Winners Announced in the 2022 NIOSH Mine Safety and Health Technology Innovations Awards
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Mining Program, in conjunction with the Essential Minerals Association, the National Mining Association, and the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, recognized four organizations in their respective industry sectors, some for developing new safety equipment and systems, and others for employing new technology or for cleverly reconfiguring a worksite to gain health and safety advantages. The four award categories are: industrial minerals; coal; metal; and stone, sand, and gravel.
Genesis Alkali won the industrial minerals award for developing an improved extraction well system that utilizes a well casing and an extension casing to ensure isolation of electrical components from potentially hazardous mine gases. Invented by Genesis Alkali’s engineers, the technology provides an extra layer of protection to ensure the electrical components are isolated from the mine atmosphere while still allowing water to enter the pump intake. Permit applications are pending that will allow the company’s Westvaco Mine to implement the technology.