Dec. 2, 2021 – Our friend Jason Christopher Willett, commodity specialist, National Minerals Information Center, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has determined that an estimated 731 million metric tons (Mt) of total construction aggregates was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of 4% compared with that in the third quarter…
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Dr. Calvin Konya (1943-2021)
Dec. 1, 2021 – Very sad to note the passing of Dr. Calvin Konya, a long-time contributor to Rock Products and to the entire industry. Dr. Konya began his accomplished career in mining engineering by receiving his Bachelors in Mining Engineering from the Missouri School of Mines, followed by Masters in Mining Engineering from the Missouri School of Mines, Masters in Engineering…
Read MoreAbrott Dies at 105
Nov. 29, 2021 – L. Arnold Abrott, former president of Kaiser Sand & Gravel, Pleasenton, Calif., died at the age of 105, according to the Pleasanton Weekly. Abrott first worked for several years as an engineer with Kaiser Sand & Gravel until being commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He would later attain the rank of…
Read MoreSafety Professionals Recognized at TRAM
Nov. 30, 2021 – At the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s recent Training Resources Applied to Mining (TRAM) conference, held online Nov. 2-4, Ash Grove Cement was a Grand Prize Winner in the Training Materials Competition. You may recall that Joseph McGuire, Ph.D., an independent safety and health consultant; and Lucas Simpson, B.S., a safety manager for Ash Grove Cement,…
Read MoreDetails of IIJA
Nov. 24, 2021 – Thanks to Charley Rea at the California Construction and Industrial Minerals Association (CalCIMA) for the below Transportation Funding & Policy Information. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has made available an enlightening presentation on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The presentation details the $550 billion in new federal infrastructure…
Read MoreIIJA: State by State
Nov. 19, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Transportation released state-by-state fact sheets that highlight how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) will deliver for communities across the country by repairing roads and bridges, improving transportation options, building a national network of chargers to accelerate the adoption of EVs, upgrading our nation’s airports and ports, and much more.
Read MoreWheel Loader Prices Rise
Nov. 16, 2021 – Ritchie Bros.’ November Market Trends Report continues to show positive pricing trends across all its equipment indexes, with medium earthmoving equipment prices up 36% in the United States, while truck tractors and vocational trucks are up 45% and 34%, respectively (for the three months ending Oct. 31). With this month’s report, Ritchie Bros. has included a special focus on earthmoving equipment sales…
Read MoreBiden Signs Infrastructure Bill
Nov. 15, 2021 – In a ceremony that took place at the White House today, President Biden signed into law the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that finally passed Congress after months of negotiations. “This bill marks an inflection point for us as a nation,” Biden said. “Things are going to turn around in a big way.” Biden has named…
Read MoreAggregates & Cement Session
Nov. 12, 2021 – I am pleased to be joining Command Alkon’s Kerry Dougan on Nov. 16th at 2:00 pm EST, for an outlook on trends in aggregates and cement, workplace and operational challenges impacting the industry, and evolving technologies that are addressing the needs of materials operations and construction projects. Click on this link to register for the event.
Read MoreHill, Nye Tout Infrastructure Bill
Nov. 11, 2021 – I reached out to Tom Hill, chairman and chief executive officer of Vulcan Materials; and Ward Nye, chairman and CEO of Martin Marietta, for their thoughts on the passage of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
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