Miner Safety Underground and Open-pit

One of the challenges to increasing production at a high rate are the needed resources. Over the past century of grand-scale mining, the amounts of energy and water required to work the same quantities of rock have risen more than tenfold as the ores within have become more and more elusive. Mines are facing stark costs if they do not improve the efficiency of their mining. For example, companies experiment with processes that tolerate larger particles and therefore allow drier separation. Because crushing to a larger size, less energy is needed and more throughput is generated. This decreases operating costs significantly. Additionally, operators are recycling "left-overs" and extracting precious materials even more effectively than from the original site. Muda (wastefulness) in the past offers now great potential for improvement.

Mining operations demand long-term and substantial investments, and turning a mine into a profitable business is a challenging, ongoing project. Strategic and operational answers will decide if success is feasible. Industry experts often claim that mining safety and productivity correlate and influence each other. For further reading, learn about underground safety and lone worker's safety.

So, how can we achieve mining targets in a safe, timely and cost-effectively? If we want to exploit the full potential of our mining investment, we should investigate the idea of risk management.

The mining industry is undergoing a digital transformation by incorporating advanced technologies and data-driven processes to enhance operational efficiency, safety, sustainability, and decision-making. This includes the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, automation, and robotics to optimise various aspects of the mining value chain. 

In this article, we enclose in which areas the implementation of digital solutions brings added value to mining risk management and operations.

In the fast-evolving world of mining, ensuring safety remains a paramount concern. Our expert, Geir Nerbø, VP of Sales for Safe Mining, shares his insights after attending various industry fairs and conferences across three continents. As the industry rebounds from pandemic challenges, there is a renewed focus on meeting ESG expectations and transitioning towards low-carbon value chains. While geopolitical risks and inflationary pressures hinder some investments, the mining industry is steadfastly moving towards sustainability. In this article, we explore the current state of mining safety topics and trends, shedding light on the industry's progress and challenges.

Digging up resources has always been a big part of America's growth story. It's deeply connected to what the United States of America as a nation are, going back to very early industrial days. Prior to the rise of towering cityscapes and expansive rail connections, the terrain concealed precious bounties that represented aspirations, chances, and at times, challenging truths. From the dawn of the indigenous era, where mineral extraction played a critical role in socio-economic dynamics, to the frenzied rushes of the 19th century that transformed territories into thriving states, mining in the US has been a saga of discovery, ambition, and revolution. In this article, we will go through the milestones of mining in the new world.

Imagine standing on the edge of a bustling gold mine in the late 1800s, feeling the excitement and the promise of fortune. From those early days in the Wild West to the tech-driven mines of today, America's relationship with mining is as deep and complex as the tunnels that crisscross beneath its soil. Since 1875, mining has unearthed more than just minerals - it's revealed stories of grit, innovation, economic highs and lows, and environmental debates. Interested in the history of mining in the United States? Then let's go!

The story of the California Gold Rush isn't just about gold. It's a tale of adventure, ambition, and immense societal transformation. Many people flooded the western shores of America with dreams of prosperity; they brought challenges, change, and conflict as well. As a result of James W. Marshall's gold discovery at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California in 1848, one of the largest mass migrations in U.S. history began.

The world’s major mining companies are faced with the need to discover a fresh recipe for success. The era of critical minerals has dawned upon us, marking the most significant transformation the industry has experienced in decades. Miners can no longer rely on outdated strategies and portfolios to generate value in this newly dynamic and fiercely competitive environment. Mining CEOs are well aware of this fact: according to PwC’s 26th Annual Global CEO Survey, 41% of respondents believe that their companies will not remain economically viable in ten years if they continue on their current trajectory. Consequently, the era of critical minerals demands a complete reinvention of the mining industry. So how to stay relevant in business and grow productivity then?

As humans began to dig into the Earth in search of valuable materials way back when mining was an indispensable activity. It powered the Bronze Age, brought prosperity during the Gold Rush, and led to industrialization. With mining, cities have grown, economies have flourished, empires have risen and fallen, and history has been shaped by mining. Historically, miners have been forced to contend with both the challenges of mining deep in the Earth's core and the lack of adequate safety standards.

Covering zones means monitoring the access to zones. Let's say you have ten sub-levels of each 1 km length. Instead of putting fibre and WiFi routers along 10km underground tracks, you only add reading devices at every sub-level entrance. By this, you will always know how many people entered, are still in a specific zone or left it. Workers equipped with transponders enable the system to locate them continuously and increase miner safety. In case of an emergency, the rescue coordinator can immediately identify people in a zone at risk and act accordingly.

RFID technology is used in various ways in the mining industry to improve efficiency and profits. One way RFID is used is to track the location of equipment. This helps to reduce delays caused by human error, as well as optimize activities for greater profit. Another way RFID is used in the mining industry is to track the status of maintenance and repairs. This allows mining companies to schedule downtime better and avoid costly delays. Finally, RFID is also used to monitor safety conditions in mines to ensure that miners are working in safe conditions and can quickly respond to any potential hazards. Overall, RFID technology is a valuable tool for the mining industry as for miner safety.

Imagine, it is Thursday afternoon and you send a person out to perform a routine check in a hazardous area. The person checks his PPE, prepares his tools and walks to the specific area.

On site, his personal gas monitor alerts him to high levels of dangerous gases. He should call for backup, but it could be another hour before an assistance can get to the location. He knows this situation, it has happened before, so he thinks he can manage to do the routine check quickly and get out there in a few minutes. He mutes the alarm on his monitor entering the area, starts his routine checks and is overcome by the gases.

Lone worker tracking solutions come in various forms, but all usually include some form of tracking device that the employee wears while working. The device then communicates with a central server, which the employer or emergency services can access. In the event of an emergency, the employee can activate a panic button on the device, which will send an alert to the server. Much better, the device recognizes potentially threatening situations and alerts safety coordinators to trigger a rescue operation. The employer or emergency services can then track the employee's location and respond accordingly.

Mines can be an extremely unsafe environment with possibilities of collapsing, explosion, flooding, fire, and machinery accidents which can instantly affect a huge number of people. Workers might also be exposed to hazardous gases and dust, which can lead to many diseases. 

Learn in this article about mining technology, safety systems and devices that improve and maintain safety standards in the mining industry.

Investing in mine safety equipment during blasting operations is a win-win situation for both the workers and the mining operations, leading to improved profitability and sustainable growth. In this article, find out more about which safety measures can enhance profitability during blasting.

Learn about the latest mining industry trends in our extensive overview as we take you on a journey through the sector's transformational dance with cost control, ESG considerations, geopolitics, climate change, technology adoption, and workforce development. This insightful dive reveals how these intertwined elements are orchestrating a new era in the mining industry. Experience the rhythm of change in the mining sector and uncover how to strategise for a profitable, sustainable, and digital future. 

As the world becomes faster and faster, the impact of the digital age cannot be ignored. Mining, a history of hard work and manual labour, has been synonymous with the advent of the digital age for centuries. All industries around the world have been forced to adapt and innovate. However, the dawn of the digital age has brought about a remarkable change in how mines operate.

As more and more mines embrace technology, they have expanded their exploration and production practices, as well as their supply chain management and safety protocols. So how to become a mine 4.0?

As a centralised institution, the state-of-the-art control centre is where all aspects of the mining operation can be monitored and controlled. These expectations can be achieved by visualisation of all operations, including production, plant and logistics, and creates a highly efficient, automated, low-cost, and, most importantly, safe operation.

The capabilities built into the control centre include mine planning, production scheduling, fixed plant management, safety management, monitoring miners and production, control, backfill management, breakdown and planned maintenance management, processing and remote operations and analytics.

The Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006 amended the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to allow greater protection for underground (coal) miners and enhance emergency preparedness.

It mandated mine operators to develop emergency response plans, guarantee that rescue teams were nearby, and maintain communications and tracking systems for use in a crisis. In addition, it also boosted mine safety training and research.

The mining accident of 2010 in Copiapó was a turning point in the way how mines are run, particularly in Chile, generally in South America. 33 miners were rescued after spending more than two months underground.

In this article, we illustrate the current state of mining in South America and how multiple accidents in the 21st century have changed the perception of safety. In addition, we show what measures were implemented to improve safety standards in the region.

Mining operations are inherently challenging and potentially hazardous environments. However, by prioritizing safety and implementing thoughtful design principles, mines can be made safer and more attractive for workers. In this article, we will explore key considerations and strategies for designing a mine that ensures miner safety while maintaining an appealing working environment.