The pace of single-family housing starts declined for the third consecutive month as housing affordability concerns continue to weigh on the home construction market. Total starts posted a 3.2 percent increase due to gains for multifamily development. Total single-family and apartment construction starts are up 5.1 percent on a year-to-date basis, according to joint data released from the Census Bureau and Department…
Read MoreYear: 2018
Aggregates Production Up 5 Percent in Third Quarter
An estimated 694 million metric tons (Mt) of total construction aggregates was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the third quarter of 2018, an increase of 5 percent compared with that of the third quarter of 2017. The estimated production for consumption in the first nine months of 2018 was 1.77 billion metric tons (Gt), an increase…
Read MoreABB Explosive Atmosphere Motor for Underground Mines
An extension to ABB’s low voltage IEC mining motors range is now available with Ex d flameproof protection for use in underground mine (group I) applications such as conveyors, air handling fans and water pumps. Rated from 0.55 to 710 kW in frame sizes IEC 80 to 450, the cast iron motors are an evolution of ABB’s long-life explosive atmosphere…
Read MoreTexas Legislator Files Bill to Address Concrete Crushing, Ready-Mix Plants
Texas State Senator Donna Campbell (R-District 25) filed Senate Bill 208 to extend requirements for setbacks, or buffer zones, around concrete facilities and concrete-crushing operations. If passed, the bill would double the current 440 yd. requirement between concrete plants and existing residences, schools and churches to 880 yd., or a half mile. It would also expand the zone of people…
Read MoreNSSGA, NISA Partner to Create Industrial Sand Division
The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) announced an agreement with the National Industrial Sand Association (NISA) to create a new Industrial Sand Division (ISD) of NSSGA. Members of NISA will form the nucleus of NSSGA’s Industrial Sand Division.
Read MoreHales Sand & Gravel Honored by NAPA
The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) will honor Hales Sand & Gravel, a CRH company, during its annual meeting in January, as the winner of the Quality in Construction (QIC) Award for three projects it completed this year. The following projects will be recognized: SR 137 in Sanpete County, SR 28 and US 89 in Sevier and Sanpete counties, and SR 62…
Read MoreJudge Throws Out Frac Sand Lawsuit
A judge has thrown out a lawsuit claiming the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources overstepped its authority by reviewing an administrative law judge’s ruling on a permit for a controversial frac sand operation, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.
Read MoreU.S. Silica Donates to Fire Rescue Department in Texas
U.S. Silica donated $7,315 to Lamesa Fire Rescue in Texas for the purchase of specialty equipment to outfit a confined space entry and high-angle rescue trailer. The equipment is necessary for a firefighter to safely enter a confined space and perform a rescue in the event of an emergency.
Read MoreVortex Creates Solution for New Sand Plant
In 2017, Vortex completed a large project with an industrial sand manufacturer to construct a new sand processing facility. As part of this project, the client sought solutions for:
Read MoreNew NIOSH Software Monitors Respirable Crystalline Silica
Mines can now monitor worker exposure to hazardous respirable crystalline silica (RCS) more effectively thanks to new software developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Mining Program in beta version. This novel, field-based tool called the Field Analysis of Silica Tool (FAST), works together with commercially available Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analyzers to determine a worker’s…
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