Hydrocyclones have been workhorses of mineral processing for over a century.But how is this venerable technology adapting to the needs of 21st century mining? By Jonathan Rowland Digital solutions, such as CycloneSense from Metso (pictured), help detect disturbances and optimize separation performance. Hydrocyclones have been around for a while; invented in the late 1800s, they were further developed and introduced for…
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Slurry pumps face very challenging operating conditions. An effective maintenance regime is thus critical for keeping them – and with them, the rest of the mine – performing as well as possible. We asked experts from Weir Minerals and KSB SupremeServ-GIW for their insight into some of the key issues. By Jonathan Rowland Slurry pumps face several challenges related both…
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There are thousands of diesel-powered vehicles in the mining industry. Decarbonizing this existing fleet is a key step in addressing industry’s carbon footprint. Alternative diesels may hold the answer. By Jonathan Rowland Hydrogen and electrification are often talked about in the context of decarbonizing mobility in mining. But both routes require significant investment in new technologies and infrastructure, as well…
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Mining tires represent a significant investment; they are also an opportunity to improve not only the efficiency of a mining operation, but also its sustainability. So how can a mine ensure it gets the most economic and environmental benefit from its tires? By Jonathan Rowland Even under the best of circumstances, tires wear out. But mining is about the most…
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Moving from open pit to underground operations is fraught with complications. North American Mining spoke to three experts about the considerations and risks involved. By Jonathan Rowland A majority of mining operations begin life as open pits; however, as mining progresses, ore reserves may be proved to extend to greater depths than originally anticipated. To continue exploiting these reserves, the…
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The benefits offered by modularization are provoking increased interest from the mining industry. Despite it being around for several decades now, the concept is still misunderstood. So, what exactly is modularization – and what are the practical considerations when applying it to mineral processing? By Jonathan Rowland We are of the opinion that it is time for a paradigm shift…
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Ahead of directing their Power of One platform and philosophy underground, North American Mining spoke to Hexagon’s Mateus Quintela for this exclusive interview about the company’s solutions and vision for underground mining. By Jonathan Rowland Hexagon launched the Power of One for surface mining at MINExpo in September 2021. Designed as a holistic, life-of-mine solution, it provides a single digital…
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Net zero is one of today’s buzziest of buzz words. But it is more than clickbait. Achieving net zero is the challenge of a generation. What progress is being made and where to do we go from here? By Jonathan Rowland There are “few more pressing challenges facing all industrial and economic sectors than the need to rapidly decarbonize in…
Read MoreMines have traditionally relied on national energy grids, often fossil fuel-based, to provide their electrical energy needs. Where mines are remote or a grid connection is otherwise not feasible, diesel generators fill the gap. But as mining companies grapple with net-zero commitments, low-carbon onsite power solutions offer a key pathway to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By Jonathan Rowland Several compelling…
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Coarse particle flotation and bulk ore sorting are starting to make waves in the mineral processing industry. North American Mining takes a look at both technologies with the help of experts from three leading mineral processing OEMs. By Jonathan Rowland The mining industry is known for the relatively slow pace with which it adopts new technologies. And there are good…
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