MSHA issues alert on tire explosion during equipment fire

MSHA reported that on June 14, one firefighter died, and another was injured at Robar Enterprises Inc., Los Angeles, when a front-end loader tire exploded while firefighters fought an equipment fire. MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident. In the event of a possible or actual fire (e.g., odor, heat, smoke, flames):

Read More

ABB pioneers workforce development program in collaboration with Arkansas Tech

ABB is equipping the next generation of professionals for advanced technology manufacturing by partnering with Arkansas Tech University’s Ozark campus to launch a career-readiness program. This collaborative workforce development initiative will offer a curriculum focused on automation technology, air conditioning and refrigeration. ABB’s Ozark motor manufacturing facility, the region’s third-largest employer with more than 250 employees, is a leading economic…

Read More

BHP, Escondida union reach deal

The union at Chile’s Escondida copper mine has signed a three-year deal with BHP, ending a strike that could have threatened global supplies of the metal, reported Reuters. The agreement included changes in labour conditions such as “initiatives to optimize shift changes, increase equipment utilization and compliance with the 40-hour law,” BHP said in a statement. The mine’s union had…

Read More

Fabrum unveils liquid hydrogen plant at Fortescue site

New Zealand-based Fabrum has collaborated with Fortescue on the design, build and commissioning of Australia’s largest liquid hydrogen plant at a mine site. The plant is now operational at Fortescue’s Green Energy Hub at Christmas Creek in Western Australia. “Hydrogen and fuels made using renewable energy will have a role to play in decarbonising mining, whether it’s in buses, heavy…

Read More

BMA going all electric in Australia

The assets of BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) will be the first Australian operations across the miners portfolio to run under renewable power arrangements for 100% of their electricity needs, BHP has confirmed. The move comes with the signing of a new power purchase agreement (PPA) for BMA’s Queensland operations. Specifically, the company arm has entered a new seven-year PPA commencing…

Read More

XCMG signs Simfer deal for Simandou

China’s Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group (XCMG) entered an agreement with Rio Tinto’s Simfer to supply equipment for its Simandou iron ore project in Guinea, according to a Reuters report. XCMG, headquartered in Xuzhou city, will provide core mining equipment with a total value of about 800 million yuan, or US$111.91 million. The fleet includes dozens of 230-metric ton mining trucks,…

Read More

Rumors of merger untrue: Metso

Metso has denied recent reports of a merger between it and the mining business of Sandvik, releasing a statement confirming its position on August 19. The initial report alleging a tie-in between it and the Swedish equipment producer came from Swedish news outlet Dagens Industri. “Market rumors have been made public regarding Metso and Swedish Sandvik’s mining business. Metso has…

Read More