The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration completed impact inspections at 14 mines in 10 states in November 2023, issuing 184 violations and one safeguard. The agency began impact inspections after an April 2010 explosion in West Virginia at the Upper Big Branch Mine killed 29 miners. To date, MSHA’s impact inspections in 2023 have identified 2,491…
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MSHA reports 37th fatality of 2023
MSHA reported that on Nov.13, a pit wall at Wrens Plant, Jefferson, Ga., collapsed engulfing an excavator operator while he was outside of the excavator. This is the 37th fatality reported in 2023, and the first classified as “Fall of Face, Rib, Side or Highwall.” MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident:
Read MoreEpiroc opens National Competency Center for underground mining in Nevada
Epiroc announced the formal opening and commencement of operations at its National Competency Center in Elko, Nev. This state-of-the-art facility, located at 403 West Idaho Street, marks a significant strategic achievement for Epiroc USA, enhancing support for mining and exploration customers and providing a solid platform for business growth. Jon Torpy, president and general manager of Epiroc USA, expressed the…
Read MoreNew WV mine rescue, examiner rules effective Jan. 10
The West Virginia Coal Association and state regulators have confirmed the new set of rules that will dictate age requirements for new mine rescue team members and new outlines for mine examinations are coming into effect on January 10. The newly promulgated rules and regulations addressing the age of new mine rescue members are under Title 49, Series 4, and…
Read MoreSouth32 Hermosa continues trek forward
South32 has issued an update to its Hermosa zinc project in Arizona, confirming that it continues to advance its construction and development work ahead of a final investment decision during the March 2024 quarter. The miner said the feasibility study and an independent peer review for the Taylor deposit at Hermosa is on track for completion by the end of…
Read MoreMSHA announces mobile equipment rule
The U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule from its Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to help protect miners from accidents, injuries and fatalities related to surface mobile equipment. The rule requires mine operators to have written safety programs for surface mobile equipment – excluding belt conveyors – at surface mines and underground mines’ surface areas. The programs…
Read MoreMoon metal manufacturing researchers earn NASA honor
A group of students and instructors from across multiple disciplines from the Missouri University of Science and Technology (S&T) were selected as one of seven finalists in NASA’s 2023 Breakthrough, Innovative, and Game-Changing Idea (BIG Idea) Challenge: Lunar Forge. The S&T moon metal work began in fall 2022, when the team submitted a proposal to NASA for the contest. In spring…
Read MoreAlabama longwall mine recipient of new roof supports
A cooperative deal between Komatsu, Becker-Warkop and Hydrotech has resulted in the delivery of 385 new longwall-powered roof supports to an Alabama operation. The new supports, according to Komatsu, include Joy’s Faceboos RS20 support controls. While the trio did not confirm the identity of the recipient mines, they did collectively confirm that the first face began operation in July and…
Read MoreCoal companies sue Alberta over policy changes
Five companies are suing Alberta for a combined C$10.8 billion, claiming the government’s coal policy reforms have made mining nearly impossible – costing them billions in lost investment and potential revenues, reported The Globe and Mail.
Read MoreKennecott moves to renewable diesel
Rio Tinto said it will transition its fleet of 90 haul trucks and all heavy machinery to renewable diesel at its Kennecott copper operation in Utah next year. The decision comes after a successful seven-month trial at Kennecott’s Bingham Canyon mine. “Transitioning Kennecott completely to renewable diesel builds on a suite of decarbonization initiatives that have reduced carbon emissions from…
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