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New director on board at IAAP
Dan Eichholz is the new executive director of the Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers (IAAP). After more than 19 years of service to IAAP, John Henriksen has retired from that role. "Since coming to work for the IAAP in April 1996, I have witnessed a fine trade association grow larger, become more effective and be ever more responsive to the needs of its members throughout this state and region," Henriksen says. "For that reason, I wanted to thank the people who have helped transform the IAAP during this time frame." Also at IAAP, Jodi Perez is replacing long-time association office manager Glenda Schoening. Keep Reading
Number of mine engineering graduates continues to increase
According to the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration's (SME) 2015 Guide to Minerals and Materials Science Schools, 356 mine engineering degrees (BS, MS, Ph.D.) were awarded to students graduating from U.S. mining schools in 2014. The number of graduates from U.S. mining and mineral engineering programs has increased steadily since 2004. Mining is one of a handful of sectors that will add jobs at a fairly constant rate over the next 20 years. Although there has been a decline in the number of mining and mineral engineering programs at U.S. colleges and universities, there continues to be a noticeable increase in the number of graduates in those programs. The industry demand for qualified graduates to enter the workforce will only intensify as vacancies are created by current professionals reaching retirement age. Pit & Quarry's Operations Handbook has been used in the curriculum of some mine engineering programs. Keep Reading
MSHA announces results of May impact inspections
The Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) announced that federal inspectors issued 176 citations during special impact inspections in May at 10 coal mines and seven metal and nonmetal mines. MSHA conducted impact inspections at mines in Alabama, California, Kentucky, Illinois, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. These include operations from Martin Marietta, Cemex, Eagle Materials and others. Monthly impact inspections began in force in April 2010 at mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement owing to their poor compliance history or particular compliance concerns. MSHA inspectors have conducted 951 impact inspections and issued 14,422 citations, 1,247 orders and 56 safeguards since these inspections began. Keep Reading
Positive signs at mid-year
Economist and Pit & Quarry columnist Dr. David Chereb says most things continue to be positive for construction materials. The economy is growing, albeit slowly, inflation and interest rates are very low, and employment is gaining. Add to that the much-improved state and local fiscal balance for most states and we have sufficient tailwinds to drive material consumption higher for the next two years. Following are some bullet points about the health of the industry so far in 2015, and the future outlook. From USGS: The estimated U.S. output of construction aggregates produced in the first quarter of 2015 was 389 million metric tons, an 8% increase from the first quarter of 2014. From Dodge Data & Analytics: The 25% gain for total construction starts for the first five months of 2015 was comprised of growth in all three major construction sectors -- nonbuilding, residential and nonresidential. Nonbuilding construction, which includes highway and bridge construction, has climbed a whopping 70% year-to-date. In its 2015 Dodge Construction Outlook, the firm predicts… Keep Reading
Ohio association teaches kids, parents about aggregates
Since 2012, the Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association (OAIMA) and its members have been active supporters of the Miami County Parks District's “Hug the Earth” Program. As the association transitions to incorporate its education and outreach activities to the new Ohio Mining and Minerals Education Program, that tradition continues. Despite rain, it is estimated that nearly 3,000 students, teachers, chaperones and parents attended this week-long event. The major activity -- the "Ohio Rock and Mineral Dig" -- continues to be a success as children “mine” for Ohio mined rocks, minerals and even bricks. OAIMA says this year's event would not have been a success without the help of many of our members who donated their time, materials and equipment. Keep Reading
Carnival season
It’s that time of year – when kids are out of school and carnivals, amusement parks and local festivals are in full swing. It’s also the time of year when many aggregate operations host community events at their sites. A Massachusetts quarry decided to combine the ideas when it held a community open house at its operation in Swampscott, Mass., an Aggregate Industries site that was formerly Lynn Sand and Stone Co. The Salem News reports that Aggregate Industries set up a mini carnival on the quarry floor as a way to connect with the community and show local residents a little bit about the aggregates business. John Nicol, an Aggregate Industries sales rep, said a school bus carrying visitors down into the 250-ft.-deep quarry is kind of like entering Jurassic Park, with its towering walls and moonscape appearance. Company officials said the event was expected to draw about 3,000 people. Equipment manufacturers have gotten in the carnival spirit, too. Diggerland USA, a construction-themed adventure park in West Berlin, N.J.,… Keep Reading
House bill would keep highway funding level in FY 2016
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a fiscal 2016 spending bill to fund transportation and housing projects. The Hill reports that the House passed the $55.3 billion legislation by a close 216-210 vote, with all but three Democrats voting against and all but 31 Republicans voting in favor. The bill passed, says The Hill, despite opposition to the measure by conservative group Heritage Action, which argued the bill contained too much funding for infrastructure projects. The group says the bill assumes a highway authorization extension with funding for fiscal year 2016 at current levels -- too high in its opinion. The White House has threatened to veto the legislation because of insufficient funding levels. Keep Reading
Joy Global closes on Montabert acquisition
Joy Global has closed on its purchase of Montabert from Doosan, for €110 million (or approximately $124 million), subject to a working capital adjustment. Montabert's net sales for the 12 months ending March 31 were $100 million. "This acquisition represents an important step in expanding product and service capabilities for hard rock mining, tunneling and rock excavation, further diversifying the company's commodity and end market exposures," says Ted Doheny, president and CEO of Joy Global. "The Montabert product line will complement our existing fleet of hard rock equipment and leverages our global service center infrastructure providing long-term value to our shareholders." Montabert specializes in the design, production and distribution of hydraulic rock breakers, pneumatic equipment, drilling attachments, drifters and related parts and tools. Keep Reading
What was Michigan thinking?
Many states, tired of waiting for the federal government to properly fund highway infrastructure, are taking matters into their own hands. And a few are failing miserably. Last summer it was Missouri, where the state’s voters soundly defeated a proposed sales-tax increase of 3/4 cent to raise money for the repair of roads and bridges. This time it was Michigan. And, just as with Missouri last year, the state greatly underestimated the public's unwillingness to vote itself tax increases. Apparently not learning from Missouri's mistake, Michigan asked voters for a full one-cent increase in the state sales tax -- for roadbuilding and more -- and the voter pushback was even stronger. About 80 percent of voters turned it down. This rejection may be the most one-sided loss for a proposed constitutional amendment in state history, USA Today says. The lack of a solid, long-term federal highway bill has many states looking for alternative funding sources, and it's creating inconsistencies among states in regards to roadbuilding dollars. "A state's federal highway… Keep Reading
