Features
Three’s company: Growing a frac sand mining operation
Doug Schmidt had no experience in mining or aggregates four years ago when he and two business partners came across an opportunity to mine frac sand at Doc’s Bunkhouse, a campground in Merrillan, Wis. “We came up to this area… Keep Reading
Technology spotlight: Mobile air classifier
Many aggregate and sand producers own multiple quarries. A portable air classifier eliminates the cost of owning and maintaining multiple stationary air classifiers. For major paving projects, it is more economical to move the air classifier to a quarry closer… Keep Reading
Equipment focus: DAG Mobile Aggregate Recycling
Profits are harder to find on jobsites these days, says Ron Garofalo, co-owner of DAG Mobile Aggregate Recycling. “Years ago, if you did a job you would add up your overhead and you would have 20 percent profit on your… Keep Reading
Trespassers at mines
Two teenagers swim in an abandoned quarry. A property owner who leases his land to a mine operator enters without authorization to observe operations. Three youngsters wander onto cement plant property and get into a hot clinker pile. Along an… Keep Reading
Selecting a hydraulic breaker
Aggregates producers face an ever-increasing number of options when selecting a new hydraulic breaker. The breaker market has grown tremendously in recent years to include several makes and models with tools engineered to reduce boulders, dig trenches and demolish concrete.… Keep Reading
MSHA workplace exams
Has an MSHA inspector talked to you about examining “working places?” Inspectors have been told to explain a policy update and MSHA’s enforcement intentions regarding evaluating operator compliance with workplace examination requirements. MSHA says good examinations prevent accidents. Under workplace… Keep Reading
Zip on over: Material handling made easy
Dakota Aggregates LLC, which is in its second season operating a brand new processing plant, mines on 1,722 acres within the University of Minnesota Outreach, Research and Education (UMore) Park. The mine is located in Rosemount, Minn., within reach of… Keep Reading
Reducing waste stockpiles
Caribbean producer C.O. Williams installed a new wash plant to process material from an existing crushing operation at its Lears Quarry in Barbados. The company operates a 250-tph crushing plant that processes coral limestone. This produces more than 35,000 tons… Keep Reading
Feeder fix: Eliminating material bridging
Time dedicated to cleaning out a vibrating grizzly feeder and prying out rocks wedged between grizzly bars adds up. Especially when work crews must address pegging and plugging issues within a grizzly feeder multiple times per week. Will Pyatt, general… Keep Reading
