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JULY 2014 VOL. 119 NO. 7

FEATURE ARTICLES ROOM-AND-PILLAR MINING/28

24 Upper Midwest Coal Deliveries Up; Rail Issues Hit PRB Especially Hard

28 Room and Pillar: Eyeing the Future

The latest in equipment, technology and consumables

34 Coal Age Buyers Guide 2014

42 Running Right: A Piece of Pi

Alpha Natural Resources takes its safety program Running Right to heart, especially in the operation of preparation plants PIT DEWATERING/48 PRODUCT NEWS/56 48 The Pump Maker’s Perspective

Pumps play an essential role in mining and mineral processing. Coal Age sought the views of two of the world’s major manufacturers on how the technology is developing.

COAL IN THE NEWS

4 CONSOL Energy Dedicates BMX Mine in Honor of Harvey

4 MSHA Targets Rhino Eagle 3 6 Cordero Rojo Marks Billion-ton Milestone THIS ISSUE 8 Cliffs to Idle Pinnacle Mine

10 Patriot Investigating Prep Plant Outage This month, Coal Age digs in to the room-and-pillar sector with the latest

12 White Oak Prepares for Longwall Startup in technology for equipment, as well as the future of consumable supplies. It also features the 2014 Buyers Guide on page 34, which lists more than 14 FBI Indicts 9 in Fake Coal Company Scheme 500 companies that market equipment and services to the coal industry.

16 MSHA Spotlights Roof Fall Prevention in Summer Alert On the cover, a miner keeps a close eye on a roof bolter. (Photo courtesy of Kennametal.) 18 Big Rivers Retains Capacity at DB Wilson

19 Atlantic Sees Buoyant Anthracite Market DEPARTMENTS 2 Editorial 4 Coal in the News WORLD NEWS 5 World News 12 People 5 Indian Coal Imports Rise With Heat Wave 13 Dateline Washington 6 Indonesia’s Bumi Sells to CIC to Reduce Debt 14 Calendar 15 Awards 8 India Assigns Task Force to Monitor Coal Mafia 20 Marketwatch 10 Verdicts Announced in Wales Manslaughter Trial 24 Transport Tips 52 Operating Ideas 54 Suppliers News 56 Product News 61 Classified 64 Legally Speaking

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editor’s note Skeptics Gather in Las Vegas

www.mining-media.com uring early July, the Heartland Institute hosted the Ninth Mining Media International DInternational Conference on Climate Change (ICCC) in Las Editorial Office Vegas. A total of 64 speakers — mostly scientists, economists and 11555 Central Parkway, Suite 401 policy experts from around the world who are skeptical about the Jacksonville, Florida 32224 U.S.A. claims of global warming alarmists — gave presentations. These Phone: +1.904.721.2925 Fax: +1.904.721.2930 professionals and many others, including the Heartland Institute, Editor-in-Chief—Steve Fiscor, [email protected] think the threat of man-made global warming is being overblown. Western Field Editor—Russ Carter, [email protected] These are the scientists supporting our business. Field Editor—Donna Schmidt, [email protected] This year’s ICCC was co-sponsored by 32 organizations. In his BY STEVE FISCOR European Editor—Simon Walker, [email protected] / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF opening address, Heartland Institute President Joseph Bast recog- Latin American Editor—Oscar Martinez, [email protected] nized the Media Research Center, Cornwall Alliance, Science and News Editor, Mining—Joseph W. Kirschke, [email protected] Environmental Policy Project, Heritage Foundation, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Assistant Editor—Jennifer Jensen, [email protected] CFACT, and the George C. Marshall Institute. These seven organizations stepped forward Graphic Designer—Austin St. Clair, [email protected] to nominate award recipients and organize the award ceremonies to honor professionals willing to speak out against global warming alarmism. Mining Media International Corporate Office The conference had panels featuring prominent scientists discussing the latest physi- 8751 East Hampden, Suite B1 cal science about global warming and the failure of models to predict climate change, Denver, Colorado 80231 U.S.A. dwindling polar ice caps, etc. Economists and policy experts explained the social benefits Phone: +1.303.283.0640 as well as the social costs of fossil fuels, the futility of spending trillions of dollars attempt- Fax: +1.303.283.0641 ing to stop uncertain and perhaps unknowable climate changes a century from now, and President/Publisher—Peter Johnson, [email protected] the need to repeal the bad energy policies and other policies that were adopted at the Vice President of Sales & Marketing—John Bold, [email protected] peak of the global warming scare and are now understood to be unnecessary, costly and Midwest/Eastern U.S. & Canada, Sales—Victor Matteucci, [email protected] counterproductive. Western U.S. & Canada, Sales—Mary Lu Buse, [email protected] This conference is a project of the Heartland Institute’s Center on Climate and Scandinavia, UK and European Sales—Colm Barry, [email protected] Environmental Policy, which produces an ambitious program of research and educa- Germany, Austria & Switzerland Sales—Gerd Strasmann, [email protected] tional projects in defense of free-market environmentalism. The world needs voices Australia/Asia Sales—Lanita Idrus, [email protected] Japan Sales—Masao Ishiguro, [email protected] devoted to sound science and market-based, rather than government-based, solutions Indonesia Sales—Dimas Abdillah, [email protected] to environmental problems, Bast explained. The Heartland Institute helps find and Classified Advertising—Norm Rose, [email protected] amplify those voices. Show Manager—Tanna Holzer, [email protected] Bast made an interesting comparison between alarmists and skeptics. Alarmists see Production Manager—Dan Fitts, [email protected] what they believe, he said, while skeptics believe what they see. Alarmists think every change in the weather is evidence of a human impact on climate, and a human impact is necessarily bad. They believe only government can solve big problems, and man-made climate change would be the biggest problem ever discovered. Skeptics look at the data and see no warming for 17 years, no increase in storms, no increase in the rate of sea level rise, no new extinctions attributable to climate change, in short, no climate crisis. Rather than defend the science behind their cause, global warming alarmists typically claim “the debate is over” and demonize their critics. Coal Age, Volume 119, Issue 7, (ISSN 1040-7820) is published monthly by Mining According to Bast, the U.S. federal government spent $22.5 billion on global warming Media Inc., 10 Sedgwick Drive, Englewood, Colorado 80113 (mining-media.com). in 2013. It has spent $200 billion over the past 20 years. “By one estimate, the world is Periodicals postage paid at Englewood, CO, and additional mailing offices. Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement No. 40845540. Canada return address: Station A, PO spending $1 billion a day on projects that wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for global warming Box 54, Windsor ON N9A 6J5, Email: [email protected]. Current and alarmism,” Bast said. “All this spending has created a global warming industry that back issues and additional resources, including subscription request forms and an marginalizes, demonizes, and sometimes outright attacks the thousands of scholars and editorial calendar, are available online at www.coalage.com. other professionals willing to speak out against a popular delusion.” To see what took SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Free and controlled circulation to qualified subscribers. Non-qualified persons may subscribe at the following rates: USA and Canada, 1 year, place at the conference, visit: http://climateconference.heartland.org/. $56.00, 2 year, $96.00, 3 year, $162.00, Student, $16.00, Outside the USA and Canada, 1 year, $77.00, 2 year, $137.00, 3 year, $225.00 surface mail (1 year, $145.00, 2 year, $257.00 airmail delivery). For subscriber services or to order single copies, write to Coal Age, 8751 East Hampden, Suite B1, Denver, CO 80231 USA; call +1.303.283.0640 (USA) or visit www.mining-media.com. ARCHIVES AND MICROFORM: This magazine is available for research and retrieval of select- ed archived articles from leading electronic databases and online search services, including Factiva, LexisNexis, and Proquest. For microform availability, contact ProQuest at 800-521- 0600 or +1.734.761.4700, or search the Serials in Microform listings at www.proquest.com.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Coal Age, P.O. Box 1337, Skokie, IL 60076 USA. Steve Fiscor REPRINTS: Mining Media Inc, 8751 East Hampden, Suite B1, Denver, CO 80231 USA [email protected] phone: +1.303.283.0640, fax: +1.303.283.0641, www.mining-media.com PHOTOCOPIES: Authorization to photocopy articles for internal corporate, personal, or instructional use may be obtained from the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) at +1.978.750.8400. Obtain further information at www.copyright.com.

COPYRIGHT 2014: Coal Age, incorporating Coal and 2 www.coalage.com Coal Mining & Processing. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CA_pg02-03_CA_pg02 7/11/14 1:21 PM Page 3 CA_pg04-19_V5_CA_pg06-23 7/11/14 1:43 PM Page 4

news CONSOL Energy Dedicates BMX Mine in Honor of Harvey

CONSOL Energy Inc. celebrated its 150th anniversary and hosted a dedication ceremony at the Bailey Mine Expansion (BMX). The BMX mine has been renamed the Harvey mine in recognition of the leadership of J. Brett Harvey, who was recently elected execu- tive chairman of CONSOL Energy’s board of directors after 16 years with the company as president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board. “He navigated the company through significant challenges he inherited when he arrived in the late 1990s, and made CONSOL the premier energy company that it is today,” said Nick DeIuliis, CON- SOL Energy president and chief executive officer. “Brett’s legacy will be defined not only for the way he deftly guided CONSOL through one of the most significant chapters in our long history, but also for Nick DeIuliis, CONSOL Energy president and CEO (right), recently commemorated the example he set and the importance he placed on our core value the BMX mine, which has been renamed the Harvey mine in recognition of the lead- of safety above all else.” ership of Brett Harvey (left). He added, “Today, Brett Harvey joins Ralph Bailey as the great- est leaders this company has ever known. Our company, and the entire industry, is better off today because of Brett’s unwavering Foresight Energy Launches Successful IPO commitment to the safety of the men and women who work under- Chris Cline’s Foresight Energy finally joined the ranks of large, pub- ground every day to provide society with the comforts we all enjoy.” licly traded coal companies in the United States in late June when The Harvey mine, which officially began production in March the St. Louis-based company priced 17.5 million shares at 2014, is the third coal mine and contains the fifth longwall system at $20/share, raising about $350 million. the Bailey Complex — the largest underground coal complex in The company operates four underground thermal coal mines in North America. The 5-million-ton-annual-production capacity at Illinois — three of them large longwall operations, Williamson, the Harvey mine brings total annual production capacity at the Sugar Camp and Hillsboro — and is pursuing plans to build a natur- complex to nearly 30 million tons. Approximately 2,500 employees al gas-fired power plant in Hamilton County to supply lower-cost support work at CONSOL Energy’s Pennsylvania coal operations, electricity to some of the mines. Macoupin, a continuous miner with 400 new jobs directly tied to the Harvey mine. operation, is the fourth and smallest mine.

BREAKING NEWS

MSHA Targets Rhino Eagle 3 The inspection and announcement comes just weeks after new respirable Federal inspectors have focused their enforcement power on Rhino dust regulations were announced, which go into effect August 1, that Eastern’s Eagle 3 operation in Wyoming County, West Virginia, putting it toughen up standards for all underground coal mines. in the spotlight of the agency’s efforts on the black lung and explosion While MSHA often makes several impact inspections per month and hazard front. exemplifies multiple mines in its regular results announcements, no oth- The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) said that a sur- ers were targeted in its July 7 statement. prise impact inspection on June 24 resulted in 38 violations, including Rhino did not immediately release any comments about the inspec- seven 104(d)(2)closure orders for ventilation violations, as well as tickets tion, the timing of the violations against the August 1 federal implemen- for equipment conditions, damaged electrical cables, self-contained self- tation date or if it plans to appeal any of the citations. rescuers and the presence of combustible materials. However, MSHA assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and MSHA has claimed that the found conditions have the potential to put health called the conditions at Eagle 3 “alarming” and said that they miners at risk of developing black lung disease and increased the poten- “show that common-sense practices to prevent black lung, mine explo- tial for deadly explosions that “underscor[e] the importance of mine safe- sions and other hazards were ignored,” going on to say that there “is ty vigilance and the need for continued improvements in controlling coal absolutely no excuse for allowing such dangerous conditions to exist, and dust” for mines across the country. miners deserve better.” Inspectors also told management that the operation had failed to fol- Eagle 3’s visit was not the first for MSHA; it confirmed it revisited the low approved ventilation, methane and dust control plans in several loca- mine because of an elevated citation rate in the first quarter of 2014, along tions of the underground mine. with a high number of violations logged during an impact inspection in May.

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TOP 10 COAL-PRODUCING STATES WORLD NEWS ¸ ˛ ˝ ¸ (in Thousand Short Tons) Indian Coal Imports Rise With Heat Wave Week Ending (6/28/14) Growing demand for power has resulted in a 12% increase year-on- 2014 2013 % Change year in coal imports by generation companies in May as the scorch- Wyoming 187,505 184,640 1.6 ing weather drove customers to crank up fans or air conditioners, West Virginia 58,340 59,189 -1.4 according to Exim News Service. The last two months saw electrici- 40,985 41,268 -0.7 ty demand hit multiyear highs in many states as temperatures Pennsylvania 28,869 27,828 3.7 soared. According to research firm OreTeam, people are expressing Illinois 26,898 27,441 -2.0 anger over frequent blackouts. Texas 20,155 19,367 4.1 More than half of India’s power generation is coal fired and its Montana 20,012 19,408 3.1 Indiana 19,855 18,894 5.1 share is growing despite a domestic shortage of fuel. Prakash North Dakota 14,280 13,425 -6.4 Duvvuri, OreTeam research head, said that “as a result, imports Ohio 11,514 14,331 -19.7 continue to increase, jumping to 15.6 million metric tons (mt) in May, the biggest for the month in at least three years.” U.S. Total 482,485 485,122 -0.5 India’s coal imports stood at 13.9 million mt in May 2013 and 15.2 million mt in April 2014. While Cline and the company he founded might appear to be making a counterintuitive bet on the future of coal in the country, Small Indonesian Coal Companies Begin to Panic analysts said Foresight has as rosy an outlook as any coal producer An industry group, cutting output capacity in the world’s top in the U.S. exporter, said that plunging thermal coal prices will force some That is largely because of where Foresight mines coal — in the small and low-margin producers in Indonesia out of business high-sulfur, lower-cost Illinois Basin, which remains a growth mar- before year-end. The benchmark for Asian coal prices has dropped ket while other basins, in particular Central Appalachia, are fading 16% so far this year and has traded at its lowest level since late or relatively stagnant. And Foresight does it inexpensively. The com- 2009 on fears of slowing growth in demand from China. It dropped pany claims to be the lowest-cost and highest-margin bituminous to $72.38 per metric ton (mt) in the week to June 13. thermal coal producer in the U.S. Indeed, a number of industry Bob Kamandanu, chairman of Indonesia’s Coal Mining sources privately conceded it is difficult, though not impossible, to Association, when asked about the industry, said it’s in panic compete against Foresight on its “home court.” mode. “Toward the end of the year, if there is no good news and if The shares offered to the public represented a 13.5% limited the price stays between $72/mt to $73/mt, some companies will partner interest in Foresight Energy, or a 15.5% limited partner stop and go out of business,” Kamandanu said. interest if the underwriters exercise, in full, their option to pur- He said that Indonesian production would likely remain flat this chase additional shares. Foresight Reserves and a member of year at around 420 million mt, as a possible 30 million mt reduc- management collectively hold an 86.5% limited partner interest tion in output from closed small mines would be offset as larger in Foresight Energy. companies. For the IPO, Barclays, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs & Co. and Deutsche Bank Securities acted as joint Cerrejon Resumes Coal Shipments After Protests in Colombia book-running managers. Stifel, Credit Agricole CIB, PNC Capital Colombia’s biggest coal miner, Cerrejon, said that it was trans- Markets LLC and Huntington Investment Co. served as co-man- porting coal again from its mine to port after protesters ended a agers. six-day blockade on its private railway line that took the company Foresight is trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the to the brink of defaulting on shipments, according to Reuters. The symbol “FELP.” Foresight declined to comment about the IPO. protesters, who work as security guards at Cerrejon, had blocked Foresight said it anticipated using about $210 million of the pro- the 150-km railroad because they were angered by upcoming job ceeds from the IPO to repay debt, with the remainder going to losses resulting from an expiring third-party contract. Cerrejon majority owner Foresight Reserves. thanked the government for helping establish dialogue with the Several other coal producers have gone public in recent years, demonstrators, which helped reestablish the coal transportation including Armstrong Energy, Rhino Resource Partners and Oxford route to Port Bolivar. The company said that it agreed to work joint- Resource Partners. ly with the protesters to find solutions for security guards who Foresight said it already has invested more than $2 billion in would lose their jobs after current contracts for security provision Illinois where it has accumulated more than 3 billion tons of coal expire, without providing specific details of what this might entail. reserves, enough to supply multiple underground and/or longwall Cerrejon currently employs 1,000 security guards to protect one of mines for decades. the world’s largest open-pit coal mines. According to the IPO, Foresight estimates it or an affiliate will pump an additional $240 million to $425 million into the opera- NWR Considers the Sale of OKD in Czech Republic tions in order to achieve full production capacity in each incre- New World Resources (NRW) is preparing for the possible sale of mental longwall mining system. Currently, the company operates subsidiaries, including the Ostrava-based coal producer OKD. OKD four longwalls in the Midwestern state and has sufficient assigned has four mines and employs around 12,000 miners in the Czech reserves to support up to nine longwalls. Foresight produced 18.8 Continued on p. 6...

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million tons of coal in 2013 and expects this year’s output will hit Continued from p. 5... 24 million tons. If all the proposed longwalls are developed, total Republic, including the Paskov mine in North Moravia, which it production could exceed 60 million tons a year, more than the plans to close in three years. roughly 50 million tons produced by Illinois in 2013. NWR, which is among Central Europe’s leading coking coal pro- In keeping with its low-cost strategy, Foresight for several ducers, said it will attempt to sell subsidiaries if it fails to reach months has been weighing the construction of a gas-fired power agreement with shareholders and bond holders as far as its capital plant. Although the company had not yet submitted a formal appli- restructuring plan by September. cation to the state for the plant by late June, Joe Bernard, chairman The Netherlands-based company needs 75% of its lenders to of the Hamilton County Board, said the plant is still on Foresight’s agree to the conditions, spokesman Petr Jonák told the Czech News drawing board. Agency. At present, 63% have given the plan their backing, he said, Bernard and fellow county officials were briefed on the project adding that the firm expects to win sufficient support for a consen- by Foresight early this year. Recently, Bernard said, he received an sus agreement. email from Foresight indicating the power plant project remains However, Jonák, head of external relations at NWR, said NRW’s alive. board of directors are duty-bound to be prepared for all eventuali- No timetable, however, has been given by the company for the ties and possible developments. He insisted that whatever, hap- project. Nor has the size of the plant been publicly disclosed. The pens, there will be no impact on the day-to-day running of OKD’s plant presumably would be a combined-cycle facility that would be operations. able to generate electricity around-the-clock if needed. Currently, Southeastern Illinois Electric Co-op supplies at least some of the Indonesia’s Bumi Sells Stake to CIC to Reduce Debt company’s mines. Indonesia’s largest coal miner PT Bumi Resources transferred its 19% stake in coal unit PT Kaltim Prima Coal to China Investment Corp. Cordero Rojo Marks Billion-ton Milestone (CIC), as part of its debt repayment, according to the Jakarta Post. The Cloud Peak Energy (CPE) recently announced that its Cordero Rojo stake was valued at $950 million, reducing Bumi’s debt to CIC to mine, located in northeastern Wyoming, will ship its 1 billionth ton of $1.04 billion. Bumi President Director Ari Hudaya said that he wel- coal. The mine sold approximately 36.7 million tons of coal in 2013, comed CIC as his company’s equity partner, adding that the transfer making it the third largest coal mine by production in the U.S. last was a major step in the restructuring of Bumi’s financial performance year. Since 2005, the mine has paid more than $1 billion in taxes and and the reduction of its debt. “We are confident our revised capital royalties to federal, state and local entities. structure and the recovery of coal prices will enable us to return to “Achieving the 1-billion-ton milestone is a testament to the hard profit making,” he said in a statement. work and strong focus on safe and responsible production by Cordero Rojo mine’s employees,” said Colin Marshall, president ICVL to Bid for 3 Mozambique Coal Mines and CEO, CPE. “Cordero Rojo will continue to play an important The Press Trust of India (PTI) reported that International Coal Ventures role in U.S. coal production well into the future.” is likely to submit a $200 million bid to mining firm Rio Tinto for buy- “I want to congratulate all of our employees on reaching this ing all three of its coal mines in Mozambique. Rio Tinto Coal significant mark,” said Joe Vaccari, Cordero Rojo mine general Mozambique has 100% stake each in Zambeze and Tete East projects manager. “Hitting 1 billion tons of coal shipped is quite an accom- and 65% in the Benga mine, in which Tata Steel holds the remaining plishment for the Cordero Rojo mine. We are proud to help 35%. The coking coal mines are located in the north of the country. America meet its energy needs for safe, reliable and affordable Citing an unmade source in the steel ministry, PTI said that “ICVL had electricity.” preliminary talks recently with some Rio Tinto officials in Mozambique Started in 1976 by Sun Oil Co., the Cordero mine shipped just and it is likely to submit a binding bid during July.” more than 10,000 tons in its first year of operation. The Cordero mine merged with the Caballo Rojo mine in 1997, to create the Zimbabwe’s Hwange Colliery Acquires Badly Needed Mining Equipment Cordero Rojo mine. Since merging the two mines, the complex has The troubled Hwange Colliery Co. Ltd. has acquired equipment historically produced more than 35 million tons annually. worth more than $33 million to boost production to around 300,000 metric tons per month (mtpm). Last year, Hwange reported $31.6 Murray Energy Files Another Lawsuit Against the EPA million, which was down from $3 million from the previous year. Murray Energy Corp. filed an additional lawsuit against the Hwange’s current liabilities stand at $162 million, with assets of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last month in the U.S. $85 million prior to this equipment purchase. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit challenging Newly appointed Managing Director Thomas Makore told jour- the agency’s proposed guidelines for existing coal-fired power nalists after the company’s annual general meeting that Hwange, plants. “These cap-and-tax regulations will destroy millions of which is struggling with legacy and current debt, was currently jobs, cripple the American economy, and cause massive black- mining on average 150,000 mtpm. “The equipment is coming from outs in our country,” the company said in a press release. The Belarus and India between September and October,” he said. company filed a similar lawsuit during March based on the EPA’s “The equipment will allow us to produce coal quantities at tar- rules for future plants. gets that we have set ourselves.” In its lawsuit, Murray Energy is asking the court to issue a writ Continued on p. 8... preventing the EPA from promulgating and implementing this

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rule on electric power generation. “This is clearly an illegal Continued from p. 6... attempt by the Obama EPA to impose irrational and destructive In the last two years, Hwange has repaid around $35 million of cap-and-tax mandates, which Congress and the American people the legacy debt, but operational challenges have seen the coal min- have consistently rejected,” said Gary M. Broadbent, assistant er accruing more debt through failure to pay workers and creditors general counsel and media director for Murray Energy. “These for months, which has resulted in the latter dragging HCCL to court. proposed rules will cause immediate and irreparable harm to The miner owes workers $19 million in unpaid salaries and $13 mil- Americans, including our citizens on fixed incomes and our man- lion to other creditors, most of whom are equipment suppliers. “We ufacturers of products that compete in the global marketplace.” accept our obligations and are trying to negotiate payment plans,” In the company’s opinion — one which is also shared by many Makore said. others in the coal business — the EPA has waged an all-out “war on As part of Hwange’s reorganization, the company will be divided coal,” promulgating a series of rules and regulations seeking to elimi- into five units, which include plant and equipment, open-cast min- nate the U.S. coal industry, and the very good jobs, and low-cost elec- ing as well as underground mining. “That way, we can better man- tricity, which it provides. To date, at least 421 coal-fired electric power age the company as we can be able to monitor and track the costs plants in America have been closed, identified for closure, or switched and performance,” he said. “We are mapping a clear road forward to a different fuel source because of the EPA. that should allow us to become sustainable.” Hwange, which employs 3,200 people, had earlier announced plans to retrench over Cliffs to Idle Pinnacle Mine a third of its workforce to rationalize the workforce, but the govern- Cliffs Natural Resources has confirmed that it will temporarily ment, which is the major shareholder, blocked the move. idle its Pinnacle underground metallurgical mine in southern West Virginia due to market conditions, and the stoppage could India Assigns Task Force to Monitor Coal Mafia be lengthy. An official in the Ministry of Coal said that a central task force will In a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing entered be set up to prevent illegal coal mining and keep tabs on the mafia June 25, the producer said that it has already issued a Worker operating in the eastern region of the coal belt, according to Indian Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice to all of Express. The official said that the special task force would include Pinnacle’s employees. armed security personnel, as the coal mafia is dangerous and has The notice indicated that, if the market does not improve, it will killed many people in the past. idle the operation on or about August 25 for a period estimated to Allegations have been raised about the involvement between min- last six months or longer. istry officials and the mafia. Several discrepancies were detected dur- Pinnacle, a United Mine Workers of America-represented mine ing audits. A former chairman had misused his authority at the behest located near Pineville, which extracts from the Pocahontas No. 3 seam, of the mafia to promote a lady official who allegedly accepted bribes. has about 575 employees, 397 of which are hourly. Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goel has made it very clear that he will The mine runs a single longwall panel as well as continuous not hesitate to sack even the directors if they were found to be helping miner sections; it produced 2.8 million tons of high quality, low-vol unscrupulous traders or indulging in nepotism. met product last year.

India’s NTPC Likely to Begin Production from 2 Coal Mines AEP Anticipates Larger Coal Burn DNA India reported that state-owned NTPC is likely to commence pro- Aided largely by the colder-than-normal start to 2014 across much duction from its two captive coal mines Chatti-Bariatu and Kerandari of its 11-state service territory, American Electric Power Co. (AEP), in Jharkand. The coal blocks were forfeited earlier from the state-run traditionally one of the largest users of coal in the United States, company as it failed to develop them within the stipulated timeframe. now anticipates an increased coal burn this year, perhaps as much However, the blocks were later given back to the power producer. as 10-15% more than previous estimates. According to a recent Coal Ministry document, NTPC recently informed The Columbus, Ohio-based utility company entered the year with the government that the production from the Chatti Bariatu and expectations of burning 55 to 56 million tons in 2014, comparable to Kerandari mines is expected to commence from June 2016. the 55 million tons it consumed last year. But the so-called “polar vor- tex” in January, which resulted in some of the coldest temperatures in Russia Considering Mechel Bailout two decades in many Midwestern and Eastern states, rather dramati- Russian officials may be examining a $5 billion rescue deal that would cally altered AEP’s coal supply forecast. AEP pressed into service sever- bring its largest steelmaker, Mechel, back into the black financially. al of its older coal-burning generating units targeted for retirement in a Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev told Reuters that the government few years to comply with new federal Environmental Protection was considering a scheme that would involve a $5.2 billion (180 billion Agency (EPA) rules. Indeed, a full 87% of those soon-to-be-shuttered roubles) convertible bond that would subsequently be purchased by coal units needed to operate to help maintain electric grid reliability state development bank Vnesheconombank (VEB). Mechel would, in when the mercury plummeted across the region. turn, utilize the proceeds to tackle part of its debt load. Fast forward a few months, and the result is good news for coal The company is currently $8.6 million in debt, and in the recent producers who just a few years ago were supplying the company past has endured several debt restructurings with creditor banks. with more than 70 million tons annually. AEP buys coal from several A rescue deal, however, may reduce the stake of its controlling share- basins, including Central Appalachia, Northern Appalachia and the Continued on p. 10... Powder River Basin.

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Also contributing to the higher coal burn are wholesale power Continued from p. 8... prices that have continued to inch upward after temporarily spiking holder, businessman Igor Zyuzin. If this scheme moves forward, it could early this year. Armed with the revised information, AEP has altered be the first corporate restructuring involving the dilution of a controlling its coal burn forecast for 2014. shareholder’s stake; Zyuzin currently owns 67.4% of Mechel. “At this point, we expect our coal burn in 2014 to be about 10- “The main thing being discussed is a bridge loan and then the 15% higher than our 2013 burn of 55 million tons,” AEP spokes- transfer of rights to demand collateral to VEB. It is possible that these woman Tammy Ridout said in June. That projection is expected to rights will come through...convertible bonds,” Ulyukayev told Reuters. hold true especially if power prices remain strong in the latter half of He did not disclose the amount of the possible bridge loan, but this year, she added. sources familiar with the issue said that three state banks, including AEP is one of many electric utilities that released formal Sberbank, VTB and Gazprombank, may combine to provide Mechel with a requests for proposals this year to purchase more coal and lock in $1 billion (35 billion rouble) bridge loan before it issues the bonds. prices for the next year or two. In AEP’s case, it sought bids to buy Mechel has so far not commented on the potential deal, and up to 500,000 tons of Illinois Basin (IB) spot coal starting in July none of the banks have issued statements. and running through the end of this year, and as much as another The situation has already been discussed with First Deputy 500,000 tons of IB spot coal for calendar year 2015. Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, and there is a plan to talk it over with In late June, AEP spokeswoman Melissa McHenry confirmed Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, unidentified sources told Reuters. her company had signed contracts to buy most of what it needed from the competitive solicitation. She declined to identify the Verdicts Announced in Wales Manslaughter Trial coal suppliers or reveal their individual contracted amounts. The manager and owners of a Swansea Valley mine where four miners died Also in June, AEP, like other coal-burning utilities, was still have been cleared of manslaughter. Charles Breslin, 62, David Powell, 50, evaluating the EPA’s proposed greenhouse gas rule for existing Philip Hill, 44, and Garry Jenkins, 39, drowned in 2011 when 650,000 gal- power plants. AEP already has announced plans to retire about lons of water flooded the Gleision drift mine following a controlled explo- 6,600 megawatts (MW) of older coal-fired generation capacity sion. Manager Malcolm Fyfield, and mine owners MNS Mining had denied over the next several years to meet the federal agency’s other new manslaughter through gross negligence. The jury took just an hour to rules, in particular its Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule. reach their decision. Fyfield, who has suffered severe post-traumatic More than 2,000 MW of those retirements are scheduled for Ohio, stress disorder since surviving the incident, broke down in tears as the not AEP’s home and one of the states hardest hit by the polar vortex. guilty verdicts were read out at Swansea Crown Court. Key to the three- Altogether, AEP owns approximately 38,000 MW of generation month case was whether Fyfield inspected the mine as he said he did. The capacity, with coal accounting for about 23,000 MW of that total. former mine manager was working underground with the men when water In 2012, the company relied on coal for 73% of its electricity. tore into the pit after they blasted into old coal workings near Pontardawe. Fyfield, who had come out of retirement to run the mine and Patriot Investigating Prep Plant Outage who had a “sky-high reputation,” had been given orders to connect Patriot Coal Corp. in late June was still investigating the cause of a two parts of the pit to improve ventilation. Fyfield said there was May 6 accident that damaged a portion of the Camp Breckinridge only a small amount of water present the day before the incident. prep plant near Morganfield in Union County, Kentucky, idling the The case came down to key points. Highland No. 9 underground thermal coal mine several miles away The prosecution claimed Fyfield had been warned about the for more than a month and a half. existence of the underground water, which later flooded the mine. The St. Louis-based company has not publicly released details of They said he intended to breach the old central workings and the mishap, except to say that the plant was damaged by a “structur- thought he could do it without causing any danger to the men. al failure.” Steve Earle, a United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Fyfield said there was “no doubt” he inspected the right area of official in western Kentucky, blamed the incident on a beam “that the pit the day before it flooded. He said he inspected it three times gave way and the hopper came down through the floor.” Luckily, no where the miners would work to ensure there were no dangers, includ- one was injured, he said. Tests have been run on prep plant equip- ing water. Geologist Dr. Alan Cobb said it was “possible” and “proba- ment to determine the cause of the accident. ble” that the water collected after Fyfield inspected it. Fyfield also The UMWA represents most hourly employees at Highland No. claimed shot-firer Hill, who was killed in the tragedy, used multiple 9, which has a total work force of 458 people. The mine is located in shots of explosives the day before, against his instructions. The mine both Union and Henderson counties. boss said he only wanted single shots used. At the time the mine was idled, Patriot said it anticipated full A statement from the families of the men who died was read on the production would resume by June 30. At least limited production, court steps following the verdicts. It said, “Today has been a difficult however, began earlier than that after the company recalled about day for us all, as have the last two-and-a-half years since we lost our 120 miners earlier in June. loved ones at the Gleision mine. We miss Gary, Philip, Charles and David On June 28, Patriot spokeswoman Janine Orf said the prep dearly. Not a day has passed without wishing they were still with us.” plant was back operating at 50% capacity, adding all mine and They thanked those who helped with the rescue efforts and said prep plant employees would be back on the job by July 7. Earle they were grateful for the “overwhelming support” they had received said the union expected virtually all miners to be recalled around from the community. the Fourth of July holiday. Prior to the idling, Highland No. 9, a continuous miner opera- ˛ tion, was enjoying a good production year. The mine produced

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nearly 850,000 tons in the first three months of 2014, placing it Hood said privately owned White Oak has secured contract well on its way to surpassing last year’s output of 2.9 million tons. commitments for the sale of approximately 4 million tons annually The high-sulfur coal, produced from the area’s prevalent western from the mine, although he declined to identify the customer(s), Kentucky No. 9 seam, is loaded onto barges on the nearby Ohio individual purchase amounts or prices. River, mainly for delivery to power plants in the region. While the company hopes to lock in additional sales, it is opti- Late last year, Patriot hired more miners to prepare for a seven- mistic enough about the mine’s future to begin operating the new day production schedule at Highland No. 9. Some of those new longwall early this fall a bit ahead of schedule. employees were unemployed miners from eastern Kentucky, part of Like most Illinois Basin thermal coal producers, White Oak is the struggling Central Appalachian coalfield. focusing mainly on the domestic electric utility market, in particular While the outlook was brighter for Highland No. 9, the company power plants that are scrubbed and equipped with other advanced in late June completed the layoff of approximately 75 employees at pollution controls to comply with new federal Environmental its Wells metallurgical coal and Corridor G thermal coal mining Protection Agency rules. complexes in West Virginia. In all, White Oak has access to more than 1.3 billion tons of Patriot had issued federal WARN Act notices to employees at the recoverable coal in Hamilton County, enough for the eventual two mines in April, saying both met and thermal coal markets con- development of multiple underground mines. An affiliate of Alliance tinued to be challenging, and the company needed to more closely Resource Partners has acquired nearly 300 million tons that it is align production with sales. gradually leasing back to White Oak on a royalty basis.

White Oak Prepares for Longwall Startup Kentucky Mine Issues Layoff Notice The new longwall mining system at White Oak Resources’ No. 1 Dozens of workers at a Harlan-Cumberland Coal Co. operation in underground thermal coal mine in Hamilton County, Illinois, is Kentucky will soon be without a job, at least temporarily, because poised for the start of production in September, when its output of the mine will not be able to meet an upcoming retrofitting deadline Herrin No. 6 seam coal is expected to rise rapidly. for its refuge chambers. In a WARN Act notice issued to miners and White Oak 1 has been in limited production as a continuous local government officials, the operator said that the layoffs are pos- miner operation for about a year and tonnages have ramped up sible on August 18 and could impact 80 to 90 individuals at the Rex slowly but steadily. The mine produced 185,566 tons in 2013 and Coal Co. D-5 mine in Harlan County. 264,702 tons in the first quarter of 2014. While the mine now has two locally manufactured units under- But the longwall should boost production exponentially. ground as required, the retrofitting needed to make the chambers At peak production, probably in 2015, White Oak 1 should be compliant will not be complete by the June 30 deadline. turning out about 6.5 million tons annually, according to Ray Hood, “[The] D-5 mine will be forced to temporarily shut down until the the mine’s general manager. changes can be made,” the notice said. “A shutdown…will necessarily

m PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Donald “Donnie” Ratliff has been named the new chairman of Chair in Mining Engineering is a tenured professorship. At NIOSH, he helped the Virginia Coal and Energy Alliance Inc. Ratliff is vice presi- coordinate the first cross-divisional program in hearing loss prevention, dent of state governmental affairs for Virginia, West Virginia, pioneering what has now become a standard organizational approach at Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Wyoming for Alpha NIOSH. Dr. Kohler served as the associate director for mining and construc- Natural Resources. tion before the Office of Construction Safety and Health was established. In Donald Ratliff that role, he worked with others to develop a construction Atrum Coal NL appointed Cameron Vorias to the strategic plan, which was then reviewed by the National board as a non-executive director. Vorias is currently managing Academies. Kohler has stepped down from his position as director and CEO of Sojitz Coal Mining Pty Ltd. Cameron Vorias NIOSH associate director for mining.

Coalspur Mines Ltd. announced that Theodore (Ted) Mayers has Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp. appointed Mark Marinko as resigned as a director. senior vice president and CFO. Mark Marinko

Ingram Industries Inc. promoted Vice President and Deputy Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview announced that William General Counsel Eleanor McDonald to executive vice president H. Chapman, formerly a senior environmental law partner at K&L and general counsel and secretary. She joined Ingram in 2006 as Gates, joined the company as CEO. Chapman has served as Eleanor McDonald assistant general counsel. senior outside counsel for Millennium for the past three years.

Jeffery Kohler, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health William Chapman Baldor Electric Company has promoted Greg Hewitt to mounted associate director for mining, has been appointed by The Pennsylvania bearing engineering manager. In this role, he will be responsible State University to the George H. and Anne B. Deike chair of mining engi- for all mounted bearing product-related engineering and will directly manage the neering in the Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering of the College product development team in Greenville, South Carolina. Previously, he was the of Earth and Mineral Sciences. The George H. and Anne B. Deike Endowed supervisor of the bearings and PTC design group.

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reduce operations at the Harlan-Cumberland’s Highsplint prepara- The agency said the nine have been charged in the U.S. District tion plant.” Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville Harlan-Cumberland officials are currently seeking an extension with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money that will allow it sufficient time to finish the retrofits. laundering. On June 10, a federal grand jury returned a 49-count indict- FBI Indicts 9 in Fake Coal Company Scheme ment against Brian Rose, a.k.a. John Hankins, of Johnson City, The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced indictments against Tennessee; Robert McGregor, a.k.a. Jim Robinson III, of Bowling nine individuals in five states stemming from a fake coal company fraud Green, Kentucky; Dallas McRae of Orlando, Florida; Hugh Sackett scheme in Tennessee that syphoned $15 million from various investors. of Anderson, South Carolina; James Robinson of Perkin, Indiana;

DATELINE WASHINGTON People Are Concerned…

BY LUKE POPOVICH

“Our job is to do everything we can to ensure that barely 2% of Americans considered the environment a priority, sug- business can take root and folks can find good jobs gesting how few are following the environmental leaders who have and America is leading in the global competition.” the president’s ear. No matter. This is the administration that is — President Barack Obama, 1/21/13. setting national energy policy with EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, who helpfully clarified that White House support for an If this is the “job” of the administration, when all-of-the-above energy strategy is no longer operative. In a June do they start working on it? From here it looks interview with the fawning Bill Maher, she gleefully summarized the like they’re on a work stoppage. Maybe they’re goal of the president’s climate action plan. protesting working conditions. Maher: “Some people call it a ‘war on coal.’ I hope it is a war on coal. Whatever the reason, they’re not on this job now. And time is running Is it?” out for hundreds of thousands of “folks” still out of work or laboring in McCarthy: “Actually, the EPA is all about fighting against pollu- jobs that aren’t “good.” Time is also running out for Democrats hoping to tion and fighting for public health — that’s exactly what this is.” win Senate seats in November by supporting the president’s climate Fighting for public health? Here’s a test: put this magazine plan. National Mining Association (NMA) surveys in eight key states show down, step outside and take a deep breath. You think your health is registered voters aren’t likely to vote this November for any candidate damaged by the air you’re breathing? As for environmental bene- who supports the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plan to euth- fits, both McCarthy and the president have admitted there are none. anize coal plants and raise utility bills. The real purpose of this plan isn’t to reduce global climate change Sometimes there seems to be two administrations and they’re pur- — that’s not possible from a country whose greenhouse gas emis- suing diametrically opposing objectives. The first tries to address fears sions aren’t causing the climate to change. It’s to shame the coun- of a public worried about stagnant incomes, declining standards of liv- tries who are the massive greenhouse gas emitters into stop using ing and poor job prospects. NMA’s polling confirms voters by over- affordable coal-based power and condemn millions of their citizens whelming majorities want the president to make jobs and the economy, to another generation of energy poverty and raise the costs for their not environmental regulation, his top priority. The White House sees the exporting industries. same polling numbers, so feels obliged to pay lip service to the “great There are not one but two heroic assumptions here: curbing unwashed” in the steppes beyond the beltway who are struggling with emissions from China and India will reduce climate change and the immediate problems brought on by a near comatose economy. “People assumption that these countries will raise their energy costs just are concerned about electricity prices going up,” said the president in a because we’re dumb enough to raise ours. On this basis, the admin- news flash to the League of Conservation Voters. istration, ignoring warnings about grid reliability and economic Then there is the other administration — the one encouraged by impacts, will swap low-cost for high-cost electricity, stick con- presidential edicts — that ignores these broad public concerns to sumers with the bill and jeopardize an estimated 224,000 jobs a focus instead on the concerns of earnest environmental alarmists year. Policies like this could explain why in early July the president’s staffed by anti-coal activists. This is the administration that pur- economic approval rating fell to 40%. sues a root and branch reorganization of the nation’s power grid to If the last administration’s war in Iraq was unpopular, this make it less responsive to American households and more respon- administration’s war on affordable electricity may be even more so. sive to the environmental lobby. This strategy may win a peace prize in Sweden but it won’t win Luke Popovich is a spokesperson for the National Mining votes in Peoria. A nationwide poll conducted by Pew in June found Association, the industry’s trade group based in Washington, D.C.

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Brent Loveall of Johnson City, Tennessee; Jason Smith of Bowling CALENDAR OF EVENTS Green, Kentucky; Ray Spears, a.k.a. Brock Hamilton, of Johnson City, Tennessee; and Jennifer Key of Louisville, Kentucky. August 2-8, 2014: 10th Mine Ventilation Congress, Sun City, South Africa. Contact: IMVC In addition, Rose as well as McGregor, McRae, Sackett, Robinson, 2014 Congress Secretariat; Tel: 27 (0)21 683 2934; Email: [email protected]; Web: Loveall, Spears, and Key were all charged with substantive mail and/or www.imvc2014.org. wire fraud charges. August 22, 2014: 4th Coal Market in India, The Imperial, New Delhi, India. Contact: According to the indictment, the center of the circle was Rose, Tel: +91 -9702961888/ 9702293599, Email: [email protected]; Web: www.ibk- who established an office for New Century Coal in Johnson City and media.com/event. subsequently hired the eight others to find investors from across the U.S. In all, the group — which used false and fraudulent representa- September 10-12, 2014: 2014 Coal Association of Canada Conference and Trade Show, tions to collect the funding — targeted an estimated 160 investors. Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, Canada. Contact: Linda Kool; Tel: +1 780-262-1544; Five members of the group appeared for initial court appearances Email: [email protected]. and arraignments between June 16 and 19, and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Three more appeared in court on June 30 for their September 17-19, 2014: Colombian Mining & Energy Conference, Irotama Hotel, Santa respective initial appearances and arraignments. Marta, Colombia. Contact: Web: www.alame.org. Alleged scheme-runner Rose appeared in court on June 23 for a September 22-23, 2014: 37th Annual Coal Marketing Days, Wyndham Grand Downtown, detention hearing and was detained pending trial. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Contact: Email: [email protected]; Tel: 781-430- If convicted, all face a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a 2100; Web: www.coalmarketingdays.com. maximum fine of $250,000, as well as a term of supervised release of at least three years. All also face mandatory court assessments and September 23-25, 2014: IMEX 2014, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. restitution as ordered by the court. Contact: Tim Fearney, show director. Tel: +1 678-822-9804; Email: tfearney@min- The indictments stem from an investigation by the United States ing-media.com; Web: www.imex2014.com. Secret Service, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations October 6 - 9, 2014: 2014 Pittsburgh Coal Conference, The David L. Lawrence Convention Division and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Contact: Tel: +1(412) 624-7440; Fax: +1(412) 624-1480; Email: [email protected]. MSHA Spotlights Roof Fall Prevention in Summer Alert Despite a notable drop in roof and rib fall incidents across coal mining, October 20-23, 2014: 16th China Mining Conference and Exhibition 2014, Tianjin Meijiang the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) issued a safety Convention Center. Contact: Unismart Events Ltd.; Tel: +86-10-6446-5066; Email: alert on the topic ahead of its annual outreach campaign to increase [email protected]; Web: http://en.chinamining-expo.org. awareness of hazards and common prevention techniques. October 27-29, 2014: Met Coke 2014, Westin Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. According to federal data, there were 265 miners injured in roof Contact: Web: www.metcokeworldsummit.com. and rib falls in 2013, down from 377 in 2012. The agency said that improvements have been made in roof control technology, but such October 28-30, 2014: Fourth Annual Coal Mozambique 2014, Maputo, Mozambique. falls are still a leading cause of injuries in underground coal. Contact: Web: www.coalmozambique.com. In conjunction with this alert, MSHA has launched its yearly October 29-31, 2014: M&E Indonesia 2014, Jakarta International Expo; Contact: Tel: PROP effort (Preventive Roof/Rib Outreach Program) to increase +62 21 2556 5016; Web: www.miningandengineeringindo.com. awareness among miners and mine operators of the hazards of roof and rib falls. The 2014 campaign, which runs through September, st February 1-4, 2015: 41 Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, will focus on conditions specific to the summer months. New Orleans, Louisiana. Contact: Web: www.isee.org/2015-conference. The agency has developed informational posters, hard hat stick-

February 15-18, 2015: 2015 SME Annual Conference & Expo CMA 117th National Western ers and lists of best practices, which will be distributed to miners Mining Conference, Colorado Convention Center, Denver. Contact: Web: www.smean- and mine operators during normal inspections. The information also will be used by MSHA inspectors during safety talks with opera- nualconference.com/. tors and groups of working miners. March 1-4, 2015: PDAC 2015, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Canada. “Even though there was a welcome reduction in the overall Contact: Web: www.pdac.ca/convention. number of roof control injuries, too many coal miners are still being hurt on the job in these kinds of accidents,” said Joseph Main, assis- April 27-29, 2015: Coal Prep 2015 Conference, Lexington Center, Lexington, Kentucky. tant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. Contact: Web: www.coalprepshow.com. MSHA also has developed an accident prevention alert suitable May 17-19, 2015: Haulage and Loading 2015, Wigwam Resort, Phoenix, Arizona. Contact: for posting at the mine site; it also includes best practices to prevent Email: [email protected]; Web: www.haulageandloading.com. roof and rib accidents related specifically to retreat mining. The poster is available on MSHA’s website. June 16-18, 2015: Longwall USA Exhibition and Conference, The David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Contact: Email: tfearney@mining- WV DEP Fines Prep Plant for February Spill media.com; Web: www.longwallusa.com. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) September 16 - 18, 2015: Bluefield Coal Show, Brushfork Armory-Civic Center, Bluefield, has issued a fine of more than $70,000 to Patriot Coal’s Kanawha West Virginia. Contact: Web: www.bluefieldchamber.com/bluefield-coal-show. Eagle preparation facility following a February slurry spill that sent thousands of gallons of slurry into a river tributary.

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The DEP said that Patriot’s Kanawha Eagle, operator of the facility Other fines associated with the spill, separate from the con- near Winifrede in the central region of the state, will pay a total of sent order, were issued under the Surface Coal Mining and $72,245 in assessed penalties for a violation of the West Virginia Water Reclamation Act. Pollution Control Act and Groundwater Protection Act; it is also According to the DEP, Patriot itself estimated that 108,000 gal- included in a consent order issued by the DEP’s Division of Mining lons of slurry were released into Fields Creek, a tributary of the and Reclamation. Kanawha River, on February 11 after a malfunction on a slurry pipeline. The spill impacted roughly six miles of the stream. 2014 AWARDS The agency issued an Imminent Harm Cessation Order (IHCO) after the spill to stop all work at the facility aside from clean-up Alpha Mines Earn Holmes Safety Awards activities; on February 17, the DEP modified the cessation order Four Alpha Natural Resources operations and four company employees have to a Notice of Violation (NOV), allowing Kanawha Eagle to begin earned Holmes Safety Awards from the state of West Virginia for their safety testing new control measures it had put in place as a result of the efforts. spill. It issued a second NOV on February 19 after snow melt In the underground division (50-75 employees), the winner was Aracoma resulted in a rapid rise in stream levels on Fields Creek; settled silt Coal’s Cedar Grove No. 1, and Bandmill Coal’s Tower Mountain surface was stirred up in the event and caused discolored water to enter operation won in the surface mine division (36-49 employees). the Kanawha River. Republic Energy’s Republic mine took home the Holmes for surface The DEP said that, in all, Kanawha Eagle will pay $46,817 mines with more than 75 workers. Finally, for preparation plants with 50-75 under the West Virginia Water Pollution Control Act and $3,815 individuals, Mammoth Coal’s Plant and River Loadout was bestowed the under the state Groundwater Protection Act. honor. Also under the consent order, Kanawha Eagle agrees to with- Special recognition was also given to four employees for their efforts draw its request for an assessment conference on civil penalties and achievements in mine safety and community work, including Gary issued under the Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act. Those Frampton, who won the state’s top individual honor as 2013 Coal Safety penalties total $21,613 and stem from the issuance of the IHCO Leader. Director’s Special Recognition Awards for 2013 went to Jeff Ellis and two NOVs. of the Alpha Natural Resources Southwest Region, Chuck Barton of the Brooks Run South Horse Creek mine, and Henry Ruiz from the Coal River Big Rivers Retains Capacity at DB Wilson Surface Twilight operation. Big Rivers Electric Corp. has preserved the demand for about 1.2 “I am tremendously proud of our employees for their commitment to million tons of high-sulfur thermal coal annually by executing a Running Right through safe and responsible operating practices. These power purchase agreement (PPA) in late spring that keeps its 417- awards demonstrate our ongoing dedication to fostering a culture of vigi- megawatt (MW) D.B. Wilson power plant operating commercially lance and maintaining safety as a core value,” said Allen Dupree, senior at least through 2015. vice president of Running Right and Safety. The plant’s outlook has improved considerably since early this The awards were handed out during the 31st annual Joseph A. Holmes year. Then, the Henderson, Kentucky-based generation and trans- Safety Association West Virginia State Council Meeting, which was held mission co-op was reluctantly preparing to idle Wilson indefinitely from June 6-8 in Daniels. if it failed to secure additional sales for the single-unit baseload plant along the Green River near Matanzas in Ohio County. GMS Awards Cars, Other Prizes for Safe Work Big Rivers targeted both Wilson and its 444-MW Coleman coal Contract staffer GMS Mine Repair and Maintenance recently held their plant about 50 miles away in Hancock County, Kentucky, for annual safety award ceremonies in all regional locations, sending sever- extended idlings after the co-op lost more than 60% of its load al workers home with prizes for safe work practices including two 2014 when Century Aluminum exited long-term PPAs with Big Rivers Jeep Cherokees, a new Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster motorcycle and and started buying electricity off the wholesale power market. Big other items. Rivers sells wholesale power to three-member distribution co-ops GMS officials said George Dunlap and Zach Ewig, both of the GMS North that serve 112,000 customers in 22 western Kentucky counties. region, left the ceremony in the SUVs while Mark Cowan of the Midwest Coleman was, in fact, idled a few months ago, and Big Rivers has region rumbled away in the new Harley. Others left with other various gifts discussed the possibility of selling the plant to Chicago-based such as 60-in. Samsung televisions and Blu-ray players. Century. Eligible safety award winners were randomly drawn at the event based Big Rivers responded to multiple power solicitations from oth- on a minimum 1,500 hours worked while achieving no lost-time accidents er U.S. electric utilities and now has signed two such power sup- or unexcused absences. ply agreements totaling 400 MW, representing almost all of “All of these guys embody what GMS does across America’s coalfields: Wilson’s generating capacity over a two-year period. show up every day, work hard, work efficient and most importantly, work According to Big Rivers spokeswoman Sharla Austin-Darnell, safe,” GMS Director of Midwest Operations Dave Jones said. the co-op recently sold 200 MW of on-peak Wilson power for all of The safety awards and ceremony was paired with the announcement of 2015. An initial power sale of 200 MW earlier this year runs a major workforce development in the Midwest region, where GMS is plan- through early next year. ning to add 150 coal miners by the end of summer. That means, she said, Big Rivers has sold 400 MW of on-peak It also confirmed it will put on an additional 50 workers on in its West Wilson power for January and February of 2015. region in the coming 90 days. When the first agreement ends, Big Rivers intends to sell the remaining 217 MW of Wilson’s capacity into the Midcontintent

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Independent System Operator’s (MISO) day-ahead market. MISO is a Carmel, Indiana-based independent system operator in which Big Rivers is a member. Big Rivers CEO Mark Bailey said the co-op remains a finalist in several utility requests for proposals, so it’s possible Wilson’s commercial operation could be extended beyond 2015. That, at least, is Big Rivers’ intent. Illinois Basin (IB) coal producers are hoping that is the case. Built in the early 1980s at a cost of about $760 million, Wilson is Big Rivers’ newest power plant. The plant traditionally has burned high-sulfur coal from the IB, in particular western Kentucky. Altogether, Big Rivers burns more than 4 million tons of ther- mal coal annually.

Atlantic Sees Buoyant Anthracite Market Atlantic Coal, owner of an anthracite surface mine in Pennsylvania, believes worldwide prices for metallurgical quality coal used in steelmaking, including anthracite, may have bot- A hydraulic excavator loads a haul truck at Atlantic Coal’s Stockton mine. tomed out and are poised for a move upward. In a report released in June, the British-based company said an estimated 13.6 million tons of run-of-mine coal, equating to that despite continuing issues relating to overcapacity and signif- approximately 4.1 million tons of washed, saleable coal. Atlantic icant cost pressures throughout the global steel industry, total said those reserves are roughly three times the reserves it has at global demand for steel continues to grow, leading to higher Stockton and it is actively planning a new mine. demand for the kind of met quality coal Atlantic produces at its Stockton is operated by Coal Contractors Inc., an Atlantic sub- Stockton mine in Luzerne County. sidiary. Atlantic said the operational performance of the mine was Between June and last August, for instance, Atlantic said the “commendable, with our management team again focused on Australian hard coking coal price fell to below $140/ton, its low- working efficiencies in the year under review, in the face of con- est level since 2010. In March, Goldman Sachs cut its met coal siderable external pricing pressures.” price estimates for this coming year to $141/metric ton (mt) During the brutal winter of 2013-2014, the company experi- from $150/mt, and lowered projections for next year and 2016, enced “some of the most difficult working conditions ever faced citing oversupply and sluggish Chinese demand growth, Atlantic at Stockton, with the ‘polar vortex’ delivering extreme cold tem- said. peratures that made working conditions for our employees on site Conversely, Atlantic said the global steel industry is expected the most challenging ever,” the company said. to make a recovery in 2014, led by a rebound of production in Stockton produced 35,757 tons in the first three months of Europe and the rest of the world, offsetting the Chinese slow- 2014, compared to 41,555 tons a year ago. For all of 2013, the down. mine’s output was 151,265 tons, down from 161,183 tons in 2012. “Most importantly,” Atlantic noted, “while China and other Asian markets continue to increase steel production, demand for Murray Sues Foresight Energy metallurgical quality coal is expected to remain strong. The Murray Energy Corp. filed a lawsuit on July 3 against Foresight brighter global economic outlook, with developed countries Energy’s Williamson Energy alleging a “clear and damaging emerging more strongly than expected from the current down- breach of an existing confidentiality agreement.” According to the turn, can be expected to support consistent demand and, possi- company, the breach has caused, and continues to cause, direct bly, to drive demand more strongly than currently expected.” and irreparable harm to Murray Energy. Specifically, Murray Anthracite coal is the “most versatile” and high-quality met Energy claims Foresight has illegally used its confidential infor- coal, Atlantic said, and represents just 1% of the world’s coal mation to acquire property and mineral rights directly in the path reserves. “There are few new high-quality deposits in mining- of Murray’s longwall mining operations in southern Illinois. They friendly jurisdictions, which suggests a future supply imbalance believe that Foresight intends to illegally block Murray Energy’s supporting future high prices.” operations. As a result, Atlantic said it is confident that demand for its The property and mineral rights Foresight acquired lie far out- products will continue across key domestic markets and antici- side its mining areas, according to Murray Energy. Murray Energy pates a rebound in sales prices in the near term. is seeking an injunction to prevent further breaches of the confi- At Stockton, the company said it has been able “to maintain dentiality agreement and to prevent Foresight from acquiring total revenues in spite of coal selling for an average of $128/ton.” more mining rights in the region. The company also wants the In its drive to make the mine profitable, Atlantic said it has been court to issue an order compelling Foresight to offer mining rights successful in reducing the mine’s production costs to $105/ton in to Murray Energy. They are also seeking damages saying that they 2013 from $112/ton in 2012. lose thousands of dollars every minute its operations are inter- Last year, Atlantic exercised a 20-year lease on the Pott & rupted. This story broke as of press time and Foresight had not Bannon property in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, containing been given a chance to respond.

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marketwatch Weak Power Demand Extends Coal Price Fade Into Second Month

BY JESSE GILBERT AND STEVE PIPER, SNL ENERGY

Coal markets traded mostly flat to lower in June as weather remained band. SNL Energy expects these markers will compete directly for mild and demand was slack. While utility inventories are low by histori- domestic steam markets and export opportunities. SNL Energy cal standards, generators are awaiting stronger demand signals before expects price growth to be limited over the next three years by flat building stockpiles up further. The NYMEX CAPP prompt-month domestic demand and intra-basin price competition. benchmark nudged up $0.12/ton while NYMEX PRB lost $1.10/ton, or 8%. Northern Appalachian markers lost $0.25/ton to $0.35/ton, while Coal Production and Demand remaining physical markers traded flat for the month. Production levels through mid-June averaged 18.9 million tons per Coal is likely to remain competitive for power generation for the bal- week (tpw), consistent with estimates over the past quarter. Production ance of 2014 in most markets. However, coal production results so far levels on a 52-week moving average basis continue to outpace last year, suggest that utility demand has not picked up as much as expected. indicating sustainable production levels, with some upside due to low While a surge in seasonal demand for electricity and associated coal inventories. Given little additional movement in June, SNL Energy demand appears likely for the third quarter, utility efforts to restore expects that utility buying will increase when warmer weather becomes inventories may not begin in earnest until the fourth quarter. evident. Near-term pricing for spot transactions remains robust, compared to SNL Energy believes that the second half of 2014 will feature soft recent history. PRB 8800 continues an upward trend, firming above export markets offset by modestly improved domestic steam demand, $14/ton over the next two years, as supply constraints and competitive- with incremental demand to partially restore inventories. Production ness against natural gas boost demand compared to recent history. data so far this year point to production levels similar to 2013. While NYMEX indications for PRB 8800 are available through 2016, with the SNL Energy forecasts “catch-up” production from the IB and the PRB, SNL Energy long-term forecast results picking up in 2017. By 2016, SNL overall production levels exceeding 20 million tpw appears less likely Energy forecasts that PRB price growth will level off as export markets outside the summer months. mature and retirements in coal-fired generation cut into domestic As the impact of coal plant retirements takes hold over the next three swing volumes, creating price competition. to five years, SNL Energy expects flat-to-declining annual tonnage, with After substantial upward moves in the first quarter, subsequent gains driven principally by periods of higher natural gas pricing and a price growth in spot CAPP coal has been limited by the entry of resumption of export growth. Illinois Basin volumes and lower-than-expected export. Improved Reverse switching (from natural gas to coal) is expected to boost vol- coal generation levels should support stable pricing through 2014- umes for the remainder of this year, but it is uncertain how quickly this 2015. As coal plant retirements pick up, CAPP markets shrink, creat- will happen, with a real possibility power plant inventories will still be ing price pressure for remaining producers and a focus on higher low at year’s end. This should sustain volumes in 2015, along with value coal (high heat, low-sulfur, and/or favorable locations for improved export markets. This will be offset by reduced demand from domestic or export markets). The market-indicative period for bitu- the first wave of coal retirements related to the Environmental minous coal markers is through the end of 2016 for NYMEX CAPP Protection Agency’s (EPA) Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. and through 2015 for the NAPP and ILB markers. Illinois Basin and Ultimately, SNL Energy projects that electric sector coal demand will be NYMEX CAPP mid-sulfur markers trade in a relatively close price reduced by 40 million tpy by 2017.

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PRB Production Outlook While the shoulder season might have pre- sented an opportunity for utilities to rebuild inventories, production through May suggests this activity was limited. This could set up a market squeeze in the third quarter if seasonal demand comes in stronger than expected. SNL Energy esti- mates 2014 PRB production, including northern and southern PRB, at 448 million tons, 9% higher than 2013 levels. With low inventories and a cost advantage against natural gas in place for the summer, demand is set up for these production lev- els, but it is uncertain how quickly produc- tion can expand.

ILB Production Outlook Preliminary production estimates suggest the region is on trend to close out the second quarter. There may be upside during the summer months based on favorable spreads to natural gas, and positive margins against export coal for its lower rank products. As noted above, ILB’s premium marker and Appalachian coal compete at the margin for utility demand, which may limit additional production upside for 2014. SNL Energy esti- mates 2014 production of 142 million tons, 7.5% higher than 2013. ILB production should continue to expand despite domestic demand declines for bituminous coal over the next four years, but the recent conver- gence of its prices against Appalachian coals is expected to limit price growth during this time.

Production Outlook for the Appalachian Basins Production reports for the first quarter indi- cate Appalachian production is on trend, with stronger performance in Northern Appalachia offsetting weaker Central Appalachian production. With pent-up first-quarter demand and competitiveness against natural gas in place for eastern bitu- minous coal, there is production upside for the remainder of the year to serve domestic markets. This is offset by ongoing closure of mines in terminal decline and virtually no additional opportunities in seaborne metal- lurgical markets. However, producers have nearly completed a reorientation of their mine assets around high-quality thermal and thermal/metallurgical coal against flat market prospects over the next four years. SNL Energy estimates 2014 production at 261 million tons, 4% below 2013 levels.

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transport tips

Upper Midwest Coal Deliveries Up; Rail Issues Hit PRB Especially Hard

BY CHARLOTTE COX AND DARREN EPPS, SNL ENERGY

Powder River Basin (PRB) coal deliveries in the upper Midwest declined during the first three months of the year compared to the previous two years despite frigid temperatures, illustrating railroad transportation difficulties and prompting questions about the impact on future coal pricing. SNL Energy analyzed coal deliveries to Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, six states impacted by rail issues stemming from a harsh winter and a boom in other businesses, including crude shipments. Coal delivery issues, particularly on BNSF Railway Co., weighed on the bottom line of PRB coal producers, including Cloud Peak Energy and Arch Coal in the first quarter, and limited spot coal pur- chases by utilities still waiting on their contracted shipments. The issue is not completely resolved. Dairyland Power Cooperative, forced to truck coal during the winter from a Minnesota utility to its John P. Madgett coal-fired plant in Alma, Wisconsin, due to slowness on BNSF’s rail network, is still experiencing some difficul- ties. “We are finding that rail delivery is still unpredictable,” Dairyland spokeswoman Katie Thomson said June 12, noting that the utility is BNSF has worked to improve service ahead of summer, as evi- no longer hauling coal by truck. denced by increases in the railroad’s weekly coal carloads. In a June Rail issues in the upper Midwest during the periods of high 11 note following a meeting with Peabody management, Sterne Agee demand, driven by the cold winter, forced some generators to eat up & Leach Inc. analyst Michael Dudas said “railroad confidence has their coal stockpiles, spend more to truck in coal, and even curtail improved somewhat” and added that he expected utilities to become coal usage. In the first quarter of 2014, net generation by coal-fired more active buyers when they became more confident in rail service. units in the upper Midwest was up almost 7%, or 3,267 GWh, over the Michigan had the largest percentage decrease in coal deliveries year-ago quarter, and up almost 15%, or 6,679 GWh, compared to the from all regions year-over-year in the first quarter of 2014, with a first quarter of 2012. decline of more than 4%, or 203,052 tons, while PRB coal deliveries to Meanwhile, deliveries to coal plants in the upper Midwest from all generators within the state declined more than 6%, or 249,977 tons. coal regions were up more than 2%, or 606,963 tons, compared to the Compared to the first quarter of 2012, coal deliveries from all regions year-ago quarter, and down roughly 7%, or more than 2.1 million were down nearly 18%, or 972,381 tons, and PRB coal deliveries were tons, from the 2012 first quarter. PRB coal was hit particularly hard, correspondingly down almost 18%, or 828,854 tons. Meanwhile, net with a decline of more than 1%, or 302,192 tons, compared to the generation by coal-fired units in the state was up almost 4%, or 421 year-ago quarter and a drop of almost 12%, or 2.7 million tons, com- GWh, compared to the year-ago quarter, and increased more than pared to the 2012 first quarter. 18%, or 1,888 GWh, compared to the first quarter of 2012. The impact on pricing is unclear. For the week ended June 5, With a decline of roughly 4%, or 194,630 tons, Iowa had the sec- the 8,800 Btu/lb PRB product edged 0.2% higher on the week to ond-largest percentage drop in coal deliveries from all regions year- $13.03/ton, continuing a slow but steady climb. Some analysts over-year in the first quarter of 2014. PRB took that hit especially hard, have speculated that pricing is not moving substantially higher with deliveries to the state declining almost 5%, or 213,742 tons, dur- due to rail issues and ample supply. ing that same period.

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Coal deliveries from all regions were down almost 28%, or 1.75 not seen since 1994 caused a 55% decline in Great Lakes coal ship- million tons, compared to the first quarter of 2012, while PRB saw a ments in April compared to a year ago. The only way vessels could decline of more than 28%, or 1.78 million tons. However, net genera- safely cross Lake Superior in April was to be convoyed by U.S. and tion in the state by coal units increased almost 9%, or 678 GWh, com- Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers. pared to the first quarter of 2013, and increased just under 1%, or 52 According to SNL Energy data, Taconite took coal from Black GWh, compared to the first quarter of 2012. Thunder and Cloud Peak’s Spring Creek mine in the first quarter. “I According to Iowa-based electric utility MidAmerican Energy’s know the steel mills have been having trouble getting shipments as Form 10-K filed March 3, BNSF delivers coal directly to well,” McMillan said. “There is no downtime for the ships.” MidAmerican’s Walter Scott plant and to an interchange point with Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s (BEPC) Leland Olds plant in Canadian Pacific Railway Co. for short-haul delivery to the Louisa and North Dakota, which burns in-state lignite coal, took coal by truck for Riverside plants. Both BNSF and MidAmerican are subsidiaries of about a month due to slowness on BNSF’s line. BEPC spokesman Curt Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. Pearson said major maintenance work on the track west of Leland On the other hand, Minnesota had the largest year-over-year per- Olds continued to impact deliveries, but work has been completed. centage increase in coal deliveries from all regions in the first quarter “We have been meeting with BNSF every couple of months to dis- of 2014, with 10.8%, or 351,812 tons, which were made up entirely of cuss cycle time and stockpile inventory with the goal of avoiding PRB-sourced coal. Compared to the first quarter of 2012, coal deliver- trucking lignite to [Leland Olds] next winter,” Pearson said June 16. ies from all regions increased 12%, or 387,668 tons, and deliveries BNSF also serves the Laramie River Station in Wyoming, operated from PRB increased more than 12%, or 392,888 tons. However, coal by Basin Electric. Pearson said Basin Electric has concerns over the generation in the state outstripped that growth, with a gain of more smaller train sets and reduced velocity at Laramie River and hopes to than 24%, or 1,356 GWh, compared to the year-ago quarter and an see relief this summer or early fall. Laramie River takes coal from increase of 26%, or 1,435 GWh, compared to the first quarter of 2012. Black Thunder and Cloud Peak’s Cordero Rojo mine, according to David McMillan, senior vice president of external affairs at Allete, said SNL Energy data. June 9 that the coal stockpile at Allete’s Minnesota Power’s Clay Of the states reporting coal stockpiles, Wisconsin reported the Boswell plant is back to a more stable level after falling to just four largest pvariable frequency driveercentage decline year-over-year for days of burn earlier this year due to railroad transportation issues. March 2014, with a drop of more than 48%, or almost 1.8 million tons. Minnesota Power’s Taconite Harbor plant, however, dealt with a Compared to March 2012, coal stocks in the state were down almost different weather-related transportation issue — a largely frozen Lake 74%, or roughly 5.4 million tons. Michigan had the second-largest per- Superior. Coal moves by rail to the Midwest Energy Resources Co. ter- centage decline year-over-year in March 2014, with a decrease of more minal in Superior, Wisconsin, and then is shipped by water to than 42%, or almost 2.1 million tons. Coal stocks in the state were Taconite. According to the Lake Carriers’ Association, ice formation down almost 53%, or nearly 3.2 million tons, compared to March 2012.

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room-and-pillar mining Room-and-pillar: Eyeing the Future

The latest in equipment, technology and consumables

BY DONNA SCHMIDT, FIELD EDITOR

With hundreds of room-and-pillar mines dotting the nation’s coalfields, the wheels of technology and innovation that keep the industry sector safe, healthy and produc- tive is long from slowing down. Efficient room-and-pillar mining is essential for every undergound coal operation. A surge in research and development efforts often accompanies a slower market pace, and this latest turn has been no differ- ent. Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Sandvik, for example, recently intro- duced a four-headed bolting machine to speed up the bolting system for operations’ performing development, and the company is keeping an unrelenting focus on the signifi- cant safety potential that comes with mobile roof supports for pillar extraction. Joy Global has shipped more than 6,000 continuous miners to operations since 1948, many from the popular 12CM series. “Fully automated bolting is another pro- ject that is needed in the industry,” Coal six models. The 12CM15 is likely the most most popular is the 14CM15, with a wide and Minerals USA Business Line Manager popular of that group for mid-level seams 38-in. (965 mm) conveyor for increased Derrel Curtis told Coal Age in June, noting and the 12CM12 for mid- to high-seam capacity, and the Joy 14CM10, which has that the area is being examined but the applications. a ripper chain cutterhead for small diam- development costs at this time are restric- Another in that line is the 12CM27, with eter durability. The 14CM27 features a tive. For safety and production, it is yet a beefier frame and increased conveyor strong frame and good conveyor clear- another opportunity for the future on clearance to improve productivity. The ance to provide operations with longevity which mines and equipment designers 12CM27 is a high-voltage machine that is and productivity. alike have a keen eye. operated at 2300 volt 60 Hz (3300 volt 50 The 14CM’s cutting options include a sol- Coal Age recently examined where some Hz) to provide a significant increase in id head or Ripperveyor model, and they are of this work is being done, from technologi- horsepower to the cutting system. available in drum diameters ranging from cal improvements for continuous miners Reduced thermal losses in the cutter 30 to 44 in. with rated cutting power as high and other associated equipment, as well as motors and trailing cable increase the as 590 hp. what lies ahead in the world of consum- available continuous cutting time almost The basic elements of each continuous ables. That future, true to form, looks bright. indefinitely, leading to improved produc- miner are similar in design. Each tion levels. machine employs the OEM’s multimotor Raising the Bar for Today, Tomorrow All of Joy Global’s 12CM continuous min- concept with outboard access to motors, Joy Global Underground Mining LLC has ers are equipped with its dual-sprocket con- gearcases, controllers and other major shipped more than 6,000 continuous min- tinuous miner conveyor chain. The components. Joy’s philosophy has called ers to customers since 1948. It is safe to say patented dual-sprocket chain is 50% for a design that isolates major compo- that there is nothing the OEM has not seen, stronger in tension than conventional nents for easier troubleshooting and no major coal seam it has not met — and it chains and is driven by two parallel eight- maintenance, and individual motors has been present for many operations’ pro- tooth sprockets to provide better torsional with direct drive transmissions to power ductivity milestones. rigidity, according to Joy. the cutter, traction, gathering and Of the OEM’s offerings, the Joy 12CM The Joy 14CM product line, ideal for hydraulic systems; the latter permits series has been at the top for North low- to mid-height seams, is made up of quick and easy service or repair to American customers. Designed for mid- to eight models with loading rates between keep downtime and maintenance at a high-seam applications, the line includes 10 and 40 tons per minute (tpm). The minimum.

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Joy Global’s Wethead cutter system, a will provide operators with the opportunity remote control unit with self-diagnostics is popular solution for coal mines, incorpo- to be within the Mine Safety and Health available. rates a fine spray behind each cutting bit of Administration (MSHA) permissible expo- The CM235 also has a graphic display to the cutter drums to reduce the potential for sure limit,” Thompson said. provide the condition of all motors and VFD frictional ignitions and to reduce respirable components and the condition and position dust levels. The water spray acts as both a Friends in Low Places of hydraulic control valves and solenoids. cooling and wetting agent in order to Caterpillar has placed a sizable level of atten- Both standard and compact remotes are address both issues, and also provides bit tion to the low- to mid-seam mines of the available to suit operator preference. life-extending lubrication for the machine U.S. over the last few years, and its newest Easy, simplified maintenance and access — all while consuming less water. available model for those applications, the also can be found on the unit, with central- Regardless of a mine’s size, Joy officials are CM235, was unveiled at MINExpo 2012. ized grease ports and fill points and easy- fast to note that they have a solution that will At 135,000 lb, it is among the most com- to-locate diagnostic ports and panels and a fit the operation’s needs and budget. “Base- pact designs available from any OEM, and split cutterhead gear case for easier repairs level models like the 14CM15 and 12CM12 it has power all tied up with 2 x 205 kW/2 x as needed. are standard across the industry,” according 275 horsepower cutterhead motors. The Safety and health are another point of to Director of Marketing and Application CM235’s motors are parallel to the cutter- concentration for Cat, and on the CM235 Engineering Brian Thompson. “They offer heads, and they are perpendicular in the and 235T, enhancements to both are found exceptional reliability and longevity in an CM235T. Both have a variable frequency via a quieter dual-sprocket conveyor chain entry-level package, [while] the 14CM27 and drive (VFD) traction system and have the that permits lower ambient noise, and a 12CM27 are also available in high-voltage same — and numerous other — features as hydraulic temperature and spool position configurations.” other models in the CM200 series. monitoring (over CAN bus) herald a new In addition to its work on remote controls Cat recommends the CM235 for seam level of safety in which the machine can that incorporate operator assistance tools, heights of 43 to 116 in. (1,092 to 2,946 determine points of failure and recognize automated sequences, advanced diagnos- mm), with a minimum clearance of 27 in.; valve malfunction. tics and performance monitoring analysis, maximum cutting height on the unit is 128 Looking ahead, the company said that Joy Global’s Faceboss control platform also in. (3251 mm) and has a total power of 940 electronic controls and technology are offer- allows for outby communications and hp, as well as a balanced power-to-weight ing good opportunities for mines’ improved advanced diagnostics in a user-friendly ratio and loading rates of 15 to 32 tons per performance and simplified diagnostics. interface. minute (tpm). While rebuild orders are up versus new Also, the SmartZone proximity detection The Machine Control Unit (MCU) is machine requests, the U.S. still is largely the system is now available on all Joy continu- based on a mine-duty PLC and is designed leader in room-and-pillar innovation. ous miner models. The system’s zones can to maximize coal production and operator The OEM is also planning to announce be varied within limits to suit specific oper- safety while minimizing downtime, and further enhancements to the CM235 later ational designs, and are automatically traction motors are controlled by a micro- this year. adjusted in the cut mode and tram mode to processor-based system, which minimizes On a related note, Caterpillar is also provide both warning and shutdown zones. electrical connections and enhances relia- putting much effort into its scoop scene. Joy Global’s SmartConveyor technology bility. The MCU provides data logging, fast Over four decades later in scoop engineer- encompasses sound abatement technology diagnostics and advanced troubleshooting ing and manufacturing, and more than for mines that have returned noise level capabilities. The control system is proximi- 6,500 battery-powered units produced, the improvements of 45-65% in underground ty-detection system ready, and a radio manufacturer and its predecessors have testing (versus standard machines). SmartConveyor, an option on all of Joy Global’s current CM models, combines multiple technologies such as Joy’s Dual Sprocket Conveyor Chain and auto-ten- sioning features. Overall, Joy Global CMs possess ele- ments that reduce noise levels. The first is the dual-sprocket continuous miner con- veyor chain and two parallel eight-tooth sprockets for increased torsional rigidity; together, they reduce the likelihood of abrupt chain breakage. Finally, using Joy polymer-coated con- veyor chains can provide an additional 3 dB reduction for the miner. “Utilizing the coat- ed conveyor chain along with previously Caterpillar recommends its CM235 for seam heights of 43 to 116 in. (1,092 to 2,946 mm). proven controls for the CM chain conveyor

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developed and refined its low-mainte- Expo in Beijing, including the GE Fairchild Willick also noted that the industry is nance, efficient utility vehicle, the Cat F330 continuous miner. sweating existing assets more than they SU488, which remains the most popular The company also unveiled its GE Mining have recently, and pushing out rebuilds low-profile scoop in underground coal Load Haul Dump (LHD) loader to enhance and replacements as long as possible while operations. operator safety and utility functionality also looking for good used equipment from An optional Cat HiPAC 10, a DC-to-AC with its sophisticated design technology, closed operations. variable frequency inverter control sys- and the GE Mining Drill Guidance System “The U.S. coal industry is in a challenging tem to drive high-performance AC elec- with an Intrinsically Safe steering tool point and time,” he said. “Continuous min- tronic motors, possesses superior approved for operation throughout the ing equipment continues to be the equip- speed-torque characteristics. Overall, the world. ment of choice for most effective and system is up to 14% more efficient than GE Mining Commercial Director, North efficient bulk tonnage.” traditional DC motors, allowing for high- America, David Willick looked ahead to Operations are also achieving excellent er loaded tram speeds, more responsive the next great turn in room-and-pillar dust suppression with a system that utilizes hydraulic functions and more work per mining, and told Coal Age customers are a Venturi spray with a fine, air saturated battery charge. seeking a reliable and durable unit. atomized water spray, providing a number Cat scoops are also available with Cat “Our continuous haulage systems pro- of advantages. diesel power. The SU488 D and SU482 DN vide flexible ore haulage while articulat- are capable of operating over long dis- ing around 90˚-ft corners,” Willick said. Working in Tandem for a Safer, tances at high speeds and are designed for “This flexibility and operating perfor- More Productive Mine challenging roadway conditions with steep mance are key differentiators needed in The progress of mining equipment is vital, gradients. Both units have advanced brak- today’s demanding coal mining climate. but complementary to that is the advance- ing systems and are available for Our continuous miner requires less time ment of research and development for con- Pennsylvania and West Virginia operations. repositioning the machine…more avail- sumables. One of coal’s largest suppliers of able cutting time, which translates to these key suppliers, Kennametal, is most Flexibility, Operating Performance approximately 40% more cutting time certainly keeping its eye on the future in that Tops List for GE per available lift and no delays waiting regard. GE Mining introduced several new items on shuttle cars or to reposition the The Pennsylvania-based company was late last year at the China Coal and Mining miner.” recently honored alongside the National

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Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and Health Research (OMSHR) Hearing by continuous exposure to loud sounds over (NIOSH) by the Society for Mining, Loss Prevention Branch for its research an extended period of time, such as noise Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME) with its efforts and interventions to reduce noise- generated when roof bolting in mines. 2013 Health and Safety Research and induced hearing loss. Specifically, the agen- When individuals are exposed to harm- Educational Excellence Award, which was cy cited Kennametal’s bit isolators as being ful noise — sounds that are too loud or bestowed to NIOSH’s Office of Mine Safety effective in reducing noise exposure during loud sounds that last a long time — sen- roof bit operations. sitive structures in the inner ear can be SME specifically mentioned the damaged. These sensitive structures, bureau’s “disciplined approach to identi- called hair cells, are small sensory cells fying the sources of high levels of noise that convert sound energy into electrical exposure and comprehensive process for signals that travel to the brain. Hair cells, noise-control development,” with focus once damaged, cannot grow back. on collaborating with partners to transfer According to Kennametal, NIOSH has research findings into commercial prod- been conducting hearing loss prevention ucts to significantly reduce or prevent research through various initiatives noise overexposure for miners. including surveys designed to monitor The award also highlighted the NIOSH worker dose; measurements of equip- team partnering with Kennametal and ment noise levels; laboratory studies to Corry Rubber on developing bit and chuck analyze hearing loss; hearing protection isolators for roof bolting machines that are device (HPD) research; and recommen- notably quieter in operation, better pro- dations for appropriate and consistent tecting operator hearing. use of soft foam earplugs. NIOSH characterizes noise-induced hear- These studies have been completed in ing loss, or NIHL, as the most common underground coal mines including both occupational illness in the United States room-and-pillar and longwall mining Reducing noise-induced hearing loss in roof bolting today. Noise-induced hearing loss can be sections, or have generated results that remains a major issue in mining, according to caused by a one-time exposure to an intense are directly applicable to both room-and- Kennametal. “impulse” sound, such as an explosion, or pillar and longwall mining.

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A NIOSH analysis of NIHL in miners pre- pany. Noise sources related to roof bolt- tion, which equates to significantly less sented a snapshot of the extent of NIHL in ing are centered roughly 100 to 200 mm noise produced. the mining industry. This analysis of sever- (4 to 8 inches) below the drill steel/roof An improved elastomer being investigat- al thousand audiograms indicate the num- interface and above the drill chuck. As ed for use as a chuck isolator offers the ber of miners with hearing impairments the drill steel advances during cutting, so advantages of durability, lower stress, a fail- (defined as an average hearing threshold does the source of the chuck drill steel safe design and greater flexibility in terms level of 25 dB or greater for the frequencies noise, while the upper source essentially of stiffness “tuning.” NIOSH has been test- 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz) increased remains the same. ing the system in normal working mine with age until 50 years old, at which time NIOSH, Kennametal, and Corry Rubber conditions underground, and initial data 49% of the metal/nonmetal and 90% of the research revealed that by isolating the indicates that the isolators can significantly coal miners had a hearing impairment. chuck from the drill steel and the bit from reduce the noise exposure by 3-5 dB. Roof bolting is one of the main contrib- the drill steel with a flexible, shock-absorb- According to Chad Swope, Kennametal utors to miner hearing loss, affecting the ing material, the sound level is lowered manager, global underground mining, prod- quality of life of the bolter operator, and considerably. Reducing the vibration trans- uct management, the company works hard is an increasing cost to the mining com- mitted to the drill steel means less excita- to deliver custom and standard solutions that are wear-resistant, from drums and drum designs, bit and block systems to roof Dust and its Impact on R&P Mines full range of drilling systems and much more. “The goal with consumables has always In June, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) directing the air provided in the face area. However, the been to get things to last longer,” he said. responded to a series of questions from across the industry scrubber can only work with the air that is provided to the “We began to change that thinking from on its new lower dust level requirements. Below are several of face. It is important that the scrubber be balanced with the issues addressed by the agency that have direct impacts the ventilating air provided to the area where the continu- ‘providing a bigger sledgehammer’ to sup- on the room-and-pillar (R&P) community. ous mining machine is working. The air provided by the plying a sharper pick with the ProPoint tool MMU ventilation system must be determined without the line. The result has been a reduction in res- What controls does MSHA think I can use to lower the dust aid of the scrubber so that the scrubber can be provided pirable dust and other benefits. levels in my mine? I am doing all I can now. with the amount of air for which it is rated and dust-laden “This was the idea behind our Defender MSHA response: Existing engineering controls are available air is not recirculated. line, finding product improvements to in that can be used to reduce the respirable coal mine dust con- turn create a safer environment for the centrations in the mine. MSHA has reviewed the engineering MSHA is making me put a lot more rock dust in my mine. controls in use on many inspection surveys to evaluate whether How am I supposed to meet this rock dust requirement operators. The bit and chuck isolator devel- using additional engineering controls would have likely reduced and still comply with the new respirable dust standard on oped with Corry Rubber, and NIOSH came the dust concentration to levels at or below the standard. each shift? out of that.” Survey results indicated that additional or adjustment to con- MSHA: Rock dust is required to prevent coal mine dust explo- Swope said that awareness for health issues trols would likely reduce respirable dust concentrations. MSHA sions. The respirable dust samples from underground mines is definitely growing, and the Mine Safety determined that many MMUs could increase air quantity, air do not reflect an increase in respirable dust levels with rock and Health Administration has also listed velocity, the number of water sprays, and water pressure; dusting increases since 2010. Rather, the average respirable the bit isolators as a product option to keep change the type of sprays and/or direction of sprays; balance dust concentrations have been dropping steadily since 2010. the quantity of air delivered to the face with the scrubber air Mine operators should obtain from suppliers rock dust companies in compliance with noise rules. quantity; change the type of screen that is used in the scrubber that has as little respirable size particles as possible and Another new product, he added, has been system; and/or change from blowing face ventilation to exercise care in the application of the rock dust to limit the Kennametal dust catchers — a bit system exhausting face ventilation. Changing dust controls was an exposure of miners who are working downwind. These actions accessory that keeps roof dust in the bit vac- option at all MMUs that MSHA reviewed. On some MMUs that will reduce or eliminate the potential impact on respirable uum system and off of the operator. used blowing face ventilation and a scrubber, the air quantity coal mine dust levels. “Safety will always remain a big thing as provided was less than the scrubber air quantity, causing an imbalanced system and the potential for respirable dust over- I use blowing face ventilation. Why do I need to sample my well as performance. Super-hard materials exposures. Because the amount of air available at the last shuttle cars while those using exhausting face ventilation for cutting systems and roof bits are a good open crosscut will be greater than at the face, the air could are not required? example of how our industry experience easily be increased at the face to provide greater protection of MSHA: The need to sample shuttle cars on blowing face venti- and knowledge can provide new products miners’ health. The number of water sprays, while important, is lation is because these occupations are in the return air from with appreciable safety and performance not the only spray variable affecting dust control; the location, the continuous mining machine and are subject to exposure improvements,” Swope said. flow rate, spray pattern, and droplet size are variables that to higher concentrations of respirable dust. Kennametal mining products are used in impact dust levels where miners work. MSHA will provide com- pliance assistance on dust controls that are available and If the dust parameters are the same on every MMU, is high-, mid- and low-horsepower continu- practical and hold workshops for interested stakeholders to there a need to have a separate mine ventilation plan for ous miners as well as high- and low-horse- disseminate this information. each MMU? power longwall shearers. With its long MSHA: Yes. The general plan does not address the differences history and experience in the mining busi- My mines use continuous mining machines with a scrub- between MMUs and different mining machines. No two units ness, Kennametal can supply complete cut- ber. The scrubber “makes” air in the face. Why does the are exactly alike and those differences must be addressed. ting systems or separate conical tools, rule require me to determine the air in the mining face with Specifying general controls does not let miners and manage- bushings, sleeves, and blocks, so customers the scrubber turned off? ment personnel know what specifically works to control res- MSHA: A dust scrubber does not “make” air. The scrubber pirable dust concentrations for a specific mining machine in can assemble the best possible cutting sys- is a supplemental dust control device and does aid in a specific location in the mine. tem for light, medium, heavy and severe cutting conditions.

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buyers guide 2014

2014Coal Age Buyers Guide

The Coal Age Buyers Guide lists more than 500 companies that market equipment and Country Key Abbreviations AUL Australia ITA Italy Co Company services to the coal mining and processing industry. These companies have placed adver- AUS Austria MAL Malaysia Inc Incorporated BEL Belgium NET Netherlands Int’l International tising in Coal Age or one of its ancillary publications (i.e., Keystone Coal Industry Manual, CAN Canada NOR Norway Ltd Limited CHN China RSA South Africa Mfg Manufacturing Coal Prep Handbook & Directory, etc.), has exhibited at the Longwall USA International DEN Denmark SPA Spain Corp Corporation FIN Finland SRB Serbia Div Division Conference & Exhibition or the Haulage & Loading conference, or paid for the listing. FRA France SWE Sweden GER Germany SWI Switzerland For a more complete listing of all of the companies currently marketing equipment and IDN Indonesia UK United Kingdom services to the mining and mineral processing business, please visit Mining Media’s inter- IRE Ireland USA United States of America Coal Age’s 2014 Buyers Guide uses country abbreviations that can be active website World Mining Equipment (www.wme.com). found on the United Nation’s website.

Analysis Steel Nation Steel Buildings Inc, USA ...... +1 (724) 873-7533 BDP Industries, USA ...... +1 (518) 527-5417 Energy Technologies Inc, USA ...... +1 (419) 522-4444 Beard Technologies Inc, USA ...... +1 (405) 842-2333 Bulk Materials Handling Hawk, USA...... +1 (978) 304-3000 Bedeschi America Inc, USA...... +1 (954) 602-2175 Coal Handling Solutions, USA ...... +1 (423) 224-7203 Indutech Process Contral Inc, GER...... +49 74 84929 740 BinMaster, USA ...... +1 (402) 434-9102 Cogar Manufacturing, USA ...... +1 (304) 252-4435 LECO Corp, USA...... +1 (269) 983-5531 Borton LC, USA ...... +1 (620) 669-8211 FAM USA, USA ...... +1 (509) 468-2677 Scantech Int'l Pty, AUL ...... +61 8 83500 200 Caltex BMH Systems, USA ...... +1 (972) 751-0500 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc, USA ...... +1 (781) 622-1000 Cap Lamps Centrifugal Services Inc, USA ...... +1 (618) 268-4850 Woodward Consulting, USA ...... +1 (858) 699-5252 Koehler-Bright Star, USA ...... +1 (570) 825-1900 Cypher Co, The, USA ...... +1 (724) 325-3900 Daniels Co, The, USA ...... +1 (304) 327-8161 Antiques/Collectors Deister Machine Company Inc, USA...... +1 (260) 426-7495 Ohio Vintage Coal, USA...... +1 (740) 924-4985

Associations Alaska Miners Association, USA ...... +1 (907) 563-9229 Coal Association of Canada ...... +1 (403) 262-1544 Strata Worldwide LLC, USA ...... +1 (800) 691-6601 FORCE (Families For Coal), USA ...... +1 (724) 684-8051 Derrick Corp, USA ...... +1 (716) 683-9010 Chemicals National Mining Association, USA ...... +1 (202) 463-2600 Downer EDI Ltd, AUL...... +61 2 9468 9700 Afton Chemical, USA ...... +1 (440) 257-7565 Eirich USA, USA...... +1 (847) 336-2444 Auctioneers Zinkan, USA ...... +1 (800) 229-6801 Elgin Equipment Group CMI, USA ...... +1 (314) 776-2848 GoIndustry DoveBid, PH ...... +63 2 478 5555 Coal Mining Companies Elgin Equipment Group Tabor, USA ...... +1 (304) 431-4100 Hilco Industrial LLC, USA...... +1 (248) 254-9999 Anglo American, AUS ...... +61 7 3834 1449 Elgin Equipment Group, USA ...... +1 (630) 434-7200 Myron Bowling Auctioneers, USA ...... +1 (513) 738-3311 Centralia Coal Sales Co, USA ...... +1 (570) 822-4135 Eriez Magnetics, USA ...... +1 (814) 835-6000 Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, USA ...... +1 (800) 211-3983 Cloud Peak Energy, USA...... +1 (307) 687-6000 Farnham & Pfile, USA...... +1 (724) 929-3151 Automation CONSOL Energy Inc, USA ...... +1 (724) 485-4000 FLSmidth Krebs, USA ...... +1 (520) 744-8200 Neptec Technologies Corp, CAN ...... +1 (613) 599-7602 Contour Mining, USA ...... +1 (304) 872-4841 FLSmidth Ludowici, USA...... +1 (304) 855-7880 Cravat Coal Co, USA ...... +1 (740) 942-4656 Forge Group America, USA...... +1 (724) 754-9800 Bearings & Bushings Drummond Co, USA ...... +1 (205) 945-6300 Garlock Sealing Technologies, USA ...... +1 (315) 597-4811 Inpro/Seal Co, USA ...... +1 (800) 447-0524 Extreme Coal Inc, USA ...... +1 (606) 422-1472 General Kinematics, USA...... +1 (815) 455-3222 HEF Groupe USA, USA ...... +1 (317) 862-8458 Jeddo Coal, USA ...... +1 (570) 825-0138 Greenfields Coal, USA ...... +1 (304) 929-3480 Kaman Industrial Technologies, USA ...... +1 (904) 696-2394 Jim Walter Resources, USA ...... +1 (813) 871-4811 Guohua Technology Corp, USA ...... +1 (859) 898-2128 Kaydon Bearings Division, USA...... +1 (231) 755-3741 Kiewit Mining Group, USA ...... +1 (402) 342-2052 Hawk, USA...... +1 (978) 304-3000 Timken Company, The, USA...... +1 (330) 471-4392 Lehigh Coal & Navigation, USA ...... +1 (570) 621-7372 Hazemag & EPR GmbH, GER ...... +49 259477490 Brakes Murray Energy Corp, USA ...... +1 (216) 765-1240 Hein Lehmann LLC, USA ...... +1 (678) 566-1987 Ausco Products Inc, USA ...... +1 (269) 926-0700 NB Coal, CAN ...... +1 (506) 327-2200 IG America, USA ...... +1 (804) 733-0808 Oxbow Carbon LLC, USA ...... +1 (561) 697-4300 Imperial Technologies, USA...... +1 (330) 491-3200 Buildings & Structures Patriot Coal, USA ...... +1 (314) 275-3600 Industrial Resources Inc, USA ...... +1 (304) 363-4100 Allight Pty Ltd, AUL...... +61 (8) 9302 7000 Peabody Energy, USA ...... +1 (314) 342-3400 Ingwenya Mineral Tech, UK...... +44 1202706085 ASI Industrial, USA ...... +1 (406) 245-6231 Rio Tinto Services, USA ...... +1 (801) 532-1729 Jadco Inc, USA ...... +1 (724) 452-5252 Bedeschi America Inc, USA...... +1 (954) 602-2175 Signal Peak Energy, USA...... +1 (406) 323-4510 Larox Corp, FIN ...... +358 (201) 113-311 BinMaster, USA ...... +1 (402) 434-9102 Lincoln Contracting & Equipment Co, USA....+1 (814) 629-6641 Coal Preparation Farnham & Pfile Construction Inc, USA...... +1 (724) 653-1010 Marietta Silos, USA ...... +1 (740) 373-2822 Allmineral LLC, USA...... +1 (770) 410-0220 Flexospan Steel Buildings Inc, USA...... +1 (724) 376-7221 Maschinenfabrik Gustav Eirich GmbH ASI Industrial, USA ...... +1 (406) 245-6231 Sprung Structures, USA ...... +1 (801) 280-1555 & CoKG, GER ...... +49 06283 51-0

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buyers guide 2014 continued

Maschinenfabrik Koppern, GER ...... +49 02324 207 0 Communications & Tracking Douglas Manufacturing, USA ...... +1 (205) 884-1200 MBE Coal & Minerals Technology 3D-P, USA...... +1 (800) 955-93DP FAM Forderanlagen Magdeburg, GER ...... +49 391 6380 - 0 GmbH, GER...... +49 221 99892 700 Active Control Technology Inc, CAN ...... +1 (905) 670-5500 Fenner Dunlop Americas, USA ...... +1 (404) 297-3115 Metso Minerals, USA ...... +1 (412) 269-5000 AFL Telecommunications, USA...... +1 (800) 235-3423 Flexco, USA ...... +1 (800) 323-3444 Minelco Inc, USA ...... +1 (513) 322-5530 Amphenol Fiber Systems, USA ...... +1 (800) 472-4225 Innoveyor Inc, USA...... +1 (757) 485-0500 Mole Master Services Corp, USA ...... +1 (740) 374-6726 Becker Mining America, USA ...... +1 (304) 736-9833 Joy Global, USA...... +1 (724)-779-4500 Ohio Magnetics Inc, (Stearns), USA ...... +1 (216) 662-8484 Becker Mining Systems GmbH, GER ...... +49 6897857232 Macquarie Mfg Pty Ltd, AUL ...... +61 (0)249 753 711 Outotec Oyj, USA...... +1 (904) 353-3681 Carroll Engineering Co, USA...... +1 (877) 9-MINERS Martin Engineering, USA ...... +1 (309) 594-2384 Peters Equipment, USA...... +1 (276) 322-5451 CSE Corp, USA ...... +1 (800) 245-2224 Mine Drives, USA ...... +1 (814) 449-7578 Peterson Filters Corp, USA ...... +1 (801) 487-7761 GAI-Tronics, USA...... +1 (800) 492-1212 PEBCO Inc, USA ...... +1 (270) 442-1996 Helicomm, USA ...... +1 (858) 638-0850 Phoenix Conveyor Belt Systems, GER ...... +49 40 7667 2205 Innovative Wireless Technologies, USA...... +1 (434) 316-5230 Picor, USA ...... +1 (423) 282-9900 Intec Video Systems, USA...... +1 (949) 859-3800 Pioneer Conveyor LLC, USA ...... +1 (301) 334-8186 Kenwood USA Corp, USA ...... +1 (310) 639-9000 Precision Pulley & Idler, USA ...... +1 (800) 247-1228 Matrix Design Group, USA ...... +1 (812) 490-1525 Rema Tip Top North America Inc, USA ...... +1 (520) 421-2280 Phoenix Process Equipment, USA ...... +1 (502) 499-6198 Mine Site Technologies (USA) Inc, USA ...... +1 (303) 951-0570 Mine Site Technologies, AUL...... +61 (2) 9437-4399 Optical Cable Corp, USA...... +1 (800) 622-7711 Pillar Innovations, USA ...... +1 (301) 245-4007 Pyott-Boone Electronics, USA...... +1 (276) 988-5505 Richwood, USA ...... +1 (304) 525-5436 Radio Frequency Systems, USA ...... +1 (203) 630-3311 Rulmeca Corp, USA ...... +1 (910) 794-9294 Polydeck Screen Corp, USA ...... +1 (864) 579-4594 Rajant Corp, USA...... +1 (484) 595-0233 Sandvik Mining & Construction, USA ...... +1 (404) 589-3800 PrepTech Inc, USA ...... +1 (724) 727-3439 RuggedCom, CAN...... +1 (905) 856-5288 Shaw Almex Industries, CAN...... +1 (905) 643-7750 Quality Magnetite LLC, USA ...... +1 (304) 453-2222 SMC Electrical Products Inc, USA...... +1 (304) 736-8933 Smalis Corp, USA ...... +1 (724) 925-8500 Reiss Viking, USA...... +1 (859) 296-2106 Snively Inc, USA ...... +1 (440) 974-9937 Superior Industries, USA ...... +1 (320) 589-2406 Roberts & Schaefer Co, USA ...... +1 (801) 364-0900 Stran Technologies, USA...... +1 (203) 729-2572 Syntron Material Handling, USA ...... +1 (800) 356-4898 San-Con Industries Inc, USA...... +1 (419) 294-5609 Strata Safety Products LLC, USA ...... +1 (770) 321-2500 TECH (Pang) Industrial, USA ...... +1 (800) 705-2206 Schenck Process, USA ...... +1 (440) 543-6000 Tenova Takraf GmbH Delkor, AUL ...... +61 2 85967 000 Seetech, LLC, USA ...... +1 (304) 769-3010 Thor Global Enterprises Ltd, CAN ...... +1 (905) 564-0440 Stedman, USA ...... +1 (800) 262-5401 ThyssenKrupp Robins, USA ...... +1 (303) 793-2657 Steinert US, LLC, USA...... +1 (800) 595-4014 US Rubber Corp, USA...... +1 (800) 872-3587 Stock Equipment Co, USA ...... +1 (440) 543-6000 Van Der Graaf, CAN...... +1 (905) 793-8100 Strongwell, USA ...... +1 (276) 645-8000 Strata Worldwide LLC, USA ...... +1 (800) 691-6601 Veyance Technologies Inc/ Tema Isenmann Inc, USA ...... +1 (859) 252-0613 Strictly Business Computer, USA ...... +1 (888) 529-0401 Goodyear Engineered Products, USA...... +1 (888) 899-6354 Tenova Takraf GmbH Delkor, AUL ...... +61 2 85967 000 SYColeman Corp, USA ...... +1 (703) 293-7813 Cranes & Lifts TESSCO Technologies, USA...... +1 (800) 472-7373 All Erection & Crane Rental Corp, USA ...... +1 (800) 232-4100 TR Minecom, AUL...... +61-3-9896 3000 Tunnel Radio of America, USA ...... +1 (541) 758-5637 Crushers & Sizers Victor Products USA, USA ...... +1 (724) 776-4900 Joy Global, USA...... +1 (414) 319-8500 McLanahan Corp, USA ...... +1 (814) 695-9807 Conveyor Systems TerraSource, USA ...... +1 (855) 483-7721 MMD Mineral Sizing, USA ...... +1 (423) 884-6100 Anker-Flexco, USA...... +1 (800) 323-3444 Wright Concrete & Construction Inc, USA ....+1 (800) 670-6965 Sandvik Mining & Construction, USA ...... +1 (404) 589-3800 Apex Bulk Technology Inc, USA ...... +1 (270) 994-4329 Coal Transportation AEP River Operations, USA...... +1 (636) 530-2172 Alabama Port Authority, USA...... +1 (251) 441-7200 American Commercial Lines, USA ...... +1 (812) 288-0100 Appalachian Timber Services, USA...... +1 (304) 765-7393 TerraSource, USA ...... +1 (855) 483-7721 Crounse Corp, USA...... +1 (606) 564-6843 ASGCO-Complete Conveyor Solutions, USA+1 (800) 344-4000 ThyssenKrupp Inc, GER...... +49 201 844 0 Ingram Barge, USA ...... +1 (615) 298-8200 Belt Conveyor Guarding, USA ...... +1 (866) 300-6668 JK-CO, USA...... +1 (419) 422-5240 Belt Tech Industrial, USA ...... +1 (812) 644-7623 Diesel Engines Kinder Morgan, USA ...... +1 (713) 369-9000 Benetech, USA ...... +1 (630) 844-1300 Mid-Ship Group, USA ...... +1 (516) 944-3500 Beumer Group GmbH & CoKG, GER...... +49 02521 24-0 Port Corpus Christi, USA ...... +1 (361) 882-5633 CAT Global Mining, USA ...... +1 (309) 675-1000 River Consulting, USA ...... +1 (614) 890-3456 Clasic Conveyor, USA ...... +1 (724) 459-5261 Trinity Industries, USA ...... +1 (214) 631-4420 Claudius Peters Projects GmbH, USA ...... +1 (972) 386-4451 AirFlow Catalyst Systems, USA...... +1 (585) 295-1510 Two Rivers Authority, USA...... +1 (406) 665-9274 Coal Handling Solutions, USA ...... +1 (423) 224-7203 CAT Global Mining, USA ...... +1 (309) 675-1000 Cobra America LLC, USA ...... +1 (866) 768-9700 Cummins Power Generation, USA ...... +1 (812) 377-5000 Collision Avoidance Cogar Manufacturing, USA ...... +1 (304) 252-4435 John Deere Power Systems, USA ...... +1 (800) JD-ENGINE Guardvant Inc, USA ...... +1 (520) 299-1911 Conflow Inc, USA...... +1 (724) 746-0200 MTU, USA ...... +1 (313) 592-7000 SAFEMineTechnology, USA ...... +1 (510) 473-7233 Conveyor Services Corp, USA ...... +1 (304) 855-2860 Republic Diesel Inc, USA ...... +1 (502) 561-2200

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buyers guide 2014 continued

Drilling & Blasting BMT WBM Americas, USA ...... +1 (303) 792-9814 Summit Engineering, USA ...... +1 (606) 432-1447 Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions LLC, USA...... +1 (972) 496-7400 Boyce, Graybeal & Fayre, USA ...... +1 (304) 683-3500 Tenova Takraf GmbH Delkor, AUL ...... +61 2 85967 000 CAT Global Mining, USA ...... +1 (309) 675-1000 Bruks Rockwood Inc, USA ...... +1 (770) 849-0100 Trinity Consultants, USA ...... +1 (800) 229-6655 Dyno Nobel, USA...... +1 (801) 328-6477 Call & Nicholas Instruments Inc, USA ...... +1 (520) 670-9774 Tymark, LLC, USA ...... +1 (518) 489-8950 GeoSonics Inc, USA ...... +1 (724) 934-2900 CCC Group Inc, USA...... +1 (210) 661-4251 Varo Engineers, USA ...... +1 (614) 459-0424 CDG Engineers, USA...... +1 (314) 781-7770 Weir Int'l, USA ...... +1 (630) 968-5400 Centry Constructors & Engineers, USA...... +1 (801) 582-2002 White Engineering, USA...... +1 (800) 220-2097 Coal Services Pty Ltd, AUL ...... +61 (02) 8270 3200 Wood Mackenzie, USA ...... +1 (303) 425-5025 Coalfield Services, USA ...... +1 (276) 228-3167 Woodward Consulting, USA ...... +1 (858) 699-5252 Competitive Enterprise Institute, USA ...... +1 (202) 331-1010 WSP Environment & Energy, UK...... +44 (0)20 7314 5000 Kuriyama of America Inc, USA...... +1 (847) 755-0360 Consero Inc, USA ...... +1 (804) 359-8448 Environmental REIChdrill, USA ...... +1 (814) 342-5500 Cowin & Co, USA ...... +1 (205) 945-1300 Abanaki Corp, USA ...... +1 (440) 543-7400 Sandvik Mining & Construction, USA ...... +1 (404) 589-3800 D'Appalonia, USA ...... +1 (412) 856-9440 Abutec LLC, USA...... +1 (770) 846-0155 Sauls Seismic Inc, USA ...... +1 (205) 592-2466 David Stanley Consultants, USA ...... +1 (304) 534-3871 CiDRA Minerals Processing Inc, USA ...... +1 (203) 265-0035 Shaft Drillers Int'l, USA ...... +1 (800) 331-0175 Desko Enterprises Inc, USA...... +1 (724) 537-7401 Environmental Stabilization Solutions, USA....+1 (623) 934-6767 T&T Carbide, USA ...... +1 (618) 439-7253 DSI Underground Systems Inc, USA ...... +1 (801) 973-7169 GE Water & Process Technologies, USA ...... +1 (913) 206-1102 Target Drilling Inc, USA ...... +1 (412) 384-2292 Farnham & Pfile Engineering Inc, USA...... +1 (724) 653-1010 GEC Drilling, USA...... +1 (478) 757-1606 Terex Reedrill, USA ...... +1 (972) 265-7110 GAI Consultants, USA ...... +1 (304) 926-8100 GSE Lining Technology, USA ...... +1 (800) 435-2008 Varel Int'l, USA ...... +1 (972) 242-1160 GE Water & Process Technologies, USA ...... +1 (913) 206-1102 Hi-Vac Corp, USA ...... +1 (740) 374-2306 Geotech Drilling, USA...... +1 (250) 962-9041 Drives Gibbs Associates, USA ...... +1 (303) 444-6032 Motion Industries Co-op (Baldor), USA ...... +1 (205) 956-1122 Grosvenor Engineering, USA...... +1 (303) 798-0181 Revere Control Systems, USA...... +1 (205) 824-0004 Hatch Mott MacDonald, USA ...... +1 (412) 497-2900 System Controls Inc, USA ...... +1 (205) 591-0401 Heyl & Patterson Inc, USA ...... +1 (412) 788-9810 Dust Control John Sample Associates, USA ...... +1 (718) 625-7107 Phoenix Process Equipment, USA ...... +1 (502) 499-6198 AKJ Industries Inc, USA...... +1 (239) 939-1696 John T Boyd Co, USA ...... +1 (724) 873-4400 Strata Safety Products LLC, USA ...... +1 (770) 321-2500 Benetech, USA ...... +1 (630) 844-1300 Kinane Engineering Inc, USA ...... +1 (623) 825-5546 US EPA Coalbed Methane BWI Eagle Inc, USA ...... +1 (724) 283-4681 L J Hughes & Sons, USA...... +1 (304) 872-1111 Outreach Program, USA ...... +1 (781) 674-7313 Chemstream Inc, USA...... +1 (814) 629-7118 L Robert Kimball & Associates, USA ...... +1 (814) 472-7700 Worthington Products, USA ...... +1 (330) 452-7400 Dust Control Technology, USA ...... +1 (309) 693-8600 Liberty Mining Consultants, USA ...... +1 (859) 936-5588 WSP Environment & Energy, UK...... +44 (0)20 7314 5000 Engart Global, USA ...... +1 (304) 253-0777 Marshall Miller & Associates, USA ...... +1 (276) 322-5467 Enssolutions, USA ...... +1 (877) 520-6767 Marston & Marston Inc, USA...... +1 (314) 984-8800 Fasteners Hi-Vac Corp, USA ...... +1 (740) 374-2306 Martin Consulting, USA ...... +1 (304) 521-2908 Nord-Lock Inc, USA...... +1 (412) 279-1149 Spraying Systems Co, USA ...... +1 (800) 95-SPRAY Micromine Ltd, USA...... +1 (604) 646-8924 Filters Task Force Tips, USA ...... +1 (800) 348-2686 Minasco Australia Pty Ltd, AUL...... +61-3-9740 8933 AirFlow Catalyst Systems, USA...... +1 (585) 295-1510 Wm Steinen Mfg Co, USA...... +1 (973) 887-6400 Neptec Technologies Corp, CAN ...... +1 (613) 599-7602 Donaldson Co, USA...... +1 (952) 887-3300 Norwest Mine Services Inc, USA...... +1 (801) 539-0044 Education Industrial Lubricant Co, USA ...... +1 (903) 597-4800 Outotec Oyj, USA...... +1 (904) 353-3681 Missouri University of Science Kaydon Filtration, USA ...... +1 (706) 884-3041 Pace Global, USA ...... +1 (703) 818-9100 & Technology, USA ...... +1 (800) 522-0938 Luber-Finer, USA ...... +1 (513) 421-6622 PENTA Engineering Co LLC, USA ...... +1 (314) 824-3954 Penn State Fayette, USA ...... +1 (724) 430-4100 One Eye Industries, CAN ...... +1 (403) 242-4221 Rend Lake College, USA ...... +1 (618) 437-5321 Phoenix Process Equipment, USA ...... +1 (502) 499-6198 Southern Illinois University Coal Precision Filtration Products, USA ...... +1 (215) 679-6645 Research Center, USA...... +1 (618) 536-5521 Schroeder Industries Inc, USA...... +1 (724) 318-1100 Seebach America Inc, USA ...... +1 (304) 720-3746 Electrical Cables & Connections Seetech LLC, USA...... +1 (304) 769-3010 Konnx, USA ...... +1 (303) 906-8341 Phoenix Process Equipment, USA ...... +1 (502) 499-6198 Nexans AmerCable, USA ...... +1 (214) 221-7818 Pincock Allen & Holt, USA ...... +1 (303) 986-6950 Finance Southwire Co, USA ...... +1 (770) 832-5723 RAG Mining Solutions GmbH, GER ...... +49 6897857319 CIT Equipment Finance, USA ...... +1 (215) 854-6434 Raw Materials Group, SWE ...... +46 87440065 Falls River Group LLC, USA...... +1 (239) 649-4222 Electronics RungePincockMinarco, AUL ...... +61 7 3100 7200 Resource Capital Funds, USA...... +1 (720) 946-1444 Ducommun Labarge Technologies, USA ...... +1 (314) 957-0800 RungePincockMinarco, USA...... +1 (303) 986-6950 System Controls Inc, USA ...... +1 (205) 591-0401 Firefighting Schneider Electric, USA...... +1 (847) 397-2600 Kidde Fire Systems, USA...... +1 (508) 881-2000 Engineers/Consultants Shaft Drillers Int'l, USA ...... +1 (800) 331-0175 Phoenix First Response, USA ...... +1 (800) 516-4266 AEP River Consulting, USA ...... +1 (614) 716-1000 Skelly & Loy, USA...... +1 (800) 892-6532 Spraying Systems Co, USA ...... +1 (800) 95-SPRAY Alpha Engineering Services, USA ...... +1 (304) 255-4131 Specialized Career Search, USA ...... +1 (610) 351-4322 USF Equipment & Services Ltd, USA ...... +1 (903) 753-3901 Anderson & Schwab, USA ...... +1 (212) 758-6800 SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd, UK ...... +44 2920 348150 Weatherford Int'l, USA ...... +1 (713) 580-9700 Ardaman & Associates Inc, USA ...... +1 (407) 855-3860 Stagg Resources Consultants, USA ...... +1 (304) 776-6660 Axis Inc, USA ...... +1 (309) 691-3988 Stolar Research Corp, USA...... +1 (575) 445-3607 Benetech, USA ...... +1 (630) 844-1300 Strata Mine Services, USA...... +1 (770) 321-2500

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buyers guide 2014 continued

Fleet Management/Dispatch Instrumentation Insurance Systems BinMaster, USA ...... +1 (402) 434-9102 American Mining Insurance Co, USA ...... +1 (205) 870-3535 Leica Geosystems Inc, USA ...... +1 (770) 326-9500 Fluke Corp, USA ...... +1 (425) 347-6100 Houston International Insurance Group, USA +1 (205) 776-1590 MinVu Pty Ltd, AUS ...... +61 7 3255 2333 Hawk, USA...... +1 (978) 304-3000 Modular Mining Systems Inc, USA ...... +1 (520) 746-9127 Laboratories Certified Laboratories, USA ...... +1 (972) 428-0591 General Contractors Clark Testing Services, USA ...... +1 (269) 697-8632 ANV Group Ltd, GER ...... +495 504-08-01 Hazen Research Inc, USA ...... +1 (303) 279-4501 Beaver Steel Services Inc, USA ...... +1 (412) 429-8860 Novatek, USA...... +1 (724) 288-6945 Bruks Rockwood Inc, USA ...... +1 (770) 849-0100 Polaris Laboratories, USA ...... +1 (317) 808-3750 Kuriyama of America Inc, USA...... +1 (847) 755-0360 Gasbarre Products Inc, USA ...... +1 (814) 371-3015 GMS Mine Repair & Maintenance Inc, USA ..+1 (301) 334-8186 Hoffmann Inc, USA ...... +1 (563) 263-4733 Rock & Coal Construction Inc, USA ...... +1 (304) 683-5600

Strata Worldwide LLC, USA ...... +1 (800) 691-6601 Trinity Mining and Construction Equipment Inc, USA...... +1 (210) 589-8948 Vaughan Co Inc, USA ...... +1 (360) 249-4042

Ground Engaging Tools CAT Global Mining, USA ...... +1 (309) 675-1000 Columbia Steel Casting, USA ...... +1 (503) 286-0685 ESCO, USA ...... +1 (814) 467-0822

Guns Henry Repeating Arms, USA ...... +1 (201) 858-4400

Haul Roads Big R Mfg., USA...... +1 (800) 234-0734

Hoists FKC-Lake Shore, USA...... +1 (877) 554-8600 Rouster WRR, USA ...... +1 (800) 595-2747 Siemag Tecberg GmbH, GER ...... +49 2738210 Thern Inc, USA...... +1 (507) 454-2996

Hydraulic Power Systems Cypher Co, The, USA ...... +1 (724) 325-3900 Flodraulic Group Inc, USA ...... +1 (480) 921-5440 Gates Corp, USA ...... +1 (800) 366-3128 Gates Fluid Power Division, USA...... +1 (303) 744-1911 Hauhinco, USA...... +1 (724) 789-7050 Hose Solutions, USA ...... +1 (480) 607-1507 Hydra-Tech Pumps, USA ...... +1 (570) 645-3779 Kuriyama of America Inc, USA...... +1 (847) 755-0360 Manuli Hydraulics (Americas) Inc, USA ...... +1 (724) 778-3380 Marco Systems, GER ...... +49 8131 5161 0 Mercia Int'l Products Ltd, USA ...... +1 (412) 787-2400 North American Hydraulics, USA...... +1 (225) 751-0500 Open Loop Energy, USA ...... +1 (575) 644-2907 Parker Hannifin Corp, USA ...... +1 (216) 896-3000 R&M Fluid Power, USA ...... +1 (330) 758-2766 Ryco Hydraulics, USA ...... +1 (281) 821-4100 System Seals, USA ...... +1 (800) 465-8835 US Rubber Corp, USA...... +1 (936) 756-1977 Wojanis Supply Co, USA ...... +1 (800) 345-9024 Wooster Hydrostatics Inc, USA ...... +1 (330) 263-6555

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buyers guide 2014 continued

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, USA....+1 (509) 332-7990 Tiefenbach North America, USA ...... +1 (304) 368-9440 Rexnord Industries, LLC, USA...... +1 (414) 643-3000 SGS North America, USA ...... +1 (410) 355-1958 United Mining Equipment, USA...... +1 (724) 586-0195 Security Locknut, USA...... +1 (847) 970-4050 ZMJ, CHN...... +86 371-67891026 Svendborg Brakes, DEN ...... +45 63 255 255 Land Companies System Controls Inc, USA ...... +1 (205) 591-0401 Appalachian Timber Services, USA...... +1 (304) 765-7393 Maintenance Tribco Inc, USA ...... +1 (216) 486-2000 Chartwell Int'l, USA...... +1 (740) 532-7155 Afton Chemical, USA ...... +1 (440) 257-7565 Voith Turbo GmbH and Co KG, GER ...... +49 (7951) 32-409 Hode Lumber Co, USA ...... +1 (419) 753-2263 American Utility Metals, USA ...... +1 (719) 597-2423 Wolfgang Preinfalk GmbH, GER...... +49 (0) 6894 3101 0 Marcus & Millichap, USA ...... +1 (904) 565-2919 AZZ Galvanizing, USA ...... +1 (817) 810-0095 Resource Land Holdings, LLC, USA...... +1 (719) 633-1505 Beaver Steel Services Inc, USA ...... +1 (412) 429-8860 Media The 84 Group Inc, USA ...... +1 (412) 788-3939 Bel-Ray Company, USA ...... +1 (732) 938-2421 Mining Media Int'l, USA ...... +1 (303) 283-0640 Bortech Corp, USA ...... +1 (603) 358-4030 Law Firms Methane Drainage CMA, LLC/Double Coin Tires, USA...... +1 (626) 301-9575 Bailey & Glasser, LLC, USA ...... +1 (304) 594-0087 KSD Ent LLC - Methane Busters, USA...... +1 (304) 624-7452 Expander Americas Inc, USA ...... +1 (928) 646-3500 Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, USA ...... +1 (513) 977-8200 Methane Recovery Solutions, LLC, UK ....+44 (0) 161 483 1435 FLIR Systems Inc, USA ...... +1 (800) 727-3547 Jackson Kelly PLLC, USA ...... +1 (304) 340-1000 US EPA Coalbed Methane Flow Ezy Filters Inc, USA ...... +1 (734) 665-8777 Jackson Lewis PC, USA ...... +1 (703) 483-8373 Outreach Program, USA ...... +1 (781) 674-7313 Gasbarre Products Inc, USA ...... +1 (814) 371-3015 Spilman Thomas & Battle, USA...... +1 (800) 967-8251 Welldog, USA...... +1 (307) 742-6340 GMS Mine Repair & Maintenance Inc, USA ..+1 (301) 334-8186 Lighting Hausner Hard Chrome Inc, USA ...... +1 (270) 684-2279 Mine Supplies Allmand Bros Inc, USA ...... +1 (308) 995-4495 Hedweld USA Inc, USA ...... +1 (208) 755-2976 3M Co, USA...... +1 (651) 737-1538 KH Controls, USA ...... +1 (724) 459-7474 Henkel Corp., USA...... +1 (816) 571-5100 Applied Industrial Technologies, USA ...... +1 (216) 426-4000 Nordic Lights NA Inc, USA...... +1 (330) 519-8133 HMC, USA ...... +1 (866) 990-9462 Phoenix Products Co, USA ...... +1 (414) 973-3300 Industrial Lubricant Co, USA ...... +1 (903) 597-4800 Shat-R-Shield, USA ...... +1 (800) 223-0853 IPD, LLC, USA ...... +1 (310) 530-1900 L&H Industrial, USA ...... +1 (307) 682-7238 Liners Lawson Products, USA ...... +1 (866) 837-9908 Plastatech Engineering Ltd, USA...... +1 (989) 754-6500 Layfield Poly Films Ltd, CAN ...... +1 (604) 275-5588 ASGCO-Complete Conveyor Solutions, USA+1 (800) 344-4000 Worthington Products, USA ...... +1 (330) 452-7400 Longwall Associates, USA...... +1 (276) 646-2004 Becker Wholesale Mine Supply, USA ...... +1 (724) 515-4993 Longwall Mining Equipment Materion Brush Performance Alloys, USA...... +1 (216) 486-4200 Bluefield Mfg, USA ...... +1 (800) 445-4461 Advanced Cutting Systems, USA ...... +1 (260) 423-3394 Monitek Inc, USA ...... +1 (307) 685-2566 Brady Mining, USA...... +1 (314) 872-8192 AirFlow Catalyst Systems, USA...... +1 (585) 295-1510 MPI, USA ...... +1 (412) 664-7788 Cattron Group Int'l, USA ...... +1 (724) 962-3571 C&A Cutter Head, Inc, USA...... +1 (276) 646-5548 NAES Corp., USA ...... +1 (425) 961-4700 Chain Connection, USA...... +1 (724) 539-8222 Capital Group Fasing Plc, POL ...... +48 32/ 735 00 00 OEM Retrofit Inc, USA ...... +1 (606) 437-1656 Cincinnati Mine Machinery, USA ...... +1 (513) 522-7777 CAT Global Mining, USA ...... +1 (309) 675-1000 Partsmaster, USA ...... +1 (800) 336-0450 Crompion International, USA ...... +1 (225) 343-4219 Chain Connection, USA...... +1 (724) 539-8222 Sioux Rubber & Urethane, USA...... +1 (712) 252-3257 Douglas Manufacturing, USA ...... +1 (205) 884-1200 Eickhoff Bergbautechnik GmbH, GER ...... +49 234 975-0 Stellar Industries, USA ...... +1 (641) 923-3741 Dry Systems Technologies, USA...... +1 (630) 427-2051 Eickhoff Corp, USA ...... +1 (412) 788-1400 T.F. Hudgins, USA ...... +1 (713) 682-3651 Erlau AG, USA ...... +1 (319) 294-0001 Famur Group, POL ...... +48 32 359 63 00 York Portable Machine Tools, CAN...... +1 (250) 287-7716 Fairmont Supply Co, USA ...... +1 (724) 514-3900 Fenner Dunlop Americas, USA ...... +1 (404) 297-3115 Hauhinco, USA...... +1 (724) 789-7050 Mechanical Power Transmission Gardner Paint Services, USA...... +1 (423) 928-8351 Cone Drive, USA ...... +1 (888) 994-2663 Garlock Klozure, USA ...... +1 (866) 556-9873 EES Gear Gmbh, SWI...... +41 41 755 09 54 Garlock Rubber Technologies, USA ...... +1 (870) 239-4051 Emerson Power Transmission, USA ...... +1 (630) 561-1431 Harrington Hoists, USA ...... +1 (800) 233-3010 Force Control Industries, USA ...... +1 (513) 868-0900 HUESKER inc, USA...... +1 (704) 588-5500 Hilti, USA ...... +1 (866) 445-8827 Hansen Gearboxes, USA...... +1 (304) 262-5860 Hydrowatt AG, SWI...... +41 (0)52 624 53 22 Hytorc, USA ...... +1 (800) 367-4986 Hansen Transmission Inc, USA ...... +1 (757) 478-3605 Joy Global, USA...... +1 (724) 779-4500 Kimes Steel & Rail Inc, USA...... +1 (888) 392-7245 Inpro/Seal Co, USA ...... +1 (800) 447-0524 K.B.P. Kettenwerk Becker-Pruente GmbH - Jahnel Kestermann, GER ...... +49 0234 339-249 Capital Group FASING Plc, GER...... +49 2363 7334 15 King Packaged Materials Co, CAN ...... +1 (905) 633-6613 Longwall Associates, USA...... +1 (276) 646-2004 Longwall Mining Services, USA ...... +1 (724) 816-7871 Longwall Services Inc, USA ...... +1 (724) 228-9898 Kuriyama of America Inc, USA...... +1 (847) 755-0360 Macquarie Mfg Pty Ltd, AUL ...... +61 (0)249 753 711 Lewis-Goetz & Co Inc, USA...... +1 (304) 252-6203 Kuriyama of America Inc, USA...... +1 (847) 755-0360 Marco North America, USA ...... +1 (304) 733-0977 McNichols Co, USA ...... +1 (877) 884-4653 Magnetek, USA ...... +1 (800) 288-8178 Marco Systems, GER ...... +49 8131 5161 0 Pioneer Supply, USA ...... +1 (412) 471-5600 Manuli Hydraulics (Americas) Inc, USA ...... +1 (724) 778-3380 Paratech Inc, USA ...... +1 (815) 469-3911 Material Control Inc, USA...... +1 (630) 892-4274 Seetech, LLC, USA ...... +1 (304) 769-3010 Midwest Brake, USA ...... +1 (586) 775-3000 Stolar Horizon, USA ...... +1 (575) 445-3607 Mine Drives, USA ...... +1 (814) 449-7578 Sunkun American Mining Equipment, USA....+1 (858) 353-5335 Nord-Lock, USA ...... +1 (800) 345-BOLT System Controls Inc, USA ...... +1 (205) 591-0401 Richwood, USA ...... +1 (304) 525-5436

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buyers guide 2014 continued

RM Wilson Co Inc, USA...... +1 (800) 624-5460 DA Stuart GmbH, GER ...... +49 2 02/60 70 Diversified Energy, USA ...... +1 (480) 507-0297 Strata Mine Services, USA...... +1 (770) 321-2500 Fuchs Lubricants, USA ...... +1 (724) 627-3200 Draka Industrial Cable GmbH, NET ...... +31 (0)20 56 89 865 Swanson Industries, USA ...... +1 (800) 327-6203 Graco, USA ...... +1 (800) 533-9655 EnerSys, USA...... +1 (904) 374-3534 Syntron Material Handling, USA ...... +1 (800) 356-4898 Industrial Lubricant Co, USA ...... +1 (903) 597-4800 Flanders Electric, USA ...... +1 (812) 867-7421 Thermo-Tech Heating Devices Inc, USA...... +1 (877) 693-7693 Luber-Finer, USA ...... +1 (513) 421-6622 Fluke Corp, USA ...... +1 (425) 347-6100 Thiele GmbH & Co KG, GER ...... +49 2371 / 947-0 Lubrizol Corp, USA ...... +1 (440) 943-4200 GE Transportation, USA ...... +1 (814) 875-5257 Timken Co, The, USA ...... +1 (330) 471-4392 Mantek, USA ...... +1 (800) 527-7850 General Cable Corp, USA ...... +1 (800) 243-8020 United Central Industrial Supply, USA ...... +1 (276) 466-0511 Quaker Chemical, USA ...... +1 (610) 832-4000 Innovative Utility Products, USA...... +1 (479) 410-2098 Williamstown Mine Supply, USA ...... +1 (817) 891-5105 Reserve Systems Inc, USA ...... +1 (661) 256-2275 Intermountain Electronics Inc, USA ...... +1 (435) 637-7160 Wire Rope Corp of America Inc, USA ...... +1 (412) 373-6122 Spinner II Products, USA ...... +1 (713) 682-3651 Joslyn Clark Controls, USA ...... +1 (800) 390-6405 Worthington Products, USA ...... +1 (330) 452-7400 Piping Zhuzhou Cemented Carbide Works, USA ....+1 (734) 302-0125 Altoona Pipe and Steel Supply, USA...... +1 (814) 944-1631 Motors CertainTeed Corp, USA...... +1 (610) 341-7825 Baldor Electric Co, USA...... +1 (479) 646-4711 CF Ultra Tech, USA ...... +1 (262) 284-7800 Mohler Technology Inc, USA ...... +1 (812) 897-2900 Grinnell Products, USA ...... +1 (215) 362-0700 SIEMAG Inc, USA ...... +1 (518) 966-4650 Indumar Products, USA...... +1 (713) 977-4100 Kuriyama of America Inc, USA...... +1 (847) 755-0360 SIEMAG TECBERG GmbH, GER...... +49 2773 9161-0 Jabo Supply Corp, USA ...... +1 (304) 736-8333 Line Power, USA ...... +1 (276) 466-8200 T&N Electric Motors Exchange Inc, USA ...... +1 (800) 513-7931 Lee Supply Co, USA ...... +1 (724) 483-3543 Midsun Specialty Products Inc, USA...... +1 (860) 378-0111 Yost Electric, USA ...... +1 (785) 637-5454 Ultra Tech Pipe, USA ...... +1 (800) 626-8243 Nexans AmerCable, USA ...... +1 (800) 643-1516 Oils & Lubricants Power Systems Plymouth Rubber, USA ...... +1 (781) 828-0220 Bel-Ray Company, USA ...... +1 (732) 938-2421 ABB Inc, USA...... +1 (970) 282-7734 Preco Electronics, USA ...... +1 (866) 977-7326 BP, USA ...... +1 (800) 333-3991 Ampcontrol Pty Ltd, AUS...... +61 2 4961 9000 Saminco Inc, USA ...... +1 (239) 561-1561 Castrol Industrial North America Inc, USA...... +1 (877) 641-1600 Arizona Electrical Apparatus, USA...... +1 (520) 622-7802 Schneider Electric, USA...... +1 (847) 397-2600 CC Jensen Inc, USA ...... +1 (206) 789-1710 Avtron Mfg, USA ...... +1 (216) 573-7600 Siemens AG, GER ...... +49 (9131) 723-327 ConocoPhillips Lubricants, USA ...... +1 (303) 649-4080 Cavotec, USA...... +1 (704) 873-3009 Siemens Industry Inc, USA ...... +1 (770) 740-3480 D-A Lubricant Company Inc, USA...... +1 (800) 645-5823 CW Electric Inc, USA ...... +1 (606) 928-2074 SMC Electrical Products Inc, USA...... +1 (304) 736-8933 Tele-Fonika Cable Americas, USA ...... +1 (630) 406-9000

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buyers guide 2014 continued

TJB Inc, USA ...... +1 (440) 327-6154 Roof Support Turtle Plastics, USA ...... +1 (440) 282-8008 TMEIC, USA...... +1 (540) 283-2300 Camber Corp, USA ...... +1 (724) 933-6040 Sampling Victor Products, USA...... +1 (724) 776-4900 ChemGrout Inc, USA...... +1 (708) 354-7112 HSS Sampling Div (McLanahan), USA ...... +1 (814) 695-9807 Wabash Power Equipment, USA ...... +1 (800) 704-2002 DSI Mining Americas, USA ...... +1 (801) 973-7169 James A Redding Co, USA ...... +1 (814) 444-3452 Wilson Creek Energy LLC, USA ...... +1 (814) 443-4600 Gunite Construction Co, USA ...... +1 (740) 676-2172 Scales Pumps Cardinal Scale Mfg Co, USA ...... +1 (417) 673-4631 Arthur Habermann GmbH & CoKG, GER ...... +49 2302 /6606-0 Intercomp, USA ...... +1 (763) 476-2531 BJM Pumps LLC, USA ...... +1 (877) BJM-PUMP Southwestern Scale Co Inc, USA ...... +1 (602) 243-3951 Chesterton Co, USA ...... +1 (781) 438-7000 HUESKER inc, USA...... +1 (704) 588-5500 Tecweigh, USA ...... +1 (651) 777-4780 Grindex AB, SWE...... +46 86066600 InterState Treated Materials, USA ...... +1 (724) 324-2107 Thermo Fisher, Process Inst., USA ...... +1 (858) 882-1358 Grindex Pumps, USA...... +1 (708) 532-9988 JH Fletcher & Co, USA ...... +1 (304) 525-7811 Walz Scale Co, USA ...... +1 (309) 694-3200 Hauhinco, USA...... +1 (724) 789-7050 Jennmar Corp, USA...... +1 (412) 963-9071 Heartland Pump Rental & Sales, USA...... +1 (618) 985-5110 Scrap Yard Services Marco Concrete Lifting, USA ...... +1 (866) 886-2726 Hydra-Tech Pumps, USA ...... +1 (570) 645-3779 M&M Recycling, USA...... +1 (404) 516-4869 Minova USA, USA ...... +1 (502) 868-6224 Industrial Service & Electronics Inc, USA...... +1 (270) 830-0074 Screens ITT Flygt AB, SWE ...... +46 (8) 475-600 ITT Water & Wastewater U.S.A. Inc, USA ...... +1 (203) 380-4700 Kamat Pumpen GmbH, GER...... +49 (0) 23 02 / 89 03 - 0 Megator Corp, USA ...... +1 (412) 963-9200 Mersino Dewatering, USA ...... +1 (810) 658-3472 Strata Worldwide LLC, USA ...... +1 (800) 691-6601 Derrick Corp, USA ...... +1 (716) 683-9010 Modern Pump & Equipment Inc, USA ...... +1 (717) 444-2200 Sub-Technical Inc, USA...... +1 (724) 625-0008 Duraline LLC, USA ...... +1 (412) 429-0335 Odesse Pumpen, GER ...... +49 (0) 3949 932-0 Eriez Manufacturing Co, USA ...... +1 (814) 835-6000 RePower Mining Int'l Inc, USA...... +1 (205) 483-0350 Rope (Wire & Synthetic) Ritz Pumpenfabrik GmbH & Co KG, GER ...... +49 7171609286 Rouster WRR, USA ...... +1 (800) 595-2747 Service Pump & Supply Inc, USA ...... +1 (304) 429-6731 Samson Rope, USA...... +1 (360) 384-4669 Thompson Pump & Mfg Co Inc, USA...... +1 (800) 767-7310 Yale Cordage, USA ...... +1 (207) 282-3396 US Tsubaki, USA ...... +1 (847) 459-9500 Safety Watson Marlow, USA ...... +1 (800) 282-8823 American Mine Research, USA ...... +1 (276) 928-1712 General Kinematics, USA...... +1 (815) 455-3222 Weir Minerals-Slurry Group, USA ...... +1 (608) 221-2261 Aqua Blox Emergency JVI Vibratory Equipment, USA ...... +1 (832) 467-3720 Xylem Dewatering Solutions (Godwin), USA ..+1 (856) 467-3636 Drinking Water Solutions, USA ...... +1 (866) 500-2782 Reagents Avon Protection Systems, USA...... +1 (410) 273-1161 Arclin, CAN...... +1 (905) 712-0900 Bashlin Industries Inc, USA ...... +1 (724) 458-8340 Chemstream Inc, USA...... +1 (814) 629-7118 BWI Eagle Inc, USA ...... +1 (724) 283-4681 CyPlus GmbH, GER ...... +49 6181-59-6934 CAB (Cambria County Assoc), USA ...... +1 (814) 472-5077 Nalco Co, USA...... +1 (630) 305-1000 CDC / NIOSH, USA ...... +1 (800) 232-4636 Polydeck Screen Corp, USA ...... +1 (864) 579-4594 Zinkan, USA ...... +1 (800) 229-6801 Dan Post Boot Company, USA...... +1 (724) 561-3997 Security Draeger Safety Inc, USA ...... +1 (412) 787-8383 Research Global Security Durable Documents, USA ...... +1 (412) 221-6400 CDC / NIOSH, USA ...... +1 (800) 232-4636 & Engineering Solutions, USA ...... +1 (703) 708-1400 Hedweld USA Inc, USA ...... +1 (208) 755-2976 Missouri University of Science Imprints, USA ...... +1 (727) 535-9492 Impact Safety Products, USA ...... +1 (970) 241-8783 & Technology, USA ...... +1 (800) 522-0938 Lewis-Goetz & Co Inc, USA...... +1 (304) 252-6203 Shaft Sinking Southern Illinois University Coal Matterhorn, USA ...... +1 (800) 441-4319 Frontier-Kemper Constructors Inc, USA ...... +1 (812) 426-2741 Research Center, USA...... +1 (618) 536-5521 MineARC Systems America LLC, USA...... +1 (214) 337-5100 R.G. Johnson Company Inc, USA...... +1 (724) 222-6810 Rock Dust NL Technologies, CAN ...... +1 (416) 425-6559 Shaft Drillers Int'l, USA ...... +1 (800) 331-0175 Blastcrete Equipment Co, USA ...... +1 (256) 235-4867 Oliver USA, USA...... +1 (406) 273-9060 Software Carmeuse Lime & Stone, USA ...... +1 (412) 995-5500 On-Site Gas, USA ...... +1 (800) 559-8403 Aspen Technology Inc, USA ...... +1 (281) 584-1945 DSI Underground Systems Inc, USA ...... +1 (801) 973-7169 Predictive Compliance, USA ...... +1 (801) 994-6455 Carlson Software, USA ...... +1 (606) 564-5028 Hafco, USA ...... +1 (201) 447-0433 Red Wing Shoe Co, USA ...... +1 (800) 733-9464 Coal Software and Systems Inc, USA...... +1 (304) 467-7856 Rel-Tek Corp, USA ...... +1 (412) 373-6700 Roof Control Dassault Systèmes DSI Underground Systems Inc, USA ...... +1 (801) 973-7169 Canada Software Inc, CAN ...... +1 (604) 684-6550 DU Technologies, USA ...... +1 (201) 729-0070 MESA Inc, USA ...... +1 (412) 921-6372 EMS Mining, USA ...... +1 (513) 543-9721 Micromine Ltd, USA...... +1 (604) 646-8924 FiReP North America Inc, CAN ...... +1 (905) 686-7907 Mintec Inc, USA ...... +1 (520) 795-3891 King Packaged Materials Co, CAN ...... +1 (905) 633-6613 MinVu Pty Ltd, AUS ...... +61 7 3255 2333 Strata Worldwide LLC, USA ...... +1 (800) 691-6601 MICON, USA ...... +1 (877) 746-9911 Motion Metrics, USA ...... +1 (604) 822-5842 Tapeswitch, USA ...... +1 (631) 630-0442 Paratech Inc, USA ...... +1 (815) 469-3911 Predictive Compliance, USA ...... +1 (801) 994-6455 TP Mfg, USA ...... +1 (978) 422-3400 PreView Radar, USA ...... +1 (208) 323-1000 Tuff Knucks Gloves (Lewellyn Safety), USA....+1 (812) 699-1601

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buyers guide 2014 continued

Surface Mining (Collision Avoidance) Tanks General Electric, USA...... +1 (540) 726-2380 Advanced Mining Technologies, AUL ...... +61 2 4389 2344 Hoffmann Inc, USA ...... +1 (563) 263-4733 Getman/TerraPro, USA ...... +1 (269) 427-5611 Hermann Paus Maschinenfabrik GmbH, GER ..+49 590370755 Surface Mining Equipment Tires Irwin Car and Equipment, USA ...... +1 (724) 864-8900 A M King, USA ...... +1 (800) 334-6699 Agora Tire, USA ...... +1 (281) 764-9550 JH Fletcher & Co, USA ...... +1 (304) 525-7811 AGM USA Inc, USA ...... +1 (480) 289-3400 American Tire Corp, USA...... +1 (626) 698-0002 Joy Global, USA...... +1 (724) 779-4500 American Highwall Systems, USA...... +1 (276) 646-2004 Bedelco, BEL ...... +32 (4) 330-1860 Kennametal Inc, USA...... +1 (800) 222-9327 Bundy Auger Mining Inc, USA ...... +1 (304) 872-5497 Bridgestone/Firestone Longwall Associates, USA...... +1 (276) 646-2004 CAT Global Mining, USA ...... +1 (309) 675-1000 Off Road Tire Co, USA...... +1 (615) 937-5733 marco Systemanalyse und Entwicklung CCC Group Inc, USA...... +1 (210) 661-4251 CMA, LLC/Double Coin Tires, USA...... +1 (626) 301-9575 GmbH, GER...... +49 8131 5161 0 Double Coin Tires/CMA, USA ...... +1 (888) 226-5250 Metalcraft Mining Equipment Eurotire, USA ...... +1 (973) 575-0080 & Rebuilders Inc, USA ...... +1 (304) 846-2678 Global Tyres, USA ...... +1 (252) 331-3414 Pillar Mfg, USA ...... +1 (269) 628-5605 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co, USA...... +1 (330) 796-6282 Rouster WRR, USA ...... +1 (800) 595-2747 HSM Tire Co, USA...... +1 (802) 734-8075 S&S Concepts Inc, USA ...... +1 (303) 828-4604 Magic Tire Sales, USA ...... +1 (210) 495-7143 Sandvik Mining & Construction, USA ...... +1 (404) 589-3800 Michelin Earthmover Tires, USA ...... +1 (877) 574-8473 Schopf Maschinenbau GmbH, GER...... +49 (0)711/3 40 00-0 RIMEX Supply Ltd, CAN ...... +1 (604) 888-0025 Shaft Drillers Int'l, USA ...... +1 (800) 331-0175 SETCO Tires, USA...... +1 (800) 634-2381 T Machinery a.s., Czech Republic...... +420 518 391 512 Xtreme OTR Tire, USA...... +1 (800) 444-5001 Underground Transportation Tools AL Lee Corp, USA ...... +1 (304) 934-5361 BAC Systems Pty Ltd, AUL ...... +61 2 9832 2777 Battery Filling Systems of the Americas, USA +1 (336) 714-0448 Chicago Pneumatic, USA ...... +1 (803) 817-7349 SMT Scharf GmbH, GER ...... +49 2381960306 Stanley Proto, USA...... +1 (800) 800-TOOL

Training Valves Hauhinco, USA...... +1 (724) 789-7050 5DT Inc, USA ...... +1 (949) 450-9044 Red Valve Co Inc, USA ...... +1 (412) 279-0044 Beltek Inc, USA ...... +1 (307) 325-6776 Employee Development, USA ...... +1 (480) 483-3224 Ventilation Immersive Technologies, AUL ...... +61 8 9347 9000 BASF, SWI ...... +41 (58) 958-2700 MinVu Pty Ltd, AUS ...... +61 7 3255 2333 Columbia Steel Casting, USA ...... +1 (503) 286-0685 DU Technologies, USA ...... +1 (201) 729-0070 Missouri University of Science Cometto Industrie S.P.A., Italy...... +39 0171263300 Howden Buffalo, USA ...... +1 (330) 339-1111 & Technology, USA ...... +1 (800) 522-0938 CWS Industries Mfg Corp, CAN ...... +1 (604) 888-9008 Jack Kennedy Metal Products Penn State Fayette, USA ...... +1 (724) 430-4100 Duratray Int'l Pty Ltd, AUL ...... +61 (3) 8761 2800 & Buildings Inc, USA ...... +1 (217) 287-7231 Strata Safety Products LLC, USA ...... +1 (770) 321-2500 Duratray, USA ...... +1 (303) 256-6642 MICON, USA ...... +1 (877) 746-9911 Vista Training, USA...... +1 (800) 942-2886 GE Mining, USA ...... +1 (814) 875-6190 Mine Ventilation Services Inc, USA ...... +1 (559) 452-0182 Hitachi, CAN...... +1 (519) 835-8507 Trucks Plastatech Engineering Ltd, USA...... +1 (989) 754-6500 HMC, USA ...... +1 (866) 990-9462 Badger Plastics, USA...... +1 (715) 345-0009 Hoss Equipment, USA...... +1 (972) 257-1244 Bell Equipment, UK ...... +44 (1332) 222 900 HSM Tire Co, USA...... +1 (802) 734-8075 CAT Global Mining, USA ...... +1 (309) 675-1000 IPD LLC, USA ...... +1 (310) 530-1900 Haulmax, AUL ...... +61 3 6442 2166 Joy Global, USA...... +1 (414) 670-4400 Hitachi, CAN...... +1 (519) 835-8507 Strata Worldwide LLC, USA ...... +1 (800) 691-6601 Komatsu America Corp, USA ...... +1 (847) 437-5800 Komatsu America Corp, USA ...... +1 (309) 672-7144 L&H Industrial, USA ...... +1 (307) 682-7238 Liebherr Mining Equipment, USA ...... +1 (757) 245-5251 Wear Resistant Materials Liebherr Mining Equipment, USA ...... +1 (757) 245-5251 Westech Inc, USA ...... +1 (307) 235-1591 Astralloy Steel Products, USA ...... +1 (866) 587-6970 Logan Corp, USA...... +1 (606) 298-2014 Western Star Truck Sales Inc, USA...... +1 (313) 592-4229 Badger Plastics, USA...... +1 (715) 345-0009 Philippi-Hagenbuch Inc, USA ...... +1 (800) 447-6464 Underground Mining Equipment REIChdrill, USA ...... +1 (814) 342-5500 AirFlow Catalyst Systems, USA...... +1 (585) 295-1510 RWF Bron, CAN...... +1 (519) 421-0036 Battery Watering Technologies (BWT), USA ..+1 (877) 522-5431 TowHaul Corp, USA ...... +1 (406) 388-3424 BeteK Karl Simon GmbH & Co KG, GER ....+49 (0) 7422 565-0 Trinity Specialty Products Inc, USA ...... +1 (210) 333-8222 Brookville Equipment Corp, USA...... +1 (814) 849-2000 Wirtgen GmbH, GER ...... +49 2645131744 Duraline LLC, USA ...... +1 (412) 429-0335 CAT Global Mining, USA ...... +1 (309) 675-1000 ITW Devcon, USA ...... +1 (978) 646-5876 Surveying DaimlerChrysler, GER...... +49 711 17 0 Appalachian Geophysical Surveys, USA...... +1 (800) 653-8119 Damascus Corp, USA ...... +1 (276) 676-2376 Appalachian Timber Services, USA...... +1 (304) 765-7393 Douglas Manufacturing, USA ...... +1 (205) 884-1200 GeoOne Inc, USA ...... +1 (614) 866-9010 Eickhoff Corp, USA ...... +1 (412) 788-1400 GKS Laser Design, USA ...... +1 (952) 884-9648 Ferrit s.r.o., Czech Republic ...... +42 077 586-5700 Richwood, USA ...... +1 (304) 525-5436 Ground Probe, USA...... +1 (520) 393-8287 GE Mining, USA ...... +1 (540) 726-2380 Wear Concepts Inc, USA...... +1 (816) 587-1923

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plant operations Running Right: A Piece of Pi

Alpha Natural Resources takes its safety program Running Right to heart, especially in the operation of preparation plants

BY COBY ADDISON, VAN DAVIS, FRANK ADDISON AND JEFF WALKUP

Optimizing a preparation plant depends on a display system for real-time data collected greatly enhances plant performance and system to monitor the key performance indi- from custom-installed plant process efficiency evaluations. cators and quickly react to correct processing instrumentation. The value of a real-time conditions that diminish efficiency. Alpha data monitoring system was exemplified The Remote Server Natural Resources is at the leading edge in in this project. The remote server consists of a desktop the coal industry using OSISoft Pi for remote, After some browsing and research, computer running Windows 7 64-bit ver- real-time monitoring of several prep plants. OSISoft’s Pi software was brought to the sion, connected to both the plant-level According to Tom DeMarco in Controlling forefront. The Pi system is a collection of PLC network via Ethernet and the compa- Software Projects: Management, Measure- software packages designed to capture, ny internal network via Ethernet. ment and Estimates, “you can’t control what process, analyze and historicize real-time Troubleshooting and post-installation you don’t measure.” Monitoring key perfor- data. configuration can be done remotely mance indicators has been a firm founda- Pi, along with accompanying Object through the company internal network. tion in maintaining efficient prep plants for Linking and Embedding for Process The hardware communication protocol Alpha Natural Resources since its start. Year- Control (OPC) software, KEPServerEX, used by the PLC must be converted into a to-date, month-to-date and daily reporting allows Microsoft Windows programs to format that is compatible with Pi. Based are common practice across every prep communicate with industrial hardware on several test runs, KEPServerEX was plant. devices. The combination of the software chosen as the OPC software to perform Alpha’s mentality of progress and installed on the remote server located at this task for the system. improvement brought about the ques- the plant monitoring the PLC and the cen- tion of what can be done to make perfor- tral Pi server allows real-time viewing and KEPServerEX OPC Software mance monitoring even more up-to-date database storage of any value residing in One of the two prep plants chosen to test than the daily reporting. With today’s the PLC, as depicted in Figure 1. the Pi system before total deployment was typical programmable logic controller From this point, selected data can be Tom’s Creek prep plant in Coeburn, (PLC) systems, information regarding key manipulated in various ways as deter- Virginia. Since the PLC at Tom’s Creek is an performance indicators is readily avail- mined by the users to bring about the Allen-Bradley PLC, the driver suite loaded able to the control room operator in a greatest value from the data. OSISoft has on the remote computer’s KEPServerEX myriad of forms. its own software environments for data to software was Allen-Bradley. Some locations possess the networking be manipulated and presented with fully The driver suites come default with every capabilities to view this data from any- customizable views determined by the type of communications option for all of PLCs where within the local operation, but what user, and other familiar environments, based on the manufacturer. The communi- if this data could be shared across an even such as Excel, can be modified to be used cations method with this particular PLC is larger network? A previous research pro- with the system as well. This system pro- Ethernet, so the Allen-Bradley Ethernet driver ject included a private data collection and vides a very useful management tool that was chosen for the device driver when setting up the channel properties. Once the channel is established in the software, the device (PLC) can be set up and communications established. Here is where the model of the PLC becomes cru- cial along with the IP address of the PLC. After establishing communications with the device, the PLC addresses (tags) to be monitored can be set up in the software to start reading data. The data in the specified addresses in the PLC is pulled into KEPServerEX and Figure 1: Diagram of the Pi system and communications. converted into an OPC database. These values can also be scaled within the soft-

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ware if the values being pulled from the PLC are raw. A spreadsheet was developed for all of the specified addresses in the PLC and used to create a comma-delimited file (.csv) that was imported into the software. The spreadsheet is a time saver for set- ting up the addresses and provides a refer- ence document for future updates. Once the tags have been created and configured with the correct address from the PLC, the data can be viewed in real time with a built-in OPC Quick Client to ensure prop- er setup and configuration of the data tags.

Pi Interface on Remote Server The next piece of the communications puz- zle is the interface between the remote serv- er and the central Pi server. The Pi software comes with configuration utility software to set up and configure this interface. This piece of software essentially allows the user to create and modify the service to handle the transfer of the data from the tags written Figure 2: Screenshot of general interface configuration in the Pi interface configuration utility software. in the OPC database from KEPServerEX. The point source (remote server OPC database) is defined so the central Pi server can be configured to accept data from the specific data points listed in the central database tags. Figure 2 shows the general interface configuration options with the server descriptions and point source identifiers. Another important piece of the interface is the buffer service. This service allows the data from the OPC database to be stored locally if communications with the central Pi server are lost. The data will con- tinue through the OPC database until communications is restored. The data is then processed through the queue and Figure 3: Screenshot of tag values in the Pi OPC client software. sent to the central server until the current data is transmitted. Normal transfer oper- the Pi system on the central server much give permission to the remote server’s ations will begin at this point. quicker and more efficient since all tags can interface for data transfer. The Pi System be imported at once. Management Tools (SMT) software allows Pi OPC Client the trust to be created based on both the Once the tags have been created in The Central Pi Server IP address and network path based on the KEPServerEX, the Pi OPC client software The central Pi server consists of a virtual computer name of the remote server can be used to ensure that the Pi system can server running Windows Server 2008 (Figure 4). access the OPC database and read the val- R2 Standard connected to the com- Setting the system up in this manner ues from the tags created in KEPServerEX pany’s internal network via Ethernet. allows the remote server to communicate (Figure 3). The Pi OPC Client software Configuration of the server and Pi soft- with the central Pi server regardless of any allows the user to navigate through the ware installed on the server can be per- networking issues on either of those meth- devices, in these cases the PLCs, select indi- formed remotely from anywhere within ods. A static IP address was also given to vidual or multiple tags, and add them to a the company’s internal network. the remote server to prevent any issues customized group for viewing. After data with IP address changes if the computer access is confirmed, the customized group Remote Server Trust was restarted for a power loss. This also of selected tags can be saved as a comma- Before anything can be pulled into the Pi allows the trust to be applied to the static delimited file, which makes creating tags in system from the remote server, Pi has to IP address.

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plant operations continued

Tag Import Using Pi SMT at one time. The different fields for con- tags can be combined in mathematical Excel Add-in figuration are available for editing in computations their effectiveness is Tags can now be created in the Pi database Excel for convenience of mass editing. increased. Pi accomplishes this with spe- based on the tags that were created and The tags can also be exported into cial types of tags designated as perfor- exported using the Pi OPC client software. Excel using the add-in for data backup mance equations. The tags can also be individually created purposes. The equations can be mathematical, and configured using the Pi SMT software, logical or a combination. Plant yield is a but this is extremely tedious and time- Performance Equations very common calculation performed in consuming. Tags are important pieces of data that the PLC and transmitted to the HMI OSISoft provides an add-in for Excel can provide numerous opportunities for (human–machine interface), but what if that allows the importing of all of the tags efficiency improvements, but when the this isn’t an address that is easily known, or unavailable for transfer into the Pi sys- tem? The individual tags could be includ- ed in a performance equation in Pi.

Displaying the Data Now that the tags are reading data in the central Pi server from the PLC through the remote server, the values need to be pre- sented in a manner that maximizes under- standing of the variable the values represent. Pi ProcessBook is software used to build graphic user interfaces for HMI applications. OSISoft also offers an add-in for Excel called Pi DataLink, which provides a text- based interface along with data manipu- lation of current and archived values stored in the Pi tag database. The values of the tags can also be used to trigger events and notifications to be broadcast based on limits or on a scheduled basis using Pi Notifications.

Pi ProcessBook The current HMI design at Tom’s Creek is limited since the hardware has restrict- ed processor availability for the size of the processes it currently runs. ProcessBook provides the functionality of custom-built graphic user interfaces without interfering with the critical pro- cessing needed for the plant control through the HMI and PLC. It is controlled using two small Allen- Bradley PanelViews measuring 9.5 in. wide by 7.25 in. high. Even if the proces- sor availability allowed for more graphics to be added, the physical screen size would still limit the presentation. Using ProcessBook, screens were cre- ated based on recommendations given by the control room operators and plant personnel. The screens are used as mon- itoring interfaces only and provide infor- mation not currently easily obtained through the HMI. A computer and large widescreen HDTV were installed to run ProcessBook

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Figure 4: Screenshot of trusts in Pi System Management Tools.

and display the custom graphic user showing the value of the tag in the Pi Notifications interfaces. Just a few examples of database. This allows user input vari- Notifications and alerts can be config- ProcessBook interface options include ables to use in the Pi system, increasing ured and deployed to users based on val- current material flows shown using text, system value in efficiency monitoring. ue limits and/or a scheduled basis using vessel levels displayed using bar graphs to show percent full, multistate symbols used to represent operating status of equipment and trend charts showing real-time and archived values of any tag in the system (Figure 6 and Figure 6). ProcessBook is a valuable tool that can increase the understanding of process variables and plant control in numerous ways, as determined by the need of the system, and the design of the graphic user interfaces. Figure 5 also shows how easily a background image is imported into ProcessBook and used along with the built-in objects for graphical displays. A picture version of the plant flowsheet was imported. The objects were then placed on top of the image to represent the individual process variables. Both real-time and archived data can be accessed and manipulated just as if it were a number given on a regularly scheduled report, as shown in Figure 7. Trending is also available through DataLink for real-time and archived values. This provides crucial data for plant effi- ciency reporting immediately and also reduces the number of times a value is replicated across a reporting system, thus reducing error in replication of said value across the various mediums. Not all crucial plant control variables are available in the PLC. Some examples would be feed blend, reasons for down- time, flotation chemical dosages, thick- ener chemical dosages, etc. DataLink also has the functionality of writing to the archive stored in the central Pi server through use of Visual Basic for Applications-coding. The desired values can be written to specific tags determined by the user. The program also provides a result field indicating the verification of the value written along with a field read-back from the database for the indicated tag

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Pi Notifications. They can be broadcast with various communications methods, but emails were chosen in this particular system using the company email system considering the availability and reliabili- ty of the system. An event-based alert could issue an email if the plant feed rate drops below a certain low limit for a specified period of time, or the vessel level of a critical chem- ical drops below the point to refill limit. A scheduled notification could also be emailed to a number of personnel with daily average and totalized key perfor- mance indicators.

Figure 5: ProcessBook interface for real-time flowsheet monitoring. Conclusions OSISoft Pi has provided the mineral pro- cessing engineer a very powerful system that can be used to develop an intricate key performance monitoring and manip- ulation system. Once initial setup is com- plete, the system is simple and straightforward to customize to adapt to user’s needs. The project to develop the system for the Tom’s Creek preparation plant was primarily initiated to demonstrate both the major benefits of the new system along with how existing system short- comings can be overcome with the additional functionality for plant perfor- Figure 6: ProcessBook interface for real-time screen bowl centrifuges monitoring and trending Pi DataLink. mance evaluation. Although up-front time to set up the Pi system and achieve constant, reliable communications between all pieces may take what appears to be a large amount of time, the system can provide crucial pro- cess control points in real time for effi- ciency evaluations and improvements. Alpha Natural Resources is committed to expanding the Pi system to include all the preparation plants in order to have a company-wide system that provides accu- rate, reliable data for reporting and evalu- ation without the delay of normal reporting procedures. This work will include developing unique and propri- etary systems based on the needs and standards for each operation. Coby Addison, Van Davis, Frank Addison and Jeff Walkup manage Alpha Natural Resources’ fleet of prep plants. This article was adapted from a presentation they gave at Coal Prep 2014, which took place during May in Lexington, Ky. For more informa- tion about Coal Prep or to see the original Figure 7: Monthly summary report with DataLink add-in in Microsoft Excel. paper, visit: www.coalprepshow.com.

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pit dewatering The Pump Maker’s Perspective

Pumps play an essential role in mining and mineral processing. Coal Age sought the views of two of the world’s major manufacturers on how the technology is developing.

BY SIMON WALKER, EUROPEAN EDITOR

Without pumps, the mining industry in highly flexible approach to dewatering, bluntly, it doesn’t matter how efficient the general would still be in the Stone Age. although there is still the widespread need pump motor and hydraulics are if the The industry only became truly viable for conventional pump stations where the pump doesn’t pump or if there isn’t any with the development of pumping tech- centrifugal pump is king. water coming out at the other end of the nology, and nothing much has changed Coal Age sought expert opinion and hose or pipe,” the company said. By guar- conceptually since medieval miners man- technical insight from two of the world’s anteeing a pump has the highest wear aged to dig deeper once their rag-and- leading suppliers of pumps through a resistance and is as easy as possible to ser- chain pumps helped lower the water table series of questions aimed at finding out vice, maximum uptime and high efficien- in their workings. Remember, of course, their views on how the technology has cy are ensured. that in common with so many branches developed in recent years, what the future Dewatering pumps used in mines of technology, these medieval ancestors may hold, and how mines can improve need to be extremely robust and tough to did not invent the idea of pumping, they their pumps’ performance. Weir Minerals deal with the challenging environment. only rediscovered it. There is clear proof offers the Warman range of dewatering Increasingly demanding conditions on that the Romans used water-powered and slurry pumps as well as Multiflo site and a changed business environment pumps in their underground operations pumps for dewatering. Meanwhile, where resources are limited means that at Rio Tinto in southern Spain in the first Xylem’s product portfolio includes both customers need even more reliable and and second centuries, but the concepts Flygt submersible pumps and Godwin durable technologies. Greater durability were forgotten following the collapse of centrifugal dewatering units, giving users means that a pump can operate at its the Roman Empire. the opportunity to select the most appro- optimum level over a longer lifetime, The introduction of the rod pump for priate system to meet their needs. which keeps energy consumption at a draining deep mines came hand-in-hand minimum. with the development of steam engines to What Have Been the Main Technological Today’s pumps are also much easier power it, and the only fundamental change Advances Over the Past 20 Years? to maintain and service. External oil plugs since then has been the marrying of the From Xylem’s perspective, the main and inspection chambers, which mean electric motor with the pump, giving better advances over this time frame have been that pumps do not need to be opened and efficiency and a much more versatile sys- in the areas of wear resistance and ser- dismantled for simple servicing, are good tem. The introduction of submersible viceability, as well as the development of examples of this. It is also now much easi- pumps has given the miner an alternative, extremely high-head pumps. “To put it er to adjust the impeller. When the impeller gets worn, the pump’s perfor- mance level drops. However, by adjusting the impeller (by closing the gap between the impeller and the suction cover), full performance can be regained and the pump will operate at its best efficiency point (BEP). Pumps are also lighter than they were 20 years ago, which makes them easier to maneuver, Xylem pointed out. Looking at technology advances from the point of view of slurry pumping, Weir Minerals highlighted the development of large-sized mill circuit pumps for SAG and ball mills. Flow rates have now reached up to 14,000 m3/h with motor sizing at 4,000 kW. Weir Minerals has developed lined pumps for this applica- tion using either elastomers and/or high- Xylem’s Flygt 2600 submersible dewatering pump has a wear-resistant closed impeller design. chrome metals, according to the application.

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How Have New Materials Helped formance of components to match the fit- in This Process? ting of pump components to suit. Large The toughest application for centrifugal mill-circuit pumps are already in the 85% slurry pumps is in mill circuits, Weir best efficiency range for continuous per- Minerals said, pointing out that one formance. material does not suit all applications. Xylem: We have made significant Typically, for Weir Minerals’ lined pump strides in enhancing the energy efficiency concept, the preference is for using rub- of our pumps. For example, our Flygt 2600 ber liners with a metal impeller/suction drainage series features a closed impeller throatbush combination. (not very widely used in drainage pumps), There have been great strides in devel- which is more efficient and wear resis- oping rubber formulations over the past tant. An efficient hydraulic design, which two decades, Weir added. In the develop- uses less energy to move the water, is ment process, some of the improved vari- another fundamental aspect of our dewa- ables include determining the best tering pumps like the new Flygt BIBO and performance raw materials and recipes. the 2600 drainage series. There has been a move from traditional Both of those pumps feature Xylem’s physical properties to viscoelastic proper- DuraSpin hydraulic technology, which ties when designing rubber formulations, combines a closed impeller with a hard and there are better ways to define and suction cover that sweeps abrasive parti- Recent pump designs have helped to make mainte- understand the wear mechanisms in each cles away from the impeller neck, protect- nance easier and more cost-effective. component of the pump. This has helped ing it from wear and tear. Wear resistance in the development of new compound means that a pump delivers a high rate of can help to prevent this problem and formulations for each wear mechanism, efficiency on a consistent basis, and that keep the dewatering system operating at and in identifying the possible use of the performance does not drop as rapidly an optimum level. In addition, operators “dual” compounds in the slurry pump. as for non-wear-resistant pumps. can employ automatic variable RPM con- Weir noted that its road map for white “We find that we have been most trol for both diesel- and electric-driven cast-iron metals has headed in the direc- effective in lowering mining customers’ operations. tion of basic high-chrome irons with a dewatering costs when we are able to par- Regular maintenance is important to matrix consisting of 25% (by volume) ticipate in the design of piping and pump ensure that there are no glitches in the chromium carbides in 75% ferrous, with a controls,” Xylem said. “By consulting with system and that energy consumption is principle hardness in the range of a knowledgeable pump company, cus- being kept to a minimum. Our mine 600–650 Brinnell. Hyperchrome develop- tomers are able to get the ideal dewater- audits, which indicate how much can be ment is already at a matrix consisting of ing system for their projects, which will saved in energy costs by changing to a dif- 60% chromium carbides in 40% ferrous, meet their needs much more efficiently ferent pump, can be a real eye-opener for with a principle hardness of 750–800 without under- or over-estimating their customers. Brinell. Either way, the company said, requirements.” these materials clearly last longer, giving What do Pump Operators do Wrong? lifespan improvements of 20%–30%. What Can Operators do to Make Their Looking at operating practice, the compa- Xylem said advances in recent years Pumps More Energy-efficient? nies were asked if are there any specific have been more a result of technological Weir: Undertaking a suitable care and problems they come across time and time developments than new materials. Hard maintenance program. In addition, im- again. iron and stainless steel, both used widely peller-to-suction throatbush combina- According to Xylem, a key mistake in pump manufacturing, have been tions should be regularly adjusted. If this made by some mine operators is not get- around for a long time. Improvements in is carried out, up to 15% more life is possi- ting expert advice on board from the out- dewatering pumps have resulted primari- ble for pump components while energy set. Mine operators are not dewatering ly from good hydraulic design and smart usage is enhanced by 5%–7% in this time experts, the company pointed out, and technologies that increase a pump’s period. sometimes they use whatever pump they wear-resistance and efficiency. Xylem: First and foremost, mine oper- have on hand, which may be too large or ators should ensure that they are using too small, leading to unnecessary cost. How Have You Been Able to Make the correct pump for the job. Is the pump Bringing an expert on board at the begin- Your Pumps More Energy Efficient? of the right size, capacity and power for ning of the project will ensure that the With energy usage and efficiency becom- the specific application? The size of the right system is put in place, and that it ing increasingly important in the mining pipe should also be carefully considered operates at an optimum level throughout industry, both companies were asked for as it will also impact energy consumption. the lifetime of the dewatering task. their views. Pump snoring — where a pump is Inadequate solids handling is another Weir: Computational fluid dynamics sucking air and emitting a “snoring” common problem that can lead to snor- (CFD) is helping to streamline the design sound — is a common problem. This can ing. Pumps can fill up with solids if the of impellers to fit suitable casing configu- wear out a pump very quickly, as well as “active volume” in the sump is very low, rations, which enhances pump efficiency. result in a smaller volume of water being and as a result the pump begins to snore. This is sized up with the actual field per- moved. Level sensors and snore controls The active volume is the actual volume of

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pit dewatering continued

a sump. For example, if a pump and pipe trols can be very helpful in keeping a Weir: As mines get deeper, the are designed for a sump volume of 5 m3, dewatering system operating at its pumping equipment utilized needs to but as a result of solids settling only 3 m3 best. A consistent program of mainte- be able to generate increasingly higher is available, the pump will either empty nance and regularly overseeing the heads, and the types of pumps used the sump too quickly and begin to snore dewatering operation will prevent are generally dependent on the prod- or suck air, or it will have to be stopped problems before they arise and ensure uct handled. The total head generated and restarted more often. Sumps can be that water is removed as quickly as by single-stage centrifugal pumps has prevented from filling up with settled possible, so that mine operators can a limitation, and for higher heads, solids by keeping the solids in suspen- get on with the job of mining. these can be arranged in series config- sion, using compact submersible mixers. uration of up to six or seven pumps. Or slurry pumps (like the Flygt 5000 Making Pumps Easier Alternatively, multistage centrifugal series) can clean a sump of the settled and Cheaper to Maintain pumps can also be used, especially solids, Xylem added. Across the board, a key feature of recent for dewatering applications. When the Another problem occurs where developments in mining equipment tech- required head exceeds the capabilities of pipes and hoses are not laid out cor- nology has been improving the ease of centrifugal pumps, another option is to rectly — too many bends can lead to maintenance. After all, a drain plug or a fil- use positive-displacement pumps such as an inefficient dewatering system, ter that is inaccessible is likely to remain piston diaphragm or hydraulic hose which costs time and money. Xylem untouched, especially if a fitter is standing diaphragm pumps. noted that it often sees mine dewater- ankle-deep in cold water. Pumps are no Weir Minerals can offer all these ing operators control flows by using a exception. types of pumps from its Warman and manual valve instead of altering the Xylem: Simple, clean and better EnviroTech centrifugal pump ranges pump speed up or down to achieve the designs with fewer components are core and the GEHO and APEXS positive dis- target flow requirement. features of our pumps, as they are key to placement pump ranges. The APEXS Weir: We often see pumps where making pumps easier and less costly to range is a unique design of a positive the infrastructure around the pump maintain. We have worked hard to incor- displacement pump that transfers and basic operating procedures are porate smart, straightforward designs to energy from a high-pressure hydraulic not carried out competently. Examples our newest dewatering models, the Flygt power pack to the fluid being pumped include the orientation of the pump 2600 drainage series, Flygt BIBO and using a patented Annular Pressure discharge, incorrect piping and bends Godwin NC series. EXchange System, ideally suited for layouts, insufficient space or mini- We are very conscious that cus- mine dewatering applications, the mum clearance on the suction side to tomers want to be able to look after company added. dismantle/maintain pumps, and so simple maintenance tasks themselves Xylem: Deeper mines will require on. This all leads to higher wear rates and have factored that into our new more powerful pumps with higher and time delays for pump mainte- models. For example, the impeller in head capability, and the capacity to nance. our new Flygt BIBO and 2600 series can pump liquids across greater distances. be adjusted with a single screw, and Mine planning must be undertaken at What Can They do to Overcome This? both also feature an external oil plug the same time as mine dewatering Weir: Closer cooperation by project for easy maintenance. planning. Understanding the future of companies when designing pump cir- Weir: We like to look at the big pic- the mine will allow the pumping sys- cuits to allow for best practice. Some ture. We run models on total ownership tem engineer to make the correct deci- customers have signed up for service costs (TOC), which allow for compar- sions now, that will be able to grow exchange programs with Weir isons in the wear life of the main wear- with the mine in the future. Minerals, which allows for optimal ing components, energy measure, gland maintenance to pumps and improves water usage, downtime measurements, The Next 20 Years? operating procedures. The result is spare parts holding, condition monitor- The companies were asked how they longer run time, more throughput and ing and other parameters. These days, envision pump technology developing in improved efficiencies. everyone seems to be bent on buying at the next 20 years. Xylem: Get advice from a dewater- lower prices for capital equipment, Xylem: As labor costs continue to ing expert from the outset — it will instead of reviewing equipment on the rise across all markets, mines will save money, time and hassle in the basis of “value for money.” Cheap is not become increasingly more mecha- long run. Operators can solicit the always best. Lower operating cost is the nized. In order to compete in this assistance of a pumping system engi- way to go. changing market, mines will also need neer, understand the variance in sys- more powerful pumps that move liq- tem requirements, review the pump Going Deeper Underground uids over greater distances with fewer system total life cycle cost, and modify With a few notable exceptions, the gen- service points. The result will be fewer the system piping, control and so on. eral trend is that underground mines pump sumps and pump stages, and This can lower the total cost if the pay- will continue to get deeper in the future. higher-head pumping. back is achieved in an acceptable peri- The companies were asked their views In addition, wear-resistant pumps od of time. on any implications this may have in with longer service intervals that are Keep the sump clean and remem- terms of pump usage, capabilities and easy to maintain in an environment ber that level sensors and snore con- ensuring reliability. with limited labor availability will

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become increasingly important. Higher To summarize: ensure that dewater- helped in preparing this article. Kratz is a efficiency motors will also be a key ing and slurry-pumping requirements product and application manager with requirement for dewatering pumps in are part of the bigger mine plan from Xylem, managing the development of the the future. As demands on pumps the start; get expert advice on pump Flygt 2000 series of drainage pumps and increase, we need to develop increas- sizes and performance; look at optimiz- Flygt 5000 series of slurry pumps. Evans is ingly efficient technologies that can ing overall costs, not just the pump’s a senior applications engineer with Xylem, meet these demands without consum- purchase price; and if the pump begins representing its Godwin brand. Clawson is ing a huge amount of energy and thus to snore, get in there and clean out the Weir Minerals’ vice president for market- driving up costs, Xylem stated. sump. ing communications, and compiled the Weir: We believe evolving and Kristoffer Kratz and Dwight Evans at company’s responses from colleagues in its improving existing designs together Xylem and Robb Clawson at Weir Minerals pumps division. with pump materials will continue, but that the introduction of condition monitoring will be more wide-reach- ing. We are looking into a program of megatronics. Radical centrifugal slurry- pump designs are not expected. Pump manufacturers are already addressing the requirements of an evolving mining industry. According to Xylem, its recent developments have focused on increasing the efficiency, durability and serviceability of dewater- ing pumps, with the company stating that its new Flygt BIBO offers at least three times higher uptime than a pump with a standard open impeller, as well as being one of the fastest and easiest pumps to service on the market. With a tighter focus on slurry pump- ing, Weir is giving a great deal of atten- tion to upgrading its horizontal slurry froth pumps. Tenacious froth is a prob- lem, the company pointed out, causing unstable pumping. Centrifugal pumps do not like pumping large volumes of air, and it will be launching a new con- tinuous air removal system for these units next year.

Xylem’s Flygt BIBO cross section.

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operating ideas

What New Issues are Driving Choices in Mine Water Treatment Methods?

BY IVAN COOPER

Some regulatory agencies and lawmakers are pushing for tighter regulations on releases of nutrients into surface water, which can cause algae blooms that reduce oxygen levels and have impacts on other aquatic species. This has implications for blasting operations necessary to remove development rock, which can release nitrates into the water. Growth in site-specific regulations stems from improved scientific understanding of geology and hydrology, allowing for finer tuning of regulations to meet the purposes of environ- mental protection for each context. This means that companies need to have a better understanding of site characteristics for each of their locations to develop plans to meet regulations that apply at those locations. Perhaps the biggest trend in water-related regulations is a general tightening of requirements. Accordingly, mining companies must be prepared to future-proof their physical plant so that the equipment and procedures now in place can meet tighter regulations in the Tightening environmental regulations are intended to protect natural resources future. As a result, the physical plant, methodologies and staffing will such as water, and mining companies need to have a clear idea of how regula- remain effective for a longer period of time, allowing for better return tions will change so that they can continue to operate cost-effectively. on investment. There is also a growth in public concern about the effects of coal Many coal companies are finding that with each environmental extraction in general, and that extends to water impacts. permit expiry, the allowable water effluent limits have become Environmental organizations have had the industry in their cross- more stringent for the permit’s renewal. This means that compa- hairs for some time and they make available a wide range of infor- nies are paying increasing attention to meeting the tightening mation about the industry and its environmental effects. Despite requirements for treating water. If they can find reliable solutions efforts from the industry to tell the other side of the story, social for meeting rising regulatory requirements, mining companies media is helping fuel public concern about the industry — which is are then able to focus on operational issues such as extraction one of the drivers for the tightened environmental regulations. plans and processing efficiencies. So, what’s changing in regard The overall result is that water effluent concerns have to the need to treat water effluent from coal mining? moved higher up on the agenda of the coal industry. Without regulatory approval, all the work on efficient operations goes to New Environmental and Regulatory Concerns on Mine Water no account, because production is slowed or stopped. While all Changing environmental regulations are driven largely by mine operations have a bottleneck, the water treatment system developing a scientific understanding of how the environment should not be a limiting factor. works, and how human activity is affecting it. Some of the trends regarding water effluent from coal mining and handling Why the Reactive Approach to Water Treatment Often Fails have emerged. Experience helping mining companies meet water standards There has been a long-standing concern about the effects of has revealed that some industry members could do better in total dissolved solids, chlorides, iron, aluminum, manganese, terms of planning their investments in technology. What often mercury, and radioactivity that can be released by coal extrac- happens is that the mine’s management finds that the effluent tion and combustion. levels for the renewed permit cannot be met with the equip- The industry now sees growing concern about selenium, ment now in place. which is driving tighter regulations on its control. The In many cases, their first approach is to contact an equipment increased awareness of selenium as a chemical that is being vendor they’ve worked with before to see if there is a solution that more closely regulated, along with dispersed sources at mine will meet the tightened requirements. The vendor may do some sites and difficult and expensive treatment options are increas- analysis of the effluent and make a recommendation for a solu- ing concerns. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) tion. The “solution” shows up at the mine site on a series of proposed Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs) for selenium at flatbed trucks, is installed and staff are trained in its use. the low parts per billion level for the Electric Utility Industry If the analysis of the effluent was done hastily, the equipment highlight these issues. installed may not meet regulatory requirements. Faced with a

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operating ideas continued

looming deadline, the mine management team looks for another Full Awareness of Available Alternatives equipment purchase to help the operation meet requirements, One of the advantages of retaining external professional exper- which may or may not be effective for the task at hand. tise is that the people involved are likely to have a good under- Or it could be that while the equipment does the job of standing of the wide array of water technology solutions cleaning the effluent, it does so inefficiently — the nature of the available. These can range from passive systems, such as aero- effluent is such that treating it involves far more of some chem- bic and anaerobic wetlands, to higher-maintenance systems, ical inputs than was expected. For example, with an ion- such as reverse osmosis and precipitation processes. exchange system, there may be other ions in the effluent that All of these systems have their relative merits. For example, are taking up the media exchange capacity too quickly. wetland systems may not perform to the standard required Sometimes, the equipment may be ineffective at picking up the during winter months. Other systems may not be optimal in sulfates in the effluent. areas where skilled maintenance personnel are required. The result may be higher costs for process additives than A structured approach may take longer up front, partly was expected, or higher maintenance costs and staff time because of the amount of information to be gathered. But it is requirements, or more breakdowns and need for repair. time well spent — the solution that is chosen is more likely to Sometimes there are operational changes that overwhelm a be effective at solving the problem, with adequate considera- water treatment solution that had been working effectively. tion given to the changing operation of the mine and to future This could be because output has increased to meet demand, regulatory changes. or a new area of the resource has come on stream, resulting in more water effluent. This underlines the need to choose solu- About the Author tions that future-proof the mine operation, including the water Ivan A. Cooper, PE, BCEE, is principal and national treatment system. water/wastewater practice lead for Civil & Environ- mental Consultants Inc. in Charlotte, North Carolina. Contact: Mine Effluent Treatment Needs a Structured Approach [email protected]; 980.237.0373. This article is based on the Ideally, coal operators should take a structured approach to paper, A structured approach for selecting mine effluent treat- selecting mine effluent treatment technologies. While equip- ment technologies, that the author presented at the SME ment vendors are part of this process, their role generally Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, in February, available comes more toward the end, when they are asked to provide at http://bit.ly/1qyD87g. information on the capabilities of specific pieces of equipment, and later to provide training and trouble shooting. The structured approach starts by working with a qualified professional team whose members are able to carry out a thor- ough analysis of the situation and recommend which solutions will be best. This team might be from inside the company or external. Often, the best results come from using some person- nel from inside the company who are familiar with the way the work is done and the political realities, and external members who may have a broader understanding of how various tech- nology solutions have worked on other sites. A systematic approach involves a multistage process: • Source definition — water flow rates, material mass, solute concentrations, expected duration, etc. • Reliability in meeting effluent goals • Identification of environmental goals — discharge stan- dards, compliance points, and human or ecological risks. • Identification of applicable technologies — finding out which technologies are potentially capable of meeting goals. • Identification of critical parameters — early determination of values for parameters that typically drive cost or effectiveness. • Impartial evaluation — a feasibility analysis that is com- pletely independent from technology vendors. • Fatal flaw analysis — finding out if there are any critical fac- tors that prevent implementation. • Operation ease • Capital and O&M costs • Rating — relative importance and rating and weighting of factors. • Head-on-head comparison — pair-wise with numerical score.

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suppliers news Widening Trailer for Heavy Haulage

Coalview Plans Anthracite Processing Facility Coalview Ltd. plans to build a fine coal processing plant in eastern Pennsylvania. The processing facility will consist of a full rail and truck load-out, along with a fine coal recovery (FCR) plant built to process approximately 300,000 tons per year. “We are actively looking to work with local producers of anthracite where they have existing or legacy impoundments to process their fine coals,” said Roger Fish, Coalview CEO. “There are numerous properties in the Pennsylvania area that can benefit from our technologies.” The new Coalview facility will produce various sizes of anthracite product from fine anthracite in partnership with current producers. Anthracite contains more fixed carbon than any other type of coal with the least amount of ash and volatile An Australian transport company uses a Scheuerle widening trailer to transport a matter. The product can be used as a domestic fuel product, or Hitachi excavator. When fully extended, the Widening Trailer stands out through its for use in steam-electric power generation. extremely high bending moment. “Our group expects to invest approximately $50 million on this facility,” said David Schwedel, Coalview executive director Scheuerle offers a wide range of reliable and well-engineered, and lead investor. “This is a great opportunity to assist existing width-extendable vehicles. These transporters guarantee opera- anthracite producers in the Pennsylvania area, and will posi- tors cost-effective operations. Statutory provisions regarding tively affect employment in the area as we believe the project load distribution on roads and bridges vary considerably will impact more than 100 direct and indirect jobs in depending on country or state-specific legislation. For example, Pennsylvania.” in Australia or North America, it is not unusual that a transport The eastern Pennsylvania location offers numerous advan- vehicle has to cross several state lines, and it is possible that the tages. “The location is perfect due to the number of existing axle spacings or vehicle width must be changed immediately and former anthracite producers that can take advantage of our upon crossing the border. Doolan’s Heavy Haulage is, therefore, fine coal recovery complex,” said David Henry, president of relying on the Widening Trailer from Scheuerle, which stands Coalview Recovery Group LLC. “In addition, Pennsylvania is out through an extremely high bending moment even when fully one of the highest-ranked states for mining expertise in the extended. United States, and we are proud to have our primary FCR and The Widening Trailer transport system from Scheuerle was laboratory headquartered in the state as well.” developed specifically to meet the requirements of the Australian and American markets, with the new Highway Giant-Dual Lane Jackson Kelly Expands Presence in Illinois Basin Trailer recently added to the product range. Due to the variable Jackson Kelly PLLC has merged Rudolph, Fine, Porter and width of the vehicle, the loading area can be adjusted to suit the Johnson LLP, a 20-person practice in Evansville, Indiana, into size of the cargo. Furthermore, the distribution of the total its firm. weight can be influenced during a transportation assignment so According to Michael D. Foster, Jackson Kelly’s CEO, the that different regulations can be complied with using just one merger is in response to the continued growth of the region vehicle. In order to achieve an optimal payload/tare weight ratio, and its local businesses. “We are… confident that this expan- the bogies are manufactured using a solid lightweight construc- sion will improve our ability to help clients take advantage of tion. Connecting to the tractor is carried out by a gooseneck or the increased opportunity in the tri-state area. As Evansville drawbar. The Widening Trailer relies on the Scheuerle pendulum prepares for growth, so do we,” said Foster. axle technology. The twin-tire axles are pendulum-mounted on Rudolph, Fine, Porter and Johnson LLP was founded in hydraulically lifted rocker arms. The hydraulic cylinders in the Evansville in 1987. Jackson Kelly, now comprised of more than 50 pendulum axles guarantee, on the one hand, larger axle com- attorneys, paraprofessionals, and administrators serves clients in pensation and, on the other, a large displacement volume to be the Indiana-Kentucky-Illinois region and beyond. Jackson Kelly, able to drive under and pick up supported loads when in the which was founded in 1822, opened its 11th office in Evansville normal drive position. The Scheuerle pendulum axle mounting, with three attorneys in 2011 to serve its growing energy practice in connection with the precise and smoothly operating steering and continues to support the energy and manufacturing indus- system with a steering angle of up to +/- 60°, allows easy maneu- tries in the area. Jackson Kelly will move to Rudolph, Fine, Porter vering even when negotiating tight bends. and Johnson’s office in downtown Evansville.

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suppliers news continued

SiteMonitor4D Supports Teck Coal Production leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to develop Teck Coal, the world’s second largest exporter of steelmaking coal, high-performance lubricants. has implemented a state-of-the-art laser monitoring system at Established in 1914, the Equipment Builder Group has their Fording River operation in southeastern British Columbia. helped OEMs maximize industrial equipment performance and The SiteMonitor4D system, developed by SiteMonitor Systems design. Comprised of technical experts and engineers with and purchased from 3D Laser Mapping, is being used to monitor backgrounds across many disciplines, the group is often highwall and endwall stability. The solution will also be used to involved with OEMs from the start of equipment conception monitor rock fall histories, patterns and rollout distances. through to design and construction. This unique level of insight, “We chose the SiteMonitor4D system as it was a cost- and from the ground up, enables the team to develop recommenda- manpower-effective solution offering proven high perfor- tions on formulating lubricants that help to optimize the perfor- mance,” said Jason Garwood, senior geotechnical specialist for mance of equipment. Teck Coal at the Fording River operation. “The outputs produced “For 100 years, ExxonMobil’s Equipment Builder Group has by SiteMonitor4D allow us to not only accurately and precisely been helping leading mining OEMs develop new equipment, monitor highwall activities, but also enables us to quickly and which can help to improve their customers’ operations. Today, professionally present the monitoring results both in presenta- the group continues to dedicate significant resources to build tions and in the field, in a manner that can be easily understood innovation-led relationships with equipment builders worldwide by all personnel.” and develop lubricants, which will help industrial organizations Teck Coal is using the SiteMonitor4D system primarily to mon- optimize the performance of their operations today and into the itor small-scale movements in the Turnbull Pit highwalls and end- future,” said Rainer Lange, Mobil SHC brand advisor, Europe, walls where access to benches was no longer possible. The system Africa and the Middle East, ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants. will also be used to identify rock fall histories, patterns, and rollout ExxonMobil’s flagship Mobil SHC synthetic lubricants are distances with reference to changes in the weather, temperature approved for use in more than 10,000 applications and have pref- and blasting activities. Secondary applications of the system will erential endorsements from more than 2,500 equipment builders, include monitoring Eagle 6 Pit highwalls, endwalls, and footwalls including Komatsu, BELAZ and P&H. The Mobil SHC 600 Series with primary focus on 3D displacements, movement velocities oils are approved for use in 1,800 applications by more than 500 and movement accelerations. major equipment builders, including Siemens, for use in Flender The monitoring solution being implemented by Teck Coal at gearboxes. their Fording River operation includes SiteMonitor4D, SiteMonitor Systems’ laser monitoring solution. SiteMonitor4D is a modular system that gives the user the ability to exploit the potential of laser scanning for measuring change and improving mine safety. SiteMonitor4D is typically used in open-pit mines for the continuous or periodic stability monitoring of unstable high- walls and slopes. The SiteMonitor4D system also includes a long- range laser scanner.

Teck Coal is using the SiteMonitor4D system to monitor small scale movements in the Turnbull Pit highwalls and endwalls.

ExxonMobil’s Equipment Builder Group Celebrates 100 Years This year, ExxonMobil’s Equipment Builder Group is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The group specializes in working alongside

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product news

Plow System Sets New Low-Seam Coal Production Record

choice, especially in thin seams. The com- pact design of the plow system operating at Pinnacle allows it to work efficiently in a vertical space as low as 46 in. Other designs are available that enable the plow system to mine seams as low as 39 in. With its high-powered drives, high-speed plow, high advancing forces and electronically controlled cutting depths, the system can extract large volumes of coal quickly and economically, regardless of seam hard- ness and geologic composition. “Numerous production records have been set with Cat products, in this case demonstrating the superior production capabilities of our longwall plow systems in thinner seams. Our plow systems have been operating successfully for many years in mines around the world,” said Uli Before it was idled recently, Pinnacle’s plow system produced a record 35,724 tons in 24 hours. Paschedag, global product manager of underground products for Caterpillar A coal mine located in southern West wall system has 2 x 800/400 horsepower of Global Mining. http://mining.cat.com Virginia recently set another world record installed power for the plow with two for daily low-seam coal production using a operating speeds of 395/197 ft per minute Satellite Hotspot Cat automated longwall plow system. In a (fpm) and 2 x 800-hp installed power for Globalstar’s newest voice and data solu- 24-hour period on April 10 and 11, the the AFC. Each roof support in the system tion, Sat-Fi, provides seamless wireless Pinnacle longwall mine produced 35,724 has a total leg cylinder capacity of 715 tons connectivity over the satellite network. tons from the Virginia Pocahontas No. 3 with an operating height range of 35 to With Sat-Fi, Globalstar customers can use seam, in a seam height of just 56 in. along 77.5 in. and is equipped with its own PMC- their current smartphones, tablets and the 980-ft longwall face. Unfortunately, R electrohydraulic roof support control. laptops to send and receive communica- the mine will now be idled (See News, Other units from the Cat Programmable tions when traveling beyond cellular. Sat- p. 8). Mining Control family are used for overall Fi’s performance provides the fastest, The Pinnacle mine, located near face automation and visualization, as well most affordable, mobile satellite data Pineville, West Virginia, is owned by Cliffs as for drive control. The longwall is speeds, according to Globalstar, and the Natural Resources and operates a Cat equipped with a PF4/1132 AFC, a clearest voice communications in the Gleithobel GH1600 Longwall Plow System. PF4/1542 stageloader and a SB0815 V-belt industry. The unit is easy to set up; it can A previous record was set by this system at crusher with a 300-hp motor. be operational within minutes to make Pinnacle in August 2012, when 32,430 tons To set the new record, the cutting depth calls, send emails and SMS. The company were mined in a 24-hour period. was calibrated to cut 140 mm at a speed of offers airtime plans starting at The new record was set by the same 395 fpm when traveling toward the $39.99/month and with unlimited voice system, mining its second panel after a headgate and 250 mm traveling at 197 fpm and data plans for only $149.99/month. comprehensive rebuild was performed by to the tailgate. www.globalstar.com Carter Machinery, the Cat dealer serving From a safety perspective, the Cat long- that area. The rebuild encompassed a wall plow system holds a significant complete rebuild of the headgate and tail- advantage. For example, by using the gate armored face conveyor (AFC) drive, Command for longwall capability set from the headgate and tailgate special AFC Cat MineStar System, the plow is operated pans, the stageloader drives and return remotely with no personnel required at end, the complete crusher, and all gear- the production face, Cat said. As a result, boxes for the plow, AFC and stageloader. there is no operator exposure to airborne The Cat automated longwall plow sys- dust, falling rocks or moving equipment. tem at Pinnacle is currently the only one In addition to enhancing safety, the Cat operating in the United States. The long- longwall plow can be a more productive

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product news continued

Safety App the entire cavities and adhering to edges, Portable Filter Carts Purify Hydraulic An Australian com- this innovative foam effectively blocks and Lube Oils pany has created a out debris, particulates, teeth or tools Oil Filtration Systems has launched a new safety app to assist in that might damage the equipment, yet is line of portable filtration equipment for the prevention and flexible enough to allow free movement hydraulic and lube oils. These filter carts management of haz- of the hydraulic leg, Henkel said. can be used for new fill or kidney loop fil- ards and risks. The Loctite MR5898 foaming polyurethane tration. These new filter carts can remove greatest advantage of replaces pre-cut foam inserts that allow four types of contaminants from industrial the new app is its debris to migrate into cavities through oils. Particulates are removed by pleated simplicity and how it gaps between inserts and equipment microglass filter elements to achieve parti- automates processes edges. The self-extinguishing, low-odor cle counts as low as ISO 14/13/11. Water is utilizing commonly foam is intended for use underground and removed via absorptive elements. Acid used smartphone in confined spaces. The two-part formula can be removed by Fullers Earth or technology, which begins to foam a few minutes after mixing Activated Alumina cartridges to neutralize speeds up the entire safety process by get- and becomes tack-free with minutes of acids, lowering the TAN (Total Acid ting reports to management faster than pouring. The flexible cured foam can be Number) and helping to improve oil color. ever before. easily cut or trimmed using a serrated Finally, varnish can be removed by either Using the H5 hazard report allows the blade. granular absorbent media cartridges or user to send a photo of an incident with a Use of Loctite MR5898 Foaming depth media filters, depending on the oil supporting hazard description, a date and Polyurethane on hydraulic roof supports temperature. The carts and skids have time stamp, its geographical location, a sim- ensures proper functioning of equipment, capacities ranging from 3 to 15 gallons per ple hazard grading in a modest yet accurate reduces unplanned downtime, and pre- minute. email, all within mere seconds of the report vents cost component replacement. www.oilfiltrationsystems.com being completed. Workers spend less time cleaning pockets Managers can receive Take5 and Hazard and cavities, and do not need to inventory reports as they are completed, they can know or store spare foam inserts. who is reporting and who isn’t, and they www.henkelna.com can make their safety assessments before lunch rather than at the end of the week. Flow Detection Sensor Effective safety decisions can be made faster BinMaster’s Flow Detect 2000 is a reliable, than ever before. The technology has been non-intrusive instrument that detects there for years, now it can be used to save solids flow or no flow in various applica- lives. tions for the material handling industry. It The Take5 app is available for both iOS prevents downtime caused by blockage, and Android devices and is easily found conveyors running empty, no material on the iStore or Android store by search- flow to and from a process, or loose slide ing for “Take5.” gates that can cause production loss and http://take5apps.com.au equipment failure. This new low-cost, microwave-based unit contains the sens- Foaming Polyurethane ing element, power and output connec- Protects Hydraulic Roof Supports tions, and user adjustment controls in a For the hydraulic roof supports used in single NEMA 4X enclosure. The sensor is longwall mining, Henkel Corp. has intro- easy to install through a 1-/14-in. NPT duced Loctite MR5898 foaming polyure- opening. www.binmaster.com thane, a pour-in-place foam material Hydraulic Pumps designed to bond to pockets and To help counter the threats surrounding hydraulic cylinders. By foaming up to fill the mining industry, Hawe Hydraulics manufactures responsive yet sturdy hydraulic solutions made up of pumps and valves can withstand heavy loads and the peak pressures that can unexpectedly occur from encountering rock. Built-in features such as proportional control and load sensing technology allow operators to accurately excavate down to the mil- limeter without causing harmful vibra- tions. This increases cutting efficiency, protects the environment and improves operator safety. PSL Valves are certified

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product news continued

explosion proof. When coupled with an Fuel Overfill Protection System lockable, weather-proof enclosure fea- efficient hydraulic fluid supply, reliable Emco Wheaton now offers an overfill sys- tures a modern design aesthetic with operations and maneuverability can easily tem, which can prevent product overflows optional rainhood/sun deflector. be maintained. Hawe’s line of V30 variable of fuel tankers during loading, ensuring Features include a high-speed thermal displacement axial-piston pumps ensure that safety is of the utmost importance. cutbar tape printer, proximity badge the right amount of fluid is in the right Featuring next-generation electronics for reader (AWID and HID), 240 x 64-pixel place at the right time. Low mass and maximum reliability and endurance, the blue backlit LCD or 640 x 480-pixel back- therefore, low inertia, allow for virtually F2020 Overfill Sensor uses electronic sig- lit color touch screen LCD, and with or instantaneous adjustments, while large nals to prevent product overflows of without a rainhood. It connects the truck shaft bearing ensures a long service life. tanker compartments, ensuring valuable scale to SB500 remote displays with inte- www.hawe.de fluid is not lost. Designed for tankers of up grated traffic signals, existing computer to eight compartments, the system is con- networks, other digital weight indicators, nected to the controls of the terminal and WinVRS vehicle recording software. through a plug-and-socket connection. www.CardinalScale.com When an overfill is detected, the system will override and shut down the terminal pump and metering equipment filling the tanker compartment. Supported by the highest levels of accreditations, the overfill protection system has ISO 9000/2000 approval and is manufactured in compli- ance with EN13922 and the European ATEX directive. www.emcowheaton.com

Flow Meters for Froth Flotation Plant managers that need accurate air/gas flow measurement to control bubble pro- Self-retracting Device duction for froth flotation equipment to for Fall Protection separate minerals will find the precision Compact and durable, the DuraTech 6’ ST50 and ST100 Air/Gas Mass Flow Meters Web SRD has the stopping power of a full- provide high accuracy with virtually no sized unit without the weight of a shock- maintenance. The flow meters are cali- pack. In fact, it is one of the smallest SRDs brated for superior accuracy. The thermal on the market with internal inertial brake dispersion mass flow sensors and rugged mechanism. Third-party tested and com- packaging are ideal for mineral processing pliant with ANSI Z359.14, the device offers applications. www.fluidcomponents.com a deceleration distance of less than 28 in. and still keeps fall arrest forces below 900 lb. The DuraTech 6’ enhances worker mobility, allows work in areas with lower fall clearances, and eliminates the trip hazards typically associated with tradi- tional lanyards. www.falltech.com

Unattended Truck Weighing Kiosks The Satellite series of unattended weigh- ing kiosks provide the ultimate experi- ence in unmanned truck scale efficiency and streamlined data integration. The

July 2014 www.coalage.com 59 CA_pg56-60_V3_CA_pg46-47 7/11/14 12:59 PM Page 60 CA_pg85-87_CA_pg60-63 7/10/14 10:36 AM Page 61

COAL PREPARATION CONSULTANTS AND SERVICES

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July 2014 www.coalage.com 61 CA_pg85-87_CA_pg60-63 7/10/14 10:36 AM Page 62

CONSULTANTS AND SERVICES

TARGET YOUR MARKET WITH CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING!

For more information contact: Norm Rose at (770) 664-0608 or [email protected]

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING VISIT WWW.COALAGE.COM

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CONSULTANTS AND SERVICES HELP WANTED

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ADVERTISING INDEX “Leader in Industrial Electrical Design & PAGE Installation That Constantly Exceeds Customer Afton Chemical ...... 3,59 Expectations in Quality and Performance” Baldor Electric...... 15 Ashland, Kentucky BJM Pumps ...... 55 Phone: 606/928-2074 Fax:606/928-0093 Cincinnati Mine Machinery...... 30 www.cwelectricinc.com Coal Age Social Media Connections ...... 51 Coal Age Website ...... 33 Coal Handling & Storage 2014...... 26-27 Columbia Steel ...... BC DSI...... 25 IMEX 2014 ...... 22-23 Innovative Wireless Technologies ...... 31 JH Fletcher...... 9 Jennmar...... 13 Joy Global...... IBC Kennedy Metal ...... 21 Kimes Steel & Rail...... 39 L&H Industrial ...... 7 Leco Corp...... 37 Longwall USA 2015 ...... 47 Martin Engineering ...... 44 McLanahan Corp ...... 45 Ohio Magnetics ...... 53 Precision Pulley & Idler ...... 11 TerraSource Global...... 17 Weir Minerals ...... IFC World Mining Equipment ...... 57

This index is provided as an additional service. The publisher does not assume liability for errors or omissions.

July 2014 www.coalage.com 63 CA_pg64_V3_CA_pg64 7/10/14 10:30 AM Page 64

legally speaking Embarrassing Paper

BY R. BRIAN HENDRIX

None of us are perfect. In every human endeav- citation and order in a notebook on a break room table used by or, mistakes are made, for all sorts of reasons. miners because the bulletin board was not big enough to display all Mine operators and miners make mistakes, and of the paper issued during that inspection. The mine operator actu- so do Mine Safety and Health Administration ally made it easier for miners to review the citations and orders. (MSHA) inspectors. Human nature, the com- When they reviewed the failure-to-post citation, what do you think plexity and dynamic nature of mining, and the the miners thought about the inspector? About MSHA? difficulties associated with the enforcement of Ever heard of chainsaw chaps? Ever operated a chainsaw when broadly worded performance standards will you were not wearing chainsaw chaps? After a mine manager nicked inevitably lead to reasonable and even not-so-reasonable differ- his leg with a chainsaw while cutting a tree on mine property, an ences of opinion on occasion. MSHA inspector cited the mine operator for an S&S, unwarrantable A citation or order that is factually and/or legally without merit failure to comply with MSHA’s personal protective equipment in some way is often referred to as “bad paper.” Bad paper is the (PPE) standard because the supervisor was not wearing chainsaw product of a mistake or worse. This column is not about bad paper, chaps. MSHA also assessed a $50,000 penalty for the alleged viola- i.e.,variable frequency drivevariable frequency drive the reasonable tion. Chainsaw chaps are not standard PPE in the mining industry differences of opinion we have with MSHA or even the mistakes that and MSHA had never issued any guidance requiring the use of we all — mine operators, miners and MSHA inspectors — make. chainsaw chaps. How would you have reacted to MSHA’s allegation Instead, this column is about citations and orders that qualify as that the violation was the result of “aggravated conduct constituting “embarrassing paper.” What is embarrassing about embarrassing more than ordinary negligence” if you were the mine operator or paper is that it does little to advance miner safety and health. the supervisor in this example? What did it tell the operator or the Embarrassing paper tells miners and mine operators something supervisor about the inspector’s or MSHA’s priorities? about the issuing inspector or about MSHA. It tells them very little One could argue about the fact of violation in all of these cita- about safety or health. tions and orders. Even more questionable were the decisions to Here are a few examples: Saline or eyewash solution, like most classify these alleged violations as S&S or to allege that the operator products, has a use-by or expiration date. When an MSHA inspector unwarrantably failed to comply. Good, bad, or embarrassing, these found an “expired” bottle of eyewash, the inspector cited it as a sig- citations and orders, like all enforcement actions, may be confer- nificant and substantial (S&S) violation. While the expiration date enced and contested. There is a process for resolving the legal and on the bottle had passed, it is hard to imagine how the age of the factual questions that these citations and orders raise. That is, how- eyewash made it reasonably likely that a reasonably serious injury ever, not the point. would occur (and never mind the fact that the bottle of saline solu- A conference or a contest proceeding is unlikely to repair the tion was sitting right next to a sink). While I imagine that “expired” damage that is done by embarrassing paper. An inspector’s reputa- saline solution works just as well as new saline solution, it is a good tion in the industry and his or her relationship with miners and idea to replace expired first-aid products. That said, what signal did operators is primarily based on what the inspector does at the mine. the inspector send to the operator by issuing an S&S citation for Is he experienced and knowledgeable? Fair? Honest? Genuinely expired saline solution? interested in promoting and improving miner safety and health? Is In another case, an inspector cited what he believed to be a he respected only because of his authority as an inspector — solely small quantity of dried rodent feces on the floor of a closed, sel- because he is an A/R — or do miners and mine operators respect dom-used Conex storage container as an S&S violation. In the him for more than his authority? Those are questions that are closing conference with the operator (and, later, in a deposition), answered on site, when an inspector is at the mine, and the answers he admitted that he could not even describe the hazard he had are unlikely to be much affected by the outcome of an informal con- cited. In other words, the inspector could not explain why or how ference or a decision by an administrative law judge. the condition he cited was hazardous, much less reasonably like- Inspectors who are respected for more than their authority, who ly to cause a reasonably serious injury. What did the inspector have a reputation as knowledgeable, experienced and fair, are the accomplish by issuing this citation and alleging that the violation most effective inspectors. First and foremost, they enforce, but they was S&S? He taught the mine operator a lesson, but it was not one also educate. They would be (and are) embarrassed by embarrass- about safety or health. ing paper issued by other inspectors. Good, effective inspectors We all know that citations and orders must be posted at the (and there are a lot of those out there) are the inspectors who ask mine. Section 109 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act pro- themselves “what will this citation tell the operator and miners” or vides that “[t]here shall be a bulletin board at such office or located “what message does this send to the miners and mine operator” at a conspicuous place near an entrance of such mine, in such man- before they issue a citation. And, most importantly, they care about ner that orders, citations...may be posted thereon, and be easily vis- the answers to those questions. ible to all persons desiring to read them...” The purpose of Section 109 is obviously to ensure that miners have an opportunity to Brian Hendrix is a shareholder in the Washington, D.C., region office review citations, orders, etc. Yet, an inspector cited a mine operator of Jackson Lewis P.C. He advises clients on matters involving work- for violating Section 109 because the operator put copies of every place safety law, focusing on litigation, incident investigations,

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