I am writing this as a lay user - a geologist - and not an IP (intellectual property) lawyer, and therefore no-one should take this too seriously. I am certainly not qualified to give advice on these matters. If you want advice or legal facts, go to a patent and trademark attorney or buy a book. I shall be airing a few thoughts on what is, and what I think should be, as it affects the mining IT business.

The first, and thorniest, question is over copyright. I think it is true to say that the issue of copyright on computer software still remains open, in the USA, the UK, and elsewhere. It is difficult to protect intellectual property within computer code. In the USA it has become common in recent years to patent software solutions (for example Amazon.com's 'one-click' technology) and this is the strongest protection possible because it relates directly to the idea or the algorithm and not just a particular representation in source code. However, such patents are generally not possible to obtain in countries outside the USA, and many people in the USA argue that the USA patent law has too broad a scope. Thus copyright is generally the only protection available.

...

In most cases which have so far been ruled, the trademark owners have received their domain names. A big problem which is already becoming apparent is that couirts of law - mostly in the USA and Canada - are being asked to rule on competing claims to ownership of domain names.

Recent celebrated cases include Madonna.com, used as a pornographic site, and claimed by the singer, and which may ultimately be awarded to a Californian hospital which already owns Madonna.org. There is no guarantee that ICANN’s rather strict (and some believe inconsistent) rules will be upheld in all cases. There is a trend for the domain name business to become concentrated on names which are either generic (and not therefore registrable as trademarks) - like ‘geosciences.com’ or at least do not match any existing trademark and therefore can themselves be trademarked.

Stephen Henley, Resources Computing International Ltd. 185 Starkholmes Road, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 5JA, UK tel:+44(0)1629 581454 fax:+44(07092 145875. e-mail: steve@silicondale.co.uk Web: www.SiliconDale.com  www.G-EXEC.com 

The world of e-commerce in relation to the mining industry is changing rapidly. The latest happenings with the expanding Web sites and advancement of e-commerce and e-procurement are summarized here.

BHP is Australia's largest steel producer and the 19th largest worldwide. An agreement has been settled with e-STEEL to build and power private, B2B e-commerce marketplace networks for BHP throughout the Australian, Asian and New Zealand region. The alliance with e-STEEL will increase BHP capacity to transact electronically with the marketplace, making it faster and easier to do business.

BHP Steel will install the e-STEEL Connect^tm system for complete end-to-end integration of transactional data with back office, inventory management, and shipping systems.

CoreMarkets, is an on-line global marketplace for the international trading of raw materials for the steel industry, and Capstan Systems, Inc., provides global supply chain execution. Capstan Network's web-enabled application services will be integrated into CoreMarkets' digital marketplace as part of the value-added Trade Services available to its members. CoreMarkets Trade Services currently offers shipping and logistics, financing, insurance, inspection, and processing. 

Quadrem completed its first commercial transactions as part of a global pilot program. Over 20 suppliers and 12 buyers participated in the two-day launch event on October 30 - 31. A range of procurement transactions were completed around the globe, in four languages, using the marketplace.

The Oracle-Based Global Marketplace enables real-time transaction between steel suppliers and buyers. Oracle Corp. provides software for e-business and FerrousExchange has selected the Oracle® Internet Platform and Oracle Consulting services to create the real-time electronic marketplace for buyers and sellers in the global steel industry. FerrousExchange has been live since September 2000.

Carpenter Technology Corp. has introduced an online database that will provide extensive, searchable technical information to customers looking for metals to fit their applications. The databaseis included in the second release of carpenterdirect^tm.com, an online metals shopping site. For additional information visit www.carpenterdirect.com.

About is a site that has links to just about any type of Web site you can think of.  Find all this information at: http://metals.about.com/industry/metals/cs/ecommercesites/index.htm

The Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) holds information that allows searchers to find useful Earth science data sets. More than 1000 EOS (Earth Observing System) data sets and about 7000 other data sets from federal agencies, universities, research institutes, and international organizations are described in the Directory. The directory is available at: http://gcmd.nasa.gov. The site attracts about 20,000 users per month.

A hierarchical keyword interface was designated as the primary search option (the "default" interface). The science keyword search normalizes the search for data because every data set description carries the earth science keywords that describe the contents. Keyword definitions are available on-line during searches.

The mining industry is one of the most demanding maintenance environments in the world. Unplanned downtime has never been more costly and preventative maintenance more important than it is for the high-value assets of the modern mining industry. The ability to reduce costs through efficient resource management has never been more critical, and the need to operate more smoothly, more reliably, more efficiently has never been greater, as competition is fierce, and only by being a highly efficient, low- cost operator can one hope to be successful.

Compounding this general maintenance challenge are the specific requirements of development and production. Remote operations clearly impose heightened emphasis on equipment availability and material management. Here, as well as in process plants, the ability to track equipment over it's lifetime, regardless of location, and the ability to perform root cause analysis are key. Scalability is yet another issue, both in terms of accommodating several users or several hundred, and in serving process plants of any size, both upstream and down.   ...

For more information contact PSDI, 100 Crosby Drive Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 Phone: 1+781 280-2000 Fax: 1+781-280-0207. Contact: Rob Bernard, e-mail: Rob_Bernard@psdi.com. Web: www.psdi.com

Leica, manufacturer of surveying equipment has a new product that includes a GPS based positioning system designed for machine guidance of earthmoving and construction equipment. Carlson Software designed the Dozer 2000 software. DOZER 2000 continuously displays the location and height (within centimeter accuracy) of any machine relative to a pre-determined design surface. Cut and fill information is highlighted in large easy to read letters the operator views at a glance. ...

Dozer 2000 is flexible and adaptable for integration into existing office or field systems. It can be installed on earth moving equipment and inspection vehicles of any kind. It is not restricted to a particular make or model. The modular design uses the current investment in GPS systems, radio infrastructure and software. It can be adapted for use on any size work site. ...

For more information contact a local Leica representative or visit www.leica-geosystems.com on the Internet. Mail address: Leica, 23868 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, CA 9505-5908. 310-791-5300. Fax: 310-791-6108.

The code for this software is being made freely available by the authors, C.J. Neville, M. Ibaraki, and E.A. Sudicky. The code is being offered through the International Groundwater Modeling Center (IGWMC) in their collection of freeware for hydrogeology.

This is a general analytical solution and offers efficiency and reliability of a robust analytical solution with a flexibility that is only possible with numerical solutions.  ...

IGWMC offers services to the hydrogeology community, including a selection of free and low-cost software, short courses, conferences, research, and other professional support. For more information contact IGWMC, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401. 303-273-3103. E-mail: igwmc@mines.edu. Web: www.mines.edu/igwmc/

Geologic Resources http://www.geologicresources.com/ 

Conveyor Services Directory http://www.mining-services.com 

MEMSNET This is a mailing list for members of MEMS (Mineral Economics and Management Society) and related professionals interested in mineral economics and management. To subscribe to MEMSNET send an e-mail message to listserv@uabdpo.dpo.uab.edu. Do not include a subject heading and place the following message in the body of the e-mail: sub memsnet. You can also subscribe by sending a request to Hank McCarl (hmccarl@alum.mit.edu.).

The Miners Manual www.minersmanual.com 

Spectral International www.pimausa.com The site includes free software for viewing and analyzing spectral data.

Haestad Methods http://www.haestad.com/quiz/  

The use of computers in environmental sciences is important and increasing. This book presents the most recent developments and practical implementations in the theoretical, numerical and applicable aspects of computer analysis, simulation, modelling, control and forecasting for environmental applications. All of the contributions included were originally presented in a series of international conferences providing the scientific community with a discussion forum.

The symposium is organized by a group of universities from a number of countries including the universities of Calgary and Laval, Canada.

Around the world, mining and processing industries are pushing the limits to develop new technologies to produce minerals. At MPES 2001, professionals from industry, research and government will gather together to share information and capitalize on each other’s knowledge and experiences, helping to define both state of practice and state-of-the-art technology.

Some of the themes to be covered are:

• Mining methods for open pit and underground mining
• Mining geostatistics and mine optimization
• Geotechnical stability in surface and underground mines
• Mine maintenance and production management
• Mining and processing equipment selection
• Coal and mineral processing technologies
• Coal mining: health, safety and environment
• Environmental management - coal and mineral processing plants.

Abstracts are due by January 31, 2001. Please send abstracts to: Dr. Raj Singhal, P.O. Box 68002 28 Crowfoot Terrace NW Calgary AB T3G 1Y0 CANADA. Fax: 403-241-9460. E-mail: singhal@telusplanet.net.

Whittle Technology and the AusIMM are organizing this conference. The Fourth Biennial Conference will explore the exciting new developments in the field of strategic mine planning, including new developments relating to the use of the Whittle software.

Abstracts of up to 200 words can be submitted to Miriam Way, Events Manager, The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, P.O. Box 660, Carlton South, Victoria Australia 3053. 61 3 9662 3166. Fax: 61 3 9662 3662. E-mail: miriamw@ausimm.com.au. Web: www.ausimm.com

The international conference will provide a forum on the latest developments in airborne remote sensing systems and applications for addressing critical issues now facing the scientific, governmental and commercial communities.

For more information or to submit abstracts, contact ERIM International, P.O. Box 134008, Ann Arbor MI 48113-4008. 734-994-1200. Web: www.erim-int.com.

200-word abstracts are requested by January 15, 2001. A form can be found on the Internet at: www.mines.edu/research/igwmc/events/modflow2001/abstract_form.shtml.

For more information contact IGWMC, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401. 303-273-3103. E-mail: igwmc@mines.edu. Web: www.mines.edu/igwmc/

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

The Dragline module allows users to simulate scenarios for material movement. Entry to the module is a main menu bar option in Envisage, offering full integration with all the CAD functionality. The module can be used in range diagrams, reclamation and section design and was developed from the input and feedback of open cut coal customers. Flexibility is provided for creating very detailed range diagrams. The user can effectively simulate draglineing, blast-casting, bulldozing, truck and shovel operations and any other kind of material movement, to develop a series of optimized range diagrams. For more information contact Maptek, in Denver 1-303 763 4919 fax 1-303 763 4921 info@maptek.com. In Adelaide Australia, 61-8 8338 9222 fax 61-8 8338 9229 info@adelaide.maptek.com.au. Web: www.maptek.com.au 

Oasis is an Internet-enabled interface for accessing, displaying, converting and sharing data, maps and images in various formats, including Geosoft's large-volume spatial database and map formats, and many other standard formats used in mineral exploration. Free software interface enables earth science professionals to access, share and communicate results more effectively. For more information contact Greg M. Hollyer, M.Sc.(Eng.), P.Eng. Global Communication Officer, Geosoft Inc. 8th Floor 85 Richmond St. W. Toronto, Ontario Canada M5H 2C9. Tel: (416) 369-0111 Toll-free: 1-800-363-MAPS. Fax: (416) 369-9599 The Oasis montaj interface is available at www.geosoft.com 

ENVI 3.4 delivers new functionality targeted at the extraction of reliable information from any type of image data and is designed for advanced remote sensing science and hyperspectral analysis. Analysts will appreciate the response to requirements for images and associated data to be registered, integrated with GIS layers and composed into cartographic products.

For more information contact Research Systems, Inc. Web: www.rsinc.com 

DeLorme offers USGS 7.5-minute quadrangle maps joined into a seamless data base by state. The XMap Geographic product offers a robust mapmaking tool designed by mapmakers to perform detailed analyses. It handles complex mapping issues behind the scenes. For more information contact DeLorme, Two DeLorme Drive, P.O. Box 298, Yarmouth, ME 04096. 207.846.7000. Fax: 800.575.2244. info@delorme.com. Web: www.delorme.com 

This is accounting software for heavy equipment owners. It handles detailed accounting routines plus provides specific information relating to job costing, invoicing, scale ticket/plant management, equipment control, payroll, equipment service intervals, purchase order control, contract estimating, time and billing, inventory management, hired truck payroll, and sub-contractor management. It consists of seven standard accounting modules and eleven industry specific modules. For more information contact Explorer software, 267 Esplanade, Suite 301, North Vancouver BC Canada V7M 1A5. 800-665-8966. Web: www.explorer-software.com

Mine Ventilation Services Inc. (MVS) has completed an upgrade of their 3-D ventilation modeling software. The latest version is a fully interactive software package used by engineers to develop models of underground ventilation systems. The program is available for $1000 for a single seat. For more information contact Mine Ventilation Services, Inc., 4946 East Yale Ave., Suite 103, Fresno, CA 93727. 559-452-0182. 559-452-0184. E-mail: support@mvsengineering.com. Web: www.mvsengineering.com.

The Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) is creating a bibliographic database of citations related to the ODP and to the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP). This electronic citations database will catalog more than thirty years of scientific ocean drilling and will be made available in 2001 for research, education, and other purposes.http://janusaxp.tamu.edu/predef_queries/general/citation.shtml. 

Data available from Trinity Consultants includes the following: Meteorological data, with worldwide coverage in several formats that include hourly and statistical data; Mapping data for the entire United States including population data, census boundaries, landmarks, water features, transportation landmarks and features; Terrain data including digitized elevations from different scale maps. For more information contact Trinity Consultants, 79 T.W. Alexander Dr., 4201 Bldg., Suite 207, P.O. Box 14205. Tel: 919 549-0499. Fax: 919-549-0273. E-mail: software@trinityconsultants.com. Web: www.breeze-software.com

StratiFact Software Version 5.11B is available for demonstration on the World Wide Web. The software provides detailed database management and mapping for simple and complex stratiform deposits. Using the latest technologies, viewers can get a quick tour of the software’s key features in approximately one hour. Free on-line demonstrations are available by appointment. Training over the Internet is also available, saving valuable time and money. To make appointments or for more information about on-line demos or training, contact StratiFact Corporation GRG Corporation, 4175 Harlan St., Suite 200, Wheat Ridge CO 80022. 800-783-0250. 303-423-0221. Fax: 303-423-8757. E-mail: sales@stratifact.com. Web: www.stratifact.com 

Qqest Software Systems offers software for equipment maintenance management, time management and personnel management. For more information contact Qqest Software Systems P.O. Box 57728, Salt Lake City UT 84157. 801-262-1611. 800-733-8839. Fax: 801-281-9545.

Blast Optimization Review is offered by Precision Blasting Services, Inc. who have worked with many companies to find and correct blasting problems and maintain the efficiency of the operation. A site visit is conducted and a written report is provided indicating areas of improvement and cost savings. Some operations have saved as much as 50% of total drilling and blasting costs as a result of a site visit. Precision Blasting offers a variety of blast design software but does not sell explosives. For more information contact Precision Blasting Services, Inc., P.O. Box 189, 6990 Summers Road, Montville, OH 44064-0189. 440-474-6700. Fax: 440-968-3967. E-mail: info@idc-pbs.com. Web: www.idc-pbs.com

RDI Outlook for Coal 2000 provides detailed analyses and forecasts for the changing electricity and coal markets. The study includes detailed coal demand and price forecasts, key factors such as underlying issues, analysis by region, export forecasts, and many other analyses. Data on CD-ROM is available at no extra charge. For more information contact Financial Times Energy, Inc. 3333 Walnut St., Boulder CO 80301. 800-424-2908 Fax: 720-548-5701. E-mail: custserv@ftenergy.com

Resource Manager 2001^tm is an Excel spreadsheet add-on for planning and scheduling for manpower, materials and work center management. For more information contact User Solutions, 11009 Tillson Drive, South Lyon MI 48178. 248-486-1934. Fax: 248-486-6376. E-mail: us@usersolutions.com. Web: www.UserSolutions.com.