In June, Caterpillar announced a three-year project with District Energy St. Paul of Minnesota to demonstrate a hydrogen-fueled combined heat and power (CHP) system. The project, which is scheduled to start early next year, is supported and partially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and backed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. “Caterpillar is focused on supporting our customers…
Read MoreDay: August 12, 2022
Epiroc targets productivity, cost efficiency with Boomer S10 S
The world’s first automated one-boom jumbo for the small segment has arrived, according to OEM Epiroc: its new release, the Boomer S10 S face drilling rig. The Boomer S10 S provides near surgical precision in drilling and major cost savings throughout the cycle – all thanks to being the world’s first one-boom jumbo featuring Epiroc’s Rig Control System. The consistent,…
Read MoreKomatsu, Becker-Warkop to produce custom PRS
Komatsu Mining confirmed recently a new partnership with Poland’s Becker-Warkop to develop a set of customized Joy longwall powered roof supports (PRS) for Warrior Met Coal’s U.S. operations. The supports, manufactured by Becker-Warkop, will also include Joy’s Faceboss RS20s roof support controls. A timeline for production was not made available. “We are delighted that our customer has selected Komatsu and…
Read MoreLiebherr, Fortescue will partner on green haul trucks
Liebherr and Fortescue Metals Group announced a partnership for the development and supply of green mining haul trucks for integration with the zero-emission power system technologies being developed by Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) and Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE). This is a major step toward transitioning Fortescue’s diesel mining fleet to a green mining fleet before 2030 and accelerates the opportunity…
Read MoreWomen in Mining Spotlight: Sarah de Blois
Canadian PhD candidate Sarah de Blois, over the course of her research work at Laurentian University, has uncovered some thought-provoking statistics on the state of women in the mining industry. Edited by Donna Schmidt For the progress women in the mining industry have made over the years, it may be surprising to learn that there is actually much more still…
Read MoreSPEAKING OUT FOR COAL
How the University of Wyoming is changing the commodity’s narrative. By Scott Quillinan, senior director of research, School of Energy Resources, University of Wyoming The state of Wyoming is a significant energy producer with its Powder River Basin (PRB) providing more than 40% of the coal produced in the United States. In 2021, the Wyoming coal industry mined roughly 239…
Read MoreBudge the Sludge
Ore mine uses air cannons to unclog chutes. By Mike Moody, business development manager, Martin Engineering No matter what type of ore is being extracted from a mine, mucking with front loaders can be accompanied by wet fines that cling to every surface. Once loaded into a hopper or conveyer transfer chute, viscous material can quickly build up on the…
Read MoreCat’s far-reaching research, training hub: Tinaja Hills
North American Mining recently took an exclusive look at Caterpillar’s Tinaja Hills and Tucson Proving Ground complex in southern Arizona, gaining some remarkable insight into the OEM’s research and development and training efforts By Donna Schmidt Just north of the U.S.-Mexico border, overlooking a beautiful yet vast swath of one of the most beautiful desert areas of the American Southwest,…
Read MoreGoing big at Laurel Branch
Central Appalachian surface coal mines: they’re all the same, right? The crew at Clintwood JOD would beg to differ, especially as it relates to their Laurel Branch operation in remote Hurley, Virginia, that North American Mining magazine recently toured. By Donna Schmidt Surface coal operations dot the landscape in southern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia and eastern Kentucky. There are some…
Read MoreThe fascinating world of mining haul roads
Haul roads might not sound like the most exciting of topics. But scratch the road surface, and you’ll find a highly complex microcosm of the mining industry lies beneath. By Jonathan Rowland Why are good haul roads necessary?Much about the mining process is complex – from exploration through initial pit design to drill and blast optimization, and efficient minerals processing…
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