Core Natural Resources said it is taking steps to temporarily seal the Leer South mine’s active longwall panel in order to extinguish isolated combustion-related activity. An underground fire broke out at the coal mine, located near Philippi, W.Va., on January 13. “On behalf of the Core management team, I want to commend Leer South personnel for their exceptional efforts in…
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Final rule on Black Lung Benefits Act released
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Worker’s Compensation Programs has issued a final rule revising the regulations under the Black Lung Benefits Act related to self-insurance by coal mine operators. Under the new standard, self-insured coal mine operators will be required to post adequate security for their Black Lung benefit liabilities. It also will protect the Black Lung Disability…
Read MoreFebruary impact inspections uncover 207 violations: MSHA
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) completed impact inspections at 13 mines in nine states in February, identifying 207 violations with 58 being classified as significant and substantial and two as unwarrantable failures. The agency completed the impact inspections at mines in Arizona, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington and West Virginia. “February’s impact inspections uncovered hazardous…
Read MoreArch Leer first to achieve Towards Sustainable Mining verification
Arch Resources’ Leer coal mine in West Virginia has achieved Level A verification for all protocols comprising the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative. Leer is the first mine of any type to achieve and verify this performance level through TSM’s new subscription program, which allows any mine anywhere in the world to implement this globally recognized sustainability initiative for the…
Read MoreMSHA impact inspections target 16 mines, yield 279 violations in May
MSHA completed impact inspections at 16 mines in May, issuing 279 violations and one safeguard. MSHA conducts impact inspections at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to poor compliance history; previous accidents, injuries and illnesses; and other compliance concerns. Among the violations, MSHA cited 83 significant and substantial violations. MSHA conducted inspections at mines in Colorado, Indiana,…
Read MoreMining PA conference just weeks away
Mine and plant operators, suppliers, government, professional group members and other industry advocates are all set to convene in just weeks at Mining PA, being hosted at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center from August 14-16. The event will begin with a reception beginning at 6 p.m. on August 14, and the opening session on health and safety will…
Read MoreNorth Antelope Rochelle partially operational after tornado
A total of six workers were hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries and asset damage is still being assessed at America’s largest producing coal mine, the North Antelope Rochelle (NARM) complex in Wyoming, after a tornado struck the property on June 23. A spokesperson for the mine’s owner, Peabody Energy, told Miners News and North American Mining magazine on Monday morning, June…
Read MoreReaching for the sky: DRONES IN MINING
Drones are becoming an increasingly common sight above mines around the world. North American Mining interviewed Jonathan Baucom of Vistra Corp., who has extensive experience planning and implementing mining drone operations. We also profile a number of drone solutions suppliers. by Jonathan Rowland Jonathan Baucom is a 15-year veteran of the U.S. mining industry. After studying mining and minerals engineering…
Read MoreTeck selling Quintette operation
Just days before Christmas, Teck Resources reportedly inked a deal with Conuma Resources to sell its closed Quintette coal mine in northeastern British Columbia, Canada for C$120 million. According to Canadian Press, the cash transaction also includes an ongoing 25% net profit interest royalty that will be payable once the buyer’s investment in the mine has been recovered. Conuma, a…
Read MoreCanada blocks Sukunka project
Glencore’s plan to develop the Sukunka steelmaking coal project in Western Canada has hit a major hurdle: the government’s rejection. “After careful deliberation, the Government of Canada has determined the significant adverse environmental effects of the proposed Sukunka coal mine project, an open-pit metallurgical coal mine located near Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, could not be mitigated,” the government said. Similarly,…
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