Tuesday, March 17
7:30 – 9 A.M.
T41- Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Crushing But Were Afraid To Ask
Mark Krause, McLanahan Corp.
This session provides an overview of crushing, including the different types of primary and secondary crushers; pros and cons associated with the different types; what site conditions to consider when choosing crushers; and how to optimize the process given a particular crusher. Topics covered will be types of crushers available; the features and benefits of each, along with expected production capabilities, end products and costs associated with using the various methods. Videos will show how various machines work and why maintenance practices and proper monitoring is critical to the optimal operation of each machine.
T42- Conveyors: Design, Maintenance & Their Effect On Material Segregation
Jarrod Felton, Superior Industries
The harsh operating conditions experienced by aggregate conveyor systems not only increase the need for proper maintenance, but they also create a need for design considerations that facilitate proper maintenance. In many cases, proper design considerations reduce the cost and time involved with conveyor maintenance. In addition, this course will explore stockpiling and material segregation.
T43- 3D Mobile Mapping For Stockpile Inventory Analysis
Mark Farber, H2H Associates LLC
3D mobile mapping is rapidly becoming the method of choice for quarry managers and accountants who require safe, accurate and cost-effective inventories of their material stockpiles. Vehicle-mounted mobile laser scanning allows efficient collection of millions of data points on irregular piles and in areas with difficult and dangerous access – usually with no effect on production. Newly developed drone-based aerial surveys have enabled the safe collection of data in inaccessible areas with higher accuracies than ever before. Data collection in a typical quarry has been reduced to a matter of hours. Processing of data and calculation of pile volumes is accomplished with cutting-edge office software, and delivery of results has been reduced to a matter of days.
T44- Dewatering Processes For Maximum Saleable Product & Minimum Water Consumption
Sam Palombo and Alan Bennetts, Weir Minerals North America
Stockpiled sand products for asphalt and concrete ideally need to contain low moisture levels for the end user. Loss of fine sand products to settling ponds results in lost revenue and high process costs, not to mention a negative environmental impact. Additionally, settling pond space requirements and availability of water can create issues for many producers. For these reasons and more, most sand-and-gravel operations across the globe require some form of a dewatering system. This presentation will discuss a variety of dewatering processes for maximum saleable products and reduced water consumption.
T45- Permitting: It’s All About Air, Water & People
Bob Archibald, Global Proppant Supply LLC; Chuck Baxter, Turnkey Processing Solutions; Scott O’Brien, McLanahan Corp.; Hamilton White, Turnkey Processing Solutions; Bronwyn Weaver, Archibald Consulting Services LLC
This presentation describes the design technology behind eliminating air and water emissions; the equipment available to accomplish it; and how this message is effectively communicated to the community and the regulatory agencies to streamline the permitting process.
T46- Mitigating Fatigue Risk Through Technologies & Safety Culture Solutions
Todd Dawson, Caterpillar Safety Services
The stark reality that nearly half of shift workers nod off while working at least once per week has driven the development of technologies that deliver valuable information about the conditions under which employees operate. Few companies are equipped to leverage the data in a fatigue risk management system that touches all the influencers of a safety culture to deliver safer work conditions and improved performance. Learn to pull together people, processes and technologies to drive zero-incident performance. Discover the technologies used to generate safety-related data and how systems engage all levels of the organization in mitigating fatigue risk.
T11- Leadership In The 21st Century
Larry Kokkelenberg, Center for Business Development
We now have four different generations in the workplace and soon we will have five. That is unprecedented. Each generation has different values, priorities and goals. Managing and leading these individuals requires supervisors, managers and leaders to have a variety of skills. This program will show the difference between management and leadership and then demonstrate and review several different styles of leadership. Further, this program will differentiate between transactional and transformational leadership. If you want to develop your people, you will need to learn how to become a transformational leader.
9:30 – 11 A.M.
T51- Washing 101
John Bennington, Superior Industries
This presentation gives an overview of the basics of this easily misunderstood portion of operations. Topics include washing techniques, maintenance routines, classifying tanks, dewatering screws versus dewatering screens, troubleshooting of common washing problems and consequences of wrong-sized equipment. With the ever-increasing need for cost savings and efficient production of sand, especially manufactured sand, gaining this insight is invaluable.
T52- Tuning & Operations Of VSI Crushing
Neil Hise, Cemco Inc.
Learn from 44 years of experience with operation and service of vertical shaft impactor (VSI) crushers about the history of crushing. Review different types of impact crushers (such as HSI crushers) and the relationship of product/output with associated horsepower need. See a video of internal VSI crushing and hear an in-depth discussion of the dynamics and configurations of a VSI. Four types of VSI crushing will be discussed, using actual processing photos, videos and computer animation with information on how the real physics of VSI crushing is used. Specific material and obtaining best reduction ratios will be analyzed, and automation will be discussed.
T53- Developing Integrated Mine Plans
Robert Yarkosky, Golder Associates Inc.
Informed mine planning provides sustainable management and maximization of geological resources safely throughout the life of the quarry operation, resulting in minimizing the handling and double handling of overburden, aggregate and waste rock. An integrated mine plan also enables ongoing rehabilitation and restoration of your site to meet environmental and planning permit conditions. Real-life examples will be provided from the crushed-stone and related industries for consideration and analysis.
T54- How To Control Dust From Aggregate Processing
Mark Kestner, NESCO
Dust emissions from aggregate processing arise from four major sources: unpaved roads, paved roads, material processing and stockpiles. This presentation describes a method for developing a dust control plan that relies upon a combination of good operating and engineering practices, coupled with wet suppression and dry collection systems. This method is designed to comply with regulation without sacrificing productivity.
T55- Turning On The Faucet
Christopher Hopkins, The Saint Consulting Group; panel TBD
This panel discussion will address the need to work with your community on a consistent basis – not only when you are planning to expand your quarry, add an asphalt plant or need some kind of variance. The community can be your friend and asset as you initiate and take part in community activities throughout the year. Community outreach representatives from aggregates producers will give examples of what they have done over the years to successfully interact with their communities and discuss the benefits their companies have seen from these outreach efforts.
T56- The Accidental Boss
Brian Gareau, Brian Gareau Inc.
Effective leaders – now more than ever – must wear multiple hats to be successful and sustain organizational performance. Three key leadership hats desperately needed today are business, company advocate, and employee advocate hats. And, they all must be mastered. Explore tactical and practical leadership reminders on blind spots, the signs all around us, and hazards to sustainable high performance. Rediscover how some basic techniques can significantly improve the commitment, effort and loyalty of your workforce. Remember, people are the only asset an organization has that can appreciate over time – if we truly appreciate them.
T57- Adding True Value To Your Business: Developing Managers in Your Organization
Julian Smallshaw, Institute of Quarrying; and Mark Osbaldeston, Centre for Mineral Products Professional Development
The Institute of Quarrying (IQ) is a professional body within the extractives and mineral products-related industries and has members in more than 50 countries. The need to upskill and train managers to the highest level has never been more important. The institute can help your company stay one step ahead of the competition. The IQ’s unique and proven online learning resources can make the difference. The blend of face-to-face tutorials and online content together with focused assignments gives managers freedom to learn while on the job. We will demonstrate elements of core content and explain learning outcomes for each of the modules. We will also ascertain whether you have a skills gap.
T21- Ethics & Values In The Workplace
Larry Kokkelenberg, Center for Business Development
No organization will ever be ethical unless the people in it are. Ethics is an individual matter and is based on the individual’s values and emotions. This program will challenge people to understand their own behaviors; the values that drive those behaviors; and the ethical standards they wish to live by. This program will also review the more difficult and common ethical dilemmas that individuals encounter.
2 – 3:30 P.M.
T61- Screening 101
Joe Schlabach, Deister Machine Co.
This session covers basic concepts for novice plant design personnel to understand screening options. Screening is the critical cashbox of each operation. This overview will cover items like stratification, separation, bed depth and the effects of stroke, amplitude and speed. You will glean nuggets to help your existing screening operations while gaining an understanding for future plant expansions.
T62- Optimizing Plant Production To Match Sales
Bryan Lewis, BedRock Software – AggFlow
When production doesn’t match sales demand – in terms of quantity and specification product mix – producers end up with both inventory and shortfall problems. Through the use of plant simulation and flow analysis software, producers can establish a plant operation benchmark and create virtual scenarios for optimal production rates and product mix, based on market demand.
T63- Cone Crusher Optimization
Abram Woodward, Martin Marietta Materials
This presentation will cover the basics of how cone crushers operate and the process of selecting the optimal liner set and setting for your desired feed and reduction ratio. We will delve into the world of how to create a custom set of liners maximized for your plant and go through the savings created in the process. We will cover how to check the settings and the difference in output that can be seen by changing the crusher settings. Information and examples from a Martin Marietta operation will be used demonstrate the learning objectives.
T64- Eliminate The Bottleneck On The Truck Scale
Scott Dugan, JWS, A Division of Command Alkon
This session will focus on distribution at a site. It will cover technology that companies are using today to make traffic flow safer and more efficiently. The use of driver kiosks, RFID, mobile tablets and camera integration will be discussed to show how technology can bring better accuracy and safety to the processes around site distribution.
T65- Improving Conveyor Serviceability & Safety, Simultaneously
Greg Bierie and Andy Marti, Martin Engineering
This presentation will examine conveyor service requirements and then present ways to simplify and improve the safety of these procedures through improved, redesigned conveyor components.
T66- The Sustainable Fuel For High Performance: Employee Engagement
Brian Gareau, Brian Gareau Inc.
Many businesses today struggle with people issues, including the ability to attract and retain the best talent; employee resistance to change; and individual accountability. These people issues create frustration, waste and lost performance. Ultimately, how employees think and feel impacts how they act. Their actions and behaviors then impact your organization’s brand, customer service, work culture, and bottom-line performance. Join us for an interactive session on practical and tactical ways to keep your organization’s performance fuel tank full with employee engagement.
T67- Cost-Effective Automated Haul Trucks For The Aggregates Industry
Travis Chewning, Luck Stone; and Jeremy Brown, Jaybridge Robotics
From autonomous haul trucks in giant mines of the Australian outback to autonomous tractors in the American heartland, autonomous vehicles are changing the landscape of business. Hear a story about a cost-effective automated haul truck aimed at serving the aggregates industry in the immediate future. Over the last two years, Luck Stone and automation developer Jaybridge Robotics teamed to make this vision a reality. In this talk, they’ll make the case that haul truck automation is a technology for the aggregates industry in this decade, rather than decades from now. They’ll show how innovation can flourish when industry stalwarts and technology entrepreneurs work together.
Wednesday, March 18
9:30 – 11 A.M.
W51- Processing Sand: The Right Way For Your Application
Rick Madara, McLanahan Corp.
This topic will focus on traditional sand-processing methods (sand tanks, screw washers) as they compare to newer technologies (cyclones, separators and dewatering screens). Contrary to popular belief, in most instances there are very specific reasons why one process is better than the other. The speaker will review various aspects of sand processing and discuss which application is the best fit for a particular process. Efficiently producing a specified sand product is only the beginning of a process. Managing fines and ultra-fines is an equally important part of the process. The speaker will take sand processing a step forward and look at how we handle fines, as well as ultra-fines. Processing seemingly unwanted fines is a huge operational expense that in many cases can be drastically reduced or even produced as a product.
W52- Manufacturing Information & Reporting Trends
Jay Wise and Mike Sassano, Kruse Integration
Information services typically involve collection, analysis and presentation of real-time manufacturing data. These data systems are layered between plant floor control systems and transactional business systems and are typically considered part of the manufacturing execution system layer. Manufacturing data can take many forms. Each customer has its own specific needs with regards to manufacturing intelligence.
W53- Best Practices For Conveyor Dust Control
Greg Bierie and Andy Marti, Martin Engineering
Controlling the dust that escapes bulk material conveying is an important requirement for success in mineral production operations, to prevent problems with neighbor relations, employee health and regulatory compliance. A number of recent advancements have improved dust management in conveyor operations, including a new modular load zone concept that allows engineers to develop components to address specific issues. This presentation will take a look at equipment and methods to reduce the dust escaping from belt conveyors. As environmental legislation continues to evolve, it is clear that effective dust management technologies will play an important role in mineral production.
W54- Value Reclamation Planning
Rick Hoehn and Lyndon Hart, Hoehn Landscape Architecture LLC
At its most basic level, reclamation is defined as “the conversion of wasteland into a suitable condition.” However, value reclamation planning extends this definition as “the conversion of wasteland into the highest and best uses suitable for a site’s post mining condition.” Using the case studies of two recent Baltimore County quarry reclamation projects, this presentation will explain the process used to unlock the economic value and community benefits of these retired quarry sites via location-specific reclamation planning.
W55- Electrical Safety On The Water
John “Sonny” Lightsey, DSC Dredge LLC
Safe operation of electrical equipment on the water like dredges and floating conveyors requires proper equipment selection, installation and operating practices. This presentation outlines MSHA‘s and NEC’s electrical requirements and some of the current best practices that exceed these standards and reduce the chance of on electrical-related injury or equipment failure. Differences in protection schemes for low-, medium- and high-voltage sources and the benefits of each of these are discussed in detail.
W56- Assuring The Successful Continuation Of Your Family Business
Leon and Terrance Resnick, Resnick Associates
In understandable language, business owners will learn needed tools and strategies in the areas of business succession and wealth preservation and eventual transition of assets (with special focus on their business). Typically the more successful business owners become, they also become more vulnerable. Accordingly, techniques will be discussed showing how to combat those vulnerabilities and assure that the successful business remains just that – successful.
W57- Attracting Young People Into The Industry: Demographics Are Against Us
Julian Smallshaw, Institute of Quarrying; and Mark Osbaldeston, Centre for Mineral Products Professional Development
The industry has an aging workforce. We need to attract young people into the aggregates sector. Using our proven knowledge of running a successful apprenticeship program, we will demonstrate how we can combine vocational and theoretical elements to create a course specifically aimed at preparing young people for supervisory roles.
W22- Communicating With The Media & The Public
Paul Rhynard, Sean Douglas Communications
This session will help attendees understand the fundamental principles of communicating with the media and public when it matters most. From community outreach to crisis management best practices, it’s important to understand these principles before you need them. The risk of not understanding them often means playing catch-up in an emergency while trying to balance your organization’s many other priorities.
2 – 3:30 P.M.
W61- Evaluating Aggregate Variability Through A Distribution Terminal
James Cox and Donald Whitley, CEMEX
This presentation will discuss the determination of cause and mitigation of aggregate variability from a source through a distribution terminal. You’ll hear a case study of a startup of a distribution terminal and government agency approval of the process and product.
W62- Plant Walkthrough: Staying Ahead Of Maintenance Issues
Brian Taylor and Bill Maccini, Telsmith Inc.
We will take a walk through a typical crushing plant, starting at the raw material feed hopper and ending at the finish product piles. On each piece of processing equipment we will provide details on what to look at, why it’s important and how to establish priorities to maintenance issues.
W63-Creating A Good Neighbor Trucking Policy
Alan Parks, Memphis Stone & Gravel Co.
Memphis Stone and Gravel Co. has a program to improve safety and communication with those engaged with transporting its products, primarily independent haulers. Referred to as a Good Neighbor Trucking Policy, its goal is to monitor and improve how truck drivers interact with the company and its neighbors. The Good Neighbor Trucking Policy has three major components. First, it outlines both onsite and offsite rules that apply generally to all Memphis Stone & Gravel facilities and employees.
W64- Development & Application Of A Remote Control 988 Loader
Bryan Smith, John Thompson and Doug Kitts, Luck Stone Corp.
As an industry, we are always looking for ways to improve safety and maximize our mineral reserves. Luck Stone has had some success recently at changing the equation by removing the operator from the cab of the pit loader. This session is intended to help others in the industry by sharing Luck Stone’s story.
W65- Investing In A Good Relationship With MSHA Can Bring Benefits
Ed Elliott, Rogers Group Inc.
The process of working on behalf of safety and health, as well as compliance with MSHA standards, is a difficult one. But, this process can actually be aided by an operator’s proactive investment in a sound relationship with area and district office MSHA personnel so that the best compliance relationship can be struck.
W66- The Rising Tide Of MSHA Section 110(c) Special Investigations in Metal/Nonmetal
Max Corley and Jason Nutzman, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Due to the recent unfortunate spate of fatalities, MSHA Section 110(c) special investigations of foremen and other management personnel seem to be rising in the metal/nonmetal sector. This presentation will bring into focus the issues facing operators and management personnel during such investigations and will provide strategies for avoiding, mitigating or navigating the complex legal landscape of special investigations.
W67- Keeping Up With Healthcare Reform
Wells Fargo
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) has generated an incredible amount of discussion and confusion since its enactment. Even as various rules start to become effective, various stakeholders are still struggling to keep up with the continuously changing laws and compliance challenges. This presentation will provide an overview of the key issues that employers should be focusing on now, and discuss the latest updates. Topics to be addressed include: understanding if, and when, the employer “play or pay” mandate will apply; identifying and quantifying the financial exposures under the ACA, which requires properly identifying full-time employees; assessing advantages and disadvantageous of various potential compliance strategies; determining the ability to comply with the new ACA information reporting rules.
Thursday, March 19
7:30 – 9 A.M.
TH41- Maximizing Conveyor Performance: Industry Standards Versus Real-World Applications
Richard McConnell, Flexco; and Mike Cremeens, Almax Group
Attendees will hear a focused dialogue regarding belt construction, stress and forces on belting, transition distances, operating versus rated PIW, and splicing considerations. This session is designed to be interactive, with the participants contrasting manufacturers’ specifications with their real-world experience. You’ll leave this session with a clearer understanding of the cause of events affecting conveyor performance and improved skills to resolve the issues.
TH42- Does Your Vibrating Equipment Need A Tune-up?
Chuck Dricken, Telsmith Inc.
Walk through multiple real-world performance issues encountered in vibrating equipment. State the issue, explain how the problem is diagnosed, detail the solution to the problem, and share the results gained from the implemented solutions. During the presentations, mechanical and operating principles of vibrating equipment will be detailed as they correspond to the analysis of performance issues.
TH43- Sustainability’s Impact On Customers For Aggregate Products
Brian Barlow, Barlow Strategic Sales & Marketing
While North America does not have an official certification process in place for sustainable aggregates, producers need to know the ways their customers are embracing sustainability programs, and how they can connect with these customers to help them meet their sustainability goals.
TH44- An Introduction To The Behavioral, Leadership & Organizational Culture (BLOC) Program: Key Factors to Promote Safety Performance & Production
Dr. Lori Guasta, Safety Solutions International Inc.
Behavior, leadership and organizational culture are key factors in promoting positive safety and production performance in the workplace. An overview of the four topic areas comprising the BLOC program will be highlighted and attention given to the process of delivering the BLOC program and assessing a company’s health and safety maturity through the use of a maturity model that considers seven health and safety dimensions: leadership commitment; strategic importance; safety management system; organizational buy-in; safety resources; training; and technology tools.
TH45- Pros & Cons Of Contract Drilling & Blasting
Ed Svec and Frank Sames, Austin Powder Co.; Matt Boatman, General Drilling; and Kurt Oakes, Martin Marietta
This is a 101 course that examines the items an operator needs to consider if planning to perform their own drilling and/or blasting in their operations. The benefits of contracting these services out to a third-party provider will be discussed. This panel discussion encourages audience participation and interaction.
TH46- Sales Metrics: Are Your Measurements Driving The Right Behavior?
Joel Galassini, Capitol Aggregates Inc.
By using the right metrics, both quantitative and qualitative, a company can systematically build a solid customer base that minimizes its risk while maximizing its overall profit. This session will discuss a variety of metrics that can be used to measure sales, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each. You’ll learn how these metrics support the sales process and lead to overall profitability. Some of the metrics will include: average sales price, volume, revenue, margin, customer contacts and win percentage.
TH47- Stepping Up To The Challenge: Preparing Supervisors For Their Next Role
Julian Smallshaw, Institute of Quarrying; and Mark Osbaldeston, Centre for Mineral Products Professional Development
Supervisors are the unsung heroes, having to maintain a delicate balance between shop floor and management. In order to climb to the next level, it is important to have the required degree of competence. The Institute of Quarrying already undertakes “blended” training programs to ensure supervisors have the adequate knowledge and understanding to progress within the business.
9:30 – 11 A.M.
TH51- Contractor Safety & Training Compliance
Adele Abrams, Law Office of Adele L. Abrams PC
The presence of contractors and contingent workers on a worksite can create significant liability exposure. It raises the chances of MSHA and OSHA citations, and creates confusion about which types of contractors and service providers need which types of training. This session will explore the main legal issues and safety considerations surrounding independent contractors, consultants, service workers and temporary personnel. The discussion will also address worker misclassification concerns and the Department of Labor, workers’ compensation considerations, and proactive strategies for contractor safety management and prequalification.
TH52- Case Study: Experience Replacing Two Belt Presses With A McLanahan Recessed Plate Filter Press
Timothy Ballon, All American Aggregates; and Cory Jenson, McLanahan Corp.
In 2014, All American Aggregates replaced two belt presses with the largest filter press currently running in an aggregate operation in the United States. The presentation will give a general overview of how filter presses work, reasons why a plate press was selected to replace the existing belt presses, and the results of the filter press versus the belt presses.
TH53- How To Get The Most Out Of Your Screening Operation
Tod Eberle, Craig Burke, and Mike Garrison, Polydeck Screen Corp.
This comprehensive overview of an effective screening operation will discuss the appropriate application of various types of screens, how to measure the effectiveness, and an overall evaluation of the condition of the screen and structure. Specific topics that will be discussed are screen types, stroke profiles, g-force, screen efficiency, sampling protocols, screen axis movement, structure movement and examples of improvements.
TH54- Leveraging Technology: Using A Low-Cost Tablet-Based Application to Push Mine Planning Information Out To the Cutting Edge Of Aggregate Excavation
Matthew Lewis, Cemex
This presentation will discuss the implementation of a tablet-based computer system for deploying mine-planning information out into the field where it is most useful. GPS positioning combined with a Google Earth-based presentation of mine planning map information allows dredge operators to regularly reference the intended mining depth and associated drilling information. The system provides a tool allowing for better compliance with the mine plan and does so for a minimal investment in hardware and software.
TH55- Why Are My Neighbors Complaining About Blasting & What Can I Do About It?
Doug Rudenko, Vibra-Tech Engineers
At most mining operations, blast vibration levels are kept well below established criteria. Yet compliance with the regulations does not always solve the conflicts arising from blasting operations. Mine operators often resort to random changes in blast design, searching for a solution to mounting neighborhood complaints.
TH56- Account Planning: How Do We Best Serve Our Customers?
Joel Galassini, Capitol Aggregates Inc.
Not all customers are the same, and not all customers require the same type of service. This session will discuss ways to differentiate between customers and to structure an effective account plan designed to maximize both customer satisfaction and profitability. Topics will include account strategies, entertainment planning and customer communication methods.
TH57- Enhancing Company Performance By Improving Leadership & Communication Within An Organization
Julian Smallshaw, Institute of Quarrying; and Mark Osbaldeston, Centre for Mineral Products Professional Development
The aggregates industry needs to become smarter. Leadership and communication at all levels is essential to link people and the organization together. Soft skills are an area that is often neglected. We will demonstrate how interactive methodology works for people at all levels. Key subject areas to be covered are team recognition; sharing knowledge and expertise; improved communication skills; a deeper understanding of your own leadership skills; and how to work collaboratively.
TH21- The New Workforce
Keith Reester, Reester and Associates
In the post-recession world of 2015, the landscape of today’s workforce is dramatically different. There are fewer people available to fill your positions; employees are demanding more as they see companies rebound and grow; and the future is rapidly changing with older generations moving into the sunset. Your firm must be prepared to capture and keep the best talent, or the bottom line will show it. This session focuses on the makeup and character of the current employment landscape and what your firm can do to attract and retain the top team members.
