Pub. 8 2018 Issue 1

19 MINING FOCUS Recycling industrial-related scrap metal is one of the things we do best! www.umw.com | 801.364.5679 Utah Metal Works, Inc. or an object that should not be in its path. The idea is to prevent accidents that involve crushing or pinning. • Revitalized excavators: Manufacturers such as Volvo, Doosan, Hyundai, and FCM Industries, which builds the Scorpion, are making more powerful excavators that are bigger, safer and smarter than they have ever been. • Robotic equipment such as automated tunnel borers: Technology such as laser guidance systems and precise machine positioning make it possible to automate one of the more dangerous and expensive parts of mining: creating new tunnels. The International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction developed a system and tested its accuracy by comparing its work with the work of a specialist surveyor who worked independently. The difference between the two surveys was less than 2 mm. • Innovations in safety equipment: The Fit-for-Purpose Underground Boot, for example, which was developed by Centennial Coal, gives miners a comfortable, waterproof boot with ankle support and a stable sole. Another safety device is the SmartCap, which has sensors that are on the wearer’s forehead. These sensors can tell when someone is tired and how alert they are. • Simulation technology: One of the best ways to train people is to use simulators that allow people to learn how to work under realistic emergency conditions that are also safe. Simulators have been used for decades to train people in many industries, including airlines and automobiles. The training is effective, and it improves productivity and reaction times. • X-ray diffraction equipment: This method is useful when identifying phases in rawmaterials, controlling processing during ore beneficiation, and controlling the quality of the final mineral product. The above are just a few snapshots of how the mining industry is one of the most technologically advanced industries in the world. Unfortunately, the perception of mining for many people harkens back to the pick and shovel days. But this is not your grandfather’s mining industry. The industry today is technologically advanced, one of the safest industries in the nation, and the mining industry’s commitment to protecting the environment and minimizing our impact has never been greater. Today’s mining operations need the trust and support of the public. Therefore, public perception matters. As an industry, we must ensure that perception is based upon the facts. X Modern mines, however, are governed by a comprehensive suite of environmental laws and regulations that work effectively to protect the environment through every stage of a mining project, from exploration to development, to closure and reclamation.