The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) just released its Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024 publication, an annual information source that offers capsule summaries of specific mineral commodities in the United States, including crushed stone, and sand and gravel. In its initial capsule summary, USGS notes that in 2023, the estimated total value of nonfuel mineral production in the United States was $105 billion,…
Read MoreMonth: January 2024
GCAA, Vulcan Give a Rep a Tour
Jan. 31, 2024 – The Georgia Construction Aggregate Association (GCAA) reports that on Jan. 22, GCAA and Vulcan Materials hosted a quarry tour with Congressman Mike Collins (R-Ga.) at Vulcan’s Sparta, Ga., quarry. Collins serves the Georgia 10th Congressional District and he also serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Alan Yarbro, Sparta plant manager, briefed the congressman on…
Read MoreProStack Adds Powerscreen to Distributor Network
ProStack announced the addition of Powerscreen Crushing and Screening to its global distributor network. The strategic relationship signifies ProStack’s commitment to expanding its footprint in North America and providing customers with innovative material processing solutions.
Read MoreHolcim Names Gutovic CEO
Holcim’s board of directors appointed Miljan Gutovic as chief executive officer (CEO) of Holcim, effective May 1. He will succeed the current CEO Jan Jenisch, who will focus on his role as chairman and will stand for re-election at the AGM in May. Also, the board has tasked Jenisch to lead the planned U.S. listing of Holcim’s North America business.…
Read MorePermitting Update: Virginia
How far away from a quarry would a house have to be for you to consider living in it? Would that change if you worked for the quarry? That’s the question at the core of an ordinance considered by the Augusta County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 24. The debate is not over — the ordinance was tabled and several…
Read MoreNew Home Sales Bounce Back in December on Lower Mortgage Rates
Falling interest rates in the closing weeks of 2023 helped to bring buyers off the sidelines and provide a boost for new home sales. Sales of newly built, single-family homes in December increased 8.0% to a 664,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate from an upwardly revised reading in November, according to newly released data by the U.S. Department of Housing and…
Read MoreRice University Study: Coal-Based Product Could Replace Sand in Concrete
A study by Rice University researchers found that graphene derived from metallurgical coke, a coal-based product, could serve not only as a reinforcing additive in cement but also as a replacement for sand in concrete. “This could have a major impact on one of the biggest industries in the world,” said James Tour, Rice’s T. T. and W. F. Chao…
Read MoreMSHA Impact Inspections Target 16 Mines in 11 States in December
The U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) completed impact inspections at 16 mines in 11 states in December 2023, issuing 247 violations. The agency began conducting impact inspections after an April 2010 explosion in West Virginia at the Upper Big Branch Mine killed 29 miners. MSHA’s impact inspections in 2023 identified 2,739 violations,…
Read MorePresident Hails Infrastructure Investments at Wisconsin Event
During a press event at the Earth Rider Brewery in Superior, Wis., President Joe Biden highlighted a $1 billion grant award to the Blatnik Bridge project, which will replace the original structure built in 1961 with a new design that will not only handle higher volumes of motor vehicle and freight traffic but more safely accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians as…
Read MoreHolcim to Spin Off North American Business by 2025
Holcim announced its intent to publicly list its North American business in the United States with a full capital market separation. This process “will create the leading pure-play building solutions company in the region,” the company stated. The newly-listed business will be committed to driving long-term growth in the rapidly expanding North American market and unlocking value for all its…
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