Important Message Re: Electronic Distribution Of The SAIMM Journal

Dear Members and Subscribers, For some time now, the SAIMM has been considering how best to distribute its technical publications to members and subscribers.  The following methods are available, and we are about to add another. 1.  The Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy already has its papers available online via open access, in order to make them searchable by Google and freely downloadable from the SAIMM website. 2.  Our Journal papers are also available on the OneMine database, along with those of similar societies from other countries. 3.  The Journal contents pages are distributed monthly to allow people to click on and read any articles of their choice. 4.  For people who like a page-turning electronic copy to read on their tablets, there is a service available at http://www.issuu.com/saimm that provides this at no cost. In addition to the above methods of distribution, we are planning to e-mail a monthly electronic (PDF) copy of the full Journal, looking exactly like the printed version. This method of distribution counts the same as posting a printed copy, for the purposes of our Journal's audited circulation figures. This is very important to our advertisers.  In due course, this will allow members to have the choice as to whether they would like to receive a printed copy or an electronic copy of the journal (or both).  There are two reasons for moving in this direction - members have requested this flexibility of choice, and there is also a real potential for cost saving to the Institute (and therefore to our members) in terms of the costs of printing and postage. Our plan of action is to send out the first trial mass e-mailing during the coming week.  The April 2016 issue (a 7 MB PDF file) will be used for this test.  The May 2016 issue will be sent out soon thereafter.  Within the next few months, we will send out a very brief questionnaire (using the SurveyMonkey service) by e-mail to ascertain how well this has worked for our members and subscribers.  At that point, we will ask individual members to indicate their choice as to whether they would like to continue receiving a printed copy as well as the electronic version.  We hope that this will provide a better service for everyone, and that it will reduce costs in the currently tough economic climate.  We look forward to hearing your response.  Please send any feedback you wish to provide to Kelly Matthee at Kelly@saimm.co.za. Regards,  Rodney Jones SAIMM President 2015-2016 Dave Tudor SAIMM Editorial Consultant

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