Project Description

Please note: This project has a great amount of detail. Deliverables will be discussed with the sponsor and while it sounds extensive, there are a number of resources in which this information can be located with the right research.

It should also be noted that it is likely a good proportion of the research will be entered in the public domain in some instances in which you will be directly credited with the research and potential publishing of this information in the public domain.

Company Background

Silk Road Mercantile & Trading (SRMT) was founded as a more of an experimental workshop for various business concepts and ideas. Over time, this has developed into more of a B2B platform in which its founder can conduct business ventures on a global scale.

Project Background

This project will consist of 2 parts in which may be published and shared in conjunction with the Fort Worth Gem & Mineral Club (FWGMC).

Part A

Part A will consist of the importation and exportation of Gemstones, Semi-Precious Rocks & Stones, and Minerals from primarily Africa into the United States for wholesale distribution. Students will perform the following:

• Review several African Nations and determine which lapidary rocks are available for export.
• Of the lapidary stones listed, how many could or would be considered conflict minerals?
• Of the conflict minerals, what would be the best practices for the detection and avoidance of these conflict minerals with an emphasis on the following items:
  • (A) how to ensure that conflict minerals are not being “washed” through 3rd party intermediaries or countries;
  • (B) how do you manage if these were detected given the significant costs of the lapidary rocks on the market?
• What is the impact of pricing based on Incoterms 2023 for oceanic freight at the scale of 1 single 1,000 lb pallet; 20′ cargo unit, and 40′ cargo unit?
• Under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, where would lapidary rocks be found based on the top lapidary rocks listed in your research.

Part B

Part B will consist of the use of the claims system in the United States, Australia, and Canada. For this section, I am looking for the following research:

• What are the base requirements of claims system for mineral rights in the US & Canada?
• What are the different types of claims?
• Deliverable – “How To Guide on filing a mineral claim” with current costs at the time of publishing of the research.
• How has technology impacted the claims process (hint – should see a noticeable difference between the US and Canada in utilization of technology).
• Analysis of which claims should be leased or sold vs kept for direct use.
• The above analysis should include a comparison of the direct minerals (gold, Silver, Copper, Rare Earth Minerals, etc) vs the “waste stone” and which is more valuable and why?
• Where are available claims in Texas, Oklahoma?
• What sets these 2 states (TX & OK) apart from other western states like New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana? Note – there are specifically 2 answers in detail I am looking for here.
• How do you determine the mineral composition of the claim for resale / lease purposes (note there are a number of ways, would like a brief understanding and summary of the differences).

Project Scope and Deliverables

• I would like a series and summary of the import / export portion for a set number of countries from the port of origin to DFW and map what that would consist of in terms of logistics.
• What is the Harmonized Tariff Schedule Codes for Lapidary Rocks and Minerals.
• What are some conflict minerals associated with Lapidary Rocks.
• How is costing impacted by the size of the shipment?
• A “How To Guide for filing a claim” for the US & Canada specifically and for Australia where applicable.
• Where are open claimable lands in TX & OK.
• Bonus deliverable if warranted and wanted – how does end value of the lapidary item vary in the different stages of processing?

Critical Success Factors

• Student should have an interest in mining and global mineral trade.
• An understanding of Lapidary Arts would be a benefit but not necessary.
• Extensive ability to research and ask questions.
• Understanding of global commerce and geopolitical conflicts and their impacts on mineral development in LDCs (Less Developed Countries) compared to HDCs (Highly Developed Countries).
• This may be a somewhat unfamiliar topic and item for some people. However, if you have an interest in jewelry making, gemology, geology, and small business development along with the theory of the value chain, this project can provide for a number of significant learnings that could have a tremendous impact in your ability to land a role within mining and oil & gas industries.

Unlike some other projects, this is a mixture private and non-profit deliverables in which I would like the presentation to be performed in front of a monthly meeting of the FWGMC in regards to the information on claims as monthly meeting presentation. The import / export for the most part would be a business review with deliverables being an analysis of leading Lapidary Rocks & Minerals from various countries in Africa and major ports of export to the US and routes to transfer the product to DFW in a reprinting of a map or slide for the potential use of the FWGMC after my review.

Required Student Skills