Surface mine dewatering pumps may not be particularly glamorous, but they are essential. North American Mining magazine talked to three experts about the most important factors impacting pump selection and performance. By Jonathan Rowland Dewatering pumps “play a critical role in all mining operations and are therefore among the most important equipment in a mine,” said Mikael Hjelm, business development…
Read MoreMining companies are increasingly looking to electrification to reduce carbon emissions. In underground mining, this switch offers several other additional benefits. But making the change at existing operations is not without its challenges. By Jonathan Rowland Electrification is nothing new in underground mining. Benefits include an improved work environment, with lower air emissions, heat, and noise, and thus reduced costs…
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North American Mining talks to two experts about the principles, challenges and opportunities of water management in underground mines. By Jonathan Rowland Environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies are now playing a much more significant role in the life of businesses. Traditionally, these have tended to place heavy emphasis on climate change and the need to reduce carbon emissions. While…
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Collision avoidance systems are touted as a critical pathway to safer mines. But they are now also a significant enabling technology of the wider digital, automated mine ecosystem. By Jonathan Rowland Collision avoidance: a market snapshotMore mines will invest in collision avoidance systems (CAS; also known as proximity detection systems) over the next two years than any other technology bar…
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New technologies are supporting improved shovel maintenance practices, allowing mines to extend maintenance intervals without endangering the machine. By Jonathan Rowland Shovel breakdownThere are 5,500 hydraulic and 1,900 electric shovels with payloads above 20 metric tonnes currently active, according to the mining equipment trackers at The Parker Bay Company. These are large and complex pieces of machinery that operate in…
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Hydrogen is one of the buzziest of sustainable buzzwords. Does it deserve the hype? By Jonathan Rowland A hydrogen milestone Much about the mining process is complex – from exploration May 2022 saw the launch of the world’s largest mine haul truck to be powered – at least in part – by hydrogen. Developed by Anglo American, the catchy-named nuGen Zero…
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North American Mining speaks to a number of companies to get their views on how the digital drill and blast ecosphere is developing. By Jonathan Rowland As in other areas of the mine, digital technologies are transforming how mines manage their drill and blast operations – with a long list of benefits. In doing so, these technologies are opening up…
Read MoreWhen it comes to mining sustainably, there are few more experienced voices than Stantec’s Debra Johnson. In this interview, she talks progress, challenges and the importance of building sustainability into the fabric of mining operations. By Jonathan Rowland Mining companies around the world are embracing the transition to net zero, and setting interim goals to see that they get there.…
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The mining industry has long relied on diesel. Cleaner alternatives are however needed if the industry is to successfully decarbonize its mine sites. By Jonathan Rowland The phrase “net zero mining” is fast taking its place in the dictionary of 21st century mining buzzwords, just after the “digital mine” and slotting in ahead of the related term, “sustainable mining.” But…
Read MoreArtificial intelligence has long appeared in science fiction. But it’s now coming to a mine near you (if it’s not already there). By Jonathan Rowland In the early years of the 20th century, American author L. Frank Baum created the Land of Oz – and with it, two contrasting examples of living, intelligent machines. The first and most famous of…
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