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Five-year U.S. construction outlook positive
Timetric’s Construction Intelligence Center forecasts that the U.S. construction industry will likely grow over the next five years. The center predicts the construction sector’s average annual growth is set to accelerate from 1.7 percent during its review period to 3.1 percent over the forecast period, increasing from $1 trillion in 2014 to $1.1 trillion in 2019. Residential construction was the largest market during the review period and will retain this position, mainly supported by the government's plans to increase the budget allocation by 1.9 percent to $46.7 billion in 2015. The budget will support homeownership, sustainable community development and access to affordable housing. Additionally, the country's population is expected to increase from 321.2 billion in 2010 to 338 billion by 2020, which would increase demand for housing over the forecast period. According to Timetric, the biggest drivers of construction growth will likely include the need to modernize aging infrastructure, the renewable energy sector and a growing population in the United States. Residential construction was the largest market during the review period,… Keep Reading
Doublescreen ideal for tight specification products
Sandvik Construction launched the QA335 Doublescreen plant, which offers a user-friendly electrical control system with sequential start up, hydraulic screen separation to aid screen media changes and a fuel-efficient 100 hp engine. Based around a 13-ft. x 5-ft. Doublescreen, Sandvik designed the QA335 with a wrap-around walkway to provide a safe work platform for service and maintenance. The QA335 features radio control with two-speed tracking for ease of maneuverability on site and an oil cooler fitted as standard. Additionally, the QA335 consists of two high-velocity screen boxes that incorporate independent screen drives with the ability to adjust the working angle of each screen independently to each other to suit exact requirements of an application. Sandvik says this feature makes the QA335 ideal for tight specification products without compromising on production, as it offers users adjustability, increased accuracy and high screening efficiency. Keep Reading
Long-term, short-term highway funding feud
The Senate approved a long-term highway-funding bill. The House of Representatives approved a short-term highway-funding bill. And at the end of July, the House cornered the Senate into approving a three-month extension, leaving the long-term funding issue unresolved. The lack of a long-term funding resolution is frustrating for aggregate producers, given the fact that the country is leaning on a temporary bill to support highway funding. There is some hope, though, that a long-term bill could come into fruition when the congressional recess ends. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) plans to push for his long-term highway-funding bill after the congressional recess. In fact, McConnell is pushing for it even during the current recess. According to The Lane Report, a Kentucky business magazine, McConnell’s long-term highway-funding bill would provide three years of guaranteed funding for interstate highway projects without raising taxes or adding to the deficit. Despite the fact that the House ignored McConnell's bill before leaving for recess, McConnell told The Hill he predicts the House will be more… Keep Reading
MSHA offers online program to report injuries, accidents
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) created an interactive, online training tool to help mine operators and contractors comply with federal regulations to report accidents, illnesses and injuries. Part 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires mine operators to notify MSHA of accidents, illnesses or injuries, as well as report quarterly employment and production data. Joe Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health with MSHA, says the online tool can serve as a map for mine operators and contractors to pinpoint where they are having problems and where they need to concentrate their efforts. “For miners, it will help them better understand Part 50 requirements on reporting work-related injuries and illnesses,” Main says. “Finally, it will enhance MSHA’s ability to evaluate and develop mine safety and health initiatives, which benefit the entire mining industry.” The Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General raised concerns in a March 2014 report about the accurate reporting of mine injuries and illnesses by mine operators. In 2014, mine operators… Keep Reading
Mobile cone crusher features metal detection, purge system
Terex Finlay added the C-1545 to its lineup of tracked mobile cone crushers. The C-1545 mobile cone crusher incorporates the Terex TC1150 cone crusher with direct variable speed clutch drive, automatic tramp relief and hydraulic adjustable closed-side setting capabilities. The mid-range C-1545 cone crusher operates in the surface ore mining and aggregate industries. The machine features a large hopper and feeder with an automated metal detection and purge system to protect the cone and reduce downtime. The system removes metal contaminants from the feed belt via the purge chute with the push of a button. According to Terex Finlay, other benefits of the C-1545 include rapid setup time, ease of maintenance, high reduction ratio, advanced electronic control system and high output capacity. Keep Reading
Haver & Boecker offers Flex-Mat 3 in Western Canada
Haver & Boecker Canada became the exclusive source for Flex-Mat 3 screen media in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. The Flex-Mat 3, manufactured by Major Wire Industries, is a self-cleaning screen that has been used for the mining, aggregate, sand and gravel, coal, industrial minerals and asphalt industries for about 20 years. Its design eliminates blinding and pegging to ensure consistent screening performance. When used on a tensioned screen deck, the Flex-Mat 3 lasts about three times longer than traditional woven wire mesh. Its modular decks come in five different frame styles, including grooved, pin and leg, pin and sleeve, snap or step. The modular and tensioned screening options raise production by as much as 40 percent compared to woven wire methods, while reducing downtime spent cleaning and replacing screen cloth. Keep Reading
Best practices: Screening
Deister’s Joe Schlabach discusses the benefits of different screening options – and more – with Pit & Quarry. Joe Schlabach, vice president of marketing and sales with Deister Machine Co., led an educational session on the basics and misconceptions of screening at the 2015 AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo. Schlabach, a 36-year Deister veteran who focuses on applications and applying screens in his position, says working with equipment firsthand helped him gain expertise on screening and screen media. Pit & Quarry connected with Schlabach to discuss screening further. P&Q: At AGG1, you said screening combines art and science. What do you mean by this? Schlabach: There is no literary source – science – that can tell you everything you need to know about how to properly select and operate a vibrating screen. There is a great deal of experience – art – that is a valuable help in selecting and operating vibrating screens. Every deposit is unique and may require some special consideration to get the best results. This is… Keep Reading
Caterpillar dealer to purchase aggregate equipment supplier
Wagner Equipment Co. entered an agreement with Inter-Mountain Construction Equipment Inc. to acquire all assets of Inter-Mountain. Wagner, based in Aurora, Colo., is a Caterpillar dealer that serves Colorado, New Mexico and west Texas. Inter-Mountain supplies aggregate equipment from Metso Minerals, McLanahan, Thor and Tema Isenmann in Colorado and southern Wyoming. Bruce Wagner, Wagner president and CEO, says the company has wanted to get more involved in the crushing and screening business to compliment its services as a Caterpillar dealer. The purchase by Wagner depends on Wagner and the current Inter-Mountain suppliers entering into distribution agreements. Keep Reading
SME co-sponsors mining sustainability conference
The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc. (SME) co-sponsored the 7th International Conference on Sustainable Development in the Minerals Industry (SDIMI) July 12-15, 2015, in Vancouver, British Columbia. The conference goal was to get insight from the mineral extraction community to contribute to a sustainable future. Jessica Kogel, chair of the World Federation of Engineering Organization’s (WFEO) Task Force on Mining Sustainability and SME’s 2013 president, moderated a panel discussion titled “Is Mining Broken? Social, Economic and Environmental Challenges and Engineering Solutions." The discussion addressed challenges the mining industry faces, along with engineering solutions to the challenges. The following individuals participated in the panel discussion: J.Steven Gardner, SME's 2015 president; Priscilla Nelson, chair of the Mining Engineering Department at Colorado School of Mines; Elaine Dorward-King, executive vice president of sustainability and external relations at Newmont Mining; Bryan Cox, vice president of corporate affairs at the Mining Association of British Columbia; Jüergen Kretschmann, president of the TFH Georg Agricola University of Applied Sciences; and Darrell Danyluk, WFEO vice president from Engineers… Keep Reading
