Cemex USA hosted dozens of aggregates industry experts at its Balcones Quarry in New Braunfels, Texas, to help highlight best practices to improve process efficiency as part of the annual Quarry Academy educational seminar presented by Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology and Dyno Nobel.
Cemex representatives gave the more than 130 Academy participants an up-close look at the new fully automated and highly efficient aggregates wash plant at Balcones Quarry along with the facility’s new high-performance water recycle and fines recovery plant, which has decreased the company’s reliance on water from local aquifer sources by 90 percent. The fines recovery plant reclaims aggregate fines from the wash plant to a useable sand product.
“It’s an honor for us to host the Quarry Academy at the premier aggregates facility in the country,” said Cemex USA Regional President – Texas Region Joel Galassini. “Cemex is a leader in the aggregates industry, and we are proud to demonstrate our high standards when it comes to safety and innovation.”
Statistics from the U.S. Geological Survey released earlier this year show Cemex’s Balcones Quarry was ranked first in the United States for production volume by crushed stone operations in 2015. The USGS ranked two other Cemex quarries among the top 25 in the nation.
During the four-hour tour, participants also watched a drilling exhibition by Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology as well as a blasting demonstration by Dyno Nobel, emphasizing innovative, efficient and safe mining technologies.
The tour was the fourth time Cemex has hosted the Quarry Academy group at the Balcones Quarry.