Author
New association in planning stages
A new association is in the works, possibly called the International Society of Engineered Sand. Reports are that it is a new group for individuals interested in manufactured/engineered sand, and they are looking for people interested in forming a steering committee. For more information, contact Tanya Hudson from Aggregate Research at t.hudson@aggregateresearch.com. Keep Reading
Leader chosen for new division at FLSmidth
FLSmidth has announced that Peter J. Flanagan has been selected to serve as a member of group executive management, and as executive vice president of FLSmidth’s newly formed Non-Ferrous Division, which provides minerals processing technologies, systems and solutions to the global mining industry. Flanagan has worked in the mining and minerals processing industry for more than 25 years. Formerly, he led FLSmidth’s mining activities in the Americas. Now he takes the reins of FLSmidth’s largest of four divisions. Keep Reading
Highway bill extended through June 30
UPDATE: The U.S. Senate has passed by unanimous consent a 90-day extension of the highway bill, which passed 266 to 158 earlier today in the House. Before passage, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) asked unanimous consent to amend H.R.4281 and substitute the text of the Senate-passed bill, says the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. But Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) objected. This procedure was repeated by Sens. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Mary Landrieu (D-La.), with McConnell objecting each time. Today's action will extend the current surface transportation programs through June 30. BREAKING NEWS: After what the Washington Post described as a "rancorous" debate, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on and passed a 90-day extension of the highway bill. All eyes are now on the Senate to pass an extension before the current extension expires March 31. A new three-month extension could make it more difficult to pass a long-term bill as we move later into this election year. Keep Reading
Judge overturns EPA veto
The Federal District Court for the D.C. Circuit has ruled that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency exceeded its authority last year when it revoked a previously issued mountaintop mine permit. The mine owner, Arch Coal, sued to overturn EPA's action last year and the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) filed an amicus brief, noting need by the aggregates industry to rely on the finality of Clean Water Act permits to operate. The government asked Judge Amy Jackson not to consider NSSGA’s amicus brief. The judge, however, not only rejected the request, but even cited it in the text of her 34-page opinion, noting that the NSSGA brief supported her finding that EPA's interpretation was "unreasonable." Environmental groups are urging EPA to appeal the judge’s decision. “EPA’s veto signaled that, despite NSSGA members’ good faith and reliance on legally issued permits, our ability to operate could be at risk. Aggregates producers appreciate Judge Jackson’s finding that EPA did not act reasonably in revoking a long-standing Clean Water Act permit,”… Keep Reading
Major Wire names new territory manager
Montreal-based Major Wire Industries Ltd. named Jerry Teague as its new territory manager for the south central United States and Puerto Rico. Teague will work directly with Major Wire authorized dealers and aggregate, mining and recycle customers in Arkansas, Southern Illinois, Eastern Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Eastern Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas (excluding El Paso) and Puerto Rico. Teague served for five years as a G.W. Van Keppel Co. sales specialist for the Missouri aggregate industry and most recently as crushing and screening manager at Custom Truck & Equipment. Keep Reading
Lafarge appoints new leaders in Eastern, Western Canada
Bob Cartmel has been appointed by the Lafarge Group as its senior leader for all markets and product lines in Eastern Canada, and René Thibault has been appointed to the same position in western Canada. Cartmel's responsibilities include all operational, marketing and functional elements of the aggregates, cement and ready-mix concrete businesses. He will lead these teams from the eastern Canada head office in Toronto. In Western Canada, Thibault's responsibilities include aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete (ready-mix, pipe and precast), and construction and paving businesses. Thibault will work out of Calgary. Keep Reading
The industry is changing
Pit & Quarry magazine has been around for nearly 100 years, and looking through old issues, I’m struck not by how much things have changed, but by how much things have stayed the same. Go to the “Looking Back” page at the end of most of our issues, and you’ll often see 50-year-old equipment that doesn’t look all that different from what you use today. The same holds true when looking at old pictures of association meetings. Women now have a larger role in our industry, including Joy Pinniger as president of the industry’s national association, but this is still very much a male-dominated industry. However, some things are beginning to move forward. The change is driven by two things: the heightened sensitivity of the public to environmental concerns and the desire of aggregate producers to be more efficient. We all know it has become more and more difficult for producers to obtain operating permits. In an effort to keep their environment clean, water safe and neighborhood quiet, citizens often don’t… Keep Reading
New chairman for NSSGA
Ron Summers, senior vice president, Materials Group, for Glendora, Calif.-based CalPortland Co., was elected NSSGA's 2012 chairman of the board. His election came during the group's board of directors meeting, and his term began at that time. “Ron Summers is a champion of our association and is widely recognized as an industry veteran with an overarching understanding of the aggregates business that he applies to the needs faced by the industry as a whole,” said NSSGA President and CEO Joy Pinniger. “His leadership will continue to enhance NSSGA’s strength as a unifying voice of the aggregates industry from coast to coast necessary for today’s challenges.” Keep Reading
Finding perspective
The last five years as senior editor of Pit & Quarry magazine have taught me to view things differently today. It’s easy to take our nation’s infrastructure for granted – most noticeably the roads and bridges that keep us connected as well as the buildings in which we live, work and educate our kids. This is the basis of our everyday lives, and none of it would be possible without the aggregate producers – from the mom-and-pop operations to the giant public corporations – who supply these important construction materials. That’s what I take away from these last five years – a better understanding of how our nation builds itself up through the hard work of its aggregate producers. I’ve had the opportunity to meet these good people and tour their operations, and for that I’m thankful. It’s a perspective I hope others across the nation will see and understand. Now, I’m moving on to another magazine within Questex Media and saying goodbye to Pit & Quarry and Publisher Rob Fulop, Editor in Chief… Keep Reading
