Moving tons through the Iron Ore Range

A look at the design and maintenance of mechanical conveyors for this vital 
American mining region. By Dan Baxter Several factors play into the safety, reliability, and maintenance requirements of mechanical conveying systems. And while all mining and mineral processing operations are more demanding of their mechanical conveying equipment, handling iron ore and taconite in the Iron Range requires special…

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MSHA issues multiple violations in January

The Mine Safety and Health Administration completed impact inspections at 15 mines in 10 states in January, issuing 188 violations. Since 2023, the agency has identified 2,927 violations, including 827 significant and substantial and 57 unwarrantable failure findings during its impact inspections. Of the violations MSHA identified in January, 63 were evaluated as S&S and one had unwarrantable failure findings.…

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United Coal bolsters mine rescue training at Virginia Tech

United Coal Company (UCC) has donated Biomarine mine rescue equipment to Virginia Tech’s Mine Engineering Department to help facilitate students’ development into proficient mining engineers. “The impact of this donation on the Virginia Tech Mine Engineering Department is expected to be profound, enhancing their ability to train and prepare for mine rescue operations,” said UCC officials.  “The equipment enables more…

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MSHA’s November impact inspections: 184 violations at 14 mines

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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First silica hearing held

Louisville Public Media reported in August details of the first Mine Safety and Health Administration hearing to gather comments on the recently proposed silica standards. The regulation would affect every mine, cement plant, and rock quarry in the country regardless of the material produced there. It would add protections for non-coal workers like requiring companies to offer free medical exams…

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MSHA 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,…

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It’s here! It’s finally here! MSHA’s proposed rule on silica exposure

By Willa B. Perlmutter Here’s a fun fact. Going back as early as 1998, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has promised the mining industry it would issue a rule that addresses workplace exposures to respirable crystalline silica at mine sites around the country. (By “rule,” I really mean “regulation.” In other words, a binding requirement issued under…

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Mine Safety LLC launches site to analyze MSHA data

Mine Safety LLC, a company that promotes mining safety through high-quality software tools and solutions, has launched “Mine Lookup,” an application to analyze Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) data in various ways. “I have been in the industry as a software engineer since 2007 and I have felt this information should be more accessible to miners and to mining…

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MSHA impact inspections catch 335 violations in April

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has reminded producers that mining in hot work areas during the summer can cause serious health issues for miners.  Everyone needs to recognize the hazards of heat stress and mine operators should provide heat-stress recognition training, monitoring and personal protective equipment. Symptoms of heat stress, the agency said, include: hot, usually dry, red…

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Women in Mining: WIM USA, MSHA sign alliance agreement

Women in Mining National (WIM USA) inked a historic agreement with the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration that both believe will change the face of mining by boosting mining safety and diversity. The pact, confirmed March 31, will provide WIM USA members, as well as the Education Foundation of WIM USA (WIMEF), with access to information, technical assistance, guidance…

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