On April 14, Christopher J. Williamson, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health, penned this letter to the mining community. Dear Members of the Mining Community: Forty-five years ago, Congress declared that the first priority and concern of everyone in the mining industry must be the safety and health of the nation’s miners. In the spirit of working…
Read MoreAuthor: Donna Schmidt
Coal’s headwinds – and future – close to mind in Charleston
The West Virginia Coal Association annual symposium bounced the balance of market, fossil fuels’ public perception and the industry’s plans to charge toward prosperity, environmental optimism and safety in Charleston April 18-19. By Donna Schmidt With a change of venue this year to the conference hall of the capital city’s Embassy Suites, the West Virginia Coal Association (WVCA) brought together…
Read MoreCEO Q&A: American Lithium’sSimon Clarke
North American Mining magazine talks to the cobalt, copper and now lithium expert about his segue from law to mining leadership, the challenges and opportunities for lithium operators and the importance of domestically sourced lithium for North America’s future. Edited by Donna Schmidt Canadian miner American Lithium touts a portfolio that few others can parallel: two lithium projects in the…
Read MoreEquity core to IDWIM 2023
The worldwide recognition of diversity, equity and inclusion is entering its second year with a growing force. By Donna Schmidt After a successful launch in 2022, The International Day of Women in Mining (IDWIM) is returning in June with the theme “Equity in mining is everyone’s responsibility.” IDWIM, marked on June 15, is a global celebration of the achievements for…
Read MoreBeing green
Just about every working day, I receive pitches and press releases in my inbox asking North American Mining magazine to cover a clean-tech/green-tech technology. Some are small in scope but hoping to make a big change in the industry, others have the potential to turn this industry on its ear. As I see it, every turn mining can make to…
Read MoreA hub of innovation
The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and miner Teck Resources have partnered once again for mining research, this time for a new facility at the university: the Teck Copper Innovation Hub. By Donna Schmidt Post-use of minerals, especially those that can help make life easier, safer and healthier, never fade into the background – society is always looking for…
Read MoreNo more ‘bubble zones’: Matrix unveils collision avoidance using VAI
An intelligent collision avoidance system is in testing now that not only makes miners safer – without using tags and personal devices – but also allows users to pool data from machine interactions for use anytime. Edited by Donna Schmidt Matrix Design Group has created a system ideal for any mobile equipment unit, using Visual Artificial Intelligence (VAI) to detect…
Read MoreKomatsu moves into new South Harbor home
NAM recently visited Milwaukee, Wis., for an exclusive tour of Komatsu’s new South Harbor corporate campus near Lake Michigan. Check out more about the innovative features of the property, its commitment to sustainability and how it all will pave the path for the OEM’s future. By Donna Schmidt It is said that good things come to those who wait. With…
Read MoreImportance of research
Few major decisions in life are made without research. The future of our world depends on someone, or many someones, to do perform due diligence on an action and following through on hypotheses to determine how to best tackle something. It is no different for mining. Consider this: had it not been for many before us conducting research, today’s mines…
Read MoreA fast-tracked plan to mine the moon
By Donna Schmidt Do a Google search for “Is it possible to mine the moon?” and the responses are as varied as our galaxy. For many within the industry, the idea of lunar mining has long been a sought-after achievement – it has just been a question of when and how. Score one for the U.S. in this regard, as…
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