilitate investment opportunities in Egypt’s mining sector. By providing comprehensive information, the portal aims to attract both domestic and international investors interested in establishing minerals projects in the country.

The portal is designed to promote Egypt’s mining sector not only within the country but also on the international stage. By showcasing the available opportunities and resources, the Ministry aims to attract foreign investments and partnerships that can contribute to the growth of the sector.

The platform will also serve as a source of information on mining project bids. This transparency can encourage healthy competition among investors and contribute to fair and efficient allocation of mining projects. The report mentions that Egypt is rapidly becoming a key metal producer and exporter. In 2023, the country’s metal production reached around 13 million tonnes, with exports exceeding 2.3 million tonnes. This indicates the growing significance of Egypt in the global metal market.

The portal will cover a wide range of metals, including gold, zinc, and iron. This diversity in coverage reflects the rich mineral resources that Egypt possesses and opens up opportunities for investors interested in various types of mining projects.According to the report, the technical evaluation of the new portal has been completed, signaling that the platform is ready for launch. The imminent launch suggests that the government is actively working to create a conducive environment for investment in the mining sector.

Acting Minister of Mines, Fuh Calistus Gentry (pictured), is set to preside over a ceremony on December 22, 2023, to launch the construction of the mine for the globally significant Mbalam iron ore deposit located between Cameroon and Congo.  The “draft program” for this mission signed by the Acting Minister himself on December 19, 2023, does not indicate where the ceremony will take place, nor whether the Congolese authorities will participate. However, it mentions that after the “launch of mine construction work”, “exchanges with local authorities” are planned in Ntam, a Cameroonian town bordering Congo in the Eastern region.

Since August 17, 2022, when the Cameroon Mining Company Sarl (CMC) was awarded the mining permit for the Mbalam iron ore deposit, no information has yet filtered out, either on the financing or on the financial partners of this gigantic mining project. Announcements made by AustSino, partner of Bestway Finance (a Singapore-based investment vehicle with the same parent company as CMC) on the Mbalam mining project did indicate that a group of Chinese companies have joined the project.

They include China Railway 20 Bureau Group Corporation (CR20G), China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), and China National Chemical Engineering Heavy-Mechanized Corporation Ltd (CNCEHMC), as well as CCC Mining Group Limited. Most of these are construction and infrastructure companies, or mining companies. No financial partners appear on this list. Or maybe, for the construction of the Mbalam mine, Cameroon Mining Corporation is exclusively supported financially by its parent company Coconut Logic Holdings Pte Ltd (which also controls Bestway Finance), an investment vehicle based in Singapore.

Lack of transparency

This situation further complicates the uncertainties surrounding the management of the Mbalam iron ore project, which has faced challenges since the initial developer, Australian Sundance Resources, was unable to see it through to completion. Many observers in the Cameroonian mining sector remain puzzled by how a company (CMC), established on March 16, 2022, managed to secure a mining agreement with the State just two years after its inception (by March 31), followed by the issuance of an operational permit within a mere five months of its establishment. All this on a world-class iron ore deposit.

There is also a lack of transparency surrounding the awarding of this concession, as with all others in the country. In fact, like all the other active mining permits in Cameroon, the CMC mining permit has still not been made public to date, in violation of Article 144 of the 2016 Mining Code (a new one has just been promulgated by the Head of State, ed). This article states that “the acts that enshrine the award, extension, renewal, transfer, farm-out, withdrawal or waiver of an operating permit must be published in the Official Journal and the newspapers of legal announcements.”

As a reminder, the Mbalam iron deposit, which extends to Nabeba in Congo, is considered a world-class reserve. Sundance Resources Ltd, the first developer of the project, planned a two-phase deployment. Phase I involved the annual production of 40 million tons of direct shipping ore over 12 years and phase II to be the extension of the operation stage by over 15 years thanks to the production of a high-grade hematite itabirite concentrate. This project roadmap required an investment of more than CFA5,000 billion. This includes the construction of the mine, a 510 km railway line to the port of Kribi, and a mineral terminal on the same port platform.

Bedeschi, leader in bulk material handling for more than a century, has outstanding experience in realizing complete bulk solutions for the mining sector.

The company can handle any kind of raw materials and additives and provides the design, engineering and manufacturing of integrated solutions covering every company’s needs from quarry extraction to storage, including crushing units, apron feeders, stackers and reclaimers, combined bucket wheel, shiploaders, belt conveyors and pipe conveyors. In particular, in the mining sector, Bedeschi can also offer a wide variety of apron feeders, normal-duty crushers, heavy-duty crushers, stationary units, semi-mobile units and mobile units.

In the past year Bedeschi has completed the supply of a tailor-made plant in Takoradi Port in Ghana boosting its production and revolutionizing the management of the whole terminal.

In 2019, the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority (GPHA) started the upgrading and mechanization of the Takoradi Bulk Jetty Terminal to significantly increase the throughput of bulk minerals for both export and import. In 2021, Bedeschi was awarded the supply. The scope of works included the design, procurement, manufacturing, supply, construction, supervision to installation, testing and commissioning and staff training for the Cargo Handling Equipment in the Port of Takoradi.

The scope of the project was the supply of handling equipment and services for bauxite and manganese in export and clinker and other materials that are imported.

Bedeschi supplied:

Belt conveyor systems for a total length of av. 3 km;
Two shiploaders A-Frame type mod. 50/1400;
One eco-hopper.
The 2 shiploaders and the eco-hopper were delivered fully erected from the company shipyard directly to the client jetty with a dedicated heavy lift vessel after the Cold Test, to reduce site works and allow the end user to start the operations in a very short time once the machines reached the site.

Delivery of full-erected equipment
The project involves state-of-the-art equipment in terms of environmental standards (dust collection and de-dusting system specifically designed for this application). All the conveyors are closed, including the section where tippers and eco-hoppers are operating, reducing drastically dust emissions.

During the engineering phase, the company designed the machines to facilitate the operation and meet the highest health and safety standards.

The scope involved also, the provision of a computerized control system. Eventually, the machines, managed by VFD, are designed to increase the handling capacity of the bulk jetty terminal by 25%.

With Bedeschi’s proven experience and know-how, the client has complete support on the project execution, from the design to the commissioning.

Before the mechanization of the dry bulk handling, loading was carried out at the new jetty, via barges from the old Clinker jetty as well as at berth no. 2 of the old jetty. Berth 2 provided the possibility of mechanized manganese loading of vessel up to 25,000 DWT (Handy size Class). A Jetty at the north also provided the possibility of berthing vessels up to 100,000 DWT (Capsize Class) but it was not mechanized and used vessels’ own gears for berth operation and trucks for the horizontal transport between berth and stockpiles.

The historical Bulk Jetty Terminal had only the possibility to deliver the minerals from trucks to the vessels only by grab cranes, with limitations on the operational performances.

The same was for the import of clinker and other materials, with delivery directly to the trucks.

Additionally, the layout was prone to serious dust and noise pollution from loading and stevedoring activities.

The terminal before Bedeschi supply

Photo showing original plan of Bulk Handling Jetty

Area A – the new bulk jetty with the following major characteristics:

800 m Quay Wall at -16 m CD depth, divided into 3 berths of equal length, one berth for Clinker, one for Bauxite and one for Manganese ore.

Area B – Bauxite stockpile area.

Area C – Manganese Stockpile area.

The design, procurement, shipping, installation, and commissioning of the equipment covered a period of 18 months. This was a major achievement despite COVID-19 related challenges.

Belts Conveyor under construction

Upon completion of the installation of the equipment, in December 2022, the President of Ghana, his excellence Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo, participated in the Sod-Cutting ceremony with other dignitaries to earmark this ambitious effort to expand and boost the export of bauxite and manganese and import of clinker to support the industrialization of Ghana.

Opening Ceremony with the President of Ghana

Manganese storge loading hopper

Loading capacity for Manganese export now 2,000M T/H

Loading capacity for Bauxite export now 2,000M T/H

Loading capacity for clinker import now 1,900M T/H

Aerial view of the terminal before and after the supply of the conveyor lines

The Takoradi Project is a clear example of how Bedeschi can offer tailor-made solutions to meet and enhance clients’ needs providing the best solutions possible focusing on environmental protection, energy efficiency and pollution prevention.