BKT Delivers a Full Range of Specialty OTR Tires

From quarries to underground mines, BKT makes a full range of specialty OTR tires, designed to maximize performance and durability, even on the most challenging terrains. Getting down without downtime. Downtime can be incredibly frustrating for OTR workers, reducing productivity and output, while also impacting project delivery times. One of the biggest contributors to downtime is damaged tires. Most often…

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MSHA’S New Safety Program For Mobile Equipment Rule

Nothing Says ‘Happy New Year!’ Quite Like A Brand New Regulation From Your Friendly, Neighborhood Enforcement Agency. By Brian Hendrix To close out 2023, MSHA published a new rule, Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment. This latest contribution to the Code of Federal Regulations requires all mine operators to develop, implement and update a written safety program for surface mobile…

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First Look – January 2024

TOP NEWS Granite Granite Construction announced the acquisition of Lehman-Roberts Co. and Memphis Stone & Gravel Co., longstanding asphalt paving and asphalt and aggregates producers and suppliers.  Silvi Materials Shipping sand products to Brooklyn, N.Y., and the five boroughs of Manhattan is a challenge. But Silvi Materials now has a new high-quality, cost-effective solution, launching barges from a new port located about…

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MSHA’s New Enhanced Enforcement Program is ‘Something’

By Brian Hendrix Earlier this year, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) rolled out its “Enhanced Enforcement Program.” If this is news to you, you’re in good company. MSHA didn’t and still hasn’t done much to publicize it.  Word of the program has been circulating informally since early April, along with a written description dated Feb. 28, 2022. Then,…

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Proposed MSHA Rule Targets Mobile Equipment

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced a proposed rule requiring mine operators that employ six or more miners to develop a written safety program for mobile equipment and powered haulage equipment (except belt conveyors) used at surface mines and surface areas of underground mines. The written safety program would include actions mine operators would…

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Virtual Reality Hazard Awareness Training Program Developed

Underground and surface mines can be hazardous places, so when it comes to safety training in the mining profession, the old saying “practice makes perfect” holds true. To improve hazard safety instruction, a team at South Dakota Mines has spent the past year developing a virtual reality (VR) training module that mimics a mining environment.

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MSHA Cancels Escapeways Guidance

May 26, 2020 – The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced the cancellation of a proposed Program Policy Letter on escapeways and refuges in underground metal and nonmetal mines. MSHA has determined that the proposed clarification is not needed. The proposed Program Policy Letter was published in the Federal Register on July 29, 2019, (84 FR 36623) for public comment. The guidance…

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Robots and Drones in Underground Aggregates

October 21, 2019 – Injuries and deaths caused by roof collapses and falling debris, common culprits for underground mine accidents, could be prevented by the unlikely force of robots and drones, thanks to the work of West Virginia University (WVU) engineers. Ihsan Berk Tulu, assistant professor of mining engineering, along with Jason Gross, Yu Gu and Guilherme Pereira, from the Department…

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ABB Explosive Atmosphere Motor for Underground Mines

An extension to ABB’s low voltage IEC mining motors range is now available with Ex d flameproof protection for use in underground mine (group I) applications such as conveyors, air handling fans and water pumps. Rated from 0.55 to 710 kW in frame sizes IEC 80 to 450, the cast iron motors are an evolution of ABB’s long-life explosive atmosphere…

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