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Vulcan finishes third quarter with six additional acquisitions
Vulcan Materials has completed six acquisitions during the third quarter that will expand its presence in the United States, says an article on Yahoo Finance. The most recent of these acquisitions include five aggregates facilities and associated downstream assets in Phoenix; Santa Fe and Albuquerque, N.M.; and an additional operation in Delaware. These transactions followed Vulcan’s previous acquisitions of four aggregates facilities in the San Francisco Bay area. According to the article, through these acquisitions, the company has added more than 450 million tons of permitted aggregates reserves serving markets where these reserves are relatively scarce. In addition to this, the transactions total to approximately $320 million of investments, says the article. "We not only expect that these assets will generate attractive returns in their own right, but also that they will create significant synergies with our existing asset base.” says Tom Hill, president and CEO of Vulcan. “These acquisitions complement existing aggregates sources and distribution facilities in key growth markets in Arizona, California, Texas and Northern Virginia while also… Keep Reading
‘Facescape’ spotlights importance of aggregates
Cuban-American artist Jorge Rodríguez-Gerada’s “Facescape,” located between the WWII and Lincoln Memorials in Washington, D.C., is the largest gravel, sand and soil portrait ever commissioned by the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. Created on a 6-acre stretch of land, the portrait, called “Out of Many, One,” is a composite of more than one hundred people photographed in D.C. “’Out of Many, One’ highlights the important role that stone, sand and gravel has in our country, says Mike Johnson, president and CEO of NSSGA. “Just as sand and gravel are essential to this portrait, aggregates are literally the foundation of our economy and society.” NSSGA member Chaney Enterprises supplied the 2,000 tons of sand needed to complete the image. The portrait will be on view during October, and then will be tilled back into the ground when the viewing period ends. Keep Reading
Pattern of violations reforms boost mine safety, says MSHA
Pattern of violations (POV) reforms have contributed to an increase in mine safety, says Joseph Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. According to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, mine operators that receive POV notices demonstrate “a disregard for the health and safety of miners through a pattern of significant and substantial violations.” Mines that receive POV notices pose the greatest risk to the safety and health of miners. “Data show that these reforms, in combination with other agency efforts, such as the impact inspection program, have led to significant reductions in the universe of chronic violators, prompted operators with troubled compliance records to improve their safety and health programs, and resulted in much safer mines in our nation,” says Main. In 2010, Main implemented the POV provisions to enhance safety for miners. Since then, 30 mines have been placed on a potential POV and seven have been placed on a POV. In addition to this, there has been a 64 percent reduction… Keep Reading
W.S. Tyler offers customers Hydo-Clean testing option
W.S. Tyler built a new Hydro-Clean testing facility in Conyers, Ga., where customers can test the Hydro-Clean washing unit. Customers first send a sample of material to be tested on a laboratory Hydro-Clean unit. The test determines the percentage of particles minus 200 mesh, and this allows W.S. Tyler to find out the amount of clay in the material and if it can be successfully cleaned in the unit. After confirming that the material can be washed, the company sends the customer a Hydro-Clean test kit to fill with about 1.5 tons of material, which is then tested at the new facility. According to the company, the Hydro-Clean reduces water usage by as much as 75 percent compared to traditional washing systems. Available in both stationary and mobile options, the cleaning system also includes a water recycling system that collects drainage water. “Our goal in building this test facility was to give customers a timely way to have their materials tested in the Hydro-Clean, and through the testing demonstrate how… Keep Reading
Case Construction recognizes “Diamond Dealer” award winners
As a part of its North American Construction Equipment Partnership Program, Case Construction Equipment announced its 2014 “Diamond Dealer” award winners. The winners of this year’s award include State Equipment, J.R. Brisson Equipment, Kucera Construction Equipment, Redhead Equipment, Crown Power & Equipment, Luby Equipment Services, Eagle Power and Equipment, Groff Tractor, ASCO, Nueces Power Equipment, Birkey’s Construction Equipment, Burris Equipment Company and Service Motor Company. “Each of these dealers has proven to be a strong business partner for the construction industry in their territories, helping to simplify the purchasing and ownership experience for Case Construction Equipment customers,” says Jim Hasler, vice president for Case Construction Equipment in North America. Case’s partnership program is designed to increase dealer performance and enhance customer service. Keep Reading
Report says communities at risk from fracking
According to a report by the Civil Society Institute, the Environmental Working Group and Midwest Environmental Advocates, as fracking continues to spread, so could the need for strip-mining the sand needed for the process, which could introduce risks to water, air, public health and property values. The report is based on local and state information, mainly from Wisconsin and Minnesota, along with peer-reviewed research and interviews with local residents. There are currently 164 mines in the two states, with 20 potential mining areas as well, says the report. In order for mining companies to acquire the sand, they must blast chunks off the region’s hillsides and wash away the other soil and rock, which could cause problems for nearby communities, the authors say. Separating the sand from the other materials requires operators to use a chemical called polyacrylamide, which breaks down into acrylamide, a carcinogen that can contaminate water sources at mine sites. The report also states that silica dust released from the blasting and picked up by the wind… Keep Reading
International Frac Sand Association hosts kickoff luncheon
A kickoff luncheon will be offered for free to frac sand and proppant producers, sellers and buyers attending the International Frac Sand Assocation (IFSA) event. IFSA is being launched in order to provide proppant industry leaders with a trade association where they can network with others, discuss best practices and work to meet business and career goals. The rest of the event will include time for networking, a guest speaker, an open forum and panel discussion with industry leaders, and a time for networking and visiting sponsor tables. The lunch will be taking place at The Houston Club in downtown Houston on October 28. Registration for all others is $50. Click here to register and learn more details. Keep Reading
MSHA awards $1 million in safety grants
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) awarded $1 million to organizations dedicated to mine safety and education. Through its Brookwood-Sago grants program, MSHA was able to donate the money to seven organizations, each of which aims to improve the mining industry. Awarded for a 12-month performance period, the grants are given to the groups to enhance mine safety, training and education, as well as increase preparedness for emergencies. “Training is the key for proper, safe and effective emergency response,” says Joseph Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. “The programs funded by these federal grants will enable miners working underground to be better prepared in the event of a mine emergency.” The seven organizations to receive these grants are the United Mine Workers of America Career Centers Inc.; the Colorado School of Mines; the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety; the University of Arizona; the Center for Strategic Management Public Leadership Institute Inc.; Pennsylvania State University; and Rend Lake College. Keep Reading
MSHA reports August impact inspection results
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported that during its August special impact inspections, 131 citations and 11 orders were issued at 12 coal mines. Mines subject to these inspections receive extra attention from MSHA due to previous issues with the agency, including poor compliance history or compliance concerns. Recent issues include mines that failure to control dust and operators attempting to prevent MSHA from finding violations. “We continue to see mines ignoring required ventilation curtains needed to control methane gas and respirable coal dust that that causes black lung,” says Joseph Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. “The new respirable dust rule requires mine operators to conduct thorough exams each shift to ensure required ventilation and dust controls are in place, with top mine officials certifying those exams.” In addition to ventilation issues, other mines received citations for allowing materials to accumulate in a belt conveyor entry, as well as inadequate examination of hazardous conditions along the beltline, accumulations of… Keep Reading
