In the daily dash to hit production targets, mines can often overlook the value of reconciliation. Yet when done well and integrated into day-to-day operations, this technically challenging task will highlight key opportunities to deliver operating, financial, and sustainability improvements. North American Mining took a deep dive into this critical topic, guided by a group of the world’s leading experts.…
Read MoreNorth American Mining reviews the current state and recent developments in the North American rare earth elements industry, highlighting its potential for growth and innovation. By Jonathan Rowland Rare earth elements (REEs) are a set of 17 metallic elements that are essential components in more than 200 products across a wide range of applications, especially in high-tech consumer products, such…
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SAG mills are well established in the mining industry with several possible flowsheets featuring them. But these circuits consume significant amounts of energy and water. With alternative grinding options providing a means to decrease energy and water use, North American Mining asked a group of leading experts for their opinion of the future of these workhorses of the mineral processing…
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We live in a mining industry of ever deepening pits, rising waste-to-ore ratios, and increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and other environmental impacts. Although by no means suitable for every mine, in-pit crushing and conveying offers a solution to all of these issues and, where it makes sense, the economic and environmental benefits can be significant. By Jonathan Rowland…
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What makes a reliable mining chain and chain supplier? They may not be questions you often think about. But choose wrong and the implications can be severe. North American Mining spoke to two mining chain manufacturers about chain selection, operation, and maintenance. By Jonathan Rowland Chains are a crucial part of various underground mining equipment, with each application requiring chains…
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North American Mining investigates the world of mine haulage automation, asking where we are and where we are heading next. By Jonathan Rowland The mining industry has “increasingly adopted automated haulage solutions as the technology is beginning to be more commercialized,” Masayoshi Ota, vice president of Mining Sales at Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas (HCMA) told North American Mining. “Numerous autonomous…
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Over the next few years, the mining industry faces eyewatering labor shortages. North American Mining spoke to mining recruitment specialists at CSG Talent about this challenge and what more mining companies could be doing to attract new people into the industry. by Jonathan Rowland Expected demand for mineral products over the next few decades is huge. According to one estimate,…
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North American Mining spoke to Penn State’s Prof. Barbara Arnold about the current state and future of coal preparation in the U.S. By Jonathan Rowland There are 154 coal preparation plants active in the U.S. with a further 73 idled. That is still a “decent number,” according to Barbara Arnold, who has spent over three decades involved in the coal…
Read MoreWhat challenges does electrification pose to vehicle drive systems? North American Mining spoke to experts at drivetrain specialists, Dana Inc., and mining OEM, Liebherr Mining, to find out. By Jonathan Rowland Electrification of mining vehicles is gathering momentum and represents a “significant shift in the industry,” according to Richard Kraemer, Trolley/Battery Sales Support Manager at Liebherr Mining. “Even as diesel-electric…
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Handling slurry inevitably exposes equipment to wear. The question is thus how to manage and minimize that wear. North American Mining spoke to four experts about issues in slurry pump wear protection. By Jonathan Rowland Introduction: the three types of wear There are three main categories of wear to which a slurry pump may be exposed: abrasion, corrosion and erosion.…
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