The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved a mining plan change for the Black Butte mine in Sweetwater County, Wyo. The change allows the Black Butte Coal Co. to recover about 9.2 million tons of federal coal in two new areas, known as Pit 15 and Pit 10. “The Black Butte mine expansion strengthens our nation’s Energy Dominance by…
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Gunnison Copper ahead of schedule at Arizona mine
Gunnison Copper has commenced production of pure copper cathode from its fully operational Johnson Camp mine in southeast Arizona, following the successful start-up of the solvent extraction (SX) and electrowinning (EW) circuit. “This is an incredible moment for Gunnison and for U.S. copper supply. To bring Johnson Camp into production ahead of schedule and with an excellent health and safety…
Read MoreImperial Metals secures permit for Mount Polley expansion
Imperial Metals has received a permit amendment to allow expansion and extension of mining activities at its Mount Polley copper-gold mine in south-central British Columbia. The expansion allows for pit development and expansion of rock-storage areas. “Receiving this permit is good news for Imperial, our workers, the local community and our First Nations partners. We will be able to continue…
Read MoreEnergy Fuels, Vulcan Elements to solidify domestic RE supply
U.S.-based companies Energy Fuels and Vulcan Elements have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on creating a resilient domestic supply chain for rare earth magnets independent of China. “Energy Fuels and Vulcan Elements are innovative companies with similar visions of creating a secure Western rare earth magnet supply chain. We have both proven our capacity to deliver rare…
Read MoreMSHA reports 19th and 20th fatalities
MSHA reported that on August 25, a miner at Colt Rock and Lime LLC, Scott, Mo., died after the haul truck he was driving went through a berm in the haul road, over a highwall and overturned into water in the pit. More information will be forthcoming. MSHA also reported that on Aug. 26, an electrician died while performing elevator testing.…
Read MoreMSHA reports 18th fatality of 2025
MSHA reported that on Aug. 7, a contractor at a Rockland, Mich., sand and gravel operation died after the front-end loader he was operating traveled over the edge of a highwall, falling approximately 70 ft. This is the 18th fatality reported in 2025, and the seventh classified as “Powered Haulage.” MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type…
Read MoreMSHA issues safety alert for operating mobile equipment
MSHA reported that since the beginning of calendar year 2025, mine operators have reported more than 150 accidents from the operation of mobile equipment, including 13 of 20 fatal accidents. Accidents can be prevented by examiners and mobile equipment operators looking for hazards above, below, in front, behind, and beside mobile equipment. MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid…
Read MoreVirginia Tech professor explains why rare earths are so vital
While rare earth elements are “essential ingredients for our modern lives,” up to 82% of rare earth elements are imported from other countries, notes Aaron Noble, Virginia Tech professor and head of the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering and interim head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Why are these rare earth elements so critical to modern…
Read MoreHudbay resumes Snow Lake operations
Canadian miner Hudbay Minerals has resumed operations in Snow Lake following the decision by the Manitoba Wildfire Service and the Town of Snow Lake to lift the mandatory wildfire evacuation order. “The emergency preparedness and extensive community response efforts were successful in safeguarding Hudbay’s surface infrastructure and facilities in Manitoba during the wildfires,” said John O’Shaughnessy, vice president of Hudbay’s…
Read MoreEquinox Gold advances Canadian operations, adds new leadership
Equinox Gold has provided an update on its cornerstone Canadian mining operations: the Valentine gold mine in Newfoundland & Labrador and the Greenstone gold mine in northern Ontario. “I am pleased to announce that our Valentine gold mine has begun processing ore through its 2.5-million-tonne-per-annum facility. We expect to pour first gold within the next month, marking another important milestone…
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