Mining News & Articles

October 15, 2024 Newsworthy

Register for the October 15, 2024 meeting of the Miner Health Partnership.

June 12, 2024 Newsworthy

Register for the June 12, 2024 meeting of the Mine Slope and Subsidence Monitoring Partnership

April 17, 2024 Newsworthy

Registration for public participation is now open for the April 17, 2024 meeting of the Mine Safety and Health Research Advisory Committee

March 26, 2024 Newsworthy

March 26, 2024 meeting of the Miner Health Partnership.

February 27, 2024 Newsworthy

Register for a topic selection meeting for the NIOSH Mine Automation and Emerging Technologies Health and Safety Partnership to be held at the 2024 SME Conference.

Going to SME 2024 in Phoenix? We'll be there! Plan to stop by Booth #1325.

December 5, 2023 Newsworthy

On December 6 every year, we acknowledge Miners Day and celebrate the men and women of the mining industry.

Registration for public participation is now open for the November 15, 2023 meeting of the Mine Safety and Health Research Advisory Committee

September 21, 2023 Newsworthy

September 20-21, 2023 meeting of the Automation and Emerging Technologies Partnership.

The 2023 Spring Meeting of the Miner Health Partnership was held on June 15, 2023.

Members of the Special Medical Response Team recently paid a visit to NIOSH's Pittsburgh campus to train, learn, and collaborate.

Register now for the May 24, 2023 meeting of the Mine Safety and Health Research Advisory Committee

Register for virtual participation with the NIOSH presentations at the SME Pittsburgh Section Spring 2023 Seminar series.

February 28, 2023 Newsworthy

Register now to attend an agenda-setting meeting for the NIOSH Mine Automation and Emerging Technologies Health and Safety Partnership to be held at the 2023 SME Conference.

February 13, 2023 Newsworthy

Visit NIOSH's booth at SME and learn how you can use the latest in safety and health at your operation.

December 20, 2022 Newsworthy

Looking for updated information? Use the latest data and statistics.

December 9, 2022 Newsworthy

Dr. Emily Haas was honored as a member of the 2022 cohort of 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining.

Register now for the December 8, 2022 meeting of the Mine Safety and Health Research Advisory Committee

December 2, 2022 Newsworthy

On December 6 every year, we celebrate Miners Day and the men and women of the mining industry.

September 15, 2022 Newsworthy

The updated Hearing Loss Simulator offers users the chance to learn what a hearing loss sounds like without losing theirs.

September 14-15, 2022 meeting of the Automation and Emerging Technologies Partnership.

September 8, 2022 Newsworthy

2022 Fall Meeting of the Miner Health Partnership on Sept. 8, 2022.

August 31, 2022 Newsworthy

Help the NIOSH Miner Health program with your input about substance abuse and work

August 9, 2022 Newsworthy

Following a donation from NIOSH, the public now has a chance to see historic mining research equipment in person.

Register for virtual participation with the NIOSH presentations at the SME Pittsburgh Section Spring 2022 Seminar series.

March 10, 2022 Newsworthy

Register now for the 2022 Spring Meeting of the Miner Health Partnership on March 10, 2022

February 28, 2022 Newsworthy

Visit NIOSH's booth at SME and learn how you can use the latest in safety and health at your operation.

New editions of NIOSH's dust control guides for coal mining and industrial minerals mining and processing

December 3, 2021 Newsworthy

On December 6 every year, we celebrate Miners Day and the men and women of the mining industry.

The Inaugural Meeting of the Miner Health Partnership  was held on November 17, 2021

The 2021 Refuge Alternative Partnership Meetings were held on November 17-18

August 17-18, 2021 meeting of the Automation and Emerging Technologies Partnership.

June 18, 2021 Newsworthy

Congratulations, Stephen G. Sawyer, Jr., PMRD's new director.

May 26, 2021 Newsworthy

The NIOSH Mining Program is in the fight against COVID-19 with two research projects that will help stop the spread of the virus.

The archeological discovery of an old blast safe and testing apparatus at the site where our agency got its start is a reminder of how far mining research has come.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health turns 50 this year.

April 8, 2021 Newsworthy

Submit input by 6/30/2021 in response to a request for information (RFI) from industry and manufacturers about mine escape respirators

March 25, 2021 Newsworthy

Electrical engineer John Sammarco, Ph.D., was recently honored with the Don S. Kingery Award.

March 25, 2021 Newsworthy

Biomechanical engineer Jennica Bellanca, M.S., was awarded the John T. Boyd Memorial Young Young Engineer Award.

March 9, 2021 Newsworthy

NIOSH Mining mechanical engineer Jennica Bellanca was honored with the 2020 Robert M. Peele Award during the Society for Mining and Metallurgy Exploration's all-virtual 2021 conference and expo.

February 26, 2021 Newsworthy

Going to MINEXCHANGE, the 2021 SME Virtual Annual Conference & Expo? Check out our all-digital booth and view our technical presentations.

December 4, 2020 Newsworthy

Every day—and particularly today, Miners Day 2020—we honor miners.

October 23, 2020 Newsworthy

The NIOSH-MSHA Respirable Mine Dust Partnership hosted an important workshop on silica exposure and lung disease in the mining industry on Oct. 22-23, 2020.

Cutting-edge gas sensing technology offers big promise for the mining industry.

October 8, 2020 Newsworthy

First meeting of the automation and emerging technologies partnership conducted on Oct. 8 and 9, 2020.

Researcher Andy Cecala was recently honored by the Industrial Minerals Association - North America recognizing his 40 years of public service to the nation's miners.

NIOSH Mining Program Rock Dust Partnership Meeting held on 9/30/2020

September 9, 2020 Newsworthy

The Center for Plain Language named a team of software developers from the NIOSH Mining Program as finalists in the ClearMark COVID-19 category.

Two Reports of Investigations provide detailed findings on ground stress redistribution resulting from mining, which could ultimately lead to significant improvements in the stability of mine excavations and ensure a safer working environment for miners.

A team of NIOSH Mining Program researchers was awarded the Stefanko Best Paper Award during the 2020 Society of Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) Annual Conference and Expo.

Read the report of the Automation and Advanced Technologies Workgroup to learn about research recommendation for NIOSH.

Jack Trackemas, the chief of NIOSH Mining's ground control branch, was awarded the Health and Safety Individual Excellence Award during this year's SME conference.

Visit NIOSH's booth at SME and learn how you can use the latest in safety and health at your operation.

On this day and every day, we celebrate the work of miners and honor the many contributions from the mining industry that make daily life possible.

October 11, 2019 Newsworthy

See NIOSH at the 24th Annual Underground Stone Safety Seminar, Dec. 10-11, 2019, in Louisville, Kentucky.

October 2, 2019 Newsworthy

Five NIOSH researchers recently traveled to Colombia to share scientific findings on a number of topics with the Colombian mining community.

September 30, 2019 Newsworthy

Dr. Douglas Johns is the new Spokane Mining Research Division Director.

July 24, 2019 Newsworthy

Read NIOSH's response to the 2018 NAS report on dust monitoring and sampling

Research behavioral scientist Emily J. Haas, Ph.D., has been named among the 2019 recipients of a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).

Two NIOSH Mining researchers are among those honored at the 2019 American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo.

Explosions technician Linda Chasko is the recipient of the Woman of the Year Award from the Holmes Mine Rescue Association.

The NIOSH Mining Program's Jack Trackemas was awarded the Robert Stefanko Distinguished Achievement Award in Mineral Engineering by Penn State University.

Behavioral scientist Emily J. Haas, Ph.D., is a finalist for a Service to America medal. Vote for her for the People's Choice Award.

NIOSH was awarded the inaugural Robert E. Murray Innovation Award at SME's Annual Conference and Expo in Denver.

Offer your input now on a Request for Information about automation and associated technologies in mining. RFI closes May 17.

A team of NIOSH Mining researchers was awarded the Stefanko Best Paper Award at the 2019 SME conference and expo.

Visit NIOSH's booth at SME and learn how you can use the latest in safety and health at your operation.

Access the recently posted presentations from our 2018-2019 partnership events.

NIOSH Mining's Mike Shahan was selected as CDC's Engineer of the Year by the National Society of Professional Engineers.

Join the Mining Program in celebrating the hard work of the men and women who extract much-needed resources from the earth on National Miners Day on December 6, 2018.

Register now for the free 1/23/2019 MSHA/NIOSH Diesel Partnership workshop on advanced low-emissions technologies to reduce exposure to diesel exhaust.

Offer your input today. Reply to a Request for Information in the Federal Register about participation in the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program.

Two researchers won Best Paper honors from the American Rock Mechanics Association.

Plan to attend this important webinar on hearing loss in mining on Nov. 1, 2018.

See NIOSH at the 2018 Underground Stone Safety Seminar, Nov. 13 and 14 in Louisville, KY.

Three NIOSH researchers recently won a significant award in the field of noise control.

An interdisciplinary group of NIOSH researchers recently won a prestigious award from the International Ergonomics Association.

Come to our workshop on emerging health and safety issues associated with the implementation of automation and advanced technology in the U.S. metal mining industry.

Dr. Emily Haas is the recipient of a highly prestigious Arthur S. Flemming Award, an honor bestowed annually on a select few government employees.

Researcher John Sammarco, Ph.D., has been named a finalist for a Service to America medal in the Career Achievement category.

NIOSH Mining remembers former Associate Director for Mining Dr. Lewis Wade, who passed away April 22, 2018.

NIOSH Mining's Jacob Carr and an interdisciplinary dust control team receive awards at 2018 SME Annual Conference & Expo in Minneapolis.

NIOSH will showcase some of its latest mine safety and health research at the 2018 Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) Annual Conference and Expo February 25-28 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Learn about all of the NIOSH presentations Feb. 26-28 at SME 2018.

Miner's Day is December 6, 2017. We celebrate miners and honor the difficult work they do. Our society depends on them to produce the raw materials we need.

Read about our researcher, John J. Sammarco, Ph.D., who was recently honored as an ABET fellow, a significant award in the field of science.

Learn about the web application Hazard Recognition Challenge, in which users must find hazards in a virtual environment replicating a mine site.

See NIOSH at the 2017 Underground Stone Safety Seminar, Dec. 5 and 6 in Louisville, KY.

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.

Refuge alternative partnership meeting held on Oct. 19, 2016.

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.