Big firms finding it hard to fill skilled jobs at Arizona mines

As part of training in 2011, UA student Mark Iobst helped guide a drill bit by communicating with the operator (not pictured) of a single-boom jumbo drive drill.

Star 200: Southern Arizona's big companies finding it hard to fill skilled jobs at Arizona mines

A second straight year of dropping copper prices has done little to slake Southern Arizona's two biggest mining employers' thirst for new workers.

Arizona is new frontier in search for vital 'rare earth' elements

The periodic table lists 17 rare-earth minerals. Clockwise from top left is allanite, containing cerium; agardite containing yttrium; lanthanite containing neodymium used in alloys for permanent magnets and glass; and davidite, known to be found in Pima County, which has lanthanum, used in o…

Arizona is new frontier in search for vital 'rare earth' elements

Caption unavailable

Arizona is new frontier in search for vital 'rare earth' elements

Caption unavailable

Arizona is new frontier in search for vital 'rare earth' elements

Caption unavailable

Arizona is new frontier in search for vital 'rare earth' elements

Caption unavailable

Arizona is new frontier in search for vital 'rare earth' elements

Caption unavailable

Arizona is new frontier in search for vital 'rare earth' elements

Caption unavailable

Arizona is new frontier in search for vital 'rare earth' elements

Caption unavailable

Arizona is new frontier in search for vital 'rare earth' elements

A growing global concern about supplies of "rare earth" elements for computers, hybrid cars and other staples of everyday life has sparked exploration in Arizona and across the Southwest.

Tucson tech: Mining tech firm carving niche in fatigue detection

Caption unavailable

Tucson tech: Mining tech firm carving niche in fatigue detection

Guardvant's technology monitors driver awareness, detecting if they fall asleep at the wheel of a large truck such as this one at Codelco's Andine Mine. An alarm would be sounded to awaken them.

Tucson tech: Mining tech firm carving niche in fatigue detection

Guardvant's proximity awareness system features a cockpit camera display and uses radar and GPS to pinpoint hazards.

Tucson tech: Mining tech firm carving niche in fatigue detection

Falling asleep at work is never a good thing.

Emissions rose 22 percent in 2011, EPA report details

Mining companies are trying to manage the problems with tailings, such as these at the Asarco mine near Green Valley. Among the procedures Asarco is using to control dust is spraying additives onto tailings to create a crust that's less likely to blow off.

Toxic releases by Arizona mines increasing

Activity at Arizona's mines is surging, and so is the release of toxic materials.

Mining concern to pay $60K fine for Marana spill

An Asarco mining operation has agreed to pay a $60,000 fine and take preventive steps valued at $50,000 to resolve water-quality violations caused by a June 2010 pipeline spill at the Silver Bell Copper Mine near Marana, state regulators said Tuesday.

Report: Mineral royalties untapped

The dollar value of hard-rock minerals mined on federal land by companies is unknown because royalties from the sale of those minerals aren't paid to the federal government, a new report said Wednesday.

UA wins grant to study biodiesel fuel

Researchers at the University of Arizona have won a $1.4 million grant to study the occupational and environmental health effects of underground mining equipment that runs on biodiesel-blend fuels.