Rio Tinto has approved construction of a new 25-megawatt solar plant at its Kennecott copper operation in Utah, bringing the mine’s total solar capacity to 30 MW. It will be located next to an existing 5-MW solar plant. “Expanding our solar farm is the latest step in our journey to reduce our carbon footprint. Together with other measures we’ve taken,…
Read MoreAuthor: NAM Staff
Rio Tinto exec seeks faster permitting under Trump
A Rio Tinto executive said U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s new administration should focus on speeding up the permitting process for its stalled Resolution copper mine in Arizona, reported Reuters. The mine could supply more than one-quarter of the country’s domestic copper needs. The new Trump administration would be able to either approve or block the proposed underground operation. The news…
Read MoreFLSmidth’s Reinbold stepping down, Lefler named to interim seat
FLSmidth announced its mining products business line president Chris Reinbold will be stepping down from his role and leaving the company at the end of November. The global company said it has initiated the processes of finding his replacement, a process it is hoping to conclude in the near future. In the meantime, it has appointed Mike Lefler to his…
Read MoreEro Copper taps Strang, DeFilippo
Ero Copper has announced that, effective January 1, 2025, its co-founder and board chairman Noel Dunn will retire and be succeeded by David Strang as executive chairman and Makko DeFilippo as president and CEO. Gelson Batista will succeed DeFilippo in the latter’s current seat as COO. This leadership transition is part of the succession plan initiated by Ero’s board…
Read MoreNVMA names Hall to post
The Nevada Mining Association (NVMA) has appointed Rebecca Hall as community engagement manager. In this position, Hall will oversee the organization’s community engagement throughout the state, while supporting the NVMA’s communications and government relations teams to highlight and promote organizational programs, education, membership and advocacy. Hall brings several years of statewide leadership and experience in education, science and history to the NVMA.…
Read MoreEquinox Gold’s Greenstone hits commercial production
Equinox Gold said its Greenstone mine in Ontario, Canada, has reached commercial production based on the operating progress achieved through October. At full production, the mine will be one of Canada’s largest and highest-grade open-pit gold mines.
Read MoreMSHA Reports 25th Fatality of 2024
MSHA reported that on April 13, a front-end loader operator at Martin Marietta Materials’ Morgan County Quarry in Buckhead, Ga., drowned, lying face down in a pool of water. The front-end loader operator was last seen using a water hose to wash material off a concrete pad next to a pool of water. This is the 25th fatality reported in…
Read MoreMSHA completes impact inspections at eight mines in seven states
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) completed impact inspections in September 2024 at eight mines in Indiana, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin and issued 112 violations. The agency conducts impact inspections at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to poor compliance history; previous accidents, injuries and illnesses; and other compliance concerns. Of…
Read MoreHecla taps Krcmarov for president, CEO
Hecla Mining Company has appointed Rob Krcmarov, a 30-plus-year veteran of mining and former Barrick executive, as the company’s new president and chief executive officer, effective November 7. Krcmarov, who will also join Hecla’s board of directors, succeeds Catherine (Cassie) Boggs, who had served as interim president and CEO since May 22 of this year and will remain as chair…
Read MoreRare Element Resources gets final approval for Wyo. Demonstration plant
Colorado-based Rare Element Resources (RER) has received operations approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to allow it to commence operations at its new rare earth demonstration plant in Upton, Wyoming. The green light follows the recently announced U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) operations budget acceptance and issuance of its continuation notice approving operations. The demonstration plant, which was…
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