Explosives Industry News - February 20, 2019

Brazil Bans Upstream Mining Dams After Vale’s Latest Disaster

Brazil is prohibiting a specific type of tailings dam after two of those structures owned by miner Vale SA burst in recent years, causing death and environmental devastation.

All so-called upstream dams need to be decommissioned or removed by August 2021, according to a resolution the National Mining Agency, or ANM, published on Monday in the nation’s official gazette. Dam owners have until Aug. 15 to complete a technical plan for the dams, which at a minimum need to include reinforcing existing structures or building new retention structures.

Visit https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-18/brazil-bans-upstream-mining-dams-after-vale-s-latest-disaster to view the full article online.

Ford Says Carmakers May Need to Invest in Cobalt Mines Soon

Carmakers may have to consider investing directly in cobalt mines to secure supply over the next three to five years, as demand for the metal used in rechargeable batteries is set to increase exponentially, Ford Motor Co. senior manager for energy storage strategy and research Ted Miller believes. Speaking at a mining industry event in South Africa, Miller said the auto industry is now in an "awkward position" of actually driving the cobalt price on the back of electric vehicles' (EVs) battery production needs.

Visit http://www.mining.com/ford-says-carmakers-may-need-invest-cobalt-mines-soon/ to view the full article online.

Industry News

45th Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique Breaks Attendance Record

More than 1,800 people from around the world met Jan. 27-30, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn., for the 45th Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique, setting a new attendance record for the ISEE conference on explosives engineering.

The conference included technical and poster sessions, workshops, industry socials and more than 180 exhibits showcasing latest technology. Keynote presenter and futurist David Houle kicked off the event with his discussion on emerging global trends and how they could affect the future of the explosives industry.

Visit https://www.isee.org/news/conference-news/126-2019-conference/434-45th-annual-conference-on-explosives-blasting-technique-breaks-attendance-record to view the full article online.

Bringing the Boom to Music City (Video)

Watch the Nashville, Tenn., WSMV TV news report from the 45th Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique.

Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROFTh0B7GSA to view the full article online.

Calling All Students: ISEE Accepting Scholarship Applications

This year, the SEE Education Foundation will be awarding $88,000 USD in scholarships to students pursuing degrees related to the explosives industry. This year will also feature an inaugural award from the Dale Ramsey Memorial Scholarship Fund. Created to honor the memory and legacy of an ISEE leader, this scholarship will mark the beginning of a lasting tribute to a man who gave so much of himself to the ISEE, and more significantly, students wishing to join our industry.

To be eligible for a scholarship, students must be, or plan to be, pursuing a technical, undergraduate, master’s or doctorate degree in fields of study related to the commercial explosives industries. Students will be evaluated on their academic and professional achievements, their goals related to the industry, a personal challenges narrative and a statement of financial need. The deadline to apply is May 3, 2019.

Visit https://www.isee.org/news/433-calling-all-students-isee-accepting-scholarship-applications-2 to view the full article online.

2019 Ohio Drilling & Blasting Conference Registration Now Open

The Ohio Drilling and Blasting Conference kicks off from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 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.

Ohio Drilling and Blasting is co-sponsored by International Society of Explosives Engineers; Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association; Ohio Coal Association; and is endorsed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Visit https://www.isee.org/2019-ohio-drilling-and-blasting-conference to view the full article online.

New Mailing Addresses for Many ATF Registration Forms

ATF is changing the physical mailing address for Federal explosives license/permit applications (ATF F 5400.13/5400.16) and renewals (ATF F 5400.14/5400.15). Beginning immediately, please send all such applications to:

Federal Explosives Licensing Center
P.O. Box 6200-18
Portland, OR 97228-6200

Any applications recently sent to the previous (Atlanta) address will be forwarded automatically. However, this forwarding service will remain in effect for only 90 days from February 1, 2019. So please make sure all your members have the new address.

Visit https://www.atf.gov/resource-center/new-mailing-addresses-many-atf-registration-forms to view the full article online.

Chapter News

Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter Makes $20,000 Contribution To SEE Education Foundation

The Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter recently made a $20,000 contribution to the SEE Education Foundation. Under the SEE Education Foundation are a number of endowments, one of which is the Dale Ramsey Memorial Scholarship Fund. This fund has been established to commemorate the drive and passion Dale Ramsey showed for the Society and for students pursuing degrees in the industry. This fund specifically is awarded to a Pennsylvania student in the drilling and blasting industry.

Visit http://www.easternpaisee.com/eastern-pennsylvania-chapter-makes-20000-contribution-to-see-education-foundation/ to view the full article online.