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3 workers injured after ground shift at Hanson Aggregates quarry
Three workers were injured, two seriously, after ground shifted at Hanson Aggregates' Whitney Quarry, an underground limestone mine in western Pennsylvania, reports the Associated Press (AP). The ground shift caused a rush of air through the mine’s entrance, about 50 ft. from where the men were found. Hanson Aggregates is a part of Lehigh Hanson, which, in turn, is a part of HeidelbergCement Group. The two unconscious men were flown to Pittsburgh hospitals while the third was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, AP reports. The names and conditions of the workers were not initially released. According to AP, Lehigh Hanson Spokesman Jeff Sieg said company officials weren’t sure what injured the miners – whether they were thrown by the force of the air or hit by debris, or both. Keep Reading
JCB donates backhoe loaders, generators for Nepal relief efforts
JCB donated around $1 million worth of backhoe loaders and electrical power generators to support earthquake relief efforts in Nepal. Ten backhoe loaders were made available immediately to the Nepalese Army from the company’s dealer, MAW Enterprises, in Nepal. The generators were supplied from JCB India’s factory in Delhi. "It is shocking to see the devastation caused by this earthquake and the resulting widespread damage and destruction," said JCB Chairman Lord Bamford. "On behalf of JCB, I express my heartfelt condolences to everyone affected by this natural disaster. JCB will continue to help the Nepalese government in every possible way." The JCB backhoe loaders will also be used in reconstruction efforts. Keep Reading
NSSGA to host AGG1 market segmentation webinar
The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) is set to host a webinar May 21 at 1 p.m. Eastern on effective market segmentation. Rob Vogel, managing partner for Q4 Impact Group, will present the webinar, which will cover segmentation relative to an aggregate market place. In addition, attendees will learn what effective segmentation can deliver to a producer; what a producer really sells and how it is impacted by segmentation; and how to develop effective segmentation strategies. Registration for members is $49 and registration for nonmembers is $99 per location. Keep Reading
MSHA releases March impact inspection results
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) issued 188 citations and two orders during its special impact inspections in March. The inspections were conducted at 13 coal mines and seven metal and nonmetal mines. MSHA’s special impact inspections began in April 2010 as a way to monitor mines with poor compliance history or other compliance concerns. Since the inspections began, the administration has conducted 916 impact inspections and issued 14,139 citations, 1,246 orders and 56 safeguards. MSHA’s March impact inspection list can be read here. Keep Reading
Trimble Loadrite 360 available for quarry operations
Trimble's Loadrite 360 (LR360), a system designed for quarry loadout activities that includes a wheel loader onboard scale, an automated communications connection and a performance reporting tool, is now available for quarry operations. According to the company, the system provides a 360-degree view of quarry loadout operations between the loader scales, scale house and quarry manager. The two-way automated communication system has the ability to show operators a list of requested jobs on the scale inside the loader cab. The system lists the jobs in order of priority by truck ID, and it also feeds the loadout data directly into the scale house ticketing system. The LR360 reports a variety of track loader metrics, including tons per hour, time spent on truck loading activities and loader operator efficiency. The system also comes with the company’s Insight HQ reporting option, which allows manager to also track site production and performance. "LR360 is first and foremost a tool to improve the accuracy and speed of loadout operations,” says Johan Smet, general manager… Keep Reading
Metso launches rock breaker series
Metso is expanding its product line with the launch of its rock breaker series, designed for primary crushing stations. According to Metso, this hammer-boom combination is now available for stationary aggregates production and mining applications. The new rock breaker series includes the MH-series hammers and MB-series booms, which feature five boom-hammer combinations for jaw crushers and one for primary gyratory crushers. "We have now introduced a range of breaker boom and hammer combinations and can offer our customers a complete turnkey solution,” says Ilkka Somero, product manager for Metso rock breaker solutions. “Besides the requested primary crusher, Metso can now offer a comprehensive breaker attachment: a boom with assembly framework, hammer, related hydraulic power pack and remote radio controls.” The hammer weights range from 880 lbs. to 4,840 lbs., and their power ratings range from 25 hp to 60 hp. Photo: Metso Keep Reading
NALC to invest $5 million in second limestone quarry
NALC, a limestone and industrial minerals company, plans to invest more than $5 million to establish a second limestone quarry and fine-grind facility. Activities at the 181-acre site, located in Cloverdale, Ind., will include the extraction and processing of calcium carbonate limestone, which will be sold as an animal feed supplement, fertilizer, ingredient in glass manufacturing, pollution control product and safety application. The new site is one-half mile away from its current 174-acre operation. Keep Reading
Superior hires Lambert as sales and application engineer
Superior Industries hired Doug Lambert as sales and application engineer for its new construction management division. In this position, Lambert will work alongside Superior’s Jason Adams. Prior to this role, Lambert served as regional sales manager at Terex Minerals Processing Systems. Lambert also worked at Vulcan Materials Co., where he served a number of roles in quality, sales and plant management. Keep Reading
ILPA elects first female president
The Iowa Limestone Producers Association (ILPA) elected Jane Kuhlman to be its first female president during its 70th annual convention earlier this year, reports the Clayton County Register. In this position, Kuhlman will preside over board meetings and represent the association at trade shows and other functions. Kuhlman also was the first female to be elected on the association’s board, for which she’s served on a number of committees, including the environmental, convention planning and scholarship selection committees. “I do feel a special responsibility as the first female president, and I intend to do my best to make a difference and leave a legacy that makes it easier for other women to be part of this industry,” says Kuhlman. “I also want to be seen and accepted as an aggregate producer. Mining has traditionally been a man’s field, but women have been taking more active roles over the years.” According to the Clayton County Register, Kuhlman began working in the limestone industry in 1981 at Kuhlman Construction, a company owned… Keep Reading
