In response to an April 2014 petition from Wildearth Guardians, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) announced the decision of Director Joseph Pizarchik to pursue a revision of the Bureau’s rules with regard to blasting operations at coal mines in the United States. The group asked OSMRE to consider a rule to prohibit the production of visible nitrogen oxide during blasting operations for coal mining activities.

On a memorial to West Virginia’s most recent mining disaster, the silhouettes of 29 figures are etched into black granite, men posed with arms around each another like teammates. On the back of the solemn slab, the disaster is put in the context of the state’s long history of coal tragedies, including a 1968 explosion that killed scores, and a dozen other deadly events earlier in the century.

Canada’s diamond-mining sector looks that much brighter after a big vote of confidence from global mining giant Rio Tinto PLC. The Anglo-Australian diversified miner is investing $350-million (U.S.) in the expansion of the Diavik diamond mine in the Northwest Territories, a decision that is a coup for Diavik because Rio Tinto has slashed its capital-expenditure budget in a slumping commodities market and said it will only invest in high-potential projects.

On-again, off-again plans for the world's largest gold and copper mine could be back on again, after a federal judge in Alaska issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Environmental Protection Agency from its ongoing efforts to bury the project.

Pebble Partnership, the Canadian company behind the project, which would take place near Anchorage, claims the regulatory agency has conspired illegally with opponents of the mine to devise scientific and environmental justifications for blocking it. Salmon fishermen in Washington state and Alaska, Native American groups and environmental organizations have opposed the massive project for several years, and had appeared to have gotten it scuttled prior to November's ruling by U.S. District Judge Russel Holland, in Anchorage, Alaska.

China, the world’s biggest coal consumer, is cutting export tariffs for the fossil fuel beginning Jan. 1 and it will also correct those for a range of other commodities particularly some consumer products and parts to make high-tech devices.

The move, which aims to spur domestic demand and promote industrial upgrading, comes after relentless lobbying by the China National Coal Association, as a sharp drop in the commodity price has left about 70% of the country's miners in the red and more than 50% to owe wages, Reuters reports.

The United States Senate has passed a controversial land swap deal, paving the way for the country's largest copper mine to move forward, following close to a decade of roadblocks by Washington. Senators passed the measure by 89 votes to 11 on Friday, just ahead of their Christmas recess.

Australia's Newcrest Mining and South Africa’s Harmony Gold recently unveiled plans to build one of the world's lowest-cost gold mines in Papua New Guinea for $2.5 billion less than previously budgeted. The gold miners expect to do so under a smaller, revised plan that will see the development of their massive Wafi-Golpu gold and copper deposit — which each own 50% of—divided into two stages.

Uganda may become a more important player in the African iron ore market, after a geological survey revealed much bigger deposits of the steel-making ingredient than found during colonial mappings.

"Currently, we have over 200 million tonnes reserves of hematite iron ore in southwestern Uganda and 60 million tonnes of magnetite iron ore in the south eastern part of the country and still have huge potential for exploration," according to Francis Natukunda, a senior geologist at Uganda's Department of Geological Survey and Mines.

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. agreed to sell part of its struggling coal division for $175 million, in cash, the latest move by the mining company to exit higher-cost operations to focus on its U.S iron ore business. Coronado Coal II LLC will buy Cliffs’s assets in Logan County, West Virginia, which include three mines producing metallurgical coal for steelmaking, and also assume some liabilities. Cleveland-based Cliffs expects to record a pretax loss on the sale of as much as $425 million in the fourth quarter, it said in a statement.

For a limited time only, buy one 17th Edition Spanish Blasters' Handbook and get the second free. That's a savings of $25. The handbook is based off the popular 17th Edition Blasters' Handbook and has been written and reviewed by industry experts. The offer expires Dec. 31, 2014. Head over to the ISEE bookstore to get your copies today.

Are you attending the 41st Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, and want us to bring a specific ISEE bookstore item to include at our onsite shop? Send us an email to isee@isee.org, and let us know. We’ll be sure to it makes the trip with us.

Make an instant impact in the blasting industry by donating items for the Society of Explosives Engineers Education Foundation annual auction. The money raised from this event will provide scholarships to industry college students. The auction will take place during the awards banquet at the 41st Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique. To donate, email spena@isee.org or hawkins@isee.org or call 440.349.4400. Items will be accepted through Dec. 19, 2014. Visit www.isee.org to see select items that will be up for bidding at the next conference.

Good news for those who haven't sent in submissions for the 22nd annual photo contest: The deadline has been extended. Submit your best pictures of the year by Dec. 19, 2014, for a chance to win a $500 gift certificate to the ISEE Blasters' Library.

The winner will be announced during our 41st Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique held Feb. 1 to Feb. 4, 2015, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Video Roundup is a chance to witness what other blasters are doing around the world as shown on a large screen (popcorn included). Don't miss it!

Submit your five minute video that shows your blasting project. Email hawkins@isee.org for all the submission details.

The Ohio Drilling and Blasting Conference kicks off from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, 2015, with a welcome reception and exhibits. On Thursday, learn about various topics such as underground blasting, waveforms, public relations, demolition blasting, current compliance issues and more.

Although retraining credit hours have been accepted in the past by a number of states, due to recent changes in regulations, you need to be careful and check with your state regulators to be sure you receive the proper retraining credit hours from this conference.

The European Federation of Explosives Engineers (EFEE) World Conference has established itself as one of the key international explosives forums. It includes technical presentations, an industry exhibition, educational workshops, welcome drinks reception, gala dinner and a partner program. The event draws attention from explosives users, manufacturers and equipment for drilling operations as well as researchers and professionals involved in the construction and mining industry.

The conference will be from April 26-28, 2015, at the Lyon Convention Centre in Lyon, France. Early bird registration is now open. Visit the EFEE website for more information.

Missouri S&T’s Blasters Training Seminar
Jan. 5-7, 2015
Embassy Suites St Louis/St. Charles Hotel and Spa

Jan. 21-22, 2015
National Mine Health and Safety Academy
West Virginia, USA

Jan. 24, 2014
Lincoln, California

Jan 26-28, 2014
Roanoke, Virginia

Jan. 29-31, 2015
Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
New Orleans, Louisiana

Jan. 31, 2015
Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
New Orleans, Louisiana