Leading with precision

In this month’s Executive Q&A, NAM talks to Precision Pulley and Idler (PPI) CEO Matt Buckingham about his start, trends in mining consumables, and the company’s growth path. Edited by Donna Schmidt There isn’t a mine that does not use consumables, especially the key infrastructure components that keep mines on the move. PPI, nearing 50 years in business from its…

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Weathering the storm

Why hyperlocal weather intelligence boosts North American mining operational productivity, safety and sustainability. by Erik Sucksdorff Accurate situational awareness empowers mine project owners and operators to plan for and respond to severe weather, decreasing downtime, employee safety risks and environmental impacts. Every hour of mining operation translates to valuable resources extracted, processed and delivered – with efficiency driving profitability. The…

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Mining industry ready for transformation: EY report

by Josephine Patterson Accounting giant EY’s latest survey of senior mining and metals leaders has revealed that the sector is ready to embrace the transformation needed to meet soaring demand in the green energy transition. However, it will first need to overcome a trifecta of challenges. According to the survey, which was conducted in June and July, capital is the…

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Rare earth revolution

A coal miner turned rare earth behemoth? It’s no exaggeration. Ramaco Resources, with a pocket full of productive and safe coal operations in Appalachia, took a chance on a Wyoming property that may ultimately produce an enormous payday for Ramaco, as a result of an enormous rare earth find beneath the surface. NAM talks to Ramaco’s Chairman, CEO and Founder…

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A Safety Soaker

Waterblasting, according to Jetstream, takes more than just water – there are key elements of the task that require not only efficient work, but also proper safety and training. By John Schaer There are instances in life when standards may be set too high. However, when it comes to waterblasting and handling water jets powerful enough to cut through the…

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From oil to eco: biodegradable lubricants in mining

North American Mining examines the world of biodegradable lubricants and their role in reducing the environmental impact of mining. by Jonathan Rowland In a “fast-changing world where environmental issues have become central, mining companies need to assess all pollution sources that may come from their operations,” began Guillaume Bonnetot, general manager of Systems at Liebherr Mining. “Among these, contamination of…

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Opportunities and challenges in dry comminution

High-pressure grinding rolls and vertical roller mills offer several potential benefits to mineral processing operations. by Jonathan Rowland Comminution circuit design has traditionally focused on reliability, ease of operation, CAPEX, and OPEX, with AG/SAG and ball mills the longstanding workhorses in mineral grinding applications. “AG/SAG mills played a crucial role in the evolution of mineral processing, as a single mill…

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Cyberattacks and engineering-grade defenses

As fleets get newer and offer more advanced technology, the portion of these machines that are made of and operated by computers is growing exponentially. And this makes the entire unit susceptible to infiltration. How can mines make sense of it all – and protect themselves? by Andrew Ginter Mining machinery is increasingly automated; simple pick-up trucks contain over 300…

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