On April 14, Christopher J. Williamson, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health, penned this letter to the mining community. Dear Members of the Mining Community: Forty-five years ago, Congress declared that the first priority and concern of everyone in the mining industry must be the safety and health of the nation’s miners. In the spirit of working…
Read MoreMissouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) researchers have revealed they are conducting research using a Boston Dynamics Spot robot dog to help in the often-perilous conditions found during mine emergencies. University senior Dustin Peterson recently supported a research project entitled “Research, Technological Innovations and Human Factors for Effective Miner Self-Escape from Underground Mine Emergencies,” part of a $4…
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Two recent announcements – one from an operator and one from an engine OEM – are adding power and excitement to an already fast-evolving area of mining: alternative fueling. By Donna Schmidt Well, it is safe to say 2023 is off to a good start, at least as far as future tech is concerned. If neither of these are at…
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It’s award season for many as the year comes to a close – but hearing about award-winning technology is always especially interesting, as many serve as a barometer for trends we as an industry will later see. One of the newest groups of awardees come from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Mining Program, which recently announced…
Read MoreTMC the metals company achieves inaugural batch of polymetallic modules from sea floor – a first test in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in more than 40 years. By Donna Schmidt Mining may be a storied industry with a long history, but there are still trailblazers. When considering the topics, technology and ideas that will make up the industry’s future,…
Read MoreBy Mark S. Kuhar Unveiling new machinery and equipment for the mining industry is never a simple task due to their enormous size, let alone with today’s travel restrictions around the world. Recognizing this, Finnish machinery manufacturer Sleipner Finland Oy decided to launch its latest DB-series model in a completely new and unprecedented way: Sleipner asked Jesse Pyykkönen, 18, and…
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IDWIM will now be marked each June 15. By Donna Schmidt The International Day of Women in Mining (IDWIM) will now be an annual event every June 15 thanks to the advocacy group International Women in Mining (IWiM), which has successfully launched the campaign. More than 1,000 from around the globe participated in the inaugural virtual event to mark the…
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By Donna Schmidt The idea of a house can take on many forms depending on location, environment, family size and a number of other factors. Materials to build these homes are just as diverse. But what about using coal? Recently, a southern West Virginia newcomer company X- MAT received US$2.2 million in funding from the Department of Energy for a…
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By Donna Schmidt There’s a meme in the social media universe that depicts someone consuming a theater bucket of popcorn and looking on, with the words, “I’m just here for the comments.” Well, grab that real-life bucket and consider this: AMC, the American chain of movie theaters that, in recent years and thanks to pay-per-views, streaming services and the pandemic…
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By Donna Schmidt Mining technology has taken enormous steps forward, particularly over the last several years. Consider this, for example: how many mines had collision avoidance or proximity detection systems at the turn of the 21st century? How about refuge chambers, smart meters, or flexible ventilation systems? If that doesn’t put the speed of our technological evolution into perspective, I…
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