Somerset - The coal mining industry didn’t learn much from the large number of retirements that occurred in the 1950s and 1960s, because it’s happening again, Blair McGill said.

“We’ve lost a generation,” he said. “Over half the managers could retire today if they want. To develop supervisors who can move to the second and third levels takes time and education.”

McGill worked in the mining industry in West Virginia for more than 43 years before his retirement. He was a supervisor in his early 20s.

The Pennsylvania State University Fayette Campus is offering a two-year mining technology associate degree program at the Allegany College of Maryland Somerset County Campus beginning in June. An informational session about the program was held at the college on Friday.

People in the Toowoomba area will be able to access specialist training in the State’s emerging industries at a new faculty of the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE. Employment, Skills and Mining Minister Stirling Hinchliffe today toured the TAFE’s Faculty of Mining, Resources and Infrastructure as part of the Bligh Government’s Community Cabinet in Toowoomba. Mr Hinchliffe said SQIT introduced the new faculty this year to help meet industry demand for skilled workers.

“There is massive growth in the Queensland mining industry and it’s important we have enough skilled workers to meet those demands,” Mr Hinchliffe said. “We also want to see Queenslanders take advantage of the opportunities on offer."

India, ranked among the top five global players in production of several major minerals, is poised for rapid growth in its mining industry - about five percent of the GDP. However, lack of skilled workers is set to hit the industry, creating a demand-supply gap of over 2,200 people by 2025, according to a study on mapping of human resources and skills for the mining industry in India by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Exploration Orbite (TSX VENTURE:ORT.A) is pleased to announce that it has successfully produced its first ton of high purity alumina and has done so ahead of schedule and on budget. This first ton was produced at the company's pilot facility in Cap-Chat, QC, using the company's patented process that marks an important technological quantum step forward. "Producing our first ton of high purity alumina is a major breakthrough for Orbite because it proves definitely that the innovative process we have developed is viable and suited to large scale production. It brings us that much closer to a new metallurgical alumina production facility and a high purity alumina production facility with very high added value"

Metalex Ventures (TSX:MTX) recovered a 0.72 carat white diamond from its James Bay lowlands project in Quebec — a joint venture between Metalex and Arctic Star Diamond Corp. (TSX:ADD). The B.C.-based company made the announcement on Friday among its latest drill results from the 9.3-hectare U2 kimberlite pipe. The discovery was made on the third of 11 drill holes, and Metalex indicated another 0.72-carat stone has been recovered from the fourth hole.

Western Lithium USA Corporation (WLC) and Western Uranium Corporation (WUC) said Friday that they have completed the previously announced transaction for the […]

Formation Metals Inc. (TSX:FCO) (the “Company”) is pleased to announce it has completed the equity financing (the “Financing”) announced on January 27, […]

Denison Mines Corp. has secured permits needed to reopen three uranium mines near the Grand Canyon, CB Online is reporting. The Toronto-based company already operates one uranium mine on federal land north of the iconic park. The company processes the ore extracted from the mine at a mill in Blanding, Utah.

According to a report from Reuters, Patriot Coal Corp. has halted production at its Rivers Edge metallurgical mine in West Virginia due to flooding in a sealed, mined-out area. An employee at its Rivers Edge mine discovered excess water behind two seals on March 7, which prompted the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to issue an imminent danger order, the St. Louis, Missouri-based firm said in a regulatory filing. Patriot said the flooding, which followed heavy rain, led to an evacuation of the mine.