The mining industry has been at the heart of the American economy from the very start, with the California Gold Rush of the 1850s and the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s drawing huge numbers west in search of their fortune.
Today, it is estimated that the mining industry in America contributes over $78 billion to the country’s economy. It directly employs over half a million people, and it supports many more in associated sectors.
As of 2022, there were over 12,500 active mines in the United States. Of these, over 6,000 provide sand and gravel for major construction projects across the country, 4,200 produce stone and nearly 1,000 produce coal for power stations and the smelting industry.
There are also 280 metal mines, producing key elements such as iron ore, nickel, gold and silver, as well as the lithium that is so vital in the batteries of everything from cell phones to electric vehicles.
Firesleeve protects mines and miners
Despite employing over 550,000 people, often in extremely hazardous conditions far below ground, there were just 40 fatalities in the US mining industry in 2023. This is largely thanks to the strict rules of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MHSA), which sets the most stringent standards for mine safety and operation.
National Firesleeve are proud to meet the requirements of the MSHA’s Standard Application Procedures for Acceptance of Flame-Resistant Solid Products Taken into Mines, for our state of the art protective firesleeves. This not only ensures complete regulatory compliance for all kinds of mining equipment and underground installations, it also gives you complete peace of mind when it comes to the health and safety of your workforce.
Rising to the challenge
Mining represents some of the harshest and most hazardous conditions of any US industry, with workers using heavy equipment in enclosed spaces underground. In addition, mines often require complex electrical systems to power ventilation, lighting and communications, and some mines use corrosive chemicals as part of their extraction process.
National Firesleeve provides first class protection in a wide range of ways to make mining safer, protecting both the workforce and the valuable equipment and infrastructure that they use. Breakdowns and equipment failures can be costly, while accidents and fires can be catastrophic. National Firesleeve protects both the profits and the people of the mining industry with tried and tested products.
Fire, heat, abrasion and chemical protection
National Firesleeve protects mineworkers and their equipment from a number of crucial threats that the mine environment holds:
- Fire protection – Firesleeve protects equipment from the heat and sparks generated by mining activities, creating a protective barrier around hoses, wires and cables.
- Chemical protection – Firesleeve provides protection against the kind of corrosive chemicals and solvents found in mines, while also preventing leakage of these fluids.
- Abrasion protection – Firesleeve protects equipment from abrasion in rough terrain and harsh environments, extending their lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.
- Heat protection – Firesleeve’s outstanding thermal insulation protects workers and equipment from the heat generated by mining machinery.
- Electrical protection – Firesleeve reduces the risk of sparks and shorts that can compromise electrical systems and cause dangerous electrical fires.
Find out more about Firesleeve
To find out more about National Firesleeve’s British made firesleeves, and our wide range of other high quality protection products, such as self-fusing silicone tape and Flexguard hose burst ballistic nylon, KV with our team today.
From everyday use in planes, trains and automobiles, to the most demanding of environments like mining and smelting, you can count on Firesleeve to keep your people, your equipment and your products safe.
