by Mayra FloresArtificial intelligence applied to mineral exploration could reduce drilling by up to five times, generating substantial savings in time and capital, and allowing for more informed decisions to continue or discard projects. This was the central message of Jef Caers, professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Stanford University and one of the world’s leading experts in applied…
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The technology is no longer a future concept for global miner BHP, as it finds practical ways to apply it along the mining value chain. Edited by Josephine Patterson BHP recently announced that artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing its operations, as the global miner seeks practical ways to enhance safety, reliability and performance while addressing the growing demand for critical…
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If your work involves a longwall panel, chances are you have worked alongside the American-owned, family-operated Longwall Associates. In May, the company marks three decades in business and is looking back on its history as well as forward to its future. Edited by Donna Schmidt On May 14, 2026, Virginia-headquartered Longwall Associates will mark its 30th anniversary. While many know…
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Several from across the coal mining industry now have new seats on the reinstated National Coal Council. by Donna Schmidt After disappearing from the industry radar for four years, the National Coal Council has returned under the direction of U.S. President Donald Trump. The announcement was made last summer to officially reconvene the board, and in January, a handful of…
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Greg Baiden argues the answer will determine who controls the 21st century. For over a decade, we’ve been told we’re entering the Fifth Industrial Revolution. The progression seemed logical. Steam engines gave way to electricity, microchips to automation, and now to AI. History marches to a predictable, familiar drumbeat. Or does it? Let’s consider for a moment that this comfortable…
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Tailings water management is a critical challenge for mining operations, though the precise nature of that challenge varies dramatically from one operation to the next. by Jonathan Rowland Tailings dams account for the most water losses at most mining operations. Recovering that water can significantly reduce both environmental impacts and freshwater costs. Yet the feasibility of tailings water recovery depends…
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Rethinking chute design, bolstering safety with Martin Engineering, and putting boots on the ground for one of the company’s port customers. The wearliner on a belt conveyor transfer point is essentially considered a sacrificial layer. Removal and replacement is a grueling job that could require multiple workers and days of scheduled downtime. Conventional wearliners have historically been installed inside the…
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ASGCO spoke to NAM on the outlines of an optimized preventive maintenance schedule for conveyor systems at a bulk material handling facility. This preventive maintenance schedule is designed to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of belt conveyor systems used for bulk material handling. It applies to all conveyors, including feed conveyors, transfer conveyors, stacking conveyors, and reclaim systems. The…
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Advanced materials, smarter monitoring, and tighter supplier partnerships are transforming wear management in modern crushing operations. by Jonathan Rowland Wear is an unavoidable reality. As WearKraft’s Troy Hartman puts it, “by the simple nature of what we do in our industry, wear is inevitable.” It is not, however, unmanageable. Indeed, rising production targets and tightening maintenance resources make effective wear…
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Komatsu engineer Colten Leviere spoke to NAM’s Jonathan Rowland and Donna Schmidt about the transition of ‘intelligent’ longwall mining as automation makes its way into the technology. While the number of longwall panels in operation in North America sits at its lowest level in some time, those that remain are producing at the highest average output levels ever recorded. Longwall…
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