Blogs
West Virginia task force wants safer mines with “proximity detection” systems
The installation of “proximity detection” systems is being recommended to the underground coal mines in West Virginia by a state task force. After the approval, the recommendation will now be considered by the state Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety during a meeting that will happen this Thursday (3). The members of the West Virginia Mine Safety Technology Task Force voted
Geoprobe is revolutionizing the Yukon mineral exploration industry
A Canadian entrepreneur developed an innovative technology that is already being used in some mineral exploration camps in the Yukon territory, in the north of the country. The device is called Geoprobe and is basically a small, track-mounted hydraulic drill that gathers soil and rock-chip samples from the soil-bedrock interface on an exploration property. It does almost the same thing as
The five biggest mining fines of 2013
Table of Contents1. $1.68 billion2. $16 million3. $10 million4. $1.3 million5. $1 million From breaching environmental laws to violating safety rules, as well as “forgetting” about financial regulations, these mining bad boys have done almost all of it… just this year. Let’s take a look at the top five biggest mining penalties of 2013, all above the one-million-dollar mark. 1. $1.68 billion The
Deep sea mining is closer to spread across the world
Besides automation, the next big challenge faced by the mining industry is deep sea mining, that enigmatic activity. In the sea we are expecting to find a huge group of minerals like iron, copper, nickel, manganese, cobalt, gold and rare earths. However, “while some nations are sovereign to regulate seabed mining within their economic exclusive zones, the access to resources
General Electric creates powerful energy storage device with several benefits for the mining industry
The new Durathon Battery is General Electric’s (GE) most recent breakthrough. The energy storage technology promises to improve a lot in the mining field, for instance, by powering underground vehicles that transport mining materials. The best about it is that the system should help develop cleaner, faster and more efficient machinery for mining activities. According to GE, the companies who apply
What’s the next step for mining automation?
Table of Contents5. Remote control6. Energy management After driverless trucks or loading vehicles roaming underground tunnels operating by themselves within a laser defined area, what’s next in the mining automation field? According to Diego Areces, vice-president of mining solutions, minerals and metals at the company Schneider Electric, the next step is to change the reality of mining, trying to evolve and implement
First human colonies in space will be composed of mines, oil rigs and refineries
Imagine the first human colonies in space. The futurist Tom Cheesewright already did it and, according to him, these colonies will include little more than a few mines, oil rigs and manufacturing outposts to refine minerals. That being said, Cheesewright adds that asteroids are probably more likely to be the first “places” to receive long-term colonisation projects. The futurist’s company, called Book of
Mining and other industrial activities are destroying coral reefs and causing sea life extinction
A new research made by the University of Florida shows that modern species living in reef habitats that are quickly declining, like Australia’s Great Barrier, are likely to be at risk. The document reached this conclusion after several ancient crustaceans went extinct due to a massive collapse of coral reefs across the planet, showing a direct relation between the amount of prehistoric reefs
Flotation of Marmatite
The chemical formula for sphalerite and marmatite is (Zn,Fe)S not (ZnFeS2). The iron and solid solution are in a solid solution and marmatite (there is technically no mineral called marmatite) is referred to as the high iron variety of sphalerite http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/marmatite They have the same flotation properties and the high iron content makes the sphalerite almost black. Their was
Akoben initiative: EPA’s report distinguishes mining firms in Ghana for improved operations
Mining companies operating in Ghana have earned their right to some compliments: according to a report made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the firms have generally improved their operations in fields like respect towards mining laws and development of corporate social responsibilities. The document “Environmental Performance Rating and Disclosure ‘Akoben’ of Mining Companies”, regarding data from 2012, was made public
Papua New Guinea’s government opens new controversy regarding the Ok Tedi Mine
The controversial Ok Tedi copper and gold mine doesn’t belong anymore to BHP Billiton. Papua New Guinea’s government decided to whip full control of the pit from the hands of the company and put a stop to the legal immunity for environmental damage that BHP enjoyed. The change was announced this week, as Prime Minister Peter O’Neill gave the government total ownership of the
Technology will always need human workers to succeed in the mining industry
A “cultural change”: that’s what Mark Gelsomini, Dundee Precious Metals information technology director, says the mining industry needs to successfully introduce automation or robotics in mining activities. This change will be based on the buy-in of employees and will require a gradual and fully transparent introduction process so workers won’t feel alienated or threatened. Gelsomini talked during the fourth Global Mining
How an “old” space technology secret can make all the difference in a mine
Mining companies around the world are looking at a new type of product to boost safety levels in their mines and reduce the risk of explosions. No, it’s not a new device: it’s vintage space technology. A new solution to create more resistant computer screens was inspired by the old materials used in space missions. The problem is that beneath
Report on green mining highlights 47 projects and gives advice to industry stakeholders
A report recently published by the research and advisory firm Kachan & Co reveals that there are 47 new green mining technology breakthroughs that mining companies are adopting to save money and spare the environment. The document entitled “Emerging Green Mining Innovation” shows how a cottage industry of companies is starting to form to help the mining industry clean up after hundreds of years
Forbes’ list of 400 richest Americans only has two miners
Table of ContentsTor PetersonJim Justice II The new North-American list Forbes 400, recently published, reveals the names of the richest men in the country, but there are only two miners in this roster. Let’s know more about them. Tor Peterson The former Glencore executive Tor Peterson joined the mining company in 1992, after leaving the New York-based firm Phibro-Salomon, where
Visit mines around the world from home with Mining-Atlas.com
If there’s a website able to please people who are fascinated about the mining field it’s probably Mining-Atlas.com. This webpage allows you to visit several mines around the globe from the comfort of your sofa. With Mining Atlas you can discover more about several mines and industry projects, whether you are looking for gold, silver, platinum, copper, nickel, zinc, coal,
Albion VS Activox Comparison of Gold Refractory Process
Each of these Gold Refractory Process aim at the oxidation of sulphide minerals and utilizes a combination of fine grinding (3 to 9 microns) under mild conditions. Activox is a low temperature (90-100°C), low pressure (1000kPa) process. Albion is a low temperature (90-95°C), atmospheric pressure process. Albion’s reactor is not “just a tank”. It is specially design to optimize oxygen injection for
Manic Street Preachers perform on the centenary of UK’s worst ever mining disaster
The Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers will the the star of the ceremony that will mark the centenary of the Senghenydd coal mining disaster of October 14th, 1913. The accident – the worst in the history of the mining industry in the United Kingdom – killed 439 miners. The disaster was caused by an explosion that probably started due to the ignition of methane,
15 Insane mining accidents
From overturned trucks to huge fires, as well as crushed vehicles… Here’s a collection of some really mind boggling accidents that have occurred in the mining industry. Do you have the best gold mining equipment? 1. Dumper corner navigation fail Wrong turn, mate… And now what? 2. Just how did he loose a gear? Looks like this truck is not
Flotation Column Design
Here is a classic Flotation Column Design with air spargers, froth launders and wash water header/tub. Column Flotation Cells make great “grade machines” but are know as weak on recovery. Low energy, low recoveries at each end of the size particle spectrum.
A closer look to the Autonomous Haulage System used by Rio Tinto
Imagine if a 50-foot robot truck could take dangerous work away from human miners… That’s exactly what is happening in the mines operated by the major company Rio Tinto. In Australian pits, there’s a series of robotic trucks that load, haul and dump ore and waste rock at open pit mines, a job that used to be done by workers.
Mercury from illegal gold mining is poisoning Peruvian children
The rivers in Peru’s southeastern Amazon area are being poisoned by toxic levels of mercury coming from illegal gold miners. And the worst is that, according to a new study made by the Carnegie Amazon Mercury Project, this leakage is posing serious health risks to the local children. The report says that native communities are registering levels of mercury almost five times higher than
15 Awesome mining memes
Mining is definitely a serious business, but some of the people in the industry can still be funny. At Mining Examiner, we mind about the lighter side of the business, so here’s a list of the best mining-related memes. 1. Paradoxical activist Just to use in case of emergency… Is taking a picture of my veggie meal an emergency? I