On Oct. 13, Judge John L. Kane entered an agreed consent order and judgment requiring Duckels Construction Inc., Steamboat Springs, Colo., to prevent owner Fred Duckels from entering the mining site permanently until he completes and provides proof of mandatory safety training. After an investigation by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the mine owner was ordered to stay…
Read MoreDay: October 20, 2023
Leaders in mine safety and technology honored by NMA, federal agencies
In a ceremony in Washington, D.C., the National Mining Association (NMA), the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) honored outstanding achievements in mine safety, technology and reclamation. The NMA’s Sentinels of Safety Award recognizes coal and mineral mining operations in 10 categories for recording the most…
Read MoreMSHA reports 25th, 26th fatalities of 2023
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported in August that, on July 17, a miner at Holcim’s Swampscott Quarry, Essex County, Mass., died while performing repairs on a gyratory crusher. When a component was being suspended by a crane, a lifting eye welded to the component broke free striking the miner. This is the 25th fatality reported in 2023,…
Read MoreFirst silica hearing held
Louisville Public Media reported in August details of the first Mine Safety and Health Administration hearing to gather comments on the recently proposed silica standards. The regulation would affect every mine, cement plant, and rock quarry in the country regardless of the material produced there. It would add protections for non-coal workers like requiring companies to offer free medical exams…
Read MoreMSHA impact inspections yield 242 violations
The U.S. Department of Labor said in August that impact inspections completed at 18 mines in 12 states in June by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) resulted in 242 violations. To date, MSHA’s impact inspections in 2023 have identified 1,435 violations, including 411 significant and substantial (S&S) and 22 unwarrantable failure findings. An S&S violation is reasonably likely…
Read MoreMetso, Rio Tinto move to next phase of BioIron
Metso said it has been awarded a detailed design and engineering contract for Rio Tinto’s continuous pilot plant (CPP) for the BioIron process – a low-carbon, iron-making process that the companies have been working together to progress. “We are very excited to continue the close working relationship with Rio Tinto and to provide engineering and design support as we move…
Read MorePronto, Whittle release autonomous haulage report
Pair finds that, at least when it comes to mining trucks, bigger isn’t always better. By Donna Schmidt While haul trucks have generally gotten bigger over time, reflecting better economics in many applications, the opposite is true when trucks are automated – this according to a new report from Pronto and Whittle Consulting. Pronto and Whittle recently released their joint…
Read MoreSika adds mining-minded shotcrete, grout specialist Thiessen Team
The parent company of New Jersey-based Sika has closed on Elko, Nev.-based shotcrete and grouting agent Thiessen Team USA and its related plant and delivery equipment for mining. The deal confirmed in July includes western operations focused on minerals essential to electric vehicle batteries. The acquisition opens cross-selling potential for Sika mix accelerator and structural fiber offerings, while extending the…
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