Mining News & Articles

Plan to attend this webinar to hear about protecting workers in enclosed cabs from silica exposure.

Meet Todd M. Ruff, MS, PE, the new Director of the Spokane Mining Research Division (SMRD) of the NIOSH Mining Program.

Learn about the risks associated with heat stress in mining and what you can do to keep yourself safe.

Plan to attend this important webinar on longwall ventilation and how to improve conditions for miners, Sept. 21, 2017.

Participate in a NIOSH-sponsored National Academy of Sciences workshop on elongate mineral particles May 15-16, 2017, at the National Academies in Washington, D.C.

NIOSH Mining researchers shared their technical expertise in Washington with colleagues developing their own virtual reality space.

NIOSH Mining's Hearing Loss Prevention Unit is offering free hearing tests at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 in Las Vegas!

Find out about all of the NIOSH presentations Feb. 20-22 at SME 2017.

Use the Safety Pays in Mining web application from NIOSH to learn how worker injuries—medical bills plus other costs—affect mining companies' finances.

NIOSH will showcase some of its latest mine safety and health research at the 2017 Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) Annual Conference and Expo February 19–22 in Denver, Colorado.

Learn about NIOSH refuge alternative research at SME 2017.

Learn about NIOSH proximity detection research at SME 2017.

The EVADE software has expanded to take in more data points and identify more hazardous exposures.

Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration showcased many recent achievements in mine rescue capabilities at a Jan. 5, 2017, event, including NIOSH Mining technology.

Find out how the continuous personal dust monitor (CPDM) is being used to reduce exposure to black lung-causing coal dust.

Miner's Day is December 6, 2016. Celebrate our miners and the hard work they do to support our society and build a safe and prosperous mining industry.

Reserve a spot now to attend a partnership meeting on refuge alternatives Oct. 19.

See NIOSH at the 2016 Underground Stone Seminar in Louisville, KY, on December 6-7.

Reserve a spot now to attend a webinar Sept. 8 on mine rescue and self-escape.

On June 13, 2016, Dr. R.J. Matetic became the director of the Pittsburgh Mining Research Division (PMRD) of the NIOSH Mining Program.

Reserve a spot now to attend a webinar on refuge alternatives June 23.

See the latest mining safety and health solutions from NIOSH at two workshops going on now at MINExpo 2016.

Congratulations to Pittsburgh Mining Research Division’s Jacob Carr, a recipient of this year’s Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).

Celebrate International Noise Awareness Day and learn about resources to reduce noise exposure and prevent noise-induced hearing loss.

Read the latest notice about operating manual updates for the NIOSH-certified PDM3700 Personal Dust Monitor

NIOSH researcher John Sammarco has won two government engineering awards.

NIOSH engineer Jacob Carr is receiving the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

Learn about NIOSH's proximity detection research at SME 2016

NIOSH will be at SME 2016 to share research and interact with stakeholders.

Learn about NIOSH breathing air supply research and refuge alternative recommendations at SME 2016.

Stop by the NIOSH SME exhibit at Booth 1211 to try out new software, see technology demonstrations, or pick up one of our latest publications.

Meet Dr. Jessica E. Kogel, the Associate Director for Mining and head of the NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health Research.

Meet Dr. Eric A. Lutz, the new Director of OMSHR's Spokane Mining Research Division.

Celebrate National Miner's Day on December 6, 2015 to honor our miners and the hard work they do to support our society and build a safe and prosperous mining industry.

A feature story about through-the-earth communcations technologies available for mine emergencies.

The BG 4 Benching Trainer Software is an interactive software program developed by NIOSH and targeted as reinforcement training of benching competencies for mine rescue personnel.

A feature story about the transfer of rapid rescue drilling equipment to the National Mine Health and Safety Academy.

NIOSH-developed technology reduces drilling noise for coal mine roof bolting machines by 3-5 decibels. A drill bit isolator using this technology is now commercially available.

A feature story to announce the publication of a new NIOSH RI on built-in-place refuge alternatives.

NIOSH will showcase some of its latest mine safety and health innovations at the 2015 Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) Annual Conference and Expo February 15–18 in Denver, Colorado.

A feature story of how a small mine implemented a fatigue management program for its haul truck drivers.

A feature describing data from 1911 that was misreported as a mine disaster.

A short feature story describing NIOSH products on retreat mining.

Announcing Two New Sister Publications on Refuge Alternatives

A feature story about new equipment and protocol for drilling large-diameter rescue boreholes.

Mine operators have a new tool for identifying specific work tasks that cause high respirable dust exposure for workers.

This feature article describes NIOSH efforts to develop improved illumination technologies for the mining environment.

A feature page about OMSHR activities at the SME Annual Meeting.

The most comprehensive survey of our nation’s mining population.

December 3, 2012 feature on proximity detection research

A description of two Ground Control Program projects that aim to enhance mine safety through improved longwall pillar designs that consider a mine’s local geology.

A pair of new handbooks from NIOSH to identify and promote engineering controls to protect mine workers from overexposures to dust.

OMSHR’s New Website

A summary of OMSHR activities at the 2012 MineExpo conference.

Coal Mine Explosion Prevention Accomplishments

Inundation, or water suddenly entering a mine, is not that uncommon.

In light of recent accidents in metal mines, some fatal, NIOSH OMSHR is again studying the use of cemented fill in mining operations.

Preventing coal mine explosions requires a suite of control strategies and NIOSH continues to conduct research to develop more effective intervention measures.

Implementation of dust control technology and improved dust monitoring are effective ways for mine operators to reduce exposures to respirable coal dust. OMSHR is working to assist the industry’s efforts to limit miner exposure to dust.

The NIOSH Coal Dust Explosibility Meter (CDEM) is available for purchase and use in underground coal mines. A recent Information Circular supports its use for real-time explosibility testing of rock and coal dust samples.

NIOSH is developing a prototype intelligent system that provides enhanced protection by continuously monitoring miners’ positions in relation to the machine and established safety zones.

NIOSH's OMSHR is starting a new project to produce guidance and tools to improve management of rib fall hazards.

NIOSH recommends a new standard of 80% total incombustible content be required in intake airways of bituminous coal mines in the absence of methane.