How do you use drones and robots to make underground mining less risky for workers? Virginia Tech researcher Richard Bishop and his West Virginia University collaborators are working to answer this question. A recent two-year, $569,149 Alpha Foundation grant will allow the team to study ways to use autonomous drones to predict and prevent roof collapses underground. Full story.
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Sigma Lithium has received payment on its first shipment of green tailings under a three-year environmental offtake agreement with Chinese firm Yahua, one of the largest lithium chemical refiners for electric vehicles in the world. Full story.
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The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has reported that on May 2, a miner at Plant 280, Brookings, S.D., died when he was struck by a mobile radial stacker conveyor. Full story.
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Canadian precious metals miner Fortuna Silver has confirmed the pouring of first gold at its Séguéla operation in Côte d’Ivoire. The milestone was celebrated 24 May, and the operation is now transitioning from commissioning to its ramp-up phase – and has the distinction of being Fortuna’s fifth operating mine. CEO Jorge Ganoza said the mine’s team, which “performed phenomenally” was…
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BHP and Microsoft have teamed up to improve the performance of the concentrator at the Escondida operation in Chile using advanced digital technology. The companies hope to boost copper recovery at the world’s largest copper mine. BHP Chief Technical Officer Laura Tyler said by augmenting digital technology capabilities with new ways of working, the team at Escondida is well-positioned to…
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Calibre Mining’s Eastern Borosi gold mine, which officially came online in early April, has now kicked off ore deliveries from the operation to its Libertad mill. Deliveries began this month, president and CEO Darren Hall said, noting that it helped to transition the complex from an exploration district to an exploration centre. “I am very pleased with the progress made,”…
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With a mutual eye on decarbonization, Flanders and MES have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to team on deploying dual-fuel technology for mining trucks. The pair said earlier this month that the agreement will serve as a platform to advance aftermarket dual fuel technology consisting of natural gas and diesel for diesel engine haul trucks to reduce carbon emissions…
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Deep Automation is Epiroc’s cutting-edge set of automation systems and applications used to orchestrate loaders and trucks in underground mining operations. Developed with interoperability in mind, customers can take control of safety zones, production assignments and autonomous traffic in real time – boosting safety, consistency and productivity. Epiroc has a long history of developing and implementing automation solutions in mines…
Read MoreXylem has completed its acquisition of Evoqua Water Technologies, a provider of mission-critical water treatment solutions and services, in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $7.5 billion. Headquartered in Washington, D.C. the combined company becomes the world’s largest pure-play water technology company. “Global awareness of water as a systemic risk to society has never been greater. Investment in water solutions…
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Sandvik has introduced a higher-capacity battery for its battery-electric vehicle (BEV) loaders and trucks that delivers 36% more energy in the same envelope and is ideal for underground mining. Featuring the same less volatile lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry ideal for underground mining, the new battery is a leap forward in safety, reliability and performance. In addition to 36% longer…
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