A warm welcome, fueled by coal

This editor is known for her collection of T-shirts emblazoned with sayings, my favorite being, “I am silently correcting your grammar.” Fitting, amiright? I have another, though, given to me some time ago from a coal company that has their name on the front, and the back reading, “My blood runs black.” I’ve often used that in my personal and…

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Looking forward 

It’s said that one should look at life through the windshield, not the rearview mirror; the latter is smaller for a reason. It seems apropos to offer that point as we look out over the coming year in mining since it is a new opportunity to work safely and productively as new benchmarks are set for success. In December, a…

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Link between mine permitting reform, national security 

The following is an op-ed from Minerals Make Life and has been edited only for space and style. Lithium. Copper. Nickel. What do you think of when you hear those minerals? Most people hear “lithium” and immediately think of electric vehicles – in particular, the batteries that power them. However, well-known minerals often have uses beyond what most people expect.…

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Critical minerals expertise makes Missouri S&T top tech hub

U.S. Economic Development selected MS&T as one of the nation’s more than 30 new ‘tech hubs’ for its critical minerals research work. Missouri University of Science and Technology’s expertise in critical minerals and materials research has led to its selection as one of 31 Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs (Tech Hubs) funded through the CHIPS and Science Act. The 31…

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Tying up loose ends

Well, it’s finally here. Like it or not, we are in the last few weeks of 2023, a time to wrap up projects, assess the status of others, and for some, to look introspectively at what’s to come. There are a number of newsworthy turns in the industry that involved parties did a great job of keeping details under wraps…

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Colorado Mines, USGS to share research goals

By Donna Schmidt Could projects like the one just announced between the Colorado School of Mines and the U.S. Geological Survey help drive research into a broader, deeper space for mining’s future by bringing together its brightest research experts – academia and minerals science? The Colorado School of Mines, located in Golden, Colo., said construction of a new $240 million…

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A returning beauty

Former Rio Tinto mining site in Utah opens to the public as a stunning multi-use regional park. NAM finds out more about this reclamation triumph. By Donna Schmidt The E and S in ESG (environmental, social and governance) is not limited just to mining efforts while in production. That commitment extends long after the last shovel swipe and unloading of…

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A straight route to success at Detour Lake

Northeastern Ontario, Canada open-pit Agnico Eagle gold operation Detour Lake had several lofty goals: achieving and surpassing environmental, social and governance (ESG) outlines while setting itself up for long-term efficiency through monitoring its most crucial metrics. Artificial intelligence technology from Symboticware was its answer. By Donna Schmidt Mining operations in the age of digitization have the ability to bring in…

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All in this together

Support. A simple concept, but in truth it can be complex. One can support themselves, but it is much easier when there are others around to share support for one another. When that support is for the same main goal…well, that is a win-win. The next time you attend an industry conference, look around. The speaker may be from operations,…

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Pronto, 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…

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