Mining’s hidden helpers

The unsung heroes of underground mining are not the giant machines, but the humble utility vehicles that transport personnel, equipment, and supplies to the farthest reaches of the mine, thereby keeping the mine operations run smoothly and efficiently. by Harshvardhan Singh In underground mining, efficient and safe transportation of people, materials, and equipment is critical to operational success. Traditional methods,…

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Kovatera gains trademark status

Canadian manufacturer Kovatera said it is officially a registered trademark. The milestone marks an important step in its journey of growth and value creation. “From now on, you’ll see our logo proudly wearing the ® symbol – a symbol of our commitment to innovation, trust, and delivering exceptional solutions to our customers,” the company said in a LinkedIn post. “But…

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Micromine revolutionizes underground mine planning

Micromine has officially launched Micromine Advance, the first and only mine planning solution built specifically for underground metals. Developed through extensive research, real-world testing, and collaboration with underground mining professionals, Micromine Advance is purpose-built to model underground environments with unmatched precision. “Micromine Advance is more than just a new product; it’s a revolutionary leap in underground mine planning,” said Andrew…

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MSHA reports 24th fatality of 2024

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has reported that a miner has died from injuries sustained while realigning some longwall shields at Arch Resources’ underground Leer mine complex in West Virginia. The 34-year-old miner, who had 14 years of mining experience, was initially injured on September 28 when the hook and strap assembly broke while attached to two longwall…

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Voisey’s Bay is now mining underground

Vale has completed construction and commissioning of the Voisey’s Bay mine expansion project, transitioning the Canadian nickel mine from open pit to underground mining.  The project involved the development of two underground mines – Reid Brook and Eastern Deeps – which will deliver ore for processing at the company’s Long Harbour, Newfoundland, refinery. Vale said full ramp-up is expected by…

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Immersive Technologies launches ‘world first’ underground simulator tech

The Immersive Technologies IM360+ was recently unveiled for the first time publicly at MINExpo International 2024, along with never-before-seen visual system innovations to drive value for underground miners. This solution is designed for underground miners, who often face unique challenges in equipment operator training, the company said, and was equipped to combine stereoscopic 3D, photo-realistic graphics and RealView head tracking…

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Notes on underground mine safety

North American Mining takes a short walk through some recent topics in underground mine safety. By Jonathan Rowland Recent mining fatalities in the U.S. mining industry have involved vehicle collisions, electrocutions, falls, equipment rollovers, and drowning. Although fewer in number thus far this year compared to the same time last year, “fatalities, injuries, and illnesses are preventable, and one fatality…

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

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…

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DSI Underground rebrands as Sandvik 

DSI Underground has officially rebranded as Sandvik, solidifying a unification of the industry’s leading full-service, end-to-end provider of equipment and consumables to underground mining and tunneling. Sandvik announced in December 2020 that it would acquire DSI Underground, and the acquisition was completed in July 2021. Today’s milestone reinforces Sandvik’s ability to drive safety and productivity across the full underground cycle.…

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