Handling

Weak demand from Chinese and Australian coal mines has helped to drive orders for Sandvik’s products and services down by 5% in Q4 2013 compared to the same period in 2011.

Caterpillar has reported record earnings of US$ 65.9 billion in 2012, despite a US$ 580 million writedown on its Siwei acquisition.

At least 17 coal miners have been killed in a gas explosion in an underground mine in southwest China.

Despite the financial and sovereign debt crisis, German mining equipment manufacturers have posted a record sales growth of 27% for 2011. The German Engineering Federation (VDMA) expects turnover to grow by a further 20% to € 5.8 billion in 2012.

About 75% of US coal exports were shipped to Europe and Asia in 2012, continuing the growth of the past few years with exports this year expected to reach an all-time high, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

An investigation into the causes of the Pike River coal mine disaster has concluded that lax safety standards at the mine, coupled with a lack of regulatory oversight, was to blame for the deaths of 29 miners. In response, the minister responsible for mine oversight has resigned.

Stuart Harris, Land Instruments (a unit of AMETEK, Inc.) describes how continuous critical vessel monitoring can be utilised for enhanced worker safety and asset protection.

World Coal reviews news from the materials handling sector announced at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL® 2012, which took place in Las Vegas from 24 – 26 September.

World Coal reviews news from the drilling sector announced at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL® 2012, which took place in Las Vegas from 24 – 26 September.

World Coal reviews the news from the underground mining sector at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2012, which took place in Las Vegas on 24 – 26 September 2012.

World Coal reviews news of the mining solutions and software that were announced at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2012®, which took place in Las Vegas from 24 – 26 September.

World Coal reviews news from the mining truck sector announced at MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2012®, which took place in Las Vegas from 24 – 26 September.

Demand in Australia and New Zealand for experienced engineers from the UK will remain high in 2013, and for the next five years, despite conflicting reports that the mining and natural resources boom in Australia is slowing down.

Rio Tinto has started exporting hard coking coal from its Benga Mine in the Moatize Basin in Mozambique. The first shipment of 34 000 t left the Port of Beira on 25th June, bound for an Indian steel mill.

According to a recent report by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), 76% of US coal exports in 2011 went to Europe and Asia.