By Mark S. Kuhar How do industrial minerals enhance our daily lives and how are they mined in Texas? In July, 14 Texas science teachers learned the answers at an intensive industrial minerals mining workshop jointly sponsored by the Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association (TACA) and the Texas Mining and Reclamation Association (TMRA). During the week-long teacher training, which took…
Read MoreCategory: Key Issues
MSHA Reports 23rd Fatality
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reported that on Aug. 3, a miner at Bridgeport Stone Plant, Wise County, Texas, was run over by a customer tractor-trailer while walking to his normal work area. This is the 23rd fatality reported in 2021, and the ninth classified as “Powered Haulage.” Year to date, this is the highest number of powered…
Read MoreMartin Marietta District Achieves Safety Milestone
Martin Marietta’s North Texas/Oklahoma District has been here before. In April, the group celebrated a full year (more than 1 million hours) of work without a reportable incident across all 18 of its operations. It’s the second such achievement in the district’s history and this time, the team is far better positioned to make it endure. “The first time we…
Read MoreMid-Year Data Indicates a Strong Recovery
The Construction Industry Is Trending Upwards With An Economic Forecast That Looks Optimistic. By Mark S. Kuhar The construction sector faces unique challenges as recession turns to recovery, according to Dodge Data and Analytics’ Mid-Year Report. Economic growth is surging thanks to the growing number of vaccinated Americans and substantial federal stimulus. This surge will continue into 2022 as consumers…
Read MoreEPA Proposes $24,000 Penalty for Illegal Dredging in Idaho
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is proposing to settle a Clean Water Act case against Carl Grissom of West Richland, Wash., for unauthorized suction dredge mining in the South Fork Clearwater River in central Idaho in 2018. The agency is proposing that Grissom pay a $24,000 penalty. Suction dredge operations can destroy fish eggs and newly…
Read MoreCanadian Group Seeks Quarry Rehabilitation Solutions
A group of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, post-secondary academic researchers are teaming up to explore various new ways of environmentally restoring abandoned aggregate pits in northeastern Ontario over the next three years, according to Northern Ontario Business. A combined Collège Boréal-Laurentian University research team will be strategizing on replanting techniques and unique soil treatments to restore biodiversity and ecosystem functions on…
Read MoreRules, Rules and More Rules
There Are Four Rules On MSHA’s Agenda Right Now, And It Is Laying The Groundwork For More. By Brian Hendrix
Read MoreSpeaking, Writing or Emailing
Clearly The Tension Between Written And Verbal Communication Remains. By Thomas J. Roach
Read MoreSix Things for All Leaders to Consider
Keep These Areas In Mind When You Work To Motivate Your Workforce. By Steve Schumacher Over my career as a leadership consultant and change agent, I have heard the mantra “people are our greatest asset” more times than I can count. It is usually verbalized by senior executives in annual reports or in employee meetings. This experience covers all kinds…
Read MoreFilling the Employment Gap
OAIMA Is Building An Educational Program That Prepares High School Students For Industry Careers. By Therese Dunphy
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