As we journey toward the center of the year (already?), it is a good time to take stock of some things, how we’re doing, and what’s going well – and not so well. So, when someone says, “You want the good news first, or the bad news?” I generally will choose the latter. Rip off the Band-Aid, then let’s figure…
Read MoreAuthor: Donna Schmidt
WVCS2025 has arrived
We hope you are reading this column on the sidelines of the West Virginia Coal Show 2025 as you take in the vendors at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center in West Virginia’s capital city. If you are, we welcome you to our second-ever expo and hope you have a great event – if you find myself or any of…
Read MoreExemplifying efficiency
Success in efficiency is not without work, as many mines can certainly attest to. Warrior Met teamed with communications, tracking and data analysis-focused Innovative Wireless Technologies (IWT) to put in the work and achieve a remarkable result – one which it shared recently with NAM. by Donna Schmidt Warrior Met Coal, owners of the Mine 4 and Mine 7 assets,…
Read MoreWell, what do we know?
Call me a nerd, but I like to stay abreast of artificial intelligence’s speed of learning about the mining industry. In hopes of getting some creative inspiration for writing this month’s column, I decided to test AI by asking it what it thinks are the main themes and outlook of mining in North America and the world right now. While…
Read MoreShining the light on diversity
Sharon Laverne Saffold-Harris of the University of Arizona is not your average member of academia. With a megawatt smile and brightness that precedes her, this issue’s Women in Mining spotlight belongs to someone who is working to find answers about the ever-growing influence women have on the resources industry. Edited by Donna Schmidt NAM: Sharon, it is so wonderful to…
Read MoreDrilling into the details
Call it a merger of strengths. A 2022 acquisition of the Cannon product line by J.H. Fletcher from Lakeshore/Trident left the OEM with a rich portfolio for multiple applications. It is now merging the designs to become better than ever. By Donna Schmidt When an OEM grows its line-up through an acquisition, it is generally great news for the company…
Read MoreIt’s on us now
The people have spoken, and this time it was those recently polled by Maru Public Opinion on behalf of the National Mining Association (NMA). The results of the group’s canvass are an echo of what an overwhelming balance of the mining industry are likely feeling at the moment: it’s time for overregulation to end and for support of domestic mining…
Read MoreLeading with precision
In this month’s Executive Q&A, NAM talks to Precision Pulley and Idler (PPI) CEO Matt Buckingham about his start, trends in mining consumables, and the company’s growth path. Edited by Donna Schmidt There isn’t a mine that does not use consumables, especially the key infrastructure components that keep mines on the move. PPI, nearing 50 years in business from its…
Read MoreRare earth revolution
A coal miner turned rare earth behemoth? It’s no exaggeration. Ramaco Resources, with a pocket full of productive and safe coal operations in Appalachia, took a chance on a Wyoming property that may ultimately produce an enormous payday for Ramaco, as a result of an enormous rare earth find beneath the surface. NAM talks to Ramaco’s Chairman, CEO and Founder…
Read MoreA year of transformation ahead
It has arrived – the end of 2024. It has been quite a year for mining and the nation. As we set our sights on 2025 with optimism, as well as a new American leader in the returning energy-friendly president Donald Trump, we can pick up the pen to begin charting the nation’s new chapter. NAM has its sights set…
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