NIOSH announces winners of mine technology awards

Washington — Four organizations recently earned recognition from NIOSH for their use of technology and creativity to advance miner safety and health.

The 2023 NIOSH Mine Safety and Health Technology Innovations Awards were presented for the following categories:
Industrial minerals: Imerys was honored for redesigning a packing station and installing lift devices to mitigate repetitive-motion injuries related to lifting, as well as shoulder, arm and wrist twisting. NIOSH says the improvements “made a genuine difference in the working experience” while increasing the efficiency of the packing process.
Coal: Innovative Wireless Technologies and Arch Resources Inc. shared the award after collaborating on a next-generation wireless gas monitor that uses a multi-sensor platform. The tool produced real-time situational awareness and visibility of atmospheric conditions.
Metal: Hecla Mining reduced the all-injury frequency rate at its Lucky Friday Mine by more than half via the “underhand closed bench” mining method. The innovation, NIOSH said, improved proactive control of fault-slip seismicity in deep, high-stress, narrow-vein mining.

“Whenever private companies address health and safety issues with innovative approaches, everyone wins,” Steve Sawyer, director of the NIOSH Mining Program’s Pittsburgh Mining Research Division, said in a press release. “In mining, each operation has its own unique challenges, and solutions to these challenges need to be tailored to each mine.”

NIOSH presented the awards in conjunction with the Essential Minerals Association and the National Mining Association.