Clustered in a volcanic crater, at 9,000-feet elevation on Hawaii's Big Island, is a contingent of tents and Legolike land rovers outfitted with miniature mining equipment.
The Juno Rovers -- about 1 metre x 1 metre in size and 30 centimetres high -- look like remote controlled toys.
Mining deeper at lower cost to companies and environment By: Kelly Louiseize
By 2010, Kelly Lake may be the site of a brand new technologically advanced Vale Inco mine. Imagine this: no shafts, no head frame, no ropes, crushers, conveyor belts, no toggle replacements, no main ore passes, no haulage trucks, little diesel fumes and no drifts larger than 12-by-12 feet.
Welcome to the Rail-Veyor operated mine. In a city that has hauled ore from its belly for more than 100 years, change is coming. A second feasibility study on Kelly Lake is looking at an all Rail-Veyor option.
