Contents In this issue Cover story 21 6 News & numbers


The headlines and vital stats impacting the industry.


Regional focus 8 Under fire


Filling the atmosphere with CO2 – and


blighting landscapes down on earth – much of the developed world has cast coal mines aside. But with proposals for a new facility in west Cumbria being considered, could this historic mining region soon witness a heavy industry renaissance? Andrea Valentino talks to figures on both sides of the debate to explore whether the new Whitehaven facility could offer hope in a benighted corner of England.


Materials handling


11 Waste not, want not The global supply chain crisis has caused difficulties across the mining industry, but it also has woken some players up to the potential value in their waste, mineral sludge and tailings. Nikki Peach speaks to Pernille Erland Jensen, associate professor in the department of civil engineering at Technical University of Denmark (DTU), to learn more.


15 A family of mining technology innovators Cemtec


17 Smart systems for safe and accurate drilling J.H. Fletcher & Co


World Mining Frontiers / www.nsenergybusiness.com Automation


18 Proof of concept As part of Agnico Eagle’s larger LaRonde Mining Complex, LaRonde Zone 5 (LZ5) has been testing Sandvik’s AutoMine platform since 2018. Nicholas Kenny talks to Luc Girard, mining operations superintendent at LZ5 for Agnico Eagle, and David Hallett, vice- president of automation at Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions, about how this has benefitted LZ5’s production and how Sandvik’s AutoMine Concept Vehicle is being used to showcase its vision of the future of mining.


Health & safety


21 Eye in the sky Tailings dams are a central part of mining across the world. Yet their inexpensiveness and versatility also come with dangers, especially when it comes to landslides. Andrea Valentino speaks with Dave Fox at Geospatial Insight and Professor Stephen Grebby at the University of Nottingham to discuss how new analysis of satellite imagery can alert mine operators to unstable tailings.


24 Guaranteed safety in underground mines Geobrugg


Sustainability 26 Zero to hero


A long road lies ahead for the mining industry on its quest towards carbon


neutrality, as established mines look for new and improved ways to reduce their environmental impact. Isabel Ellis talks to Dan Myerson, executive chair of Foran Mining, and James Whiteside, global head of corporate research at Wood Mackenzie, to learn more about the development of the first zero- carbon mines.


Technology & equipment


29 The view from above Offering improved speed and precision while reducing the health and safety risk to personnel, particularly when high terrain or cliffs are involved, many mining sites are turning to drones when surveying and mapping mineral landscapes. Andrew Barnett speaks to Dr Stefan Hrabar, CEO and co-founder of Emesent, about this technology and its benefits.


32 The future of rock reinforcement Normet


Power supply


34 The gas is always greener The potential of hydrogen as a green alternative fuel source can’t be overstated, and the mining industry is gradually moving to embrace it. Nicholas Kenny hears from Andrew Stuart, president and CEO of Hydrogen Optimized, and Bob Oliver, CEO of H2GO Canada, about the benefits of this fuel source and the ways in which it can enhance mining operations while reducing their carbon output.


39 High-quality plastic laminates for the mining industry Reef Industries


Events


41 A golden opportunity Euro Mine Expo is set to return to Skellefteå, Sweden, from 14–16 June 2022, after rescheduling its biannual 2020 event in the wake of Covid-19. As an international trade fair and conference for the mining industry, it will provide attendees with an opportunity to participate in the latest developments in the sector.


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