Tag Archives: Rich Nolan

MSHA looks to accelerate tech uptake in underground ‘gassy’ mines

Automation, Coal technology, Communications in mining, IoT, Mining equipment, Mining policy, Mining safety, Mining services, Mining software, , , , , , , , , , ,

The US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has proposed revisions to its standards that could speed up the testing of electric motor-driven mine equipment and accessories in underground “gassy” mines in the country.

Under the proposed rule, during a one-year transition period, mine operators could use equipment and accessories that meet either 14 voluntary consensus standards (VCS) or the existing MSHA approval requirements.

After that period, operators would be required to use the consensus standards for equipment and accessories covered by consensus standards, MSHA said.

“The proposed rule would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the product approval process and promote the use of innovative technologies for improved mine safety and health,” it added.

Rich Nolan, National Mining Association president and CEO, said the industry had long advocated for updates to the standards.

“Current standards have resulted in a backlog of superior technologies awaiting MSHA approvals, even as those technologies are being used successfully in mines elsewhere around the world or by other occupations in the US,” he said.

“The proposed updates will allow us to provide the best available protection for miners through a more efficient and effective process.

“Put simply, this translates into people being safer sooner.”

The 14 VCS have been developed by the American National Standards Institute, the International Society of Automation, UL LLC and the International Electrotechnical Commission. They contain general and specific construction and testing requirements for equipment used in explosive gas atmospheres, explosive dust atmospheres or hazardous locations. The agency will accept tests from these organisations in lieu of MSHA’s standards, the NMA said.

Examples of equipment covered by the regulations include portable two-way radios, remote control units, longwall mining systems, portable oxygen detectors, miner-wearable components for proximity detection systems, and powered air-purifying respirators.

“NMA and its members have tenaciously worked for this change to streamline the process by which MSHA approves and certifies equipment for use in gassy mines,” the NMA said.

(Photo courtesy of Peabody Energy Inc)

Usibelli coal mine achieves CORESafety certification from the NMA

Coal technology, Mining industry recognition, Mining safety, , , , , ,

The National Mining Association (NMA) has recognised the Usibelli coal mine (UCM), in Alaska, USA, with its CORESafety® certification.

CORESafety is the NMA initiative with the objective of zero fatalities and a 50% reduction in mining’s injury rate within five years. Usibelli joins 10 other companies whose operations have been independently certified under NMA’s signature safety initiative, the association said.

UCM’s mine production has grown from 10,000 tons/y (9,072 t/y) in 1943 to around 1 Mtons/y (907,185 t/y).

“We celebrate Usibelli’s dedication to safety,” Rich Nolan, NMA President and CEO, said. “Participation in the CORESafety program has already helped companies across the industry increase safety awareness and vigilance, prioritising the miners who we depend on for our modern way of life. Our CORESafety member companies are leaders in mining safety and health management, and Usibelli’s track record clearly shows leadership in this field.”

UCM President and CEO, Joe Usibelli Jr, said: “CORESafety isn’t a program that expires, it’s a system that has become part of our culture. Recently, we set an all-time high safety record of 1,085 days without a lost time incident – and that is because CORESafety is a part of our fabric.”

CORESafety is a risk-based mine safety and health management system developed by NMA.

CORESafety participants agree to: commit to the CORESafety system; implement a functionally-equivalent version of the CORESafety safety and health management system; submit to NMA annual self-assessments of progress toward implementation of the CORESafety safety and health management system; and, if the company elects, to become or maintain CORESafety certification, complete a thorough third- party assessment of its safety and health management system to verify that it is functionally equivalent to CORESafety and submit the assessment report to NMA.

SomaHive LLC of Parker, Colorado, conducted the independent, third-party certification audit on July 21-22, the NMA said.

Komatsu’s Jeffrey Dawes to chair MINExpo 2020

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The National Mining Association (NMA) has announced that Jeffrey Dawes of Komatsu will chair MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2020.

A long-time leader within Komatsu and the industry, Dawes is VP of Komatsu’s Global Mining Business Division, and President and CEO of Milwaukee-based Komatsu Mining Corp.

Held every four years and sponsored by NMA, MINExpo INTERNATIONAL is the world’s largest and most comprehensive global mining event, bringing together worldwide industry leaders ready to purchase the latest equipment and services, explore innovative new technologies, meet face-to-face with suppliers, and make valuable new connections, the NMA said.

“I am honoured and excited to be chairing the 2020 show,” Dawes said. “What an exciting time for our industry and a great moment to gather as one to reveal the future of mining and the latest tools and technologies to meet the world’s demand for essential minerals.

“NMA is a strong and steadfast representative of our industry and has made this event a continued source of inspiration, innovation and excitement. We’re looking forward to a fantastic show together.”

Born in Australia, Dawes studied Metallurgy at the Western Australian School of Mines in Kalgoorlie and completed a PhD at the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Center at the University of Queensland. He began his career as a mining consultant and worked for several mining companies in different capacities before joining Komatsu in 1998.

Rich Nolan, NMA President and CEO, said: “As the leader of a company that represents nearly a century of manufacturing excellence, which consistently advances and showcases our industry’s best technologies, I can’t think of a better chair for MINExpo 2020 than Jeff.

Next year’s MINExpo will bring together more than 40,000 attendees – both those who have been in the industry for decades and those who are just beginning their mining careers, representing domestic and international operations and all phases of mining. With its strong domestic foundation in the US, but extensive global footprint, Komatsu is an ideal partner for 2020.”

MINExpo INTERNATIONAL covers the entire industry – exploration, mine development, open pit & underground mining, processing, safety, environmental improvement and more. It will take place on September 28-30, 2020, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, in Nevada, USA.

CONSOL Energy wins NMA plaudits for safety initiatives

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CONSOL Energy Inc has become the 10th mining company to be fully certified under the National Mining Association (NMA)’s CORESafety® initiative.

The certification, which aims for zero fatalities and a 50% reduction in rate of injuries within five years, is the culmination of a multi-step, multi-year process that requires dedication at every level of an organisation, according to Rich Nolan, NMA President and CEO.

“Safety is an area where complacency has no place and the CORESafety framework is an important tool to drive constant vigilance and awareness,” he said.

Jimmy Brock, President and CEO of CONSOL Energy, said it was a “tremendous” honour and testament to the work and dedication of its miners, to receive the certification.

“Safety is more than a core value at CONSOL Energy, it is a condition of employment and a way of life,” he said. “Reaching this milestone demonstrates our employees’ commitment to safety and our focus on continually integrating best-practices while embracing technology and innovation, as we strive towards an incident-free workplace.”

For over 10 years, CONSOL has operated under an “Absolute ZERO value system” based on the premise that having zero accidents is normal and that any accident is uncharacteristic and inconsistent with company values, according to the NMA.

Consol owns and operates the Pennsylvania Mining Complex and the Baltimore Marine Terminal, in addition to controlling over 1 billion tons (907 Mt) of undeveloped reserves, according to its website.

CORESafety’s approach to safety and health emphasises accident prevention and uses a risk-based management system anchored in leadership, management and assurance, the NMA says. The framework is designed to go beyond what is required by regulations, focusing on a goal of continuous improvement. Its objective is zero fatalities and a 50% reduction in mining’s injury rate within five years of implementation. In 2017, companies participating in the CORESafety system closed the year with zero fatalities across US operations.

CORESafety is a risk-based mine safety and health management system developed by NMA. The NMA said: “CORESafety participants agree to: commit to the CORESafety system; implement a functionally-equivalent version of the CORESafety safety and health management system; submit to NMA annual self-assessments of progress toward implementation of the CORESafety safety and health management system; and, if the company elects to become or maintain CORESafety certification, complete a thorough third-party assessment of its safety and health management system to verify that it is functionally equivalent to CORESafety and submit the assessment report to NMA.”

M&S Insurance and Safety Consultants Inc conducted the independent audit in September 2019.