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RDO to sell Maptek long-range laser scanners
Maptek has signed an agreement with RDO Integrated Controls (RDOIC) to resell Maptek I-Site survey systems. RDOIC is RDO Equipment Co.’s positioning technology division, supplying equipment for mobile mapping and terrestrial scanning into various industries, including mining. Maptek and RDOIC started discussing the partnership shortly after MINExpo 2012, where Maptek was showcasing its I-Site 8400 and 8810 laser scanners. Keep Reading
Edwards, Nye among Young Leaders speakers
Details on the next Young Leaders Annual Meeting, to be held May 14-18 in New Orleans, have been released. Among this year's featured speakers are Ward Nye, president and CEO of Martin Marietta Materials; William J. Sandbrook, president and CEO of U.S. Concrete Inc.; Randy Lake, CEO of Oldcastle Materials Inc.; Mark S. Fernandes, chief leadership officer at Luck Cos.; and Gus Edwards, NSSGA president and CEO. The operations segment of the conference will be held at various sites around New Orleans. Attendees will tour the levee systems protecting the low-lying city and visit the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Tulane University’s Stephen A. Nelson will guide the tour and explain what happened to precipitate this natural disaster and the measures taken to improve the levee system’s design. Visit http://youngleaders.nssga.org for additional details. Keep Reading
Groundbreaking transportation bill passed in Virginia
Virginia's House of Delegates and State Senate passed a comprehensive, long-term transportation bill Feb. 23. Now, the state legislature awaits Gov. Bob McDonnell's (R-Va.) signature. The bill will be covered by a few different sources according to the Washington Post, which reports that McDonnell convinced Democrats to move $200 million of general funds toward this bill. Federal online sales tax money and an additional 0.3 percent on sales tax, as well as a new taxing authority from the most congested parts of the state, will provide the rest of the funding needed to meet Virginia's increased transportation needs, McDonnell says. If McDonnell signs the bill, which he is expected to, a 17.5-cents-per-gallon gas tax would be eliminated and a 3.5 percent wholesale tax would be imposed in the state. "With this bill, gas prices will be reduced, and we will reduce our historic reliance on the gas tax which is in a long-term decline," McDonnell says. "Today we have stated unequivocally that transportation is a core function of government, by… Keep Reading
Two metal/nonmetal deaths occur in January
According to MSHA, two miners were killed in the metal and nonmetal sector in January 2013. One person died when a large rock fell and struck him while in a manlift taking samples from a highwall. The other person was killed when caught between moving parts while repairing a leaking hydraulic cylinder on a lime preheater. The coal sector, meanwhile, had six people killed over 25 days between Jan. 26 and Feb. 19. Two of the six were related to machinery while another two occurred in power haulage accidents. Photo: MSHA Keep Reading
Two metal/nonmetal deaths occur in January
According to MSHA, two miners were killed in the metal and nonmetal sector in January 2013. One person died when a large rock fell and struck him while in a manlift taking samples from a highwall. The other person was killed when caught between moving parts while repairing a leaking hydraulic cylinder on a lime preheater. The coal sector, meanwhile, had six people killed over 25 days between Jan. 26 and Feb. 19. Two of the six were related to machinery while another two occurred in power haulage accidents. Keep Reading
Vulcan recognized for hearing loss prevention program
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) awarded Vulcan Materials Co. their 2013 Safe-in-Sound Award for Excellence. Vulcan Materials was recognized for its implementation of a data-driven hearing loss prevention program. According to NIOSH and NHSCA, Vulcan Materials has embraced innovative and cost-effective noise measurement and control strategies, providing extensive noise measurement and control, as well as training for select employees to function as industrial hygiene support staff. In addition, Vulcan Materials is integrating technologies such as GPS and video into their noise measurement protocols. Keep Reading
Michelin Earthmover sets up repair accreditation program
Michelin Earthmover is launching a repair accreditation program with its dealers and Tech International. The program will provide earthmover tire repairs in Michelin's repair shops. Among the services dealers will get are training, technical support, inventory control systems, quality repair products and procedures, and traceability systems. Tech International will provide initial training, as well as biannual training on repair methods, product inventory procedures and quality and traceability systems. “We have found that there is a need in the industry for consistent, quality repairs, and we want to make it easier for end users to find them,” says Michael Reich, Michelin Earthmover services category manager. Keep Reading
Eriez names materials processing director
Jose Marin has been promoted to director of minerals and materials processing at Eriez. Marin will manage the company's minerals and materials processing product line. He will also coordinate with Eriez' worldwide affiliate operations on major mining projects. Marin joined Eriez in 1987, supporting the company's Latin American sales efforts. At one time, he became assistant manager of minerals and materials processing. For the past several years, he has served as director of the company's export team. Keep Reading
Report: January construction starts retreat by double digits
The value of new construction starts dropped 12 percent in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $469.1 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction. The decline follows a sharp 23 percent increase for total construction in December, bringing the level of contracting back to the average pace that was reported during 2012. According to McGraw-Hill Construction, much of January’s downturn was due to decreased activity for nonresidential building and housing, while the nonbuilding construction sector held close to its December volume. The January statistics lowered the Dodge Index to 99, down from December’s 112. The full-year reading for 2012 was also 99. “The pullback for construction starts in January was not surprising, given the up-and-down pattern that was present for much of 2012,” says Robert A. Murray, vice president of economic affairs for McGraw-Hill Construction. “The large increase in December followed two months of lackluster activity in October and November, and it’s likely that December benefitted from the start of projects that were earlier put on hold given the uncertain… Keep Reading
