BHP Xplor program seeks next cohort

BHP Xplor, a six-month accelerator program in the pursuit of unlocking critical minerals, has started a global search for its 2024 cohort of early-stage explorers and startups. The program is designed to provide selected participants with the opportunity to accelerate their exploration concepts through funding, mentorship and coaching. Selected companies will receive up to US$500,000 cash payment from BHP, together…

Read More

Atlas Copco buys Sykes Group

Atlas Copco confirmed August 21 that it has acquired Australian-based dewatering pump maker Sykes Group from Seven Group Holdings. No financial details were disclosed. It is known, though, that Sykes has an annual revenue of about A$65 million across the mining and wastewater industries. The acquisition is expected to close during the fourth quarter of this year. The newly acquired…

Read More

Freeport-McMoRan falls victim to cyberattack

Freeport-McMoRan is the latest company in the industry to be hit by a cyberattack.  The U.S-based miner said on August 11 that it was investigating a cybersecurity incident affecting its information systems.  The company said it was assessing the impact and proactive measures are being taken to address the situation. To date, there has been limited impact on production.  “Transitional…

Read More

Indonesia seeks critical minerals deal with U.S.

Indonesia has requested trade talks with the United States to ensure that its exports of critical minerals are covered under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act as it seeks to become a major electric vehicle manufacturer, reported Reuters on September 15. Under guidelines of the law, a certain amount of critical minerals in EV batteries are required to be produced or…

Read More

Teck, Norden collab on curbing emissions via freight

Coal, copper and zinc producer Teck Resources has teamed with transport firm Norden for an agreement that will reduce CO2 emissions in Teck’s steelmaking coal supply chain. The agreement is expected to reduce annual emissions from Teck shipments handled by Norden by 25%, or up to 6,700 tonnes of CO2. The latter will achieve emission reductions with a range of…

Read More

NETL backs tech for nanomaterial from coal, waste

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in the U.S. has confirmed it is supporting the advancement of a technology that can turn coal and coal wastes into nanomaterial that is 2,000 times stronger than steel. The development is from international research company Universal Matter, the research facilities of which are in Houston, Texas, and the backing has come from the…

Read More

Essential Minerals Association, MSHA commit to safety

The Essential Minerals Association (EMA) and the Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) renewed a 20-year alliance focused on fostering a culture of safety and prevention throughout the minerals industry. The agreement was signed at EMA’s Fall Conference & Fly-In, held in Washington, D.C. “EMA and MSHA have enjoyed a close relationship for 20 years through the…

Read More

Just one week until Southeast Mine Conference

More than 450 attendees are expected to convene October 31-November 3 for this year’s Southeast Mine Safety and Health Conference in Birmingham, Ala., with “Taking Ownership of Safety and Health” as its theme. A full schedule has been prepared for the event being held again at the Renaissance Ross Bridge in Hoover, beginning with an optional short course on Oct.…

Read More

Judge orders producer to complete safety training or stay off site

On Oct. 13, Judge John L. Kane entered an agreed consent order and judgment requiring Duckels Construction Inc., Steamboat Springs, Colo., to prevent owner Fred Duckels from entering the mining site permanently until he completes and provides proof of mandatory safety training. After an investigation by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the mine owner was ordered to stay…

Read More

Leaders in mine safety and technology honored by NMA, federal agencies

In a ceremony in Washington, D.C., the National Mining Association (NMA), the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) honored outstanding achievements in mine safety, technology and reclamation. The NMA’s Sentinels of Safety Award recognizes coal and mineral mining operations in 10 categories for recording the most…

Read More