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CAT
LOOKS AT THE AUTOMATED AGGREGATE OPERATION
A Ford Hybrid Escape and
a Chevrolet Tahoe hardly seem the key to the future of
mining and aggregate operations, but they are definitely
giving us a taste of the future. These two cars,
“Boss” and “Odin” are automated vehicles that
are using the equipment and software that may make the
mine of the future less labor intensive. |
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JUSTIFYING
ECO-TERRORISM
A recent court case in
Great Britain should worry the mining industry. An
English jury decided that the threat of global warming
is so great that campaigners were justified in causing
more than $50,000 worth of damage to a coal-fired power
station. The six defendants, who were members of
Greenpeace had used the "lawful excuse" under
the Criminal Damage Act 1971 allows damage to be caused
to property to prevent even greater damage – such as
breaking down the door of a burning house to tackle a
fire.
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October/November 2008 Articles |
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MINING
WINS IN ALASKA: THE INITIATIVE PROCESS SUFFERS A GRUELING TEST
Alaska’s state history may be short, but its
contributions to the collective whole of this country are solid and worthy of
both legend (thank you, Robert Service) and our present turbulent, teeth
gnashing, “rock’m, sock ‘m” political climate (thank, you, Gov. Sarah.)
Critical, trend-setting mining issues also merit special attention as Alaskan
voters recently soundly defeated a statewide ballot initiative which could have
set a negative precedent in the mining industry. Billed as a “clean water
act,” “Four” (Initiative 4 on the ballot) would have added numerous
excessive permitting requirements aimed at areas already extensively covered by
both State and Federal regulations.
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SHINDAIWA ARTICLE - Construction
Meets Remote Mining Needs
Mines rarely open up next to major population centers, so usually at some point
or another the mining operation has to consider bringing in mobile power
systems; either to provide power until the mine is hooked up to the power grid
or for longer periods of time because the cost of running power lines is
prohibitive.
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International
Commentary
The coal market is currently tighter than ever and there
are two main factors that suggest this trend will
continue. Long considered a
reliable and relatively inexpensive source of energy,
coal is suddenly now in short supply. Rising demand for
energy and infrastructure problems in major exporting
countries should keep the market very tight. One can
reasonably expect steam coal prices to be well supported
by increasing demand.
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CANADIAN
STOCK EXHANGE-DO
YOU JUMP SHIP OR STAY ON BOARD?
The Stone Age did not
come to an end because the earth ran out of stones, and
the oil age, when we run out of oil, will not see the
energy age terminated because we will find alternate
sources of energy to replace oil and gas. The current
financial crisis facing the US and affecting our nation
and others will not see the downfall of stock markets
because a solution will be found, although not overly
apparent at the moment.
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SUNCOR
TAPS CANADIAN OIL SANDS
Rick George, President
and CEO of Suncor Energy often tells people that in
1951, Time Magazine called the province of
Alberta, the "Texas of the North.” Unlike Texas
though, Alberta’s petroleum will be mined, not pumped.
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CLASSICS
OF ENVIRONMENTAL RECLAMATION
Despite public
perceptions, over the last few decades the mining
industry has often engaged in reclamation work that has
gone beyond government regulations. Some mines have
teamed up with sportsmen to improve game fishing. Others
have taken the lead in repairing centuries-old
environmental damage, protecting historical landmarks,
and studying endangered species.
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BRITISH
TECHNOLOGY SPARKED WESTERN MINING BOOM
British money and
technology was critical to the growth of the American
West’s mining boom in the late 1800s. Eastern
investors, who would normally be the source for
investment capital, were avoiding mining and put their
money into railroads. Consequently, Western miners came
to rely upon British investors, who had the wealth of an
empire behind them, as well as the latest mining
technology. It was a good match.
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Mining
Affairs Forum September 20, 2008
Most everyone who
reads this column knows that gasoline and diesel fuel
are hydrocarbons. This name gives us a great clue as to
how to convert coal to liquid fuel: combine hydrogen and
carbon. Hydrocarbon fuels are designated by the number
of carbon atoms in their molecules. This is why octane
is the optimum for standard engines and cetane for
dieself engine fuel. And I could go on with a science
class about all this, but I think most readers would
turn the page!
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HEAT
EXHAUSTION NOT JUST A SUMMER PROBLEM
Don’t underestimate
heat exhaustion problems during the fall, spring, and
winter. The temperatures may be lower, but the threat
still remains. Although we
don’t think about heat exhaustion during non-summer
months, there are two major factors that can cause
problems even in the winter.
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Software
Article
MineExpo held in Las
Vegas during September 2008 is devoted heavily to
equipment and mining supplies. However, among all the
400T trucks (computer controlled), drills, cranes, and
ergonomic dragline operator seats were a selection of
software companies and Internet resources that continue
to help mining companies improve information flow and
productivity. Listed below are a few of the products now
available. |
