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Vulcan’s aggregates earnings up in second quarter
Vulcan Materials Co. released its second quarter earnings results for the period ending June 30. Compared with last year’s second quarter results, the company's net sales were up 9 percent, or $60 million, whereas gross profit was up 32 percent, or $42 million. Gross profit from the company’s aggregates segment totaled $162 million, an increase of 27 percent, or $35 million. Revenues were $596 million compared with $508 million the second quarter of last year and include sales generated from producing and selling aggregates tons as well as revenues from aggregates distribution, delivery and other services, including truck brokerage services. The company says it recently expanded its truck brokerage services so it could better serve customers and generate additional earnings from each ton shipped. Gross profit margin on growth in revenue associated with producing and selling aggregates tons was in line with its expectations, it says. Revenue growth from its transportation-related activities contributed to earnings, but as expected, at a lower margin percentage. Aggregates shipments increased 10 percent compared with… Keep Reading
Women In Mining names 2014-2015 officers
Women In Mining (WIM) elected its 2014-2015 officers for its national organization and its Education Foundation. The national officers for WIM -- a nationwide organization composed of local chapters and at-large members who are employed in, associated with, or interested in the mining industry – are President Darlene Bray, California Chapter; Vice President Gena Oliver, California Chapter; and Treasurer Betty Mahaffey, Denver Chapter. Officers for the Education Foundation are President Arloa Woolford, Nevada Chapter; Vice President Ebony McGee, California Chapter; Treasurer Scotty Norman, Nevada Chapter; and Secretary Jackie Dorr, Denver Chapter. The National Organization facilitates communication among all chapters. WIM's goal is to educate its members and the public about the importance of the mining and mineral industries. Keep Reading
Congress passes highway funding bill
Congress approved legislation that will ensure the Highway Trust Fund will have enough money to pay for badly needed programs to improve the nation’s infrastructure through May of next year, The Wall Street Journal reports. The $10.8 billion bill was passed Thursday evening. It now goes to President Obama, who will sign it into law. Congress took action just in time, as the Transportation Department threatened to cut federal aid for states by an average of 28 percent today. The Highway Trust Fund was expected to run dry because it relies on gasoline and diesel fuel taxes that have not been raised in 20 years. More than half of the bill gets its funding from pension smoothing, a tactic that lets companies contribute less money to their pension plans, which raises profits and increases the amount of taxes paid on those profits, according to news reports. Keep Reading
Breaker Technology Inc.
Breaker Technology Inc. (BTI) is one of the world leaders in stationary hydraulic rockbreaker systems. The NT-E Series boom is the 5th generation of small booms from BTI. Designed specifically for quarry applications with enhanced coverage and a larger breaker capability, this boom has an optimized structural design. Robust connections, compact pedestal mounting and common cylinders make for a maintenance-friendly boom system. The increased strength and optimized hydraulics allow the NT line to support a broader range of breakers, from 1,000 ft. lb. class to 3,000 ft. lb. class. The compact pedestal design allows for mounting to competitors’ bolt patterns without the need for an adaptor plate. BTI’s rockbreaker booms come standard with fully proportional electric-hydraulic control. Dual joysticks operate a fully proportional, load sensing directional control valve, providing precise control of all boom functions. www.rockbreaker.com Keep Reading
AZFAB
The Fractionator is a single-station rising-current classifier, using the rising currents to make sharp cuts in fine sands to produce the desired size classification or gravity separation. AZFAB fractionators are designed to perform an accurate particle separation of your materials with its automated system, providing precise cuts for fluctuating incoming feeds. Our automated system includes precision pressure transducers, flow meters and color touchscreen PLC, which includes a built-in web server that has the ability to be monitored from any PC in the network, iPad or smartphone. The automated system can be easily integrated into existing plant control networks. AZFAB Fractionators are manufactured in seven different models ranging in size from 5 ft. up to 12 ft. Providing this wide range of model sizes allows for an easy implementation into new and existing plant layouts and flows. All AZFAB Fractionators are designed and assembled in the USA. www.azfab.com Keep Reading
CDE USA
The EvoWash is proven on hundreds of global installations to introduce significant efficiencies to sand washing operations, thanks to its unrivaled capability to eliminate loss of quality fines to your settling ponds or water treatment phase, the company says. Our hydrocyclone technology offers unrivalled control of silt cut points and ensures you maximize recovery of your sand product - minimizing waste volumes and eliminating expensive pond dredging operations, which are necessary when using traditional sand washing systems. The EvoWash also delivers a washed sand product with 12 percent moisture content, ensuring it is ready for market straight from the belts and allowing you to turn your material into money as quickly as possible. The range includes models capable of processing up to 600 tph in a single installation and is also applied in the production of specialist high value sand products - USGA golf sands, filter sands, glass sands, foundry sands and frac sands, to name a few. www.cdeusa.com/evowash Keep Reading
Intersystems
The mid-belt RS sampler, designed to sample up to 6-in. material including coal, limestone and ores, features low maintenance and heavy-duty construction. The low-cost design is proven to provide installation with ease. The RS can be installed anywhere on the belt where it can obtain a sample that can be delivered to ground level. On command from an automatic or manual controller, an unattended rotating sample cutter, with wiper seal, takes a pass across the moving belt. This sampler obtains a representative and repeatable sample, including fines. It meets ASTM D-2234 specifications. www.intersystems.net Keep Reading
Columbia Steel Casting Co. Inc.
On-site crusher wear studies by Columbia Steel take the guesswork out of cone liner and jaw plate choices, benefiting your operation with better production and less downtime. A Columbia wear study on your crusher can answer the question, “Are you using the right wear parts?” Using right wear parts can mean: improved production, more accurate product sizing, better wear metal utilization and lower discard weight, longer wear part life, and lower overall operating costs. ColumbiaSteel.com/crusher-wear-studies.html Photo: Columbia Steel Casting Co. Keep Reading
Bailey Wood appointed communications VP of NSSGA
The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association announces that Bailey Wood is taking on the role of vice president of communications. In this position, he will be a key leader as the association implements Rocks Build America, a three-year strategic plan to grow the scope and influence of the aggregates industry and refortify America’s infrastructure backbone. “Bailey’s background will be instrumental to NSSGA as we seek to align our key strategic initiatives with our legislative and regulatory affairs efforts on Capitol Hill,” said NSSGA President & CEO Mike Johnson. “With 20 years of experience in strategic communications, he has the skills to grow NSSGA’s public presence, keep our members informed and provide a powerful voice on the national and grassroots levels.” “Growing up in Pennsylvania, I have seen firsthand the incredible impact that stone, sand and gravel producers have on their local communities and the nation as a whole,” Wood said. “That background will be invaluable to me as we seek to demonstrate the need for a stable funding stream… Keep Reading
