View Post

A Mining Dust Control Breakthrough: Transforming an Underground Mine with MineKleen Plus

In Mine & Quarry, Underground Mine Dust Control by Steve Vitale

Midwest was recently invited to a large underground mine in Canada to showcase the efficacy of the MineKleen Plus system in controlling dust levels. The project’s primary objective was to address dust issues in areas currently treated with various products, including leading competitors using base oils, asphalt emulsions, and MgCl. What transpired during our visit was nothing short of exceptional …

View Post

Alaska’s Oil Industry Restart Brings Attention to One of “America’s Loneliest Roads” and Rural Road Construction

In County Roads, Gravel Roads, Roads, Unpaved Roads by Bob Vitale

The Biden Administration’s approval of the Willow project will exponentially expand Alaska’s oil and mining industry. Symbolizing a brighter future for its economy, this oil revival has also left Alaska with two simple facts: the Willow project has received the green light and that means heavier traffic for one of “America’s loneliest roads,” the Dalton Highway, bringing the topic of …

View Post

Water is the Enemy of Gravel Runway Surface Maintenance

In EK35®, Gravel Runway by Steve Vitale

Back in May, a Boeing 737-200 made Canadian news after taking its final voyage to Cambridge Bay. What made the plane, nicknamed “Spirit of Yellowknife,” so special was its ability to land on gravel runways. The Canadian North aircraft received modifications from a special Boeing kit to make it compatible with operation on gravel runways while its destination airports remained vigilant about …

View Post

Why Water for Dust Control Is Unsustainable

In Dust Control, EnviroKleen®, Environment, Guided Self Apply Dust Control, Industrial Facilities by Steve Vitale

Water sustainability became a pressing topic in 2020 as a record-breaking drought settled across the United States, almost covering the entirety of the country’s Western half with pockets in the Midwest and East Coast regions. The drought spanned from the same year through 2022 after winter precipitation was believed to have delivered the much-needed moisture. If life-need water supply is …

View Post

OSHA to Enhance Enforcement of Pre-COVID Silica Dust Control Regulations

In Dust Control, EnviroKleen®, Guided Self Apply Dust Control, Industrial Facilities, Road & Surface Management by Steve Vitale

In 2018, OSHA released its latest set of silica dust control regulations geared towards reducing workers’ exposure. OSHA became concerned when they received 116 infractions, 80% of which were deemed severe, within the beginning of the same year. OSHA noted these serious violations were compounded by numerous other infringements. Taking in the reality of industrial yard spaces, the agency decided …