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SMEF launches global humanitarian program
The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Foundation (SMEF) launched the Miners Give Back program to contribute to improving the lives of individuals where mining is, or has been, an integral part of the community. “As the largest professional society in the mining industry, SME will be a conduit for industry specialists around the world to positively impact and enhance the lifestyles of local communities with sustainable benefits that will last for generations,” says David Kanagy, SME executive director, in a press release. SMEF plans to invest matching funds to find solutions to projects related to health issues, water systems, education, youth mentoring and other mining-related concerns within impacted communities. The foundation plans to achieve its goals by sponsoring an established mining company; forming partnerships with local or regional organizations; and partnering with local SME sections or individuals who initiate and implement projects that provide definitive benefits to the local community. According to a press release, the Drummond Co. Inc. made the 2014 Miners Give Back grants possible because of… Keep Reading
Serious reauthorization talks spiral into likely short-term extension
ISTEA. TEA-21. SAFETEA-LU. MAP-21. Now what? Uncertainty has surrounded the reauthorization of surface transportation funding before. But given the downward trend over the last 20 years in the length of reauthorization bills, plus considering the diminishing number of federal dollars made available in those bills (at least when considering inflation), concerns are again running high as the industry awaits a highway funding solution. This uncertain, rocky road has been coming for some time, though. "I'd say we've never had a more uncertain time about the future of how we're going to fund highway transportation," said George Reddin, managing director at FMI, at the Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference last fall. A number of potential solutions have emerged from the federal government over the last few months. President Barack Obama outlined his vision earlier this year for a four-year, $302 billion bill. But that idea is a distant memory now considering more recent proposals have emerged such as the one Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore) drummed up that would extend MAP-21… Keep Reading
Construction slides but no need to worry, economist says
New construction starts in May dropped 5 percent from the previous month according to McGraw Hill Construction, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. The reduced pace for total construction starts reflected a moderate loss of momentum for nonresidential building and housing, the firm reports. The nonbuilding construction sector eased back slightly, as well. The total construction decline followed two months of strengthening activity, according to McGraw Hill Construction. May's level was still above the volume registered at the beginning of 2014. Also, for the first five months of this year, total construction starts on an unadjusted basis were down 1 percent from the same period of one year ago. “After the slow beginning to 2014, construction activity during March and April regained upward momentum, and May’s retreat does not necessarily mean that renewed expansion is stalling,” says Robert Murray, chief economist for McGraw Hill Construction. “The downturn for nonresidential building in May was the result of a sharp pullback by the often-volatile manufacturing plant category after its huge gain in… Keep Reading
Volvo opens customer center in Pennsylvania
Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) opened its North American Customer Center in Shippensburg, Pa., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.), Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), Volvo CE Americas President Göran Lindgren, Swedish Ambassador to the United States Björn Lyrvall and other dignitaries. According to a press release, the opening of the $100 million, 40-acre customer center represents the consolidation of Volvo CE’s operations on one site, which included moving the Americas sales headquarters from North Carolina to Pennsylvania and localizing machine production in Shippensburg. “The customer center is designed to give our customers and dealers hands-on experience with our machines and provide the help they need to put them to good use through training, information and support," says Lindgren, in a press release. The center includes a 20,000-sq.-ft. event facility for the company’s dealers and customers. A new equipment demonstration area replicates jobsites. Also, the customer center will house a brand shop and an area highlighting Volvo’s history. Lindgren estimates more than 6,000 customers,… Keep Reading
Masaba opens its doors to students for career day
Masaba Inc. hosted a welding career day for high school and technical students. According to a press release, more than 30 attendees got a tour of Masaba's facility. The event featured representatives from area technical schools to speak with interested students about the role education plays in preparation for a career in manufacturing. In addition, Masaba hired Steve Nelson, a recent University of South Dakota graduate, as a marketing specialist. Keep Reading
Martin Marietta-Texas Industries deal approved with conditions
The U.S. Department of Justice approved Martin Marietta Materials Inc.’s $2.7 billion purchase of Texas Industries Inc., Bloomberg reports. Part of the approval is a requirement that Martin Marietta sell a few assets. According to Bloomberg, Martin Marietta will sell an Oklahoma quarry and Texas rail yards in order to maintain market competition for crushed stone, sand and gravel. “Without the divestiture obtained by the antitrust division, customers would have likely faced higher prices as a result of this acquisition,” said Bill Baer, head of the department's antitrust division, in a statement. Keep Reading
Short-term surface transportation reauthorization bill proposed
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) proposed a three-month plan June 24 as an immediate solution to continue highway funding through the end of the year. According to The Hill, Wyden said only $9 billion can be reallocated from various areas of the federal budget for highway funding. The additional funds would sustain highway projects through Dec. 31, but a funding solution would again be needed at that time. Wyden previously was against a short-term funding solution, The Hill reports. "It would be a tragic mistake to let highway funding become another stop-and-go extender like Medicare physician payments and many important tax incentives,” Wyden said in May, according to The Hill. “Relying on short-term policies, emergency patches, and temporary extensions makes forward-looking strategies impossible, and when it comes to infrastructure, planning ahead is absolutely essential.” Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), who has been an advocate for a six-year transportation bill, said one day after Wyden made his proposal that she supports his idea, according to The Hill. “I support the Senate Finance Committee’s… Keep Reading
Rockster Recycler launches North American division
Austrian-based Rockster Recycler partnered with Stu Gamble and Brian Barlow to launch its track-mounted crushers and screens into the North American market. In addition, Rockster Recycler contracted Barlow's company, Barlow Strategic Sales & Marketing, to handle sales and dealer development and marketing support for the new company. Keep Reading
Loader technology, MSHA enforcement focus of upcoming webinars
Two educational opportunities in NSSGA's AGG1 Online webinar series are available later this summer. Luck Stone Corp.'s 988 remote-control wheel loader will be the focus of a July 15 webinar. Presenters will discuss how the technology can help to improve safety and increase profitability. On Aug. 20, MSHA's elevated enforcement will be the focus of a discussion. The webinar will advise metal/nonmetal operators, in-house counsel, and management and safety personnel how to prepare for and avoid MSHA elevated enforcement, preserve evidence and to mitigate MSHA enforcement actions, including significant and substantial (S&S) and high negligence citations; 104(d) unwarrantable failure violations; flagrant assessment violations; 107(a) imminent danger orders; 103 closure orders; and 104(b) failure to abate orders. Keep Reading
