Pit & Quarry articles from March 2003

Pit & Quarry archives from March 2003

The Office of the Inspector General conducts surprise raids at three of MSHA's offices. (Top News).(Mine Safety and Health Administration)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * The Office of the Inspector General conducts surprise raids at three of MSHA's offices, in order to determine the merits of allegations regarding improper contracting procedures, government credit card practices, nepotism and computer...

Oglebay Norton Co. completes its previously announced acquisition of Erie Sand & Gravel Co. (Top News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Oglebay Norton Co. completes its previously announced acquisition of Erie Sand & Gravel Co., located in Erie, Pa. Terms of the deal are not disclosed.

The House and Senate pass an omnibus FY 2003 spending bill that will fund the highway program at $31.6 billion. (Top News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * The House and Senate pass an omnibus FY 2003 spending bill that will fund the highway program at $31.6 billion. This amount is reduced slightly from the $31.8 billion level of FY 2002 due to a last-minute, across-the-board spending cut.

The aggregate industry's Wendt Memorial Commitment Award goes to E. Mark Deister of Deister Machine Co. Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind. (Top News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * The aggregate industry's Wendt Memorial Commitment Award goes to E. Mark Deister of Deister Machine Co. Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind., for exceptional and exemplary dedication to the aggregates industry, his family and his community.

Representatives of hundreds of aggregate producers and aggregate industry companies meet in Orlando, Fla. (Top News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Representatives of hundreds of aggregate producers and aggregate industry companies meet in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 8-11 for NSSGA's annual convention and the kick-off of the 100th year in which the aggregates industry has had a formal national...

Washington wire. (Out in front: this month's critical trends and topics).(National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association alliance with Mine Safety and Health Administration)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... NSSGA and MSHA have entered into an alliance aimed at preventing injuries and illnesses at U.S. aggregate operations, jointly agreeing to adopt safety and health performance goals with objective measures. The agreement calls for the two...

Red flags. (Out in front: this month's critical trends and topics).(Mine Safety and Health Administration to raise penalty fees)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * According to NSSGA, MSHA has announced its intention to raise most fees for civil penalties 10 percent or more to account for inflation. The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 requires MSHA to do this every four years, but the agency...

Stock watch. (Out in front: this month's critical trends and topics).(stock prices, various aggregates companies)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
March 1, 2003... STOCK WATCH (AT PRESS TIME) THIS MONTH LAST MONTH Cemex SA f 17.72 21.68 Centex Construction Prod. f 34.077 35.77 Florida Rock Industries f 34.37 34.85...

Essential economics. (Out in front: this month's critical trends and topics).(construction contract values)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Nonbuilding construction in December fell 13 percent, after jumping 28 percent in the previous month. Reduced contracting was reported for highways, down 2 percent; bridges, down 6 percent; sewers, down 6 percent; and miscellaneous site work....

Construction put in place during December 2002 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $858.3 billion. (Other Economic News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Construction put in place during December 2002 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $858.3 billion, 1.2 percent above the revised November estimate of $847.9 billion, according to the U.S. Commerce Department's Census Bureau....

Road and highway construction accelerated in December, to $45.3 billion. (Other Economic News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Road and highway construction accelerated in December, to $45.3 billion, compared to a revised $44.1 billion in November, says AEM.

MSHA under fire. (Mark My Words).(Office of the Inspector General raids Mine Safety and Health Administration)
March 1, 2003... Typically, MSHA is the one doing the investigating, but all of a sudden the shoe is on the other foot. In January, federal investigators from the Office of the Inspector General conducted surprise raids at three of the agency's offices seeking...

Stackable conveyors. (Brand new: just released to the market).
March 1, 2003... Superior Industries' new Stackable Conveyors feature a design concept that allows the transport of up to eight conveyors in one load. Additionally, Stackable Conveyors are multi-functional and can perform as transfer, stacking or low-profile...

Mobile impact crusher. (Brand new: just released to the market).
March 1, 2003... Komatsu America Corp.'s new 84,440 lb. BR480RG-1 mobile impact crusher is designed to provide mobile productivity for recycling, demolition and secondary rock crushing applications. It is the largest impact crusher in Komatsu's mobile crusher...

Diesel-engine welder/generator. (Brand new: just released to the market).
March 1, 2003... The Ranger 305D from Lincoln Electric is a powerful stick, TIG, wire and pipe welding engine-driven power source that is built with a totally enclosed case for maximum protection. Other features include Lincoln Electric's Chopper Technology for...

Oglebay Norton acquires Erie Sand & Gravel. (Stockpile: the latest producer news).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Oglebay Norton Co. has completed the previously announced acquisition of Erie Sand & Gravel Co., located in Erie, Pa. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Erie Sand & Gravel Co. operates a dock, a Great Lakes Flag vessel, a ready-mix...

Vulcan asphalt plants recognized for excellence in operations. (Stockpile: the latest producer news).(Vulcan Materials Co.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Vulcan Materials Co. announced that six asphalt plants in its Western Division have received the Diamond Achievement Commendation for Excellence in Hot Mix Asphalt Plant/Site Operations from the National Asphalt Pavement Association. The plants...

Mark Deister wins Wendt Memorial Commitment Award. (Stockpile: the latest producer news).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... This year, the aggregates industry's Wendt Memorial Commitment Award went to E. Mark Deister of Deister Machine Co. Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind., for exceptional and exemplary dedication to the aggregates industry, his family and his community. ...

Caterpillar announces EPA certification of ACERT engine technology. (Stockpile: the latest producer news).(Advanced Combustion Emission Reduction Technology)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Caterpillar Inc. received certification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the company's first engine equipped with Advanced Combustion Emission Reduction Technology (ACERT). The technology provides a long-term emissions...

Terex Corp. announced the formation of Terex Financial Services.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Terex Corp. announced the formation of Terex Financial Services. This financial services unit will offer Terex customers a complete line of financial products and services to assist in the acquisition of Terex equipment. In North...

McLanahan Corp., Hollidaysburg, Pa., signed a cooperation agreement with KHD Humboldt Wedag AG, Cologne, Germany.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * McLanahan Corp., Hollidaysburg, Pa., signed a cooperation agreement with KHD Humboldt Wedag AG, Cologne, Germany, to sell, manufacture and service KHD's jig and flotation equipment in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Stedman has formed a new affiliate, Innovative Processing Solutions LLC, which will use equipment from Stedman and other top manufacturers to create a variety of systems, ranging from single processing stations, bins and conveyors to complete turnkey systems.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Stedman has formed a new affiliate, Innovative Processing Solutions LLC, which will use equipment from Stedman and other top manufacturers to create a variety of systems, ranging from single processing stations, bins and conveyors to complete...

Pennsylvania. (Northeast).(Essroc Cement Co. permit faces resident approval)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Nazareth area residents will have a chance to influence a pending construction permit for Essroc Cement Co. at a public hearing sponsored by the state Department of Environmental Protection. The cement company needs the permit to go forward...

Georgia. (Southeast).(APAC Inc. to consolidate Barrus, South Carolina divisions)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... APAC Inc., the nation's largest highway construction company, announced that it is consolidating its Barrus Division, located in Kinston, N.C., and its South Carolina Division, based in Darlington, S.C., into the new Coastal Carolina Division...

Maryland. (Southeast).(National Asphalt Pavement Association sponsors construction awards)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) announced the winners of its 2002 Quality in Construction Awards. The Quality in Construction Awards recognize Hot Mix Asphalt pavements of excellence. Included among the many winners are Brannan...

Virginia. (Southeast).(rock quarry opposed in Dinwiddie)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Douglas Coutu, a 1998 graduate of Dinwiddie High School, doesn't understand why dozens of county residents are vehemently opposed to a second rock quarry operating in northeast Dinwiddie. "I think Tidewater Quarries is an organization that's...

Washington, D.C. (Southeast).(elimination of dividend taxes could help AGC members)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... President Bush's proposal to end the taxation of corporate dividends to shareholders could dramatically benefit the roughly 60 percent of AGC member construction companies organized as privately held C corporations. The Bush proposal would...

Illinois. (North Central).(mine project considered in Bartlett)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers (IAAP) is holding a legislative breakfast April 16. The IAAP, in a joint effort with the Associated General Contractors of Illinois, will hold the event at the Sangamo Club in Springfield, Ill....

Iowa. (North Central).(Iowa Limestone Producers Association receives awards)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The National Stone Sand & Gravel Association recognized the Iowa Limestone Producers Association (ILPA) in two of its award categories. The Aglime Committee's support of the Dr. M.A. Tabatabai study at Iowa State University won a Silver...

Ohio. (North Central).(transportation financing plan; Milton Materials seeks quarry permit)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association reports that Governor Bob Taft has proposed a 10-year, $5 billion transportation-financing plan. The plan to rebuild Ohio's aging highway system calls for a phased-in motor fuel tax of two...

Wisconsin. (North Central).(Aggregate Producers of Wisconsin elects board of directors)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Aggregate Producers of Wisconsin recently elected new additions to its board of directors. Larry Burcalow (Yahara Materials) was re-elected to a three-year term. Also elected to three-year terms were first time directors Steve Shea (Wingra...

Colorado. (Rocky Mountain).(Lafarge West Inc. receives award from Colorado Rock Products Association)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Colorado Rock Products Association reports that Lafarge West Inc. was awarded "Business Of The Year" at the annual West Chamber year-end event sponsored by the Denver West Chamber of Commerce. Lafarge West Inc. has worked with Jefferson...

Kansas. (Rocky Mountain).(N.R. Hamm Quarry Inc. seeks expansion permit)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Bob Miller figures that a few strands of barbed wire fence are all that stand between his two-bedroom home and the looming expansion of a quarry operation 1,000 ft. away. But if officials at N.R. Hamm Quarry Inc. want to tack another 129 acres...

Arizona. (Pacific).(Arizona Portland Cement Co. cited for air pollution)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... A cement company in Rillito has received two notices of air pollution violations, state officials say. Arizona Portland Cement Co. released a statement saying that while the plant violated federal standards for dioxins and furans, it met...

California. (Pacific).(Construction Materials Association of California conference)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Construction Materials Association of California held its 2003 Annual Conference, The Road to Success, February 18-19. The conference featured educational opportunities for all segments of the industry, keynotes from leading experts and its...

Idaho. (Pacific).(Ralph Naylor Farms applies for water right)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... A family corporation applying for a water right says it has no intentions of draining down aquifers for clay mining, but local officials are researching how much groundwater Ralph Naylor Farms might use. "This whole thing has been blown way out...

Nevada. (Pacific).(Cashman Equipment Co. promotions, appointments)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Cashman Equipment Co., Nevada's Caterpillar construction equipment and power solutions dealer, recently promoted several internal employees to new positions and appointed two new managers. Promotions on the sales side include: Jeff Maxson as...

Washington. (Pacific).(Atlas Sand and Gravel receives operation permit)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... A gravel and asphalt operation proposed for property west of Clarkston got the green light in Asotin County. County officials approved Atlas Sand and Gravel's conditional use permit for a sand and gravel pit, rock quarry, asphalt and concrete...

New generation artics. (TechWatch: cutting-edge solutions).(articulated haul trucks from Terex Construction Americas)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2003... Terex Construction Americas' three new vehicles--the TA25, TA27 and TA30--feature numerous engineering improvements that constitute a new generation of Terex articulated haul trucks--Generation 7. The new Generation 7 trucks have been...

Smooth and stable. (TechWatch: cutting-edge solutions).(John Deere wheel loaders)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2003... The new John Deere 724J, 744J and 824J wheel loaders feature improved stability, a smoother ride and other important design highlights. "The J-Series loaders are built to deliver optimal performance for their bucket size, all the way up to...

Mid-size loaders. (TechWatch: cutting-edge Solutions).(Volvo Construction Equipment wheel loaders)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2003... Volvo Construction Equipment's new medium-range group of E-Series wheel loaders includes the new L60E, L70E, L90E and L110E, as well as the L120E, which was introduced last year. The vehicles are equipped with a new, electronically controlled,...

Vehicle data in the palm of your hand. (eBusiness: update for the wired world).(Machine Information Center from Hitachi)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2003... The Machine Information Center (MIC) from Hitachi (www.hitachiconstruction.com) is an onboard data logger, which comes standard on the company's Zaxis excavators and works in tandem with an optional MIC kit to access the data. One kit is all...

Dust collection. (Software Solutions).
March 1, 2003... Farr Air Pollution Control has published a new software program and catalog that provide the tools and information needed to make informed decisions about dust collector design and selection. The CD incorporates a user-friendly Spec Generator...

New plant in the old pit: Vulcan Materials' Reliance Rock operation gets new equipment and access to precious reserves. (Plant Operations).(K.S. Mechanical Co. builds plant)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... An Ice Age ago, just east of Los Angeles, mountain streams flushed large amounts of rock and sand down the San Gabriel Mountains. The rushing water slowed as it reached the foothills, depositing its rich load of sediment near what is now...

Have crusher will travel: Weber Sand & Gravel uses a portable crusher to expand its contract crushing business. (E&T Crushing).(Grasan road-portable crushing system)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2003... Weber Sand & Gravel Inc. will go just about anywhere to crush material. "As long as its a minimum of 25,000 tons of concrete or asphalt rubble, demolition debris, limestone, even slag in steel mills," says Scott Weber, vice president. Weber...

One great (lakes) strategy: through a partnership with another carrier on the lakes, Oglebay Norton is able to provide its customers with delivered pricing. (E&T Hauling).(Advertisement)
March 1, 2003... Oglebay Norton Company's Great Lakes strategy evolved after a thorough analysis of the company's operating practices on the Great Lakes showed there was substantial opportunity to better utilize the Great Lakes Minerals segment's assets and at...

Discovering the lost aggregate opportunity: fine aggregates can have unique characteristics, which can affect the concrete. (E&T Technical Session--Part Four).
March 1, 2003... Aggregates make up 80 percent of the volume of concrete, yet aggregates producers know very little about how aggregates influence their concrete clients' business--either positively or negatively. Only through understanding how aggregates work...

Trommel screens. (Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace).
March 1, 2003... Doppstadt's SM line of trommel screens, includes its most popular model, the SM518. Equipped with a patented load-sensing device, the SM518 is designed to ensure maximum utilization of the entire 240-sq.-ft. screen. The direct pinion-driven,...

Bin level indicator. (Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace).
March 1, 2003... The Model KP bin level indicator from K-Tek Corp. is a robust paddle switch that comes with all available features and options at a price 15-percent less than comparable switches, according to the company. The unit features a screw-off cover...

Conveyor belt cleaner. (Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace).
March 1, 2003... A new version of curved-blade conveyor belt cleaners offered by Flexco--the Eliminator Belle Banne, U-type, C-blade cleaner--now lets the high-efficiency tungsten carbide cleaning traditionally reserved for vulcanized belts serve those using...

Dual delay. (Product Highlight).
March 1, 2003... The Shock-Star Dual-Delay from Austin Powder Co. combines a specialized surface detonator and high-strength, in-hole detonator in one assembly. Therefore, users have one unit to store, inventory and transport. Fewer connections are required for...

Mobile pressure washer. (Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace).
March 1, 2003... The indoor pressure washer from Water Cannon is a self-contained mobile unit, which features an environmentally friendly 10-hp Marathon electric motor with magnetic starter for clean, long life capability. At 4 gpm@4,200 psi, it delivers...

Blasting seismograph. (Product Highlight).
March 1, 2003... The GeoSonics/Vibra-Tech SSU 3000LCP Plus seismograph combines convenience with durability. Its features include a full-sized keyboard for easy data entry, an 80-character LCD for immediate display of results and a large thermal printer that...

Secondary screen plants. (Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace).
March 1, 2003... Two rugged secondary screen plants for numerous aggregate processing applications have been added to the product line manufactured and marketed by Inertia Machine. The 5-ft. x 16-ft. plant combines Inertia's two-deck screen with the company's...

Temperature protection. (Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace).
March 1, 2003... Petro-Canada has launched DuraTran Synthetic. The company says it's the first full-synthetic transmission/hydraulic fluid (THF) for use in off-highway machinery. DuraTran Synthetic features Petro-Canada's Total Temperature Protection formula...

Transfer conveyor. (Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace).
March 1, 2003... Superior Industries' Extender-Plus telescoping transfer conveyor is a hydraulically operated unit that is designed and engineered based on input from producers in the field. The Extender-Plus eliminates the need for multiple transfer conveyor...

Horizontal shaft impactor. (Product Highlight).
March 1, 2003... Designed to increase profits by maximizing production, the Mega-Slam primary/secondary horizontal shaft impactor manufactured by Stedman handles feed sizes beyond the range of conventional secondary impactors. Stedman builds five Mega-Slam...

Split roller bearings. (Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace).
March 1, 2003... Craft Bearing Co. has added a new S2 heavy-duty series to its industry standard line of split roller bearings. In the aggregates industry, the split bearing has applications in crushers, cranes, conveyors, bucket elevators, fans, screens and...

Belt scale. (Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace).
March 1, 2003... The Milltronics single idler belt scale (MSI) provides continuous in-line weighing on a variety of products in primary and secondary industries. It is proven in a wide range of applications from extraction--in mines, quarries and pits--to power...

Blasting seismograph. (Product Highlight).
March 1, 2003... The Blastmate III from Instantel Inc. offers industry-leading features, packaged with a full keyboard and a high-resolution thermal printer. This allows users to set up, add notes and print complete event reports in the field, without a...

Screen. (Equipment showcase: your productivity marketplace).
March 1, 2003... Simplicity Engineering offers the OmniScreen, with a modular design that allows for a wide range of customization and configurations to accurately satisfy specific screening demands. Producers can tune the modules to provide specific...

Congress passes 2003 spending bill; highways funded at $31.6 billion for FY 2003. (National affairs: key issues).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The House and Senate passed an omnibus FY 2003 spending bill that will fund the highway program at $31.6 billion. This amount was reduced slightly from the $31.8 billion level of FY 2002 due to a last-minute, across-the-board spending cut that...

New construction in 2002 climbed 1 percent; down 3 percent in December. (National affairs: key issues).
March 1, 2003... New construction starts retreated 3 percent in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $490.5 billion, it was reported by McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Both nonresidential and residential...

Proposal to index gas tax gains momentum. (National affairs: key issues).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.) spoke in favor of a proposal by The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) to index the federal gas tax to the Consumer Price Index. "Indexing the...

Great Lakes shipments down. (National affairs: key issues).(limestone, cement shipments)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that material shipments on the Great Lakes, including that of limestone and cement, were down in 2002 compared to 2001. The paper says that it is the fifth consecutive year that the number of tons shipped has...

MSHA faces surprise investigation from Office of the Inspector General. (National affairs: key issues).(Mine Safety and Health Administration)
March 1, 2003... The Mine Safety and Health Administration finds itself on the other side of the magnifying glass as teams of federal investigators from the Office of the Inspector General conducted surprise raids at three of the agency's offices. Pit &...

NSSGA expands. (National affairs: key issues).(Joe Colaneri, John Boling appointed at National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... NSSGA's Government Affairs Division has added two new employees to meet its growing needs. Joe Colaneri and John Boling will both serve as directors of government affairs.

The 2 x 4 didn't help. (Safety: key issues).(safety violation against sand, gravel plant foreman and president)
March 1, 2003... On October 19, 1994, an administrative law judge (ALJ) handed down a decision against the president and plant foreman of a sand and gravel company. The plant foreman was ordered to pay a $500 personal fine and the president was ordered to pay a...

Under the influence. (Law: key issues).(employee alcohol abuse)
March 1, 2003... One of the great challenges for employers is to avoid the myriad workplace problems that come with employee alcohol and drug abuse, on the job or off. This article focuses on alcohol, which is legal but may cause more problems than any other...

Northeast report. (Economics: key issues).(stone industry)
March 1, 2003... Stone producers in the Northeast region of the United States are confronting challenging market conditions, higher fuel prices, jitters about a war with Iraq, saber rattling by North Korea and exceptionally tight state budgets that could lead...

Judge reduces penalties citing financial condition. (Legal highlights: key issues).(Upper Valley Materials Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Review Commission Judge Todd Hodgdon approved a settlement reducing MSHA's proposed penalties for 14 violations of Part 56 standards from $9,107 to $1,000 for Upper Valley Materials, citing the company's financial condition. The case arose...

World cement, additives demand to grow. (CemenTrends: news from the cement industry).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... World demand for cement and concrete additives is forecast to rise 6.3 percent per year through 2006 to $3.9 billion. These and other trends are presented in "World Cement & Concrete Additives," a new study from The Freedonia Group Inc., a...

The 45th Cement Industry Technical Conference will be held in Dallas May 4-9.
March 1, 2003... * The 45th Cement Industry Technical Conference will be held in Dallas May 4-9. Sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' Industry Applications Society (IEEE-IAS) and the Portland Cement Association (PCA), the...

Charles W. Moore Jr., retired from Lehigh (Portland) Cement Co. as plant manager after 34 years of service.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Charles W. Moore Jr., retired from Lehigh (Portland) Cement Co. as plant manager after 34 years of service. Allan P. Graves has been named the new plant manager.

Cement manufacturers pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions. (CemenTrends: news from the cement industry).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Members of the Portland Cement Association have adopted the goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2020. However, the goal is a reduction of only 10 percent per ton of product from 1990 levels. The goal is consistent with the...