Environmental Protection Agency - North American Mining Magazine

Navigating the regulatory landscape: Compliance and challenges for U.S. underground miningNavigating the regulatory landscape:

October 9, 2024October 9, 2024 NAM Staff

Kennametal has a consistent focus on customer’s sites and their operations-particularly changing underground regulations and how the costs of doing business changes in parallel. Underground mining procedures in the United States are filled with federal and state regulations to ensure safety, environmental protection, and fair labor practices. These highly complex regulations build a framework governing underground mining operations and significantly…

EMA applauds hardrock cleanup act

September 19, 2024September 19, 2024 NAM Staff

The Essential Minerals Association (EMA) applauded the efforts of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for passing the “Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act,” which would create a pilot permitting program under the Environmental Protection Agency to allow cleanup projects on federal lands to move forward more easily in an effort to improve water quality in and around…

NMA urges caution on energy transition

March 6, 2024July 31, 2024 NAM Staff

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…

Supreme Court rejects Pebble Mine case

January 9, 2024January 9, 2024 NAM Staff

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a case by Alaska to revive a proposed copper and gold mine in the state’s Bristol Bay region, reported the Associated Press. The Environmental Protection Agency rejected the mine proposal last year citing potential impacts on the aquatic ecosystem. The news wire said the justices did not give an explanation for turning…

CREATING AN EFFECTIVE DUST MANAGEMENT PLAN

November 27, 2023November 27, 2023 Michael Kelley

When it comes to DMPs, what works for one mine or quarry might not apply to another – but there are ways for any operation to ensure success. By Michael Kelley, president, BossTek A dust management plan (DMP) is very specific to the industry and application. For example, one site’s needs may look vastly different from that of a port.…

MS&T researchers get EPA grant for environmental research

November 16, 2023November 16, 2023 NAM Staff

Researchers at the Missouri University of Science and Technology have been awarded more than $850,000 for work on pollution and waste related to pollution and critical mineral mining in Alaska and Missouri. The Pollution Prevention (P2) grant is from the Environmental Protection Agency, developed after the Energy Act of 2020 defined critical minerals as non-fuel minerals vital to the economic…

EPA announces revised WOTUS rule

August 30, 2023August 30, 2023 NAM Staff

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule in response to a May Supreme Court ruling that curtailed which waters are subject to federal Clean Water Act protections. The revised WOTUS rule breaks from longstanding federal waters protections to require that protected wetlands have a clearer link to waterways like oceans and rivers. …

EPA fines Hecla mine for hazardous waste mishandling

June 20, 2023June 20, 2023 NAM Staff

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it fined Hecla Mining’s Greens Creek mine $143,124 for violating hazardous waste management and disposal requirements under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. “EPA continues to hold mining companies accountable for hazardous waste disposal practices,” said EPA Region 10 Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Director Ed Kowalski. “The company operates in a relatively…

Equity core to IDWIM 2023

May 16, 2023May 16, 2023 Donna Schmidt

The worldwide recognition of diversity, equity and inclusion is entering its second year with a growing force. By Donna Schmidt After a successful launch in 2022, The International Day of Women in Mining (IDWIM) is returning in June with the theme “Equity in mining is everyone’s responsibility.” IDWIM, marked on June 15, is a global celebration of the achievements for…

Rio Tinto testing renewable diesel at U.S. ops

January 16, 2023January 16, 2023 NAM Staff

Another decarbonization step is being taken, this time by Rio Tinto at its United States operations: the operator is planning to swap out its conventional diesel fuel for renewable fuel across its haul truck fleet. The miner has already wrapped up a trial of renewable diesel at its U.S. Borax mine in Boron, Calif., and is conducting a second trial…