by Therese Dunphy, Editor-in-Chief

Alabama

Richard T. O’Brien, CEO of Newmont Mining, was elected a director of Vulcan Materials Co.’s board, the Birmingham Business Journal reports. O’Brien is also a director of Newmont Mining and Inergy Holdings LP. “Richard O’Brien brings over 20 years of broad financial and operational experience in the energy and natural resources businesses to the deliberations of Vulcan’s board of directors,” said Vulcan Chairman and CEO Don James.

***Alabama

According to the Huntsville Times, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources opposes a plan from Nashville, Tenn.-based Rogers Group to mine a 209-acre site near Tanner. “Until our concerns are addressed through the permitting process, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources cannot support location of a quarry in Limestone County near Swan Creek and Pryor Spring,” Barnett Lawley said in a letter to state Sen. Tom Butler, D-Madison, who also is against the quarry. Officials are said to want proof from Rogers Group that quarry discharges will not harm Swan Creek, Pryor Branch, the Swan Creek WMA, and other wildlife.

California