Feature Stories
Acquisition Gives Strata Competitive Edge in Proximity Detection
March 10, 2011
The early January announcement of Strata Proximity Systems’ acquisition of Frederick Mining Controls with the intent of advancing proximity-detection technology couldn’t have been more timely. The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration had just announced an Emergency Temporary Standard Rule
Real Life Mining Stories with Leadership Lessons: Leaders Who Get in the Trenches Earn Respect
March 8, 2011
One of the nastiest jobs I performed during my coal mine experience was the semi-annual emptying of the clean and raw coal silos. The work was always performed on a weekend. If possible, I grabbed 16-hour shifts on both Saturday
Real Life Mining Stories with Leadership Lessons: Leadership Can Come from Followers
February 22, 2011
Sometimes the toughest challenge shows the true character of the leader and of the followers. Those men and women to whom we point and admirably give the title of leader are often highlighted in a critical situation. Events that seem
Real Life Mining Stories with Leadership Lessons: Leaders Constantly Strive for Higher Performance
February 8, 2011
I was a roof-bolter in the coal mines for two years. The job entailed drilling an eight-foot hole in the mine top and tightening a bolt with a ten-foot long electric powered piece of machinery. It is one of the
Real Life Mining Stories with Leadership Lessons: You’ve Got One Boss and You’re Looking at Him
January 25, 2011
I remember a particular day when I was a roof bolter in the coal mine in 1976. We had arrived uneventfully on the section like most every day. I walked up to my machine and prepared for the day’s work.
When Minutes Count For Miners
January 17, 2011
Black Mountain Resources Mine Safety Director Roger Gilliam knows the value of having a well-trained Mine Emergency Technician (MET). He’s seen evidence of their importance while working on the mine site. “Situations at every coal mine arise,” Gilliam said. “That’s
Coal Miners in Pa. Get a Virtual Taste of Life Working Underground
January 4, 2011
Add miners to the growing list of U.S. workers using virtual reality to get better at their jobs. Computer simulation programs, long used in aviation, the military and medicine, are training coal miners at the United Mine Workers of America’s
Revolutionizing Mining Through Business and Research
December 19, 2010
Sean Dessureault has spent the last 15 years working on revolutionizing the mining industry through research, consulting and products he offers. Dessureault, 36, is an associate professor in the Mining and Geological Engineering department at the University of Arizona as
Real Life Mining Stories with Leadership Lessons: Teamwork Results from Common Goals
November 13, 2010
In 1978, I was a foreman at a coal mine east of Beallsville, Ohio. I enjoyed my weekends off because I was required to work a number of them. It’s a Sunday afternoon and I am relaxing with my family
Strata Products Evaluates Roof Conditions and Provides Many Options for Roof Support Products
June 18, 2010
In 1993 Strata Products (USA) Inc. introduced the first ever “engineered” timber roof support. This product offers yielding capabilities, allowing the prop to “give” under excess load, without failing. The Strata Products Propsetter™ Yieldable Support provides eight to ten inches
