Two recent announcements – one from an operator and one from an engine OEM – are adding power and excitement to an already fast-evolving area of mining: alternative fueling. By Donna Schmidt Well, it is safe to say 2023 is off to a good start, at least as far as future tech is concerned. If neither of these are at…
Read MoreBy Arthur Wolfson and Christopher Peterson As the calendar turns to a new year, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) appears to have found its footing – and that means mine operators need to be on their toes in 2023. After a presidential administration change, retirements throughout the inspector ranks, and an anemic regulatory agenda, MSHA now appears to…
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In December, Caterpillar released new bolt-together buckets for underground loaders that can lower assembly and transportation costs as well as reduce downtime on machines. Offering the same strength and durability as standard buckets, the Cat bolt-together buckets for Cat load haul dump (LHD) does not require skilled maintenance operators for underground welding, resulting in a reduced safety risk. The design…
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Canadian manufacturer Miller Technology, after successful customer response and trials, released its new low-profile battery-electric grader for underground mining at the 2023 bauma show in Germany. Miller, who said the addition of the battery electric vehicle (BEV) fills a market gap, built its E-Grader by retrofitting a HBM-Novas 110-M low profile grader with Miller’s patented Powered by IONIC Drive system.…
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Normet has launched the Scamec LC Thor, which it said will mark the start of a new era of underground scaling operations, offering safety, ergonomics and efficiency. The brand-new unit replaced the company’s globally successful predecessor, the Scamec 2000, and was designed in close collaboration with its customers to combine Normet’s decades-long experience in developing cutting-edge underground equipment with scaling…
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Federal Screen Products recently outlined a list of the benefits of wedge wire, a hard-wearing alternative to wire mesh and perforated metal filters. “The nature of the mining environment demands equipment be durable, reliable, and efficient,” the company said. “Wedge wire screen…[has] increased strength, higher flow rates and minimal pressure loss while maintaining clog-free operation when compared to conventional metal…
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Tunnel Radio offers some insight on the implementation process – and what mines can expect – for custom two-way radio and tracking systems. By Nanette Dupuy For workers in underground and remote environments like mines, reliable communication is paramount to worker efficiency and safety. Because underground range is affected by the height, width and number of turns in the enclosed…
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There are a number of common issues – or pain points – that plant operators run into during their journey to greater efficiency. How can these facilities get the most from their designs, and what role does maintenance have in that? By Donna Schmidt Processing success can sometimes feel like the fair game whack-a-mole: fixing one issue, then taking a…
Read MoreStrataConnect DigitalBRIDGE and IoT Gateway recently recorded a first: the ringing of the NYSE opening bell for mine owner Idaho Strategic Resources by its crew – who were located deep underground thousands of miles away at the Golden Chest (GC) gold operation. By Donna Schmidt Underground communications technology has never stopped evolving from the moment the technology made its way…
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In this third segment of a three-part series exclusive to NAM, Aspen Technology discusses the digital transformation, adaptations needed by mining’s workforce, and what’s to come during this unprecedented time. By Marc Poualion, senior industry marketing manager, Aspen Technology While not a panacea for everything, technology can be a great enabler to address many of the mining industry’s challenges. The…
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