TECHNOLOGY

Year in Review: Top stories of 2019

We’re once again listing the most-read features, opinion pieces and events coverage, as well as the biggest news stories of the year

Staff reporter
Photo: iStock.com/oatawa

Photo: iStock.com/oatawa

Long reads, opinions & events

Tailings dams: we need to start 'failing forwards'

The mining industry's ability to deal with tailings safely is once again being questioned. MM speaks to four internationally recognised tailings experts about what could and should be done to achieve better design, management and closure practices for these facilities

Intelligent exploration

Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly prominent in the mining industry, and one area where companies are reaping the benefits is mineral exploration. Ailbhe Goodbody finds out more

Making the most of the EPCM partnership

Donna Schmidt talks to EPCM firms about their evolving roles in mining projects and where mine operators' opportunities and challenges lie

Can mining go circular?

Mining and metals can be winners in the circular economy, say Accenture's Rachael Bartels and Harry Morrison

Epiroc set to continue acquisition spree

The CEO of US$12.4 billion mining and construction equipment maker Epiroc doesn't see a future without mining's traditional major suppliers of machinery in it, but says the company is mindful of the potential for technology to radically change the supply landscape

The copper industry in the 21st century

Fleming Voetmann, of the International Copper Association (ICA), says the copper industry needs to embrace innovation to meet growing demand

Syama taking last steps to full automation

Resolute Mining's Mali underground mine is commissioning its automated haulage fleet, getting closer to its goal of fully autonomous operations

‘Someone will have to go off and find new resources'

Fear of China, rising barriers to free trade and faith in the power of technology to counter anthropogenic climate change were some of the key themes addressed in a closing session of the Mining Journal Select 2019 conference in London, as Rod Whyte and Tom Albanese pondered the future of the industry

Top five cloud-enabled software suites for geologists

Jim Young presents five of the best software packages powered by cloud computing for mining geologists

21st century robotics

Anton Potapov, CTO at VIST Robotics, gives his forecast for automated mining systems in 2019

Top news

Mining Magazine awards 2018: the winners

Every year, Mining Magazine celebrates excellence in the mining industry by inviting our readers to nominate people, companies or groups that they feel have demonstrated outstanding commitment to advancing the state of play in mining over the past 12 months.

65 dead, hundreds missing after another Vale dam collapse

Vale announced that around 1pm local time on January 25 a tailings dam near its Feijão iron ore mine in the town of Brumadinho in Minas Gerais, Brazil, suffered a "breach"

World's largest autonomous Komatsu truck starts up in Canada

Komatsu dealer SMS Equipment has deployed a 400-short-ton-capacity (363t), model 980E-4AT autonomous truck - the largest in commercial operations - into production at a Canadian oil sands project

Rio Tinto discloses tailings dam details

In the wake of the deadly Feijão tailings dam failure, Rio Tinto has released information on its tailings facilities and announced that it will review its global TSF standard

BHP to double autonomous trucks at Jimblebar

BHP plans to double its autonomous fleet at Jimblebar in Western Australia's Pilbara region to 50 Caterpillar 793F autonomous trucks

Aikhal mine life to be extended by 10 years

Alrosa has decided to further develop its Aikhal underground mine by another 300m in depth, making it possible to replenish the raw material base and extend the mine life up to 2044

GMG offers guidance for deployment of autonomous tech

As miners consider the benefits and prepare to implement more autonomous equipment and systems, the Global Mining Guidelines Group (GMG) saw the need for a guideline to provide a framework for stakeholders investigating and establishing autonomous mining projects

Anglo, Engie to roll out 'world's largest' hydrogen truck

Anglo American is partnering with global energy company Engie to develop and fuel a hydrogen-powered mine haul truck, which they say will be the largest of its kind

Metso, Outotec to form leading METS company

The boards of Finnish engineering groups Metso and Outotec have approved a plan to create a new mineral-processing technology, equipment and services company, combining Metso's Minerals arm with Outotec, while the Metso Flow Control business will become a separate entity under the name Neles

Newmont and Goldcorp combine

Newmont Mining Corp and Goldcorp have entered into a definitive agreement in which Newmont will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Goldcorp in a stock-for-stock transaction valued at US$10 billion

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Automation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations using autonomous solutions in every region and sector, including analysis of the factors driving investment decisions

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2023 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of current exploration rates, trending exploration technologies, a ranking of top drill intercepts and a catalog of 2022 Initial Resource Estimates and recent discovery successes.