According to new polling by the National Mining Association, conducted by Maru/Blue, the vast majority of Americans support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes coal and are concerned that the rush to transition to renewable energy is going to sacrifice our ability to keep the lights on. The data show growing concern for the impact of the speed of the…
Read MoreCategory: Final Word
Link between mine permitting reform, national security
The following is an op-ed from Minerals Make Life and has been edited only for space and style. Lithium. Copper. Nickel. What do you think of when you hear those minerals? Most people hear “lithium” and immediately think of electric vehicles – in particular, the batteries that power them. However, well-known minerals often have uses beyond what most people expect.…
Read MoreCritical minerals expertise makes Missouri S&T top tech hub
U.S. Economic Development selected MS&T as one of the nation’s more than 30 new ‘tech hubs’ for its critical minerals research work. Missouri University of Science and Technology’s expertise in critical minerals and materials research has led to its selection as one of 31 Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs (Tech Hubs) funded through the CHIPS and Science Act. The 31…
Read MoreColorado Mines, USGS to share research goals
By Donna Schmidt Could projects like the one just announced between the Colorado School of Mines and the U.S. Geological Survey help drive research into a broader, deeper space for mining’s future by bringing together its brightest research experts – academia and minerals science? The Colorado School of Mines, located in Golden, Colo., said construction of a new $240 million…
Read MorePronto, Whittle release autonomous haulage report
Pair finds that, at least when it comes to mining trucks, bigger isn’t always better. By Donna Schmidt While haul trucks have generally gotten bigger over time, reflecting better economics in many applications, the opposite is true when trucks are automated – this according to a new report from Pronto and Whittle Consulting. Pronto and Whittle recently released their joint…
Read MoreVirginia Tech researchers use autonomous technologies
to make mines safer
How do you use drones and robots to make underground mining less risky for workers? Virginia Tech researcher Richard Bishop and his West Virginia University collaborators are working to answer this question. A recent two-year, $569,149 Alpha Foundation grant will allow the team to study ways to use autonomous drones to predict and prevent roof collapses underground. It’s urgent work.…
Read MoreCopper: the sickness antidote?
According to a new study – the first of its kind in North America – copper has proven its effectiveness for killing bacteria and viruses on public transit with a success rate of up to 99.9%. By Donna Schmidt Cars, power generation, plumbing and infrastructure – there’s a lot copper can do in this world once mined and processed. We…
Read MoreMSHA Secretary Appeals to Mining Community
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 S&T research gone to the dogs
Missouri 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…
Read MoreFueling outside the box
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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