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By Robert J. Gorney

This paper deals with the actual application of a direct digital control to simple as well as complex industrial process control loops, Fundamental descriptions of preliminary research and design are described briefly, as is the development of the present day controller and control computer. The results and effects of direct digital control in various types of single and cascaded loops as opposed to the use of conventional controls are discussed. Computer supervision of a process and control override are taken into account, in addition to methods of short and long term plant economic optimization.

Jan 1, 1965

By Quansheng Li

Large-scale coal mining will cause environmental problems such as aquifer damage, land excavation and occupation, soil erosion, vegetation damage, and regional landscape damage. The existing coal mine environmental restoration technology is relatively simple, and there is a lack of systematic research on environmental total factors. Based on the mechanism of coal mining damage and the laws of environmental natural succession, the concept of “coal environmental protection mining” is proposed, which combines damage reduction mining and environmental element system restoration. In accordance with the environmental protection principle of “source protection, process damage reduction, and systematic restoration,” a technical system of “coal environmental protection mining” is constructed for the two types of mining damage scenarios: underground mining and open-pit mining. In view of the damage characteristics of underground mining, source environmental protection technology based on optimization of mining process parameters, stability maintenance and damage reduction technology for overlying rock bearing arch shell structure, zoning and time-sharing treatment of surface cracks, and direct drainage irrigation technology for mine water have developed. In accordance with the damage characteristics caused by open-pit mining, land-saving and source reduction damage technology, near-natural stratigraphic reconstruction, topsoil improvement, and environmental storage and utilization technologies for seasonal precipitation have developed. By applying the technology in this paper, the maximum surface settlement value of 12401 working face in Shangwan coal mine was relatively reduced by 25%, the surface cracks have been adjusted from step-type cracks to dynamic small cracks, and since the technical implementation of the Shendong mining area in 2010, the vegetation coverage has increased loss and crushing decreased by 0.06 km2 every year, the environmental restoration period of the dump site was advanced by more than one year, and the vegetation coverage rate increased by 41.78% compared with the background value in the semi-arid area of the victory open-pit coal mine demonstration area. A surface reservoir with a water storage capacity of 400,000 cubic meters has been built, and the seasonal and graded utilization of mine water has been realized. An underground reservoir with a water storage capacity of 1.22 million square meters has been built in the Baorixiler open-pit coal mine.

Jun 25, 2024

Throughout the 1970s, the US Bureau of Mines rode an ebb tide in Washington political circles. In rapid fire succession, the agency lost its mine health and safety enforcement responsibility (1973), a large portion of its energy research responsibility (1975), and then its fuel statistics functions plus a sizable portion of its coal R&D (1977). By 1978, johnny-come-latelies in the Energy, Labor, and Interior Departments had siphoned away from the Bureau some $125 million in program responsibilities as well as 900 of its employees. The bruising decade came to a close with a Department of Natural Resources proposal that, in its original form, would have scattered the Bureau's responsibilities to the winds. "There is no doubt in my wind," said Lindsay Norman, acting director of the Bureau of Mines (see box), "that were the Bureau to continue down the path it was on, the next step was closing the doors and going out of business." The doors are still open, but erosion of responsibilities had a devastating effect on the resources available to fulfill the Bureau's mission. Devastating, too, in terms of internal morale, considering the Bureau had six directors in a 10-year span. "When the troops are in the trenches and are being shot at," Norman said, "they need a leader-hopefully, a permanent one- that can get them advancing. This is something the Bureau did not consistently have in the 1970s." In September 1978, Roger Markle climbed aboard as director of the Bureau to rejuvenate the 70-year-old agency. He resigned only six months later* but the program Markle set in motion is being carried through by Lindsay Norman. Since Norman's appointment as acting director, he has spent considerable time on the road explaining his agency's redefined goals. At one such stop in Duluth, Norman and his two deputy directors, Charles Kenahan and Mike Kaas, answered the following questions. Lindsay, you were the principal architect in the Bureau's 1979 reorganization. How about a glimpse of what that entailed? Toward the end of the 1970s, after almost a decade of steady dismemberment, we reached what we felt was a critical point in the Bureau's history-we had the choice of redefining and strengthening our organization to meet the mineral challenges ahead, or continuing down the path toward the agency's eventual demise. We felt the Bureau's mission too important to abandon, so in 1978 with Roger Markle as director we initiated a six-month, no-holds-barred intro spection of just what the Bureau should be doing, why, and toward what ultimate national needs. And what did this self-reflection reveal? That there is, indeed, a unique federal role for the Bureau of Mines-that of a lead agency for influencing mineral decisions and pioneering tomorrow's technologic advances. Don't confuse us with policymakers, we're not. But we are policy analysts; we're scientists, engineers, and mineral professionals who can offer a sorely needed source of objective, accurate information to decision makers in both the public and private sectors. I feel there is no better brain trust in government than the Bureau when it comes to mineral expertise-of course, I'm biased. Do I understand you to say the Bureau of Mines is an advocate agency for the minerals industry? We plead no parochial interests, nor ought we, but from our viewpoint a sound minerals industry is extremely important to the broader national goals of security and a healthy economy. US dependence on foreign sources for critical minerals, the increasing noncompetitiveness of some US mineral sectors, and the array of land use issues surrounding mineral-rich lands all have much more serious implications than many otherwise informed people seem to recognize. In your estimation, how vulnerable is the US to foreign mineral suppliers? Let me make a distinction between dependency and vulnerability. The

Jan 4, 1980

By J. Groppo, W. Zhang, R. Honaker

"Rare earth elements (REEs) found in coal are in the form of minerals, ion-substitution with clays and organically bound. Rare earth minerals (REMs) such as monazite exist in coal and have a grain size less than 5 microns. Froth flotation was successful in concentrating REMs existing in a thickener underflow material derived from Fire Clay seam coal which contained around 300 ppm of rare earth elements (REEs). Conditioning with fatty acid followed by processing using multiple stages of conventional flotation produced a final concentrate containing 2300 ppm REEs. Using a laboratory flotation column, a concentrate containing around 4700 ppm of total REEs was produced equating to an enrichment ratio of 10:1. INTRODUCTION Rare earth elements (REEs) are becoming increasingly important and have been widely used as raw materials for the production of phosphor, metal catalysts, magnets, and batteries [1, 2]. REE recovery from alternative sources such as coal and coal by-products has the potential to stabilize the economic viability of coal mining operations while providing a dependable supply of critical materials. The average REE content of the world coal is around 60-70 ppm [2]. There are many well-known coal beds with high contents of REEs such as those in the Far East coalfields in Russia (300-1000 ppm), the Fire Clay coal seam in eastern Kentucky (500 ppm), and the Sydney Basin in Nova Scotia, Canada (72-483 ppm) [3-6]. The occurrence of REEs in coal and coal by-products can be classified into three types, i.e., rare earth minerals such as monazite and xenotime, ion exchangeable REEs in clays, and REEs associated with organic matrix. The particle size of the rare earth (RE) minerals in coal and coal by-products is very small and normally in the micron and/or nanometer scales. The flotation technique, which is based on the surface chemistry difference, has been widely used to treat fine rare earth industrial minerals such as monazite, xenotime, and bastnaesite [7-11]. As such, flotation is a promising method for the concentration of REEs from coal and coal by-products. In the current study, rare earth flotation was conducted using the fine coal refuse generated at an operating coal preparation plant treating coal from the Fire Clay seam. REE concentration by flotation required an appropriate amount of grinding and control of the pH value while using typical collectors. Prior to RE concentration, release tests were conducted to evaluate the floatability of the recoverable coal and the REE distribution in the flotation fractions in the fine refuse. Mineralogy of the REE was studied using SEM-EDX."

Jan 1, 2017

By Vincente M. Jr. Lim, Brain W. Lawrence

Underground mining operating costs consist pri¬marily of direct costs such as labor, supervision, ma¬terials, and supplies, plus indirect costs. The material and supply costs vary substantially between mines but commonly range from 35 to 60% of the total direct costs. As part of the preparation of accurate operating cost estimates for a project, information must be as¬sembled to select the material and supply items and to determine the quantities of these items that will be required. Cost data then can be incorporated with the estimated material and supply requirements to determine the total material and supply costs for the project. Estimated quantities will vary considerably between mining projects depending upon factors such as the type of material being mined, the mining method, the equip¬ment selected, drilling and blasting techniques, mucking and haulage methods, ground support requirements, number of men employed, etc. Valuable information often can be obtained from suppliers and manufacturers, including data on current operating practices for similar projects, recommenda¬tions for the specific project, and preliminary cost quota¬tions. However, quotations obtained for estimates are generally higher than the prices paid at the time of purchase. Mines operating in the area, or those mining under similar conditions, also can provide essential design information, but it often is difficult to obtain cost information from the operators. Estimated costs for the most common major items of underground materials and supplies are presented in the accompanying tables. They represent current costs or cost ranges and are intended to be used only as a guide when preparing budgetary estimates for materials and supplies. Cost data were obtained mainly from suppliers and manufacturers, with up to three quotations being ob¬tained for each item whenever possible. In most cases, as noted in the table footnotes, prices were based on quantities representing normal requirements for me¬dium-size mine operations. Every attempt was made to assure accuracy. However, the cost for most items, especially those with multiple sources, can deviate sig¬nificantly for various reasons such as geographical loca¬tion, current market conditions, quantities ordered, size of the customer (which could influence the ultimate quantities purchased), and the ability of the purchasing department. It is also for these reasons that the actual amount individual mines are now paying for specific items may vary from the estimated cost in the tables. The cost for specific sizes of items that do not appear in the tables often can be factored from the data pre¬sented. Costs for many items can be converted easily to a unit that sometimes is more basic, but not as com¬monly used, such as from a length to a weight unit. Other items not listed, such as repair parts for equip¬ment, will involve contact with suppliers to determine specific recommended requirements and to obtain costs for these items as related to each individual project. Costs are expressed in terms of US dollars as of 1978 unless otherwise specified. All measurements, sizes, and weights are expressed in conventional units (i.e. feet, inches, pounds) ; applicable metric conversion fac¬tors follow each table. Costs are represented for drill steel and bits; mining explosives; blasting caps; blasting supplies; ground sup¬port items; ventilation equipment; utility pipe, utility hose, and accessories; mine track and accessories; tires for underground equipment; lubricants and fuels; and miscellaneous supplies.

Jan 1, 1982

By K. J. Reid, I. Iwasaki, T. Sabelin

Introduction Occurrences of platinum group minerals (PGM) in mafic and ultramafic rocks in association with Cu-Ni mineralization are well known. Yet for the Duluth Complex, a large body of dominantly mafic igneous rocks in northeastern Minnesota with significant Cu-Ni mineralization (Bonnichsen, 1972; Boucher, 1975; Watowich, 1978; Weiblen and Morey, 1980), little has been published concerning its platinum group element (PGE) contents and mineralogy. In a previous study of massive sulfide rock, sperrylite (PtAs2) was found in nickel arsenide and recovery of arsenide minerals by flotation has been investigated (Iwasaki et al., 1986; Ryan and Weiblen, 1984). Recently, an announcement was made of the discovery of significant quantities of platinum and palladium [peak assay values of 9 g/t (0.27 oz per st)] in an interval of a drill core with disseminated sulfide mineralization 16 km (10 miles) southeast of Ely, MN (Anon, 1985; Sabelin, 1985). This paper describes PGM from the Pt-Pd-enriched zone and evaluates their potential for concentration. Geologic setting The Pt-Pd zone occurs in the South Kawishiwi in¬trusion near its basal contact at 734 to 737 m (2408 to 2418 ft) depth. The South Kawishiwi is one of several minor mafic intrusions that constitute the western margin of the Duluth Complex near Ely, MN (Fig. 1). It is com¬prised of a 70.1- to 350.5-m (230- to 1150-ft) thick sul¬fide-bearing basal unit of troctolite with minor amounts of anorthosite, norite, picrite, and oxide layers overlain by a troctolite unit with interlayered anorthosite (Bonnichsen et al., 1980; Foose, 1984; and Foose and Weiblen, 1986). The basal unit, in which the Pt-Pd zone is found, is markedly heterogeneous in rock type, lacking any coherent internal stratigraphy, and shows evidence of both pre- and post-consolidation faulting (Foose and Weiblen, 1986). Geochemistry Chemical analyses were made on 0.3-m (1-ft) intervals of crushed drill core material (1/4 core, BX size) at 731.5 to 740.7 m (2400 to 2430 ft) depth and the results are presented in Fig. 2. The analytical techniques used were atomic absorption spectrometry for silver, chromium, copper, and nickel; a coulometric titration method for sulfur; and a combined fire assay-DC plasma technique for gold, palladium, and platinum. Figure 2 shows the significant enrichment of platinum and palladium at 734 to 737 m (2408 to 2418 ft) depth; it corresponds to a stratigraphic interval rich in oxide minerals. Average values for platinum and palladium contents over the 3-m (10-ft) interval are 2520 and 2580 ppb, respectively, or 5.1 g/t (0.15 oz per st) platinum plus palladium. Platinum plus palladium contents from individual 0.3-m (1-ft) intervals are as high as 9120 ppb or 9.1 g/t (0.27 oz per st) and average 7.4 g/t (0.22 oz per st) in a 1.5-m (5-ft) interval in the richest part of the zone. The Pt-to-Pd ratio is nearly 1:1 over the entire 9.1-m (30-ft) interval and the platinum and palladium correlate closely with chromium, which ranges from 1.9% to 5.3%. Copper, nickel, and sulfur contents for the drill core interval are also given in Fig. 2. In¬terestingly, the Pt-Pd high corresponds to a depletion in copper, nickel, and sulfur. Mineralogy of the Pt-Pd zone The Pt-Pd zone occurs within an oxide-rich zone or layer that consists essentially of oxide minerals, plagioclase, and olivine. The oxides may constitute as

Jan 1, 1987

The process design of a metallurgical plant follows logical steps, one built on another, to define the circuit requirements. The methodology used and documentation produced is the same for a pre-feasibility study, feasibility study or a complete design, regardless of the process complexity or the commodity. The only difference is the amount of detail developed at each stage. SRK Consulting, an independent, international consulting practice that provides focused advice and solutions to clients, mainly from earth and water resource industries, has consulted on many mining projects around the world. The company was formed in 1974 and now employs more than 1,600 professionals in more than 50 offices on six continents. According to SRK experts, the first element in plant design is collecting metallurgical testwork or operating data from an existing plant. The testwork identifies the process, the metallurgical recoveries and product qualities and establishes the process parameters for economic recovery of the commodity. Test samples must represent both the whole orebody and the feed over the life of the mine, showing the mineral?s variability. With this data available, the process design can be developed.

May 1, 2013

By John Relser

The production processes that are developed in the mining and minerals industry are manufactured to be exposed to very aggressive environments. Chemical, abrasion, and impact expose structures and equipment, steel or concrete, to a significant deterioration. This causes damage and adds high costs to operations that can be reflected in the destruction of equipment and structures in the arrest of the production process, which becomes very costly. Also, there is the potential for personnel accidents, which would require large sums of compensation for an employee, thus directly harming the image of the mining operation and company. Manufacturers of paints and coatings that have major centers for research and development (R&D Labs) distributed globally have developed high-tech products for durable protection from the elements for structures and equipment used in the mining industry. The difference between these paintings and coatings and what is normally known as conventional paints (e.g., those called domestic or decorative), is its chemical composition, structured around polymeric components that have highly resistant, chemical and physical properties to cope with extreme conditions to which they are exposed. With this, and only this, longer life of components can be achieved for equipment and structures used in the production processes of the mining industry. Today, in addition to the important features mentioned, some manufacturers of the paints and coatings dedicated to this highly modernized process have invested large sums of money in developing new products that add operational elements to the painting process. These coatings provide added value and significant performance to companies mining operations and that we can describe in three fundamental concepts:

Feb 1, 2014

By C. R. Fahnestock

One of the major problems for us in the earthmoving industry is the analysis of materials under the ground surface. Countless engineering and construction jobs would be simplified if there were an inexpensive and fast way to obtain information on problems such as: Depth and solidith of bedrock? Nature of the materials between bedrock and the surface? Adequate foundation for bridges and drainage structures? Location of supplies of materials to be used in construction? Investigation of tunnel sites? Characteristics of swampy areas and investigation of existing and potential slide areas? These questions are of paramount interest to highway contractors as they bid jobs and plan, equipment spreads to handle them at optimum efficiency. Such information also is invaluable to engineers in the design and construction of bridges, buildings, railroads, canals, and tunnels.

Jan 1, 1961

By G. W. R. Kuzyk

The Underground Research Laboratory (URL) , a major geotechnical research facility, is currently being developed by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) , 120 km northeast of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The URL is part of the Canadian Nuclear Fuel Waste Management Program, which is assessing the concept of nuclear fuel waste disposal in a vault deep in stable plutonic rock of the Canadian Shield (Simmons, 1986). Comprehensive geotechnical research and development activities are being carried out in conjunction with excavation? and construction of the underground facilities.

Jan 1, 1989

By Y. FUJII, E. CHANDA, J. KODAMA, D. FUKUDA, M. NISHIHARA, Y. NAKAYAMA, P. SINKALA

This paper describes a creep damage model that was proposed to clarify the rockburst mechanism for the Mufulira underground copper mine in Zambia. Cumulative rock damage was evaluated for the edge elements of each sidewall of the mining drives based on normal stresses by the 3-D displacement discontinuity method (DDM) (Crouch and Fairhurst, 1973). The rockburst occurrences were well hindcasted.

Jan 1, 2023

By Yuanhong Qi, KUN CUI, Tao Fu, XUNFU WANG, Yingyi Zhang, Jie Wang, Junmao Qie

Indonesia is the world’s largest supplier of nickel ore, with its nickel laterite resources mainly distributed in the Moluccas and Sulawesi regions. However, there is scant research on the mineralogical characteristics of nickel laterite deposited in southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. This study aims to investigate the mineral phase structure, chemical analysis, thermal properties and element distribution characteristics of the middle and lower part of the rotten rock zone located in the southeast Sulawesi ophiolite belt.

By Kwangmin Kim, Taehee Lee, Minkyu Kim, JUNHYEOK PARK

Mine tailings storage facilities (TSFs) can be a significant source of fine, respirable dust. About 25 percent of the mass fraction of tailings from a hard-rock mine consists of particles of a respirable size (smaller than 10 μm) [1]. This dust poses concerns, especially for nearby communities, because of its detrimental impact on respiratory health. Respirable tailings dust, primarily composed of quartz or free silica (SiO2), may cause silicosis, chronic pulmonary disease, bronchitis, collagen vascular diseases, and chronic granulomatous infections [2]. 

By Robert C. Jones

The Henderson Mine, a new large scale underground development, is being developed by AMAX. The mine site is located about 50 miles west of Denver, Colorado, adjacent to the east side of the Continental Divide. The mine's three access shafts are in a narrow alpine canyon at an elevation of 10,400 feet. The ore body of molybdenite is to the south of the shafts, 3,000 feet below the surface of nearby Red Mountain. The ore extends over 800 feet vertically and is about 1,700 feet by 2,200 feet horizontally. The eastern and southeastern boundaries of the deposit are still to be defined at the present time. Development mining is advancing at the mine site on a three shift, seven-day basis at the rate of about 2,000 feet per month. About twelve miles of heading have been driven at the present time, and work to sink No. 3 Shaft has started. Development mining was begun in 1967 with the sinking of No. 1 Shaft. This shaft is fully concreted, 23 feet in diameter and 2,441 feet in depth. It is the mine ventilation exhaust conduit. It is also used for development muck hoisting, stand-by mine water pumping and secondary access to the 8,035 foot level. This level is the mine exhaust ventilation level and was mined principally by conventional rail mining methods. From this one station at the 8,035 foot elevation a 5% ramp was driven to the initial production horizon at 8,100 feet with diesel rubber tired mining equipment. Subsequent mining has been entirely by mobile diesel equipment at the mine site.

Jan 1, 1974

By Robert F. Baker

Neanderthal technology is a harsh and inaccurate way to describe modern underground construction and mining practices, but such an exaggeration helps to focus on a major problem or wasted opportunity of modern society. Why is it not safer to excavate in the underground? Why are the working conditions still so unfavorable? Why are urban freeways, shopping malls, warehouses, power plants, sewage disposal treatment plants, and similar facilities still constructed on the surface of the ground--because it is a better location? On the contrary, if underground technology made full use of existing knowledge, underground resources and space would be much more effectively used. And why is the technology so inadequate? Certainly, researchers and practitioners are aware of the shortcomings and are equally aware of problems that have to be overcome. One of the most important reasons has to do with the type of policy goals that society has set in the past. Policy makers may have agreed that improvements would be desirable but no serious commitments have been made--that is, there has been no major allocation of resources to advance these technologies. And yet, to bring about significant changes will require significant time and resources. The resources that are needed are far in excess of what industry can afford to invest, particularly since the pay-off may be far in the future. So the problem reverts to society in general. As long as society is willing to tolerate the present costs and safety requirements for recovering minerals and for constructing underground facilities, then the changes will be slow in coming. Until such time as society sees and desires the benefits

Jan 1, 1974

By David A. Holmes

After a century of variable government-supplied housing on their cold, windswept lands, and facing extremely limited natural resources and no timber, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has launched a study into alternative housing approaches for their people. Considering that they have little more than the soil and limited river aggregates under their feet, the Tribe has elected to consider adobe and earthen-wall construction. Earthen construction is no stranger to the Sioux lands. Smaller tribes, including the Mandan, Arikira, and Hidatsa, lived here among the Sioux in earthlodges for centuries. Such earthlodge structures were not unlike the Southwestern jacal style-a framework of upright branches and branches covered with mud-employed by the Anasazi about A.D. 700-900. Indeed, the Sioux people themselves evolved from earlier earthlodge dwellers. Indigenous peoples in New Mexico, Arizona, and neighboring Mexico have used earthen-wall housing for many centuries, reinforcing Sioux observations that this is today an earth-friendly, cost-effective, and practical approach. The Cheyenne River and Pine Ridge Sioux Reservations also recently have conducted studies on earthen- wall construction. This paper describes the search for and evaluation of potential raw-material resources for earthen-wall/adobe construction on the Standing Rock Reservation in North and South Dakota. Significant resources of clay/silt materials (8 million tons in the Striped Cloud clay bed) suitable as adobe binders and sand-and-gravel aggregate (2.5 million tons) that could support earthen/adobe construction have been identified throughout the Fort Yates Flat area on the Reservation. Also addressed is how adobe and rammed-earth construction could add to the diversity of reservation construction and address future Tribal housing and other building needs.

Jan 1, 1999

By G. C. Kachel

Significant effort has been expended and considerable success has been realized m the application of instrumentation and automatic control equipment in the mining and ore processing industries. This effort has been applied principally to process equipment with the objective of increasing throughput, minimizing labor requirements and/or improving grade or product quality. Less spectacular, but quite rewarding has been the successful application of instrumentation and automatic control equipment to a wide variety of material handling equipments. This paper describes some of this work including: (1) automatic weighment of load-haul-dump units and trams underground; (2) automation of skip loading; (3) instrumentation applied in feeders and conveyors; (4) level measurement in bins, silos, vessels and sumps; (5) automatic blending of sized materials; (6) automatic loading of ships, trains and trucks; (7) automatic control of tailings disposal facilities

Jan 1, 1973

By Luis Fernandez-Deza, James Hawn, Dustin Mount, Jean-Marc Wehrli

The RiverRenew Tunnel System project in Alexandria, VA forms part of a CSO scheme aimed at reducing overflows of combined stormwater and sewage into the Potomac River during storm events. A major piece of the project is a 12-foot internal diameter tunnel of approximately 12,000 feet length lined with a single-pass precast concrete segmental liner and excavated by an Earth-Pressure Balanced Shield TBM. The tunnel lies between 120 to 140 feet below grade in the clays of the Upper Potomac Formation with occasional dips of more granular, saturated soils of the Terrace Formation and the Alluvium. The TBM is launched from a figure-8 configuration Pumping/Screening Shaft located within AlexRenew’s operational Water Resource Recovery Facility. This paper discusses the challenges encountered during the launch of the TBM in short mode within a highly congested site and from narrow deep shafts.

Jun 13, 2023

"The 33rd annual American Mining Hall of Fame Awards Banquet and Fundraiser sponsored by the Mining Foundation of the Southwest (MFSW) will be held at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015. Each year, one living Hall of Fame inductee, two Medal of Merit recipients, several honorees from Mining’s Past, an Industry Partnership Award and a Special Citation are recognized for their respective contributions to the mining industry.Conrad E. Huss, cofounder of M3 Engineering & Technology Corp. located in Tucson, AZ, will be honored as the 2015 Hall of Fame Inductee and will serve as the keynote speaker at the awards banquet. Huss has served his company as chairman of the board for its entire 30 years and guided M3 to become a full discipline firm. Now M3 offers complete project execution through engineering, procurement and construction management procedure and has become a major engineer of large observatories around the world. The company now has more than 1,000 employees with offices in Arizona, North Carolina, Mexico, Argentina and is incorporated in Guatemala, Peru and Canada.The Medal of Merit will be awarded to Charles Michael (Mick) Lownds, founder of his eponymous consulting firm in Salt Lake City, UT, for his 42 years in commercial explosives following tenure at Sasol and at Orica. Originally from South Africa, Lownds immigrated to the United States in 1998 and has made significant advancement on electronic initiation systems. Lownds has published numerous technical papers, is an inventor with 12 awarded United States patents and was also the recipient of the President’s Award from the International Society of Explosives Engineers in 2000.Medal of Merit for young professionals will be awarded to Fiorella Giana, Freeport- McMoRan Inc.’s (FCX) mine manager at Bagdad. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Giana left the small cattle farm where she was raised in 2001 to pursue higher education in the United States. For the past decade at FCX, as a result of her extraordinary combination of technical skill, leadership and commitment to excellence, she has been given positions of progressively greater responsibility from an entry level engineer to senior mine engineer, to chief engineer and now as mine manager, a position rarely held by woman."

Jan 1, 2015

In subterranean mining operations, access to communication networks deep underground is critical for transporting data, voice and video, and other supporting applications that are essential for efficient and safe operations. Whether accessing sophisticated ERP or maintenance management systems, engaging in fleet management, video surveillance, or access control, or protecting miners with wireless locator systems, these networks serve as a literal lifeline between workers deep within mines and surface operations. For this, mining networks require more than permanently installed network cabling, it also requires unique deployable systems designed for quick installation, extension and even relocation as the active mine site area moves, or equipment is moved in and out.

Mar 1, 2014