The company Sandvik Mining has announced the launching of a new Pantera percussive drill platform. The device – able to deliver increased drilling capacity, lower fuel consumption and higher safety levels – was specifically designed for mining and is available for both DTH (down-the-hole) and TH (top hammer) applications. Pantera’s new range has been developed with autonomous technologies … Read more
Nigeria’s ban on child labour is not working out as the authorities expected, since thousands of poor children keep being exploited by mine owners and gold dealers in the country. The African nation approved the regulation more than a decade ago, but the International Labour Organisation assures there are still 15 million children working in … Read more
The Solomon Hub Kings iron mine, located in the Australian region Pilbara and managed by the company Fortescue Metals Group, has a new fleet of autonomous trucks installed by Caterpillar. The two companies signed a deal back in July, which included the complete MineStar technology suite, in order to modernize the operation. At the time, Caterpillar’s vice president, Chris Curfman, … Read more
Environmental groups keep fighting the mining activity in the Tarkine region of Tasmania, in Australia, where the fauna and flora are being affected. The organizations claim the government has failed to properly consider the impact of mining on species like the Tasmanian devil. The group Save the Tarkine is challenging the authorities’ approval given to Venture Minerals’ project, which … Read more
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 … Read more
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 company MMX Mineração e Metálicos … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 these technologies. … Read more
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 … Read more