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Technical session, tours part of silica sand conference
Registration is now open for the Conference on the Silica Sand Resources of Minnesota and Wisconsin, presented jointly by the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Precambrian Research Center and the Twin Cities Chapter of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration. The conference will be held Oct.1-3 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center, Minn. A goal of the conference is to answer many of the questions stakeholders have raised about the development of silica sand. A welcoming banquet will be held on Monday, Oct. 1, followed by a technical session on Tuesday, Oct. 2. Wednesday, Oct. 3 will entail a full-day tour of several silica mines, processing plants and loading facilities in western and central Wisconsin. This conference is being hosted concurrently with the 57th annual Midwest Groundwater Conference, drawing groundwater scientists, professionals, and engineers from 14 states. Keep Reading
Former NSSGA executive McClure dies
Kash McClure, former NSSGA vice president of membership services, has died. McClure served the industry through the National Limestone Institute, the National Stone Association and NSSGA for 37 years. He retired in 2004 and is survived by his wife Yvonne, two children and two grandchildren. Keep Reading
Feds release nearly $500 million for transportation projects
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Ray LaHood announced earlier this month that the Obama administration is making $473 million available to states for infrastructure projects. Congress earmarked hundreds of millions of dollars between 2003 and 2006, but $473 million of it was never spent. DOT is allowing states to apply those dollars to any highway, transit, passenger rail or port projects already approved by the department, but states must identify the projects on which they intend to spend the rescinded funds by Oct. 1. They must obligate the money by Dec. 31. States can only use the funding amount already allocated to them, and any funding that is not obligated by the end of the year will be proportionally distributed to states that meet the deadline. According to the Charlotte Observer, Alabama is the biggest winner of the new money, with an opportunity to spend $51.5 million that had been set aside, but never used, for 33 projects. California is also a big winner, with $43.1 million to spend. Wyoming… Keep Reading
John Deere app allows users to track machinery
John Deere Construction recently extended the availability of the machine monitoring system JDLink to iPhones, iPads and Android devices. The free JDLink mobile app allows contractors to access John Deere’s system to keep tabs on a machine's location and alerts through a mobile device. Customers can use a demo function to explore the features provided before subscribing for an account. The app includes a number of interactive JDLink features, including multiple machine mapping and directions to machines. Learn more about JDLink at www.deere.com/jdlink. Keep Reading
Martin Engineering opening facility to serve Western U.S.
Martin Engineering is opening a new, factory-direct and service center in Gillette, Wyo., where the company will house a large stock of inventory to serve the mining industry in the Western United States. The facility includes warehouse and office space and is opening soon with a grand opening celebration planned this month. Keep Reading
Second quarter aggregate production up considerably
Preliminary numbers from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) suggest aggregate production rose sharply in the second quarter. Increases in domestic production for crushed stone, sand and gravel were substantial compared to production in the first quarter of 2012, primarily owing to seasonal variations. USGS says crushed stone production was up 47 percent over the first quarter, and construction sand and gravel was up 63 percent. Construction materials showed much more modest increases when compared to the second quarter of last year, with crushed stone and construction sand and gravel each up 5 percent. The increase in construction materials production compared to production in the second quarter of 2011 could be the continuing effects of the unusually warm winter weather in the eastern half of the United States. The increase may also reflect specific increases in construction after several years of decline. Total construction spending during the first half of 2012 was up 9 percent over the corresponding period of 2011. Keep Reading
Mack Trucks expands U.S. manufacturing presence
Mack Trucks Inc. has moved production of its mDrive automated manual transmission from Sweden to Hagerstown, Md. More than one-third of the highway trucks currently rolling off the assembly line at Mack's truck plant in Macungie, Pa., feature the automated manual transmission, which is available on Mack Pinnacle-model highway tractors. U.S. production of the transmission was possible because of an $8 million investment in the Hagerstown manufacturing plant to create a new assembly line, install the necessary equipment and train personnel. Mack says the investment also created 50 new jobs at the facility. Keep Reading
Hildestad retiring, Goodin to assume role at MDU Resources
Terry Hildestad, president and CEO of MDU Resources, has announced plans to retire come January after a 38-year career with the company. David Goodin, who is currently president and CEO of the company's four utility businesses, has been chosen to succeed Hildestad as president and CEO. Hildestad began his career with the company in 1974 at Knife River Corp., where he served in several positions before becoming its president in 1991. He was named president and CEO of Knife River in 1993. He became president and COO of MDU Resources in 2005 and was named to his current position in 2006. Keep Reading
Huibers named president of Volvo Penta Americas
Ron Huibers has been appointed president of Volvo Penta of the Americas. He succeeds Clint Moore, who has announced plans to retire. Huibers, who currently serves Volvo Truck Americas as president of sales and marketing for North America, will assume the new position on Sept. 1. He has been with Volvo Group for 20 years. Keep Reading
