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Atlas Copco releases new training tools
Atlas Copco released a free mobile training app, Training365, for Atlas Copco distributors and operators. The app, available from Apple and Google Play stores, serves as a platform where customers can request training course materials and class sessions. The classes can be taken on site, in classrooms or online. “We’ve seen how training can make mines more productive and workers safer,” says Ben Thompson, national service operations manager for Atlas Copco mining equipment. “Our classes range from how to get the most out of our Rig Control System to simulator training so operators can practice in a safe, risk-free environment that’s just like the real thing.” According to the company, simulator training is offered for service and underground rigs. Two fixed-date classes are offered each year at the company’s Garland, Texas, facility for drilling solutions. Operators can use the app to request them. The company says this new format of requesting classes gives more opportunity for drilling operations to increase efficiencies. Keep Reading
Equipment maintenance tips from McLanahan
McLanahan Corp. employees share some of the best strategies for equipment maintenance at your operation. Keep Reading
McLanahan hosts first Wet Processing School
McLanahan Corp. hosted its first Wet Processing School in Altoona, Pa. The event, which attracted more than 140 aggregate producers, covered traditional sand processing and offered information on equipment, settling ponds, configurations and more. “Obviously, in the industry, there’s a lot of need for training,” says Mark Krause, general manager of McLanahan’s aggregate processing division. “Opportunities to get knowledgeable people in front of producers to teach them what to look for and how to look for it are critical." The McLanahan event kicked off with a welcoming followed by a general session on the sand processing evolution. Rick Madara, director of sales for McLanahan’s aggregate processing division, and Scott O’Brien, the company's global director of process engineering delivered the general session. Madara discussed different types of sand processing equipment, explaining the pros and cons of each, and O’Brien reviewed the three basic types of plants, including classifying tanks and screws, cyclones and dewatering screens, and recipe sand plants, or hydrosizers. The Wet Processing School featured a mix of general sessions… Keep Reading
Martin Sprocket opens Pittsburgh manufacturing branch
Martin Sprocket & Gear opened a manufacturing branch in Zelienople, Pa., near Pittsburgh to expand its service offering in the Northeast. According to the company, the Pennsylvania manufacturing branch serves as one of 30 Martin locations in North America and will stock an inventory of more than 30,000 SKUs from Martin’s power transmission, material handling and conveyor pulley lines. The new location will offer same-day shipments on all stock, custom alternations and made-to-order parts, the company adds. “In over 60 years of serving the Power Transmission industry, Martin has established a reputation for delivering quality product and reliable service,” says Ed Wright, vice president of the Northeast region for Martin Sprocket. “The commitment to customers extends to Martin’s Pennsylvania branch, which will offer value-added services such as after hours and emergency services, local customer service, local field support and reverse engineering capabilities.” Another advantage of the new facility is that it will offer distributors and industrial businesses in the Northeast complete access to the company's manufacturing resources throughout North America, reports… Keep Reading
California Transportation Commission slashes transportation funding
The California Transportation Commission approved a $754 million decrease over the next five years in projected funding available for the state’s transportation program. According to the California Department of Transportation (CDOT), this marks the largest scaling back of the state’s transportation program since the creation of the current funding structure nearly 20 years ago. The State Transportation Improvement Program is a planning document for funding future state highway, rail and transit improvements throughout California, reports CDOT. The revisions are a result of anticipated additional reductions in a portion of the gasoline excise tax, which is a major source of state funding for the program. The California Transportation Commission is required by law to estimate the amount of funding expected to be available for the State Transportation Improvement Program, which is updated every two years. In August 2015, the commission approved a funding estimate for the 2016 program based on previous revenue forecasts. However, more recent projections point to a large drop in the money expected to be available for projects… Keep Reading
Total construction starts up 8 percent in 2015
New construction starts in December 2015 advanced 4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $591.6 billion, reports Dodge Data & Analytics. The December statistics produced a reading of 125 for the Dodge Index, compared to a revised 120 for November 2015. For 2015 as a whole, total construction starts climbed 8 percent to $645.5 billion with a Dodge Index average of 137. Nonresidential building Nonresidential building in December grew 3 percent to $178.5 billion. Office construction rose 6 percent, and the garage and service station category increased 50 percent. Warehouse construction in December 2015 remained unchanged from the previous month, and the manufacturing plant category fell 16 percent. On the institutional side of the nonresidential building market, amusement-related work rose 87 percent, transportation terminal work rose 48 percent, religious buildings were up 13 percent and healthcare facilities grew 11 percent. For 2015 as a whole, nonresidential building fell 8 percent to $204.2 billion, with a 39 percent decrease in the manufacturing plant category. In this category, healthcare facilities… Keep Reading
President Obama vetoes Congress WOTUS disapproval
President Barack Obama vetoed a bipartisan congressional resolution, S.J.Res 22, that formally denounced the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, reports the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA). The WOTUS rule would dramatically expand the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) jurisdiction of U.S. waters. “The move did not come as a surprise,” says Pam Whitted, NSSGA senior vice president of legislative and regulatory affairs. “The President made it clear months ago that he supports the EPA in this jurisdictional grab and would certainly refuse to sign the bipartisan measure of disapproval. We were heartened that Congress agreed with the 32 states and the dozens of trade associations, including NSSGA, that have sued over this rule. We will be following this litigation closely over the next few years.” According to NSSGA, the Senate is expected to vote to override the veto this week, though the measure is not expected to surpass a 67-vote threshold for approval. Additionally, a nationwide stay of WOTUS enacted by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court… Keep Reading
NSSGA releases U.S. aggregate production map
The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) released an interactive map that displays the aggregate production of each state, as well as the number of mines and people it takes to produce these materials. The map separately shows crushed stone and sand and gravel production, in addition to the length of highway miles in each state. It also allows users to download PDFs detailing each state's information. Many uses of aggregates are easy to see in our homes, towns and cities, but not many people realize aggregates are used in everyday products such as paper, glass, toothpaste and medicine, reports NSSGA. “It has been estimated that every American will need about 1.18 million pounds of stone, sand and gravel in their lifetimes,” says Mike Johnson, president and CEO of NSSGA. “Aggregates aren’t just found in roads and bridges. They make up the concrete in our foundations, the shingles on the roof and everywhere in between, like the wallboard, tile, glass and plaster.” All of the data for the map… Keep Reading
SME Foundation names mining scholarship recipients
The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Foundation (SMEF) named the 2015 recipients of its scholarship program. The scholarships will be presented at the SMEF Annual Gala Banquet on Feb. 20 during the SME Annual Conference & Expo in Phoenix. “SMEF is committed to strengthening the professional workforce and extending educational opportunities to the industry’s future leaders,” says David Kanagy, SME executive director. “Mining, metallurgical, geological and geophysical engineering programs in schools across the nation are among the best in the world, and these talented students will enhance the power of the mining industry.” The foundation facilitates seven scholarship programs. The recipients of the scholarships are Elizabeth Radcliff of the University of Utah, who won the $4,000 MMSA/SMEF Past Presidents Scholarship; Ann Perry of Queens University, Rahul Thareja of the University of Nevada-Reno and Kun Zhang of the Colorado School of Mines, who won the $5,000 Syd S. and Felicia F. Peng Ground Control in Mining Scholarships; Kevin Moran of the Colorado School of Mines, Robert Murray of the University… Keep Reading
