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SME reorganizes staff
The Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration's (SME) board of directors has approved a new staff organizational structure to add more leadership to the organization. Four director positions have been added to the organization to support four areas: meetings, membership and publications; finance, administration and information technology; government relations, public affairs and communications; and education and foundation programs. Mike Hedges has been appointed as deputy executive director for finance, administration and information technology; John Hayden was appointed deputy executive director for government relations, public affairs and communications; Sharon Schonhaut has been appointed director of education and the SME Foundation. A director of operations who has yet to be identified will lead meetings, membership and publications. Keep Reading
Case system to aid operators in fleet management
Case Construction Equipment has created a remote monitoring and data reporting system that gives users information to help manage fleets and optimize machine performance. The system, SiteWatch, uses a control module that integrates with the machine, sending real-time data to a web portal accessible from nearly anywhere in the world. An intuitive interface allows customers and dealers to review and analyze up to 18 months worth of information. According to Case, SiteWatch will keeps operators and their dealers informed with performance metrics, idle-time analytics, scheduled maintenance intervals, machine health reporting and programmable security alerts. Keep Reading
Knife River names Lambert safety director
Jeff Lambert has been promoted to safety director, effective April 28, at Knife River Corp. Lambert will report directly to President Dave Barney. Lambert joined the operation in 1999 and has been director of safety since 2007 for the operation's north central region, which includes operations in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Lambert will be based out of the company's offices in Sauk Rapids, Minn. Keep Reading
New IMT distributor in Pennsylvania
Iowa Mold Tooling Co. Inc. has named National Truck Body Solutions, based in Greencastle, Pa., a new distributor. National Truck Body Solutions will serve IMT customers in the western halves of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, as well as eastern West Virginia. National Truck Body Solutions, formerly Mason-Dixon Trucks and Carriers, has supplied contractors, mechanics, auto service providers, utility companies and municipalities for more than 25 years. Additionally, the company has been a longtime distributor for Oshkosh Corp. brands Jerr-Dan and JLG Industries. Keep Reading
Fuel efficiency technology to reduce miner’s cost per ton
Immersive Technologies has launched a fuel efficiency technology aimed at giving mine management an affordable way to address the challenges of rising fuel costs and environmental responsibility. The technology is embedded in an upgrade to Immersive Technologies' range of Advanced Equipment Simulators and is designed to give mining equipment operators the skills and knowledge they need to operate in a productive manner while assessing and eliminating behaviors that cause excess fuel consumption. The simulator technology includes detailed monitoring of operator behaviors that directly relate to excess fuel consumption, including levels of throttle and brake application for specific situations. This has resulted in an enhanced assessment tool for managers to determine which fuel inefficient operator behaviors are most prevalent on their site and represent the greatest opportunities for savings. Keep Reading
Major Wire announces distributor for Alabama
Major Wire Industries Ltd. has named Industrial Mining Supply its new dealer for aggregate operations in Alabama. The dealership will offer all of Major Wire’s screen media products. Keep Reading
Cat rolls out Tier 4 Final wheel loader
Caterpillar is debuting its new 988K wheel loader at Bauma 2013 in Germany and planning to make it commercially available in August. According to Cat, the 988K features redesigned loader linkage, drive train modifications, a redesigned cab and enhancements in safety and serviceability. A Cat C18 engine powers the wheel loader and is available in Tier 4 Final and Tier 2 versions. Z-bar loader linkage replaces the 988H mono-boom design and expands the 988K's versatility in smaller quarries and underground applications. Additionally, Cats says the new design, which uses solid steel lift arms in either a standard or high-lift configuration, reduces machine height at maximum lift yet increases dump clearance. The design also shortens machine length for greater maneuverability. Keep Reading
Safety, dust management among NSA meeting topics
The National Slag Association (NSA) held its regional meeting March 19-20 at the new Caterpillar Visitor Center in Peoria, Ill. Attendees represented a cross-section of steel producers, slag processors, equipment manufacturers and service providers who gathered to discuss safety innovations, environmental issues, regulatory trends and new equipment. Among the topics discussed were industry governing bodies, best practices, a review of EPA legislation and fugitive dust management. Most discussions were dominated by safety and environmental content. The event was attended by more than 50 active and allied NSA members, including organizations that are actively engaged in iron and steel slag processing, refining and the marketing of these slags, as well as those involved in related activities, such as manufacturers and users of iron and steel slags. “The steel industry doesn’t have a governing body such as the mining industry has in MSHA,” says Aaron Valencic, Dust Control Technology's vice president. “And OSHA really isn’t comprehensive enough to cover all steel industry activity. For that reason, NSA considers part of its mission… Keep Reading
Cat showcasing hydraulic mining shovel at Bauma
Caterpillar's 6020B hydraulic mining shovel, on display at Bauma 2013 in Germany, is a new model with a 24-ton payload and 240-ton operating weight. Cat is positioning the 6020B with its 777G off-highway truck for loading and hauling. According to Cat, the 6020B hydraulic mining shovel was designed for simplicity and reliability without compromising safety. Unrestricted lines of sight to the crawler tracks and pit floor aid operators when repositioning the shovel and when loading trucks. The cab design includes two additional seats for a trainer and an observer. A 1,043-hp Cat engine powers the hydraulics. The 6020B will be available commercially in the fourth quarter of this year. Keep Reading
