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NSSGA to host webinar on mitigation strategies
The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) is hosting a webinar aimed at developing mitigation strategies for the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) elevated enforcement. The online webinar, titled “Strategies to Mitigate MSHA Elevated Enforcement,” will provide metal/nonmetal mine operators, in-house counsel, and management and safety personnel with the opportunity to learn how to effectively combat MSHA enforcement actions, from high negligence citations and unwarrantable failure violations to closure orders. The webinar will take place on August 20 from 1-2 p.m. The registration fee is $49 for members and $99 for nonmembers. Learn more about the event and register here. Keep Reading
Mack to open new dealership in Texas
Mack Trucks is set to open its new dealership in Cotulla, Texas, in late August. The center includes 22 service bays and will sell both new and used vehicles. It also will offer parts delivery and road service. “Mack is committed to growing our extensive dealer network, and the Valley Truck Centers facility is among the biggest, boldest examples,” says Stephen Roy, president, Mack Trucks North American Sales & Marketing. The new dealership will become a part of the Mack network, which includes more than 460 Mack dealer locations and 15,000 additional service providers throughout North America. Keep Reading
Martin Marietta Materials reports second quarter record net sales
Martin Marietta Materials Inc. reported its second quarter results, which include a 22 percent improvement in the West Group, a 5 percent overall increase of line pricing for aggregate products and a 13 percent increase in aggregate product line volume. “Second-quarter 2014 results reflect strong operational performance and demonstrate our ability to significantly grow overall earnings and expand margins as construction activity begins to recover from historically low levels,” says Ward Nye, chairman, president and CEO of Martin Marietta. “The powerful combination of increasing aggregates volume and pricing growth, along with quarterly record net sales for Specialty Products, resulted in record consolidated net sales of $602 million.” Nye also credits the company’s success to employment growth, stability in public-sector construction activity with the company’s growing markets and the acquisition of Texas Industries Inc. According to an article on Yahoo, since the prior-year second quarter, Marietta Materials has earned almost $1 million more in consolidated net sales and has increased its aggregate product line pricing by 7.7 percent. Keep Reading
MSHA update shows increase in mid-year fatality rates
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) released a summary of fatalities in the mining industry that indicates an increase in the mid-year fatality count. Twenty-two miners were killed in the first half of 2014, reversing the decline in fatalities in past years. “Mining fatalities are preventable, and they are a reminder that much more needs to be done to protect the nation’s miners,” says Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. “These deaths should serve as a wake-up call for all of us to keep safety at the forefront at all times.” The most common causes of mining deaths were machinery and power haulage. Fourteen of those who died worked in the metal and nonmetal mining sector, while the remaining eight were coal miners. In order to prevent deaths, injuries and illnesses, MSHA has increased surveillance and inspections at mines with troubling compliance histories and repeated violations. The administration also has initiated numerous outreach efforts to combat the issue, some… Keep Reading
NTEA to host Work Truck Show 2015, 2016
The Association for the Work Truck Industry (NTEA) has announced that it will be hosting the Work Truck Show in 2015 and 2016 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. The 2015 show will begin with educational programming and the Green Truck Summit on March 3 and the 2016 show will begin with the same programs on March 1. “In 2015, The Work Truck Show will provide attendees with the latest information needed to make their operations more efficient, capable and profitable,” says Steve Carey, executive director of NTEA. According to a press release, the World Truck Show “brings together more than 10,000 truck fleet managers, manufacturers, distributors, dealers, equipment buyers and maintenance personnel.” The event also features new equipment and gives truck industry professionals a chance to connect. Click here to learn more about the upcoming events. Keep Reading
Build America to help develop financing strategies
The Build America initiative, formed after the president announced a government-wide plan to increase infrastructure investment and economic growth, is aimed at offering education, technical assistance, project delivery and innovative policies for state and local governments, public and private developers, and investors. “As part of [the initiative], we’re creating a one-stop shop for cities and states looking to partner with the private sector to fund infrastructure projects,” says President Barack Obama during an event in Wilmington, Del. “There are lots of investors who want to back infrastructure projects because, when it’s done right, they then get a steady, long-term investment.” With the new Build America Transportation Investment Center at the Department of Transportation (DOT), customers can seek professional help for utilizing financial strategies for transportation infrastructure projects. DOT operating administrators are on call to offer advice, support, technical assistance and expertise on innovative financing and partnerships with the private sector. “...Lots of states and local governments would welcome more private investment, but they need a partner in the federal government to… Keep Reading
Senate moves to take up House’s version of Highway Trust Fund patch
Senate leaders reached an agreement on July 23 to take up the House of Representatives’ version of the Highway Trust Fund patch, but to hold votes on four amendments. The House’s version, which was passed by a vote of 367 to 55, calls for the transfer of $10.8 billion from the general fund into the Highway Trust Fund and extends highway and transit policy funding through May 31, 2015. According to the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, it is unclear as to when the Senate will vote on the four amendments. Senate EPW Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), along with Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), has proposed an amendment that would reduce the $10.8 billion to $8 billion and shorten the duration of the extension to December. Others have proposed amendments that would reduce the federal gas user fee, expedite road and bridge repair projects, and replace the House’s funding offsets with other tax-compliance provisions. Each of these amendments is subject to a 60-vote threshold. If any… Keep Reading
TMS hosts diversity summit, SME co-sponsors event
Hosted by The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) and co-sponsored by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc. (SME), the diversity summit is meant to emphasize the importance of diversity in the workplace. Titled “Diversity: In the Minerals, Metals and Materials Professions (DMMM1),” the summit will include keynote speakers, diversity discussions and interactive working sessions led by professionals. According to the website, the summit will focus on “key diversity and inclusion challenges, solutions, and advice for early career and mid-career professionals in the minerals, metals, and materials fields” as well as provide professional development for those interested in science and engineering. “Experiences in different cultures can help team members overcome a challenging team dynamic; can enable an engineer to imagine a new and unique solution; or can open new product markets,” says 2013 TMS President Elizabeth Holm in the July 2013 issue of JOM magazine. The event will take place at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C., from July 29-31. For more information or to register… Keep Reading
Trimble requests exemption to fly small UAS for mining surveys
Trimble Navigation Ltd. requested an exemption to fly its small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) prior to the finalization of the Federal Aviation Administration’s small UAS rule. Once the rule is set in motion, the use of certain low-risk UAS will be permitted for commercial use. Trimble sent in this request in order to use its small UAS for land mapping and mining surveys. By doing this, the company hopes to save time, money and possibly lives. The Association for Unmanned Vehicles Systems (AUVSI) supports Trimble’s bid to use its UX5 aircraft, which weighs less than six pounds, and submitted official comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding the request. “Accelerating commercial UAS use will not only help businesses harness the tremendous potential of UAS, they will also help unlock the economic impact and job creation potential of the technology,” stated the AUVSI in its comment. “The FAA should promptly grant this exemption request, look for ways to allow for more commercial use of very small UAS immediately, and get… Keep Reading
