According to the latest PacWest Consulting Partners ProppantIQ market study, North America proppant consumption is expected to increase at 23 percent per annum through 2016, from 80 billion lb. in 2013 to 153 billion lb. in 2016, with much of the growth occurring in frac sand consumption. Growth in proppant consumption is driven by an increasing number of horizontal wells…
Read MoreMonth: November 2014
Canada’s Pursuit of Frac Sand Sources
Canada is a major consumer of premium frac sand from the Midwest of the United States, although they have sources that are currently mined in Alberta and Saskatchewan, with others in Manitoba scheduled to come online in 2015.
Read MoreFrac Sand Market Ready to Explode
There is sand, sand and more sand in our future.
Read MoreFirst Look – November 2014
TOP NEWS Martin Marietta Makes Big Gains Martin Marietta Materials Inc. reported its results for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2014, with a healthy increase in sales and profitability. Labor Secretary Holds Aggregates Industry Roundtable U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez invited a select group of aggregates executives for a frank dialogue on the key issues facing the industry.…
Read MoreMSHA Makes Training Easier
Nov. 25, 2014 – Training is an essential part of the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) mission to keep miners safe and healthy. In order to do a more effective job of delivering its training resources, MSHA has rearranged its web-based presentation of training materials on workplace safety and health. The agency’s website says, “Our goal is to help the mining…
Read More60 Minutes Attacks Infrastructure Failures
In a scathing report on America’s infrastructure, the venerable CBS News program 60 Minutes, as part of its Sunday, Nov. 23 broadcast, illustrated in the gravest terms the dire conditions of America’s roads and bridges – and indicted congressional inaction on this major issue.
Read MoreOctober Construction Backs Off
The value of new construction starts settled back 4 percent in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $589.8 billion, according to Dodge Data & Analytics (formerly McGraw Hill Construction). The decline followed the 10 percent increase reported in September, which was the strongest month for total construction starts so far in 2014.
Read MoreSingle-Family Housing Up Again in October
Single-family housing production in October reached its highest level since November 2013 while the more volatile multifamily sector brought combined nationwide starts activity down 2.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.009 million units, according to newly released figures from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Read MoreJohn Deere Loaders Meet Final Tier 4 Emissions Standards
Three updated models join John Deere’s industry-leading K-Series Four-Wheel Drive Wheel Loader lineup. The 744K-II, 824K-II, and 844K-II meet Final Tier 4 emissions standards while bringing added durability, productivity, increased uptime and lower daily operating costs to the jobsite. “Advancements to the K-Series-II loaders came from the brightest minds in the industry – our Customer Advocate Group,” said John Chesterman, product marketing…
Read MoreVolvo CE Touts North American Sales Increase
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) saw stable market growth in North America dented by a faster decline in China and a loss of momentum in Europe in its third quarter results – while earnings rose strongly in the period, thanks to effective cost control measures and currency tailwinds.
Read More