JOURNAL COMMENT

A window into the ramifications of journal publication

The SAIMM Journal is an accredited international publication which enjoys respect and recognition worldwide. There are very few international journals focussed on mining and metallurgy, and therefore the SAIMM Journal makes a very important contribution in these fields.

Because there are relatively few 'academic/research' personnel in mining and metallurgy compared to the numbers in the diverse avenues of industry, the academic readership of such journals will be relatively small, hence there will be limited numbers of citations. The impact factor of our Journal is correspondingly lower than some specialist international journals published abroad. This may be a negative factor as far as research performance of academic individuals is concerned, as proof of performance is required for advancement in academia. However, this could be considered a false indication of true value of the information published because the application of 'new knowledge', when presented in such a journal, is often of inestimable value to those working in industry ('in the trenches'). In this manner, new concepts, designs, operations, or developments will reach a wider and more appreciative audience and, as such, new information is more likely to see the light of day in growth and implementation in the mining or metallurgical workplace.

Material submitted to the SAIMM Journal for potential publication is assessed by reviewers drawn from a panel that includes both local and international experts. The review process is as stringent as in all other international journals. Material received is reviewed by at least two, but often three or four reviewers. Based on the reviewers' comments, decisions on publication are taken by the SAIMM Publications Committee. Many submissions are rejected for various reasons, including inadequate English, technical inadequacies, lack of original material, inappropriateness, and so forth. Therefore, as is the case with other international journals, only approved material is published in this Journal. If authors of rejected material do not agree with the publishers'/reviewers' opinion, they are free to submit their material to other journals or media - that is their choice.

The range of subjects published in the SAIMM Journal covers the full value chain in the mining and metallurgical fields. This ranges from the implications of geological factors on mining, through all branches of mining to current and advanced metallurgical processing and a wide range of associated fields. These include occupational health and safety, environmental aspects, forms of energy, and, more recently, ESG, computational modelling, and digitalization and AI in the workplace.

As is illustrated in this month's Journal edition, one paper highlights the potential for gemstone mineral extraction in Zimbabwe while two cover mining aspects. One explores the potential benefits of the Last Planner system on infrastructure projects in the South African mining industry, while the other mining paper evaluates the role of rockbolts in stoping gullies as one of the important components of rock support in underground mines. The metallurgical paper deals with methods to remove Cr from waste solutions for one of the largest Cr-related industries in the world. and the final paper investigates the experiences of South African women on male-dominated mining company boards. The intention in future is to have special themes for specific Journal editions while continuing to run general editions with varying topics, as is the case in this instance.

R.M.S. Falcon