​​Freight Bottlenecks Slowing Shipments

By Mark S. Kuhar As vehicle travel returns to pre-pandemic levels and federal transportation funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) begins to reach states, it will be critical that states make additional investments to improve the efficiency and condition of the nation’s freight network to minimize supply chain disruptions, according to a new report released by TRIP,…

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Drugs, MSHA Enforcement and Maslow’s Hammer

The Agency Often Neglects Or Undervalues Its Other Tools In Favor Of Enforcement. Why?  By Brian Hendrix Without a doubt, MSHA is an enforcement agency. It walks, talks, thinks and acts like an enforcement agency. It sees itself as an enforcement agency. Enforcement is its favorite tool, and the tool that it uses most frequently. The trouble is that, after…

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The Communication Gap

The Learning Curve For New Technology Can Take Decades, But Human Will Is The Ultimate Determinate Of Change. By Thomas J. Roach The 20th century ended with vast expansion of the global communication network. Now, as we near the quarter century mark of the 21st century, it seems that network is closing.  Most notably, China is imposing restrictions on what…

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On-Target Outreach

Vulcan Materials Co. Focuses On The Intersection Of Community And Employee Priorities To Achieve Strong Engagement. By Therese Dunphy Part of what makes an aggregate operation a good neighbor is understanding the needs of the local community surrounding your operation and helping it address those concerns.  “Given the focus on environmental justice, sustainability, carbon footprint, and other things that are…

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CalCIMA Announces Excellence in Safety Awards Winners

The California Construction and Industrial Materials Association (CalCIMA) announced its 2021 Excellence in Safety Awards winners. These awards acknowledge the exceptional work and contributions to safety in regard to leadership, innovation, commitment, and impact beyond the plant. “Safety has to be JOB #1 in our industry. We’re proud to prioritize the safety of our workers from training and tools, to…

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CEMEX, Heidelberg, Holcim Make Climate ‘A List’

Three of the top five global cement, aggregate and concrete producers have made the 2021 Climate Disclosure Project A List, reflecting transparency in environmental impact, greenhouse gas emissions management and water resource metrics. CEMEX, HeidelbergCement and Holcim are among 200 A List/Climate category performers from a pool of 10,000-plus companies that London-based CDP observes. “We commit to continue leading the…

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Reports From Pennsylvania, Utah, New Jersey, Ontario

A company planning to mine for sand and gravel in New Beaver, Pa., is taking court action after the borough denied its application in September, according to the Beaver County Times. New Beaver Council denied New Galilee-based Three Rivers Aggregates’ conditional use request in a 6-1 vote following public opposition and lingering questions. Developers filed the appeal in Lawrence County…

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Minerals Auction Benefits Public Schools

Jan. 10, 2022 – Idaho Public Schools will benefit from competitive bidding after an Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) public auction held Jan. 6, generated $835,000 in premium bids on two sand and gravel leases located on public school endowment land south of Boise, according to Big Country News. The public auction took place at the IDL Southwest Supervisory Area Office in Boise. Five bidders registered to…

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