In the very hours I write this column, the American mining community is marking Stand Down to Save Lives, an annual initiative called by federal regulators to bring attention to the need for eliminating safety and health hazards and mine sites. In its May 13 announcement of the May 22 effort MSHA noted that, at that time, 12 fewer miners had died in workplace accidents in 2024 versus May of last year. It goes without saying that just one fatality is too many. That statement makes the following question all the more alarming: Did you know that the U.S. mining industry has had seven deaths as of ..read more

US Critical Materials has entered a strategic exploration alliance with VerAI Discoveries, an AI-powered mineral discovery generator focused on uncovering essential critical minerals for the sustainable future.  The AI Targeting Platform technology will allow US Critical Materials to detect minerals under covered terrain and to minimize surface disturbances at its Sheep Creek rare earth properties in Montana. US Critical Materials said it intends to use the technology to set new industry standards for environmentally conscious mineral exploration activities. “Our focus on environmentall ..read more

A fire raged through the OMNIS Bailey coal waste refinery in West Finley Township, Pa., on May 20, reported local media. No injuries were sustained, but the fire did cause a partial collapse of the plant. As of now, the origins of the fire are unknown. The refinery is located on Consol Energy’s Pennsylvania Mine Complex near its Bailey coal prep plant. It was used to convert waste coal into products, including fertilizer.  The three-story building is a likely loss, said Richard Policz, director of Greene County emergency service.  “This incident has no direct impact to Consol’s mini ..read more

MSHA reported that on May 8, a miner at U.S. Aggregates’ Flat Rock Plant, Shelby County, Ind., was electrocuted while unloading a roll of belt from a trailer. The miner was performing rigging duties when the crane boom contacted an overhead high-voltage powerline. This is the fifth fatality reported in 2024, and the first classified as “Electrical.” MSHA recommends the following best practices to avoid this type of accident: Ensure that booms or masts of equipment are not operated within 10 ft. of any energized overhead powerline. Designate one person on the ground, located in a saf ..read more

Sandstorm Gold has confirmed the first gold pour by Equinox Gold at the Greenstone mine near Geraldton, Ontario, Canada. Executive Nolan Watson said the inaugural gold pour was achieved on schedule, producing 1,800 ounces of gold from the full recovery circuit. Equinox announced last month that ore had been introduced into the grinding circuit, and more than 1.5 million tonnes of ore had been stockpiled for commissioning. Progressively higher-grade ore will now be fed into the mill as production ramps up toward planned throughput of 27,000 tonnes per day. Commercial production is targeted for ..read more

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) completed impact inspections at 15 mines in 11 states in April, issuing 247 violations and two safeguards. Out of these violations, 67 were considered significant and substantial. “April’s impact inspections found serious conditions that placed miners at risk of slip, trip and fall and powered haulage hazards,” said Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson. “More than half of the fatal accidents so far this year have involved powered haulage. Mine operators, contractors and miners need to remain vigilan ..read more

The National Mining Association (NMA) issued the following statement from Rich Nolan, NMA president and CEO, on the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s decision to ban new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin, which is located in northeast Wyoming and southeast Montana.. “At a time of deteriorating grid reliability, soaring electricity demand and ongoing concern about global energy shocks, proposing a plan of no new coal leasing in the Powder River Basin is outrageous. This damages American energy security and affordability and is a severe economic blow to mining states and communities. The NM ..read more

Epiroc has opened the doors to its new Surface Mining Competency Center in Tucson, Ariz., which the OEM is calling a significant strategic advancement. The new Epiroc USA facility features a 28,000-square-foot rebuild center and is set to support regional surface customers via aftermarket support, training and specialized technical assistance as well. Services offered include a range stemming from machinery remanufacturing to planned component replacement programs, streamlined logistics and distribution for machine parts and consumables. “With four rebuild bays capable to accommodate four Pit ..read more

Image by Freepik Ivanhoe Electric has announced a multi-year commitment for a $150,000 contribution to the Native American Mining and Energy Sovereignty (NAMES) initiative, part of the Payne Institute for Public Policy at Colorado School of Mines. “We are thrilled to embark on this partnership with Colorado School of Mines’ Payne Institute to support the NAMES Initiative and its vital mission of empowering Tribal communities and creating opportunities in the mining sector,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Taylor Melvin. “Our sponsorship reflects Ivanhoe Electric’s commitment to pr ..read more

MSHA Assistant Secretary Chris Williamson has penned the following open letter to the mining community. Dear Members of the Mining Community: Last year, as the mining industry experienced a troubling increase in fatal accidents, I asked the mining community to join the Mine Safety and Health Administration in identifying and eliminating safety and health hazards that can cost miners their lives. As part of this effort, MSHA announced our first annual “Stand Down to Save Lives” and invited the mining community to join us in prioritizing miners’ safety and health. This year “Stand Down to Save ..read more