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MSHA announces results of impact inspections
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported that federal inspectors issued 335 citations, orders and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at eight coal mines and four metal/nonmetal mines in April. The coal mines were issued 254 citations, 19 orders and one safeguard, while the metal/nonmetal operations were issued 52 citations and nine orders. These inspections, which began in force in April 2010 following the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine, involve mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement owing to their poor compliance history or particular compliance concerns, including high numbers of violations or closure orders; frequent hazard complaints or hotline calls; plan compliance issues; inadequate workplace examinations; a high number of accidents, injuries or illnesses; fatalities; and adverse conditions such as increased methane liberation, faulty roof conditions and inadequate ventilation. “This unexpected inspection found several safety violations that placed miners at serious risk, a failure by the mine operator to conduct basic find and fix examinations, and a disregard for violations… Keep Reading
Lafarge kicks off 5th annual Health & Safety Month
Lafarge North America kicked off its 2012 Health & Safety Month, an annual celebration of the company's commitment to health and safety. Lafarge’s Health and Safety Month occurs at the same as the National Safety Council’s observance of June Safety Month. During the month of June, Lafarge plants and facilities across the United States, and Lafarge Group plants and facilities around the world, will build health and safety awareness through a variety of programs and demonstrations, including: access to on-site health and wellness professionals; field days; and community events. “Health and safety is Lafarge’s top priority, and we are proud of our outstanding record of success in that area,” said John Stull, CEO, Lafarge U.S. “This annual event is a specific time where we can celebrate our successes and focus our energies on finding ways to continue improving our health and safety. We also want to take this opportunity to reinforce our commitment to the health and safety of our employees and contractors, as well as to their families and… Keep Reading
National Mining Hall of Fame names 2012 inductees
The National Mining Hall of Fame announced its 2012 inductees. Representing the equipment manufacturing, minerals exploration, copper, and coal sectors of the industry, this year’s four inductees cover a diverse cross-section of the mining industry. Glen A. Barton, J. David Lowell, Samuel Newhouse and John Cleveland Osgood will join 214 other mining industry pioneers when they are formally inducted into the National Mining Hall of Fame at the 25th Silver Anniversary Induction Banquet & Ceremony, Sept. 22, in Las Vegas. They were selected for being visionaries, leaders and ambassadors, both within their own sectors and across the industry at large. Perhaps most notable to the aggregates industry is Glen Barton. His leadership made Caterpillar the world’s leading provider of mining equipment by creating the roots that support the organization today. His global career included managing operations in the United States, Europe and South America. He retired as chairman and CEO of Caterpillar in 2004. National Mining Hall of Fame Executive Director, Bob Hartzell said, “We are very proud to have… Keep Reading
Titan appoints head of its Mining Services subsidiary
Titan International Inc. announced that Paul Hawkins, formerly serving in OTR sales and production at Titan Tire Corp., will now be heading up Titan Mining Services. Hawkins will be reporting to CEO Morry Taylor, who said, “Paul understands the complete range of products and what needs to be done as Titan expands into this new venture.” It is Titan’s plan to team with independent servicing dealers and bring its engineering and technical knowledge to a higher level than what’s in the mining industry today. Taylor said, “Titan believes that its competitors will be pleased that Titan will bring added professionalism to the service of all our competitors’ tires, besides our own. Everyone knows you need the proper air pressure, temperature control, etc. to extend tire life. “Paul will be setting up Titan Mining Services around the world over the next few years,” Taylor added. Keep Reading
No more multi-year highway bills?
In his Innovation NewsBriefs e-newsletter, public policy consultant Ken Orski suggests the days of multi-year transportation bills may be over. "Long term authorizations have been a longstanding feature of the federal-aid transportation program," Orski says. "They have been justified by the need for contract authority, i.e. ability for state DOTs to make binding financial commitments for major multi-year projects in advance of annual appropriations. But there is a growing sense among the lawmakers on Capitol Hill," Orski continues, "that Congress may be forced to abandon the practice of multi-year reauthorizations." He says the current fiscal and political environment makes it almost impossible to raise hundreds of billions of dollars in a single legislative package. Orski points to an unfunded shortfall in the highway trust fund: "At current levels of expenditure, a five-year authorization would require approximately $260 billion," he says. "Highway trust fund revenue and interest over the same time frame is projected to generate $175 billion, leaving an unfunded shortfall of approximately $85 billion. For a six-year bill, the unfunded shortfall… Keep Reading
Lafarge North America appoints new president, CEO
The board of directors of Lafarge North America Inc. has appointed John Stull as Lafarge's senior leader for all aggregate, cement and concrete operations in the United States. The company says this appointment, which brings these Lafarge business lines in the United States together under a single leader, will further the company's customer focus as it delivers sustainable solutions to the construction industry. "I am honored and excited to lead the company's talented U.S. management team, which is not only dedicated to serving our customers, but also cares very deeply about the health and safety of all the company's employees," Stull said. "I am confident that together we can build on the foundation that is already in place and continue to meet and exceed our customers' needs in sustainable and innovative ways." Stull has more than 20 years of experience with the Lafarge Group, including assignments in the United States and Paris. Most recently, he managed Lafarge Group businesses in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. He has a chemical engineering… Keep Reading
Martin Marietta’s appeal delayed
Martin Marietta Materials Inc.'s appeal of a lower court ruling that halted its $5 billion offer for Vulcan Materials Co. has been postponed until May 31, according to Reuters. Originally, the appeal was scheduled for May 25, and the new date is one day before Vulcan Materials' shareholders meeting. Martin Marietta is appealing a court decision that stopped its hostile takeover attempt for four months. Martin Marietta is hoping to elect four board members at Vulcan Materials' June 1 annual meeting. According to the news agency, if the lower court ruling is overturned, the court could order postponement of Vulcan Materials' meeting until new proxy materials can be prepared. Keep Reading
As seen on TV
In a television commercial for the Audi A6 automobile, the company extols the virtues of its “intelligent” car in a world that’s less than perfect for driving. “Across the nation, over 100,000 miles of highways and bridges are in disrepair,” says a voice-over. I guess I wasn’t the only person to notice it. I read other accounts of the ad spot on the web, mostly from people advocating the need for investment in transportation infrastructure. And there’s another commercial in the spotlight. A radio/television ad featuring Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton that talks about transportation infrastructure has won a 2012 Hermes Award, given by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. The ad, developed by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association and the American Public Transportation Association, won the Gold Award in the audio advocacy category and received an honorable mention in the TV advocacy category. We’ve often discussed the desire for such advertising at our Pit & Quarry roundtable. Almost every year at this event, someone mentions… Keep Reading
Producers team up to educate school kids
Three companies are working together at a 74-acre quarry in Eden, Wis., to build positive community relations while educating children. Staff from Eden Stone Co., Graymont Western Lime Co. and Michels Materials hosted six free, all-day elementary school tours at Marblehead Quarry. Graymont Western Lime owns the dolomitic limestone quarry. More than 300 children got a bird’s-eye view of active quarry operations, including blasts, crushing, and tours of stone cutting and lime production. They also took part in several educational activities, each lead by a quarry professional. Hands-on activities included geology, road building, paleontology, environmental stewardship and an operational overview. The field trips also highlight the unique relationship between the three operators. Michels uses the top layer to produce products for road building. Graymont Western Lime uses the second layer for lime products, primarily for steel production. Eden Stone uses the second layer for dimensional stone, which is cut for decorative usage. “By working together, no rock is wasted,” said Kristen Waas, Michels Materials resources manager. “Each operator is dependent… Keep Reading
