WAIMM UMaT Chapter’s Post

In order to keep workforces safe during the extraction process while improving productivity, minerals companies are adopting automation, digitization, and electrification. ◾ Safety is greatly impacted by introducing the above technologies into processes by keeping mining workers at a safe distance, operating machinery, programs, and softwares from a safe, sometimes great, distance. ◾ Efficiency is improved by leaning into technological options as machines do not tire, do not require breaks, and do not have to contend with human error. In addition, operations can commence 24/7 when utilizing technology and machines, simply requiring shift changes to keep them running. Mining operations are increasingly utilizing technology and innovation for processes that take place underground, at the rock face. With predictive maintenance, machine learning, and continued research and development, there are no downsides to putting technology to work and keeping workforces safe and well!

Tech Revolution: Modernizing Nigeria’s Mining Industry Technology is transforming Nigeria’s mining industry! Here’s a quick look: Digital Tools: Using GIS and remote sensing for better exploration and mapping. Automation: Autonomous machinery and remote-controlled equipment are boosting productivity and safety. Sustainability: Innovations like water recycling systems are reducing environmental impact. Future Trends: Look out for advancements in digital mining, AI, and real-time data analytics. Investing in these technologies is key to modernizing and sustaining the mining sector. How is technology impacting your work? Let’s talk tech in mining! Share your thoughts or questions in the comments.

Cobalt Red, by Siddharth Kara reveals how the world’s poorest people earn $1 per day mining for cobalt, a key ingredient in the massive batteries that drive electric cars. But we might debate as to which is the more obvious atrocity: slave labor or the aggressive elimination of Africa’s rainforest. Mining makes moonscapes. If you want to turn a forest into a moonscape, all you need is a mining operation. This is true whether you are mining for coal or iron, lithium, cobalt or rare earth metals. The Democratic Republic of Congo is Africa’s Amazon rainforest. Let’s talk about the effects of cobalt mining on the forests and the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo.  When you look at a map of Africa, the brown color in the north and the south represents deserts. The green in the middle represents rain forests. The Democratic Republic of Congo occupies the middle. It is the heart of Africa. Cobalt Red focuses on the conditions in which people in Congo have no choice but to mine for cobalt, which is essential for lithium ion batteries, the battery technology most prevalent in our cell phones, laptops and electric vehicles. Most miners earn less than $2 or less per day under conditions where injuries are high and health conditions shorten lives, largely because of exposure to toxic metals (e.g., uranium and lead). Children who are lucky attend 3-4 years of school, and then have to work to support their families.  All of this is thought to be essential to the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. Hart Hagan

The mining division of Rosatom has developed a technology for extracting rare earth metals The production of cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium and concentrate of the medium-heavy group of rare earth elements (samarium, gadolinium, europium) using the new technology will be organized at Rosatom's Solikamsk Magnesium Plant. The raw material for the production of rare earth elements will be loparite concentrate, which is extracted and enriched by another enterprise of the state corporation - Lovozersky Mining and Processing Plant. The essence of the technology is that the concentrate of REM carbonate dissolves in nitric acid. A nitrate solution of rare earth elements is obtained. Cerium is extracted from it by electrooxidation and subsequent extraction. Other rare earth elements are sequentially extracted from the remaining solution using extraction separation. Then there are the stages of precipitation, drying and calcination. https://lnkd.in/dUVyi-2G

Accelerating battery recycling in Europe: Expansion of lithium-ion recycling capacities and future prospects #Battery #Europe #Lithium #LithiumIonBatteries #Mining #Tech https://lnkd.in/dkrFDnTz

Accelerating battery recycling in Europe: Expansion of lithium-ion recycling capacities and future prospects #Battery #Europe #Lithium #LithiumIonBatteries #Mining #Tech https://lnkd.in/dkrFDnTz

"Everything comes from somewhere. If it didn't grow, it was mined." 🌍♻️ These words remind us how deeply connected we are to the planet’s resources. From the food on our plates to the smartphones in our hands, everything starts with materials sourced from the Earth. At TOMRA, we’re committed to responsible resource management. Our advanced ore sorting solutions maximize resource recovery, while our sensor-based sorting technology reduces environmental impact. By boosting efficiency, cutting energy use, and minimizing waste, we’re helping to shape a more sustainable and circular mining industry. Curious to learn more? 👉 https://lnkd.in/dkmE7ABU TOMRA Mining

A fully automated field-based Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) system, housed in a portable container, allows for rapid analysis of bulk samples containing copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Tin (Sn), iron (Fe), coal, and other critical elements. By automatically analysing the entire sample volume, PGNAA provides several advantages over other techniques such as X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). Unlike XRF and LIBS, which primarily analyze surface layers, PGNAA examines the entire sample composition. Additionally, PGNAA can effectively analyze lighter elements, which can pose challenges for XRF-based systems. This technology enables mining plants to gain valuable insights into the composition of incoming ores, enhancing operational efficiency and informed decision-making. The ability to assess bulk samples comprehensively contributes to better resource management and process optimization.

It is well known that the technology and production of Electric Vehicles (EVs) heavily depend on battery technology, specifically lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. These batteries are widely used due to their high energy density, long cycle life, relatively low self-discharge rate, and faster charging times compared to other battery types. As such, lithium is a crucial component, making up about 2% to 3% of the battery by weight, depending on the specific chemistry, such as lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) or lithium iron phosphate (LFP). However, the primary prerequisite for a reliable technology is the abundance and secure supply of its key raw material, as well as the environmental friendliness of its purification and refining process. The "lithium triangle" – Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, along with Peru – contains about 67% of the world's proven lithium reserves and produces about half of the global supply. Lithium does not naturally occur in its elemental form due to its high reactivity. Therefore, understanding the environmental impact of lithium mining, refining, and extraction has become increasingly critical. For example, both coal mining and lithium mining have similar carbon footprints. Additionally, the refining process of lithium-bearing ore or the evaporation/extraction process of lithium from brine results in significant carbon emissions. Given these factors, the question arises: Is the production of EV batteries truly climate-friendly?

RARE EARTH MAGNETS : US AND SOUTH KOREA JOINT VENTURE - Demand for permanent magnets containing rare earths is growing steadily, but China has held a virtual monopoly on producing these components, essential for the transitions in energy and transportation. Now, a possible alternative could develop: The South Korean cable manufacturer LS Cable & System and the German magnet manufacturer Vacuumschmelze (VAC) have announced a joint venture to this effect. This was reported by the newspaper Aju Korea Daily, among others. Specifically, the subsidiary LS Eco Advanced Material, a producer of copper wires for electric motors in Hyundai and Kia vehicles, has signed a letter of intent with Europe’s market leader for permanent magnets. The aim is to supply 1,000 tons of neodymium magnets annually from 2027, enough for around 500,000 electric cars. According to Aju, only around ten companies outside of China manufacture these high-tech components. According to Korea IT Times, LS Eco Energy will start supplying neodymium this year and is also considering building a factory for rare earth metals in Vietnam, CEO Lee Sang-ho said. LS Cable recently signed a purchase agreement for rare earths with the Vietnamese mining company Hung Thinh Mineral, starting with 200 tons in the current year. Vietnam has the second-largest rare earth deposits after China and intends to significantly expand its mining and processing activities. VAC is also playing an important role in establishing its western supply chains and is currently building a plant for rare earth magnets in the U.S. It would be only the second factory in the United States. Source : rawmaterials.net