Mining Academy™, an event created to provide attendees with a three-day forum to see, learn, and network with operators from the underground room and pillar limestone market, was held for the second time on October 29-31, in Louisville, Kentucky. It was organized by Dyno Nobel, a global leader in commercial explosives, in partnership with Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology, and a global leading supplier of equipment and tools, service and technical solutions for the mining and construction industries.
A variety of subject matter experts presented and led discussions and workshops on all aspects of room and pillar underground mining, with emphasis on drilling, blasting and production, but also extending to topics such as safety data analytics and community relations. While the participants reflected the focus on underground stone mining, there were also representatives from salt, coal and metals mines, which contributed to the diversity of discussions and information exchanged.
“This was my first exposure to the Mining Academy”, explained Mike Rispin, Dyno Nobel’s recently appointed VP Underground, “and I can understand why it has garnered its good reputation in such a short time. The preparation and presentation were truly first-class, and it was my honor to co-emcee the event. Based upon feedback from participants, the Mining Academy is a strong value experience for the industry.”
Paul Painter, Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology’s VP of U.S.A. says, “The Mining Academy this year was specifically targeted to room-and-Pillar stone production in the USA. This was not only a discussion about the end to end process from mine planning to product across the scale, it was also a networking opportunity with known industry experts on best practice and new technology.”
Rounding out the program was the keynote speaker on the final evening, Colonel (Ret.) Mark W. Tillman, pilot and commander of Air Force One from 2001-2009, who delivered a patriotic, riveting, and sometimes humorous recounting of his experiences.
A highlight of the event was the visit to the Rogers Group’s nearby Bullitt County Mine, a cutting-edge example of room and pillar mining, where participants were treated to an underground experience complete with various technology demonstrations, as well as a surface demonstration of Electronic Initiation Systems’ capabilities.
We trust that the industry will stay tuned for the Mining Academy’s next incarnation, which is already in the planning stages.
About Dyno Nobel:
Dyno Nobel is a subsidiary of Incitec Pivot Limited ABN 42 004 080 264 (ASX:IPL). Dyno Nobel has customers in the mining, quarry, construction, pipeline and geophysical exploration industries. The company operates in Australia, Canada, the United States, Africa, Indonesia, Mexico, South America, Papua New Guinea and Turkey.
Dyno Nobel manufactures a full line of commercial explosives, including ammonium nitrate, bulk explosives, packaged emulsions, dynamite, detonators (electric, nonelectric and electronic), cast boosters, and detonating cord, as well as surface and underground loading systems and Portable Modular Emulsion Plants. The company also offers services, including blast design, shot loading, shot service, vibration control, airblast, flyrock and NOx reduction, through DynoConsult, a specialist consulting division of Dyno Nobel. Please visit www.dynonobel.com for more information.
Sandvik Group
Sandvik is a high-tech and global engineering group offering products and services that enhance customer productivity, profitability and safety. We hold world-leading positions in selected areas – tools and tooling systems for metal cutting; equipment and tools, service and technical solutions for the mining and construction industries; products in advanced stainless steels and special alloys as well as products for industrial heating. In 2018, the Group had approximately 42,000 employees and sales of 100 billion SEK in more than 150 countries within continuing operations.
Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology
Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology is a business area within the Sandvik Group and a global leading supplier of equipment and tools, service and technical solutions for the mining and construction industries. Application areas include rock drilling, rock cutting, crushing and screening, loading and hauling, tunneling, quarrying and breaking and demolition. In 2018, sales were approximately 43 billion SEK with about 15,000 employees in continuing operations.