by Kerry Clines, Senior Editor

Specialty buckets for excavators allow operators to crush or screen material on site, on the go.

Rotobec

Rotobec says its FB crushing buckets provide the ideal crush-in-place solution with high-manganese-content wear plates that can be rotated. The plates are flat and feature an oscillating movement. A magnet base is optional. Buckets are available in four sizes and are set up to take a wide variety of lugging types.

Flip Screen Australia Pty Ltd.

Flip Screen says its new EX180 screening bucket attachment, suitable for 40- to 50-ton excavators, works by rotating 360 degrees, continuously, on a single axis. An easily interchangeable screen allows smaller particles to pass through, depending on mesh size, while a baffle retains larger material to be dumped separately. The bucket opening is 96 inches wide by 24 inches high with a screening capacity of approximately 2.3 cubic yards. The interchangeable screens are built from high-tensile steel mesh and range from 1/2 to 4 inches, with additional custom sizes available. Screen change out is said to take one operator less than five minutes to perform, with no tools required.

MB America, Inc.

MB says its crushing and screening buckets are simple to use, handle all types of materials directly on site, reduce the use of additional mechanical equipment, and cut down on transportation and management costs. The crusher bucket (shown) features a load capacity ranging from 0.65 to 1.30 inches; bucket openings range from 24 by 18 inches to 47 by 20 inches; and weight ranges from 3,330 to 10,800 pounds. The screening buckets fit excavators ranging in size from the smaller 10- to 20-ton machine up to 35 tons and larger.

Rotobec

The SR screening bucket from Rotobec uses a number of different screens to sort material down to 1 inch in size. The durable Hardox screen and bucket are said to provide years of use in a wide range of applications. The company says the rotating screen allows for a high throughput of material and is not prone to clogging when material is damp.

Excavator buckets must be able to dig through thick overburden, as well as handle various types of aggregate.

AIM Attachments

AIM HD60 excavator buckets feature AR400 steel cutting edges and side cutters. The buckets’ open design allows for easy clean-out. Standard features include thick horizontal wear straps, full-curve side wear straps, and lifting D-rings. Optional bolt-on side cutters and extra pins are available. The buckets are currently available in heavy-duty and severe-duty configuration for 40,000- to 60,000-pound excavators.

CP, a division of Paladin Construction Group

CP heavy-duty and severe-duty buckets are available in widths from 10 inches up to 84 inches to fit mini-excavators and excavators up to 200,000 pounds. A circular torque tube design enhances each bucket’s overall strength. One-piece, T-1 curved side cutters and side wear pads protect against premature wear of the bucket sides, while an abrasion-resistant double bottom up to 3/4 inches thick provides a hard, yet lightweight, barrier between the bucket and the material. The T-1 cutting edge with triple-pass welding sits at a downward angle for aggressive digging, faster scooping, and less stress on the excavator. Heavy-duty buckets are available in sizes ranging from 0.037 to 5.7 cubic yards; severe-duty buckets range in size from 0.106 to 3.9 cubic yards.

Wheel loaders are the workhorses of the quarry, but they can’t do their jobs without the right buckets.

Doosan Infracore Construction Equipment America

Doosan says its new rock buckets are built to tackle the toughest, most severe digging and loading applications. The buckets are available in three models with 4-, 4.5-, and 6-cubic-yard capacities. The two smaller buckets are 128.9 inches wide and 54 inches high; the large bucket is 136.2 inches wide and 68.5 inches high. All three models are available with pin-on mounting only and feature a spade nose design and standard weld-on teeth.

Volvo Construction Equipment

Volvo says its new rehandling buckets are easy to operate and provide better visibility for operators. The buckets are said to increase productivity with faster fill times, quicker overall machine cycle times, and increased material per load. According to the company, overall operating costs are low as a result of 10-percent fuel reduction, longer machine service life per ton of material moved, and low maintenance costs per ton of material moved.

Caterpillar, Inc.

Cat Performance Series Buckets come standard on Cat midsize wheel loaders. Designed with a systems approach, the buckets are shaped to work efficiently with each machine’s linkage, weight, lift, and tilt capacities. According to the company, the buckets deliver faster fill times and better material retention, reducing cycle time and improving productivity and fuel efficiency.

Even the smallest of machines, the skid-steer loader, works best when it has the proper bucket attachment.

CEAttachments, Inc.

CEAttachments says its Edge buckets feature excellent cutting-edge visibility and high breakout force. Sizes range from 48 to 96 inches with heaped capacities from 11.4 to 23 cubic feet. Toothbars, bolt-on cutting edges, and serrated bolt-on cutting edges are optional.

Teeth are the backbone of the bucket. The proper edge and shape can make a big impact on production.

ESCO Corp.

ESCO says its Ultralok construction tooth system offers a hammerless lock that is integrated into the point. The hammerless design is said to not only provide increased safety, but also eliminate the need to inventory separate pins or locks. The slim profile maximizes penetration and reduces fuel costs, according to the company.

Komatsu America Corp.

Komatsu says its KMAX System Teeth feature the patented G.E.T. system designed for maximum consumption ratios and strength, without unnecessary bulk. The shape of the teeth is said to promote smooth flow of material over the tooth-adapter for even, consistent wear. The teeth are reversible for extended life and feature a simple, functional, reusable fastener that can be unlocked with just a 90-degree turn of a socket for quick change-out.

Leading Edge Attachments, Inc.

Leading Edge Attachments says its patented Multi-Ripper Tooth — designed for excavators and backhoes — allows the operator to easily rip rock, coral shale, caliche, decomposed granite, limestone, sandstone, asphalt, or frozen ground with maximum breakout force. The operator is said to be able to focus the excavator’s full breakout force individually to each point of the special twin tiger tooth, thus greatly improving the ripping effect.

Oak Ledge Properties withdrew its application to continue activities on its 77-acre site in East Haven. The New Haven Register reports that the developer had planned a mixed-use development, but withdrew its application on the same day a new application would be due to extend its current operations. The planning and zoning commission chairman told the newspaper that the developer no longer can conduct blasting or crushing. It is now limited to selling stockpiles of crushed stone already on the property.

Maine

The Bangor Planning Board unanimously approved a request from Randy Gardner to expand his 6.98-acre quarry operation by an additional 5.25 acres. According to the Bangor Daily News, the board also extended the operation’s conditional-use and site development permits for three more years. It did, however, limit operating hours to 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Some neighboring residents expressed disappointment over the decision, but several sent letters of support to the city planning officer.

Mississippi

The Mississippi Supreme Court ordered the city of Batesville to take another look at a request from Memphis Stone and Gravel to operate a gravel pit in the southern part of Jackson. The Associated Press reports that its decision reversed earlier decisions by the state Court of Appeals and a Panola County judge. Justice Ann Lamar said the court could not determine from the case record how the city reached its conclusion that the pit would be legal and added that the board of aldermen should allow both the operator and its opponents to present evidence to support their positions. Finally, she said the aldermen should then provide more specifics on whatever conclusion it reaches.

Louisiana

St. John Enterprises said it plans to invest $32 million to upgrade Madison Parish Port Commission facilities in Tallulah, La., and to create approximately 450 jobs over the next five years, Workboat reports. The plant was expected to be online and delivering two new barges by late February. According to St. John CEO Ron Lewis, he has a contract to build six new 195- by 35-foot deck barges for a sand and gravel customer.

Minnesota

At Aggregates Manager’s press time, plans for Tiller Corp.’s proposed Zavoral mine were under review. The company is seeking permission for extraction and hauling, followed by reclamation. It does not plan to wash or process material on the site. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that Scandia’s project advisory committee planned to review a preliminary draft of Tiller’s environmental impact statement. The 64-acre pit has not been mined since the 1980s.

Missouri

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering a proposal that would allow five operators to dredge an additional 1 million tons of sand and gravel from the Kansas River each year and increase the number of dredging sites. According to The Kansas City Star, the companies can currently dredge 2.2 million tons of sand and gravel from 10 sites. Those same companies — including Kaw Valley Cos., Holliday Sand & Gravel, Penny’s Aggregates, Master’s Dredging, and Meier’s Ready Mix — want to dredge 3.2 million tons a year from 13 sites. Some environmentalists are speaking out against the proposal. A spokesman for the Corps said it will take a year for its decision process to be complete.

Missouri

Mining engineering students at the Missouri University of Science and Technology have developed an interesting fundraiser: fright nights at S&T’s Experimental Mine. The university reports that The Haunted Mine has been held every year since 1997 and serves as the main fundraiser for mining engineering activities and student organizations. Mining engineering students volunteer to work at the event and earn funds for the organization of their choice, including the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration; Women in Mining; the International Society for Explosives Engineers; and the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association; as well as the university’s mine rescue and mucking teams.

Nevada

Gov. Brian Sandoval named Steve Hill as director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. The Associated Press reports that one of his main tasks will be to develop a state economic development plan and criteria for the designation of regional development authorities. Hill is a former vice president of CalPortland and served as a member of Sandoval’s transition team.

Nevada

Work has begun on the last remaining portions of the Las Vegas Beltway. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Las Vegas Paving began work on the 7-mile, $117 million project after more than a year in delays. Fisher Sand and Gravel filed a federal lawsuit when its $112.2 million bid was rejected and alleged that commissioners were biased toward union companies. Las Vegas Paving is a union company. The dispute was settled when the county agreed to pay Fisher $5 million to walk away from the project. Las Vegas Paving is paying a portion of the settlement, with the remainder coming from interest earned on the project funding that has been held in escrow since 2009.

New York

The state Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a permit for Elam Sand and Gravel Corp.’s mine in West Bloomfield. It is seeking permission to operate a 45-acre parcel. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports the operator still needs a special-use permit from the town of West Bloomfield. The town has adopted a moratorium on new special-use permits, and the company has filed lawsuits to force the town to void the moratorium and act on its permit application.

North Carolina

Vulcan Materials Co.’s charitable foundation made a $25,000, five-year pledge to Discovery Place KIDS-Rockingham on behalf of its Rockingham Quarry employees and families. According to the Richmond County Daily Journal, the donation will help fund the children’s museum, which is designed to stimulate adventure in learning and stimulating play. “Supporting educational programs is one example of Vulcan’s commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen in the communities in which we operate,” Plant Manager Charles Heatherly told the newspaper. “Supporting Discovery Place KIDS is a natural extension of our educational and stewardship initiatives, and we look forward to being a part of their exciting programs in this community.”

Texas

Summit Materials made a series of acquisitions in Texas, including Industrial Asphalt, Inc., Asphalt Paving Co. of Austin, Inc., and Ramming Paving Co., Ltd. The acquisition includes quarries, asphalt plants, and paving services. “We are very pleased to welcome the new companies and their employees to Summit,” Tom Hill, former CEO of Oldcastle, Inc. and current CEO of Summit Materials, said in a press release. “These businesses are a great combination, and together with RK Hall in northeast Texas, they expand Summit’s presence in the state.” Since it was formed in 2009, Summit Materials has completed 20 acquisitions.

Washington

Wm. Dickson Co. has been fined $24,000 by the Washington State Department of Ecology for discharging sediment-laden water in a storm drain that emptied into a salmon-bearing creek. According to the state agency, the operator’s permit limits the amount of turbidity that the gravel operation can discharge and prohibits any discharge that violates the state’s water quality standards for turbidity. It found that the source of the turbid water was a hole in the bottom of the pit where a pump was used to dewater the pit excavation over a bank into a creek. The operator said he plans to update his site management plan to prevent future discharge of turbid water into Swan Creek.

Wisconsin

The Eau Claire County Board adopted a moratorium that freezes frac sand mine development in the county for six months. According to The Leader-Telegram, the board voted 24 to 2 to approve the measure, which lasts until May 31. During that time, county officials say they plan to study the effects of sand mines on public health and the environment. Some supervisors sought quick passage of the moratorium because two sand mines have been proposed in the county during recent months. It impacts any company that had not begun mine construction as of Nov. 16.

Province News

A 31-year-old Northern Alberta quarry worker was killed on Nov. 7 after his arm was caught in a conveyor at Milestone Quarry, south of Fort McMurray. CBC News reports that the man was removing excess gravel when he was pulled into the conveyor’s rollers. A stop work order was issued at Surmont Sand and Gravel while investigators for Occupational Health and Safety investigated the incident.

Before operation, check the unit visually. Look at the flange’s connection points and hardware to make sure they are tight. Become familiar with the equipment and the application.

by Thomas Aldridge

How many of us have gotten into our car for a quick run to the grocery store, and tried to start it only to hear a click, click, click? Anyone who has experienced this has learned that the car battery needs to be replaced every few years. We all know that we have to do other vehicle maintenance, such as oil changes, filters, lights, etc., on a regular basis as well. But what does it cost us if we don’t perform this maintenance — a delay and maybe some money while the repairs are made?

As an operator/owner of a quarry or a mine, we are faced with these same issues every day with all of our equipment — especially pumping equipment. Picture a pump on the site as the battery in the example above. What happens when that pump goes bad and stops the operation at the plant? How quickly do those lost minutes add up in time and cost? Just like proper maintenance on our personal vehicles, the pumps that we work with need regular maintenance and attention, too.

But where do we start?

Just like the start of the song “Do Re Mi,” let’s start at the very beginning. For any piece of equipment to be maintained properly, especially a pump, the first step is the selection of the “proper” pump. Part of this selection comes from the flow expectations and the head pressure necessary to overcome the system resistance. Is the pump going to be on a fixed system and maintain flow or pressure, or is it a utility pump that will be moved throughout the plant or site for flood control? When we choose a battery for our vehicle, we look at the cold-cranking amps and the size to make sure we are putting the right battery in.

The use of the pump is also a key factor. Knowledge of the application and the performance expectations help to make sure the pump meets the pumping needs of the engineering team, and knowledge of the maintenance meets the reliability needs of the operations team.

And what do we look for?

In a nutshell, pumps are mechanical equipment that are highly cyclical, so loading conditions have a significant impact on the maintenance requirements. And based on statistical reliability, for any piece of equipment, the question is not if it will fail, but when. We know that our battery will not last forever, so we have to prepare for when it needs attention. For pumps, preventive and regular maintenance is what helps to increase the life of the equipment.

A primary factor in appropriate maintenance is familiarity with the equipment and the application where it is used. You can tell a lot about equipment by looking and listening. Just like a doctor, scrutinize its performance over time and identify differences that occur from when the pump operated new versus how it acts over time. In most cases, the symptoms will show themselves in noise, vibration, or heat. When your car takes a little extra time to start or the lights seem dim, you know it may be time to check the battery.

The next basic maintenance check is to inspect for leaks and inspect the general wear parts. Maintain your fluid levels. These are items that can and should be done every day. A large number of maintenance failures are the result of easily fixed problems. Replacement wear parts should be kept on hand, and a regular program used to inspect and maintain them should be implemented. It can be as simple as brushing corrosion from your battery terminals.

Refer to manuals, operating instructions, and labels to become familiar with the equipment and service requirements.

Another maintenance factor in a mine or quarry application is the damage caused by abrasive materials. Are you pumping fine solids or slurries that erode the material and damage lip seals or mechanical seals? It is important to check the compatibility of the materials of construction and the materials being pumped to make sure they fit. Wear rings and wear plates should be adjusted periodically to keep the efficiency of the pump where it should be. Impellers should be inspected for damages. If abrasive material is a factor, be sure to use easily repaired or replaced materials. A fabricated component is sometimes easier to weld and repair than a casting that will require special welding materials or techniques.

The most frequently addressed area for maintenance is seals and bearings. They should be properly lubricated. Watch them for signs of heat and overloading. A bearing problem can amplify and result in additional problems with other parts of the system. Inspect drive-system components on a regular basis. Belts and sheaves are in constant contact with one another and wear over time. Keys can shear. Elastomeric drive components can be impacted by the environment, and then wear is accelerated with heavy and regular use.

Filters should be inspected and changed on a regular basis. In dusty situations, it may be necessary to use an air cleaner suitable for higher dust areas. Engine and drive manufacturers provide guidance on recommended service intervals that should be followed and adjusted based on actual operating conditions.

And lastly, one of the unspoken maintenance items is to watch for signs of abuse, misuse, or mishandling. As pumps are moved around a site, they can bounce and get bumped. Sometimes an unfamiliar operator or mechanic can create more problems than they fix.

So, what’s the next step?

It is important to know the equipment, the process, and the tools with which you are working. Identify the limits and the conditions around you. Have manuals and training materials available for reference. Establish procedures that are consistent and repeatable. Talk with co-workers, and share tips and tricks for maintenance. Use gauges and meters on the pumps and piping to compare to the specified or target values, as well as comparative information.

One of the hardest parts for most of us as engineers, mechanics, and all-around tinkerers is to keep up with maintenance, and then also think we can fix it if it does break. Be prepared to make the tough call and evaluate the repair versus replace situation on equipment. At a certain point, the equipment will start to increase in cost beyond what it becomes worth to use.

So, to make sure that we are not stuck without the battery, we need to look and know the equipment we use, make sure it is right for us, and then steadily maintain it. Kurt Vonnegut said, “Another flaw of the human character is that everybody wants to build, and nobody wants to do maintenance.” But in real life, if we don’t do the maintenance, we can’t build. After all, if our battery is dead, the car won’t go.

10 Keys to Pump Maintenance

1. Know the application.

2. Pick the right equipment.

3. Daily inspection and maintenance — look and listen to what is happening.

4. Watch abrasive and corrosive factors.

5. Check fluids and leaks.

6. Maintain wear parts.

7. Lubricate.

8. Perform proper weekly checks on engines and drives.

9. Watch for abuse or misuse.

0. Monitor performance.

Thomas Aldridge is a sales engineer with Griffin Pump & Equipment Inc.

Boulder Dash Makes a Bold Statement

Hosting a run through the quarry promotes healthy living, employee camaraderie, and community education.

The aggregates industry has long suffered from the “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) mentality because its operations are often thought to be dirty, unsafe, and a nuisance to the community. But opening up the operation to the community for a 5K (3.1 miles) “Boulder Dash” race through the quarry, followed by a spring fling party, has helped Lafarge’s Cumming, Ga., location clear up these misperceptions.

“Quarries are a mystery to the community,” explains Jason Teter, vice president and general manager of Lafarge’s Georgia aggregates operations. “It is an excellent opportunity for Lafarge to make a lasting positive impression on the community.”

Teter, who ran the race last year and is planning to run with his wife and 1-year-old daughter in a jogger this year (the race is slated for April 16, after Aggregates Manager press time), says the comments he heard during the race last year demonstrate the positive impression the race makes on the community.

“I heard so many people say, ‘I can’t believe how clean the quarry is,’” Teter points out. “They assume because dirt and rock — stone — come out of it, that it is a dirty place. But we take a lot of pride in keeping a clean operation. This is an opportunity to show this to the community.”

Creating a positive atmosphere goes a long way if the operation needs to get a new permit or get a new piece of property zoned, Teter says, especially because the operation is in an urban, densely populated area with a residential area, hospital, commercial businesses, and retail stores as neighbors.

It is events such as the race that can really help make the quarry an integral part of the community by giving back, he says. Nearly 1,500 people from the community participated in the race.

The 2nd Annual Boulder Dash 5K Run in the Quarry starts at the local hospital (Northside – Forsyth), a race co-sponsor, and goes down the pit’s road to the scale house, circles the base pile, passes under the conveyor, and back out of the quarry.

“People do not know what to expect when inside the gate,” Teter says. “This race has helped to create a positive perception of our business in the community. It also allows our employees to show off their work place. This means a lot, as the quarry employees take great pride in their work.” The Cumming Quarry’s plant manager approaching Teter about painting “Home of the Boulder Dash” on the loadout bins is proof of this pride.

In addition to the benefits of improved community relations, Teter says, the race gives the site an opportunity to stress the importance of health as part of what it does. “We really push safety and health at Lafarge,” Teter says, “but in the past, we have overlooked the health side. This is a great opportunity for the families of those that work at Lafarge to get out and do something active together.”

Lafarge picked up the cost for any employees who wanted to participate in the race. It’s a small gesture, Teter says, but in a difficult economic environment, it helps demonstrate appreciation for employees and shows them Lafarge really values health. It also builds solidarity amongst employees. “My operations manager and I go out and train together,” Teter says. “It motivates people. We have created an informal competition with my direct group. It builds a bit of a team and gives employees something positive to hang on to in difficult times.”

The proceeds of the race help fund the Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department’s “Envision a Fit Forsyth” project. Last year’s proceeds went toward nutritional guides and signs at various intervals along the Big Creek Greenway, a fitness path in the community where the Cumming operation is located. The guide shows the relationship between exercise, good nutrition, and a healthy lifestyle.

“This is the culmination of a lot of work and effort,” said Lynn Jackson, chief administrator of co-sponsor Northside Hospital – Forsyth, following last year’s donation. “It’s a great way to enhance our greenway with these signs that link healthy eating and exercise.” This year’s donation will again benefit the Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department for a project or program that has not yet been determined.

2010 Inaugural Boulder Dash

Number of runners and walkers: 1,470 plus 200 post-race participants for Spring Fling

Money raised: $36,615

Money donated: $10,000 to Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department through the Healthcare Association of Forsyth County for “Envision a Fit Forsyth” program

2011 2nd Annual Boulder Dash*

Expected number of runners and walkers: 1,600 plus 300 post-race participants for Spring Fling

Expected money to be raised: $40,000.

Money to be donated: Donation will be made to the Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department for a yet-to-be designated program in 2011.

*As of Aggregates Manager press time.

AggBeat to Go

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Knive River Expands Operations in Western North Dakota Division

Knife River Corp. plans to open a Western North Dakota Division to be headquartered in Williston with full aggregate, ready-mix, asphalt, and concrete construction services and employees performing both private and public work throughout western North Dakota and eastern Montana.

“As the energy industry continues to expand its reach in northwestern North Dakota, the construction demand and need for ready-mix and aggregate products is also increasing,” said Knife River President and CEO Bill Schneider in a press statement announcing the expansion plans. “One of the biggest critical needs in that area is to rebuild the highway infrastructure. Knife River also excels in highway reconstruction and rehabilitation and will be ready to make safer, stronger roads that can handle the increased truck traffic.”

Brad Arntson, Knife River’s Central Minnesota Division operations manager and a 35-year construction industry veteran, will serve as the new Western North Dakota Division president. 

The office and all production equipment will be situated on property in north Williston. At Aggregates Manager press time, Knife River had plans to have full ready-mix operations available by early May. Arntson said that when North Dakota’s spring road restrictions lift, an asphalt plant transferred from Knife River’s Boise, Idaho, operations will be placed there permanently. Knife River already has secured a paving contract with the city of Williston.

Williston Mayor Ward Koeser said he is encouraged that Knife River chose to expand into his region of the state.

“I am pleased to see a construction company with a solid reputation and proven project record bring more products and services to our area,” he said. “We have had unbelievable growth in Williston, which has put a strain on our infrastructure. Road development and reconstruction and residential expansion are primary needs within the city and county. Knife River will be a great addition to our business community.”

Knife River already has a strong presence in Bismarck, Fargo, Beulah, and Washburn, providing primarily ready-mix, aggregates, and concrete construction in those markets.

“We look forward to working with the energy companies, municipalities, the Department of Transportation and county personnel, farmers, and business owners in the area,” Arntson said. “Knife River is a North Dakota home-grown company and is proud to be expanding within the state, providing more construction jobs and the necessary products and services to build the state’s infrastructure.”

Vulcan, Luck Stone Receive Gold Awards

The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) gave top honors to Vulcan Materials Co.’s Stafford Quarry and to Luck Stone’s Powhatan and Spotsylvania operations during the NSSGA Annual Convention held in late March in Las Vegas.

Vulcan’s Stafford Quarry in Stafford, Va., part of Vulcan’s Mideast Division, received an Excellence in Community Relations Gold Award, a national award recognizing a superior level of active involvement with and positive contributions to the facility’s neighboring community. Luck Stone’s Powhatan plant in Powhatan, Va., won a Gold Award for Environmental Excellence, and its Spotsylvania plant in Fredericksburg, Va., received a Gold Award for Community Relations.

Stafford Quarry has been a long-standing participant of Vulcan’s Adopt-a-School program, which partners with Friends of the Rappahannock — the largest donor to date to the Stafford County Civil War Park — and offers tours of the operation to school groups, Cub Scouts, and geology students.

“Vulcan has been an excellent community partner in Stafford over the years, especially when it comes to our school children,” says Cord Sterling, Stafford County supervisor for the Rockhill District. “Vulcan is committed to improving our children’s lives through tours, scholarships, stone donations, and educational opportunities. We congratulate Vulcan on this special recognition and are proud of their continuing success — as a business and a good neighbor — in Stafford County.”

Pictured left to right: Bill Schneider, NSSGA immediate past chairman of the board; Martin Bischoff, Vulcan’s Stafford Quarry plant manager; and Vulcan Sales Rep Todd Helton.

Pat Johnson, principal at Rockhill Elementary School, Stafford Quarry’s Adopt-a-School partner, says the operation, and Vulcan as a whole, has been a great supporter of the school. Todd Helton, Vulcan’s market manager, is an active tutor at the school, as well as a mentor to students. Vulcan also played an instrumental role in the construction of a student walking/running track, as well as having contributed labor and supplies to beautify the Children’s Garden at the entrance of the school, notes Johnson.

“Vulcan Materials Co. is highly deserving of this award,” says Johnson. “Vulcan supports our school in so many ways.”

Gray Kimel, Vulcan’s Mideast Division president, says this award exemplifies the commitment that Stafford Quarry employees have to the operation’s neighboring communities. “I am so very proud that our employees have achieved national recognition for their excellent community involvement,” says Kimel.

John Pullen, president of Luck Stone and chief growth officer of Luck Companies, is also proud of his company’s employees and notes that NSSGA’s recognition of the Powhatan and Spotsylvania plants is because of the “amazing work” associates at the plant have done.

Spotsylvania is involved with several community organizations, including the Spotsylvania Education Foundation, Spotsylvania Greenway Initiative, and Massaponax High School. The location proactively engaged federal and state officials to build relationships with members of Congress and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Powhatan implemented tactics that supported an environmental strategy focused on water quality, recycling, community involvement, and air quality.

“In our markets and across the industry, these awards distinguish Luck Stone as a socially responsible business committed to environmental stewardship and community engagement,” Pullen says.

Luck Stone Spotsylvania Plant Manager Hugh Stevens points out that this is the third Gold Award that his operation has won from NSSGA. “It makes us feel like we’ve set ourselves apart,” he says, adding that “the greatest impact to community relations is what we do here on a daily basis.” Hugh also notes the importance of consistently performing all environmental controls, responding to neighbors, maintaining the appearance of the site, and engaging the community.

Previously, Spotsylvania won an About Face in 2006 and an Environmental Excellence award in 2008.

Luck Stone’s Powhatan has also now won its third NSSGA award. The other two awards were an Environmental Eagle Award in 1996 and Quarry of the Year in 1998. In 2010, the Powhatan Plant won statewide recognition from the VTCA and DMME for reclamation.

“The guys have taken real pride in the recognition and the fruits of their labor,” said Powhatan Plant Manager Jamey Epps. “They’re all excited to see their plant’s name and their work recognized at a national level.”

For a downloadable PDF of all recipients of the 2010 Environmental Excellence Award Winners, go to http://www.nssga.org/communications/EnvAwards2010.pdf. For the full list of 2010 Awards of Excellence winners, go to http://www.nssga.org/communications/CRAwards2010.pdf. For the full list of the 2010 Safety Award winners, go to http://www.nssga.org/communications/SafetyAwards2009.pdf.

Gold Award Winners

Sterling Safety Award Winners

Agg Rock Materials Co. Small Category Grove City, Ohio

Renner Quarries Ltd. Small Category Dixon, III.

Tresca Bros. Sand & Gravel Inc. Small Category Millis, Mass.

Bond Construction Corp. Small Category Spencer, Mass.

Ted Ondrick Company, LLC Small Category Chicopee, Mass.

Iddings Quarry, Inc. Small Category Mifflinburg, Pa.

Bing Construction Co. of Nevada Small Category Minden, Nev.

Chantilly Crushed Stone, Inc. Medium Category Chantilly, Va.

Nugent Sand Co. Medium Category Louisville, Ky.

Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Co. Medium Category Pine Bluff, Ark.

Boxley Materials Co. Medium Category Roanoke, Va.

John S. Lane & Son, Inc. Medium Category Westfield, Mass.

Aggregates USA, LLC Large Category Knoxville, Tenn.

Safety Excellence Award Winners

Martin Marietta Materials W Division North Troy Quarry Mill Creek, Okla.

Vulcan Materials Co. SE Division Siloam Quarry Greensboro, Ga.

Vulcan Materials Co. SW Division Knippa Quarry Knippa, Texas

Vulcan Materials Co. SE Division Barin Quarry Fortson, Ga.

Vulcan Materials Co. SE Division Dalton Quarry Dalton, Ga.

Vulcan Materials Co. SW Division Abilene Black Abilene, Texas

Lease Quarry

Lehigh Hanson Inc., N Region KY Quarry Somerset, Ky

Tilcon Connecticut / Southington Sand & Pit Southington, Conn.

an Oldcastle company

New Enterprises Stone & Lime Co. Union Furnace Tryone, Pa.

Quarry & Mill

Fred Weber, Inc. Jotori Dredging, Maryland Heights, Mo.

Mark V

Community Relations

TXI TXI Mill Creek Mill Creek, Okla.

Luck Stone Corp. Spotsylvania Plant Fredericksburg, Va.

Tilcon New York Inc. Mt. Hope Quarry Wharton, N.J.

Vulcan Materials Co. Stafford Quarry Stafford, Va.

Rogers Group, Inc. Gallatin Quarry Gallatin, Tenn.

Shelly Materials Co. Clay Center Quarry Clay Center, Ohio

Environmental

Vulcan Materials Co. Huntsville Quarry Huntsville, Ala.

Granite Construction Co. Indio Facility Indio, Calif.

Luck Stone Corp. Powhatan Plant Powhatan, Va.

CalPortland Co. Pioneer Aggregates Dupont, Wash.

Conco Quarries Willard Quarry Willard, Mo.

Vulcan Materials Co. Pride Quarry Tuscumbia, Ala.

A day at the quarry

By Tina Grady Barbaccia, News and Digital Editor

More than 50 Helm Group (Conmat Inc.) volunteers helped Freeport, Ill.-based Dwyer Quarry put on its second annual Quarry Day on Sept. 18. The event is designed to provide kids with a “fun-filled introduction to the construction industry,” according to the Helm Group. Activities at the Quarry Day included mixing concrete, building a brick wall, and panning for “fool’s” gold, as well as shooting sling shots and throwing rocks at targets, playing quarry golf (with lots of sand), and testing skills for climbing walls.

The biggest attraction, though, the operation noted, was getting up close and personal with heavy construction equipment. Nearly a dozen pieces of construction equipment ranging from bulldozers to loaders and backhoes were on hand. Rockford, Ill., area equipment dealers Westside Tractor Sales, Patten Tractor, and McCallister Equipment Company supplied the equipment for the day, along with the Helm Group’s Heavy Equipment Services.

MSHA, UMWACC use Grant to fund mine rescue team training

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has signed a cooperative agreement with the United Mine Workers of America Career Centers Inc. (UMWACC), in which the UMWACC will receive $1.45 million to develop classroom and simulated rescue training programs for mine rescue teams.

“The UMWACC and MSHA have continued a close working relationship through various contracts and cooperative agreements established in September 2008 and 2009,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “The partnership has developed successful training programs and competitions for mine rescue teams and first responders.”

Gregory R. Wagner, MSHA’s deputy assistant secretary for policy, notes that the Sago, Aracoma, and Darby mine disasters of 2006 indicated the need to better train and prepare mine rescue teams to effectively respond to mine emergencies at underground coal mines. “One of the best methods for preparing miners to respond to an emergency is through simulated mine emergency training,” said Wagner in a written statement.

The Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, signed in the wake of these high-profile disasters, called for enhancing mine rescue teams and the development of up-to-date accident response plans.

Under the cooperative agreement, training may be conducted in classrooms, mine simulation lab facilities or, where possible, at mine sites with mine personnel. While distance learning is not excluded from the options, the focus of the program will be on training in real and simulated mine conditions.

Training likely will be conducted at the following locations: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Pittsburgh Research Laboratory in Bruceton, Pa.; the National Mine Health and Safety Academy Mine Simulation Laboratory in Beaver, W.Va.; and the Mining Technology and Training Center in Ruff Creek, Pa.

TIGER II requests top $19 billion

Forty-two capital construction projects and 33 planning projects in 40 states will share nearly $600 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) popular TIGER II program for major infrastructure projects ranging from highways and bridges to transit, rail, and ports, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood recently announced.

Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) II received nearly 1,000 construction grant applications for more than $19 billion from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.

The tremendous demand for TIGER II project dollars follows a similar demand for TIGER I project dollars. On Feb. 17, 2009, the U.S. DOT announced 51 grant awards from nearly 1,500 applications for TIGER I grants nationwide. The TIGER I requests were for almost $60 billion worth of projects, 40 times the $1.5 billion available under that program. TIGER I dollars were made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

“These are innovative, 21st century projects that will change the U.S. transportation landscape by strengthening the economy and creating jobs, reducing gridlock and providing safe, affordable, and environmentally sustainable transportation choices,” said Secretary LaHood. “Many of these projects could not have been funded without this program.”

Roughly 29 percent of TIGER II money goes for road projects, 26 percent for transit, 20 percent for rail projects, 16 percent for ports, 4 percent for bicycle and pedestrian projects, and 5 percent for planning projects.

Examples of projects funded include the following:

• $47.6 million to the city of Atlanta to construct a new streetcar line connecting many of the most important downtown residential, cultural, educational, and historic centers.

• $20 million to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to replace the deteriorating Memorial Bridge that connects Portsmouth, N.H., with Kittery, Maine. The bridge is at the end of its service life and has a bridge sufficiency rating of six out of 100. Safety concerns recently required a maximum 3-ton weight restriction on the bridge, causing all truck traffic to be detoured. 

• $546 million for a Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to build the Crenshaw/LAX Light Rail Line, a key piece of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s 30/10 initiative to construct 12 major transit projects in 10 years rather than 30.

Under TIGER II, more than $140 million is reserved for projects in rural areas.

As a competitive program, TIGER II is able to fund the best projects from around the country.  Using merit-based evaluation criteria allows the Department of Transportation to address some of the nation’s most critical challenges like sustainability and economic competitiveness.

This marks the first time that the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have joined together in awarding grants for localized planning activities that, ultimately, lead to projects that integrate transportation, housing, and urban development. 

On Labor Day, President Barack Obama revealed plans for a comprehensive infrastructure investment plan that would be front-loaded with $50 billion for infrastructure investment. (See the October 2010 Aggregates Manager Digital Edition article, “Is Obama’s $50 billion infrastructure plan just a shot of adrenaline?” at http://www.digitalmagazinetechnology.com/a/?KEY=aggregatesmanager-10-10october#page=5.)

TIGER II grants were awarded to projects that have a significant impact on the nation, a region, or metropolitan area. The U.S. DOT also gave priority to projects that are expected to create and preserve jobs quickly and stimulate rapid increases in economic activity.

Oberstar ousted, Chip Cravaak takes over

It looks like it’s out with the old and in with the new.

After serving 18 terms, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sen. James “Jim” Oberstar (D-Minn.) has lost to Republican Chip Cravaack. Oberstar lost by just more than 4,000 votes, according to a Politico.com report.

Oberstar becomes the third chairman to be ousted from office, joining Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt of South Carolina and Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton of Missouri, Politico.com reports. For more, go to http://www.aggman.com/oberstar-ousted-chip-cravaack-takes-over or http://tinyurl.com/Oberstarlosesre-election

Portable screens allow more flexibility and versatility in an aggregate operation

By Kerry Clines, Senior Editor

Tracked screens are equipped to follow the deposit around a quarry, shortening haul truck cycle times, or doing away with them completely.

Metso Minerals North America

Metso’s Lokotrack ST272 is capable of producing three end products simultaneously and accepts feed material of up to 2 feet in size. The scalping screen accepts a wide range of screen media. The IC300 intelligent controller provides user-friendly operation and fully automated control of all functions.

Kleemann/Wirtgen

Kleemann’s Mobiscreen plants produce multiple aggregate sizes with fixed or swiveling discharge belts and tailored screening surfaces that range from 8.4 square yards to 22 square yards. The units are available in double- or triple-deck designs, with or without a feed hopper, as a banana screen, and other configurations.

Sandvik Mining & Construction

Sandvik’s QA450 offers a triple-deck screen box and an extra side conveyor that enables it to produce up to a total of five product materials. It incorporates a large feed hopper, a pair of large screen boxes, and extended conveyors with large stockpiling capabilities.

Road-portable screens offer even more versatility with the ability to not only move around the quarry, but to move from one quarry to another.

Terex Corp.

The Terex Simplicity TXW616T features a 6- by 16-foot, triple-deck inclined screen. Twin 36-inch by 25-foot dewatering screws maximize screen capacity. An I-beam main frame with two manual landing jacks and four cribbing legs provide stable operation and mobility. Walkways around three sides allow easy access to the machine.

GreyStone Inc.

GreyStone’s self-erecting screen tower is a horizontal, vibrating, three-deck wet screen that raises and lowers with the push of a button, taking less than two days to tear down and set up. It can act as a primary screen for 6-inch minus material or a secondary or tertiary screen for larger material and can stockpile up to three material sizes simultaneously.

Grasan

The Grasan 620HD-H 6- by 20-foot, triple-deck horizontal screen plant has a three-shaft, between-deck drive unit; side discharge conveyor; under-screen fines conveyors; extra heavy-duty frame; and walkways on three sides. The unit is mounted on a tandem axle trailer. Travel dimensions are 51 feet, 4 inches in length and 13 feet, 6 inches in height.

Custom designed portable screen plants help meet the needs of individual customers and quarries.

Universal Engineering

Universal designed this dual screening plant with two 7- by 20-foot, triple-deck screens for a customer that moves equipment several times a year. The customer needed a plant with a five-pack conveyor arrangement between screens, the ability to blend the collecting conveyors under the screens, and the option of adding a pre-screener.

Masaba Mining Equipment

Masaba works hand-in-hand with customers to custom-design and fabricate a wide range of screening plants. All screens come with a heavy-duty chassis design, fully installed and tested switchgear, reversible cross-conveyors, and a custom-designed catwalk.

Mettler Toledo North America

Mettler Toledo’s new VTC221 (concrete deck) and VTS231 (steel deck) vehicle scales have concentrated load capacities of 100,000 pounds, gross load cell capacity of over 800,000 pounds, and incorporate the Powercell PDX load cell network. Other features include a low profile design, onboard diagnostic capability, and lightning protection.

Cardinal Scales Mfg. Co.

Cardinal Scales’ portable electronic EPR-LF+ Plus self-contained vehicle scale is contained in modules, which are furnished with lifting eyes for easy moving. Load cell wiring is furnished with quick connections for easy installation and removal. The scale features a checkered steel deck and 16-inch overall low-profile height.

Rice Lake Weighing Systems

Rice Lake’s Survivor truck scales are designed and built with heavy-duty, high-grade structural steel I-beams for rigidity. The company says the 5/16-inch deck plate on OTR and ATV steel deck models prolongs the life of the scale.

The nearly bankrupt Golden State is facing a $20 billion budget shortfall in the next fiscal year, and state leaders are scrambling to bolster California’s plummeting revenue streams. The Liberty Quarry project, a proposed rocks-and-gravel operation that is nearing completion of its Final Environmental Impact Report, would help fuel the state’s economy and add jobs in Riverside County.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) in his May 14 budget revision called for the approval of large-scale projects in California in order to get taxes and fees flowing into the state’s budget.

“Granite Construction could deliver $350 million in state and local tax revenues from our Liberty Quarry project,” said Gary Johnson, aggregate resource manager for Granite, in a written statement. “These monies would come on top of the high-paying jobs and other positive economic benefits the quarry would deliver.”

The proposed 414-acre quarry in unincorporated Riverside County, south of Temecula, is expected to be reviewed by the Riverside County Planning Commission this year. The County released the Draft EIR last year and is expected to issue the Final EIR this summer.

“It’s frustrating that Granite is prepared to help when so many skilled people are out of work and our state is in such a serious economic crisis,” Johnson said.

Liberty Quarry is projected to generate $6 million in annual state sales tax and more than $2 million annually for Riverside County. The quarry would also create about 300 high-paying jobs, including 99 onsite positions.

Additionally, the project will generate $100 million over the 75-year lifetime of the project for the California State Teachers Retirement System.

The contributions Liberty Quarry would make are significant when compared to the $309 million it costs California to fund its entire Department of Child Support Services for the 2010-2011 fiscal year, according to the governor’s May revise budget numbers.

“I can’t think of a better time than now for this quarry,” said Karie Reuther, director of community relations for Liberty Quarry, also in a written statement. “This will provide jobs and tax revenue for Southern California at a time when both are in such short supply that nothing is safe anymore.”

The proposed Liberty Quarry would be located north of San Diego off the I-15. This quarry would benefit the entire southwest region by generating building materials that are in short supply for needed infrastructure projects.

By producing materials locally, Liberty Quarry also would remove about 16.5 million vehicle miles of travel from local roads and freeways, bringing with it a projected highway maintenance savings of $5.3 million per year.

“We are excited about the advanced level of engineering competence Rockland has to offer our customer base – this will be a true complement to our manufacturing capabilities,” Valley Rubber President Cronan Connell, said in a written statement.

In addition to expanding the engineering services of Valley Rubber, Rockland will continue to serve and develop its own client base.

“We are so energized and enthused to have become a part of Valley Rubber, a dynamic company. The character and convictions of their owners are of the highest caliber, and are an inspiration to us all.” said Brent Guddat, president of Rockland International, in a press release.

California

Lake Forest-based Primoris Services Corp. announced its purchase of an 88-acre quarry in Riverside County. According to the Orange County Register, the purchase of the Juniper Flats Quarry — for about $2.3 million — allowed the company to create Juniper Rock Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary. Company officials estimate a 10-year life cycle for the operation with production of approximately 6 million tons of construction materials.

California

A draft version of an environmental impact report commissioned by Vulcan Materials Co. indicates that a plan to mine a ridge adjacent to Azusa’s Fish Canyon would have limited impact on surrounding communities. Whittier Daily News reports that Vulcan has a permit to mine 190 acres near Fish Canyon. It wants to exchange 80 acres of unmined land on its eastern property line for the ability to mine 80 acres on its western property line. If approved, the site would be developed using 1- to 2-foot micro benches rather than the 30-foot benches currently used on the eastern side of the quarry. “I think you will see, based on the micro benching reclamation, the ridge will look far more natural than it would if it were not reclaimed using micro benching,” Azusa Assistant Community Development Director Conal McNamara told the newspaper. “At the end of 30 years, hopefully, you will be hard pressed to tell it was a mining operation.”

Kentucky

Ronald H. Gray, executive director of the Kentucky Crushed Stone Association (KCSA), has been named NSSGA’s 2009 State Aggregates Association Executive of the Year. “The KCSA is a strong partner of NSSGA. We are impressed by Ron’s advocacy of transportation reauthorization through attending fly-ins and personally visiting members of Congress, as well as encouraging the participation of so many KCSA members,” said NSSGA President and CEO Joy Wilson in making the announcement. “We value all he is doing in the state of Kentucky, as well as nationally, by contributing meaningful insights from Kentucky aggregates producers to the development of industry positions on federal policy.” KCSA’s Board of Directors adopted NSSGA’s Safety Pledge and obtained signatures from virtually all of the aggregates companies in Kentucky. The association also supported NSSGA’s efforts to secure significant changes to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s visible air emissions dust rule, New Source Performance Standards, by obtaining the state’s Environmental Protection Division’s support. Gray has led KCSA since January 2005.

Massachusetts

Members of the Lunenburg Planning Board reviewed the subdivision of a parcel that would allow Powell Stone & Gravel Co. to expand its operation, but failed to move on the issue. According to the Sentinel & Enterprise, owner Steve Powell wants to purchase 10 acres of a 20-acre parcel adjacent to his site to house his company’s trucks and maintenance facility. Prior to the purchase, however, he wants the lot subdivided along a zoning district line. Planning Director Marion Benson supported the move. “I think the Powell’s business is financially very important for the town,” she said. “They do a good job. I never hear any complaints.” The board is waiting for feedback from other town boards prior to taking action.

Michigan

Aggregate Industries (AI) would give more than 320 acres in Waterloo Township to the state in exchange for the rights to mine sand and gravel for an additional 10 years, mlive.com reports. The acreage would go to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR), while the company would reserve mining rights on state-owned land west of the parcel. It would pay royalties on the estimated 8 to 9 million tons that could be excavated. At Aggregates Manager press time, state DNR officials were scheduled to appear at a Waterloo Township meeting. Township officials had tried to stop another AI mine in Circuit Court, but the judge ruled in favor of AI and refused the township’s request to hear the case again.

Nevada

A federal judge has ruled that a disputed Las Vegas highway project should be awarded to Fisher Sand and Gravel. The Bismarck Tribune reports that the decision was issued despite a county commission vote to start the bidding process over again. In early January, U.S. District Court Judge Clive Jones granted the company a $112 million contract to widen a section of the Las Vegas Beltway north of the city. A Clark County spokesman said commissioners will decide within 30 days whether to appeal.

New York

An old quarry and adjacent farmland will likely become a town park in Lancaster, featuring several athletic fields, Buffalo News reports. Town officials have worked out a deal to provide the town with 134 acres, along with approximately $5 million to help offset development costs for the park. Landowner Lafarge Corp. donated the adjacent 45 acres of undeveloped land to the town. In addition to the donation, Lafarge is in the process of selling 89 acres of the former quarry to EnSol Inc., a Niagara Falls company that plans to close the quarry over the next decade or so.

Ohio

Franklin County commissioners are scheduled to hear a request from a Jackson Township businessman who wants his 89-acre property to be annexed by Columbus so he can open a gravel quarry. According to ThisWeek Community Newspapers, Dave Jones is seeking annexation because the township won’t allow him to add gravel mining to his zoning permit. He has permission to dig 4 feet for topsoil, but wants to mine gravel to depths of approximately 40 feet. Jones says that the proposed 55-acre mine would create about 10 jobs and that he would donate the resulting man-made lake for creation of a public park when mining is complete.

Oregon

The Marion County Board of Commissioners approved a proposed aggregate mining operation for a rural area between Stayton and Sublimity. The developer, Phillips Family Limited Partnership LLC, wants to develop 100 acres of a 405-acre property, StatesmanJournal.com reports. The county’s public works department is developing revised requirements with the developer. One requirement is for the developer to pay for a structural analysis and subsequent road improvements or pay for $1 million to $1.5 million worth of up-front improvements to about 5 miles of roads in the area. Commissioners told protesting neighbors that they are required to uphold state law and can regulate noise, dust, and traffic impacts, but cannot address quality of life issues.

Pennsylvania

Following an opinion from Commonwealth Court Judge Johnny J. Butler that concluded Dorrance Township had properly denied Slusser Brothers’ application for a special exception, variances, and challenges to a township zoning ordinance, the owners are considering an appeal. According to standardspeaker.com, Patrick Bartorillo, general manager of Slusser Brothers’ Small Mountain Quarry — part of Harrisburg-based Pennsy Supply Co. — said the decision would be reviewed.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Ready Mix LLC/Richmond Stone & Sand LLC acquired the assets of the former Richmond Sand & Gravel and Richmond Ready Mix operations. The Providence Journal-Bulletin reports that the deal includes 241 acres of real estate in Wyoming as well as the inventory, rolling stock, machinery, equipment, and trade names.

Tennessee

Rogers Group received unanimous approval from the Clinton Planning Commission for its proposed quarry. According to The Oak Ridger, berms will be created around the abandoned quarry before it reopens. Site work was expected to begin early this year. Clinton Building Official Curtis Perez told the newspaper that Rogers Group had obtained the necessary water and air permits for the quarry.

Texas

Texas Industries Inc. (TXI) faces another delay as it seeks approval for a gravel quarry on 2,000 acres east of Austin. Stateman.com reports that Travis County Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt suggested the formation of a committee comprised of neighbors, TXI employees, and county staffers to review the operation’s impact on neighbors. Lawyers for county officials told them they lack legal authority to deny the project without strong evidence that nearby residents’ health would be damaged. Commissioners followed Eckhardt’s recommendation and intend for the committee to explore ways to monitor air quality, water quality, and other aspects of quarry operations over which no government entity has jurisdiction. Eckhardt acknowledged that the committee’s ability to impose restrictions on the company is uncertain.

Virginia

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ) recognized Luck Stone’s Powhatan and Spotsylvania Quarries for achieving E3 status on Dec. 16. Luck Stone is a member of the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program, a voluntary program sponsored by the VA DEQ that recognizes facilities that have made a commitment to continuous environmental improvement. There are three levels of achievement, starting at E2 (an Environmental Enterprise). Once a facility has implemented an Environmental Management System (EMS) and documented significant objectives and goals for environmental improvement, the facility can then be promoted to the level of E3 (Exemplary Environmental Enterprise), a level at which greater independence and responsibility are given to the recognized organization. Luck Stone’s Powhatan and Spotsylvania quarries are the only quarries in Virginia to be recognized at an advanced level. “As the first member of the mining industry to be recognized as an Exemplary Environmental Enterprise in the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program, we are extremely proud of the Spotsylvania and Powhatan Quarries,” said Mark Williams, environmental manager for Luck Stone.

Washington

In late 2009, Whatcom County planners decided that rezoning land near Acme to allow future sand and gravel mining wouldn’t cause significant harm to the environment. According to The Bellingham Herald, a flood of negative comments regarding the decision have prodded the planners to withdraw that decision. Planners now say that rezoning won’t become effective until after the mining company — Concrete Nor’West — applies for a mining permit and the county staff determines whether the operation will harm the environment.

 “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.”

This quote is from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, which is still one of my favorite books. As a geologist with a special interest in the aggregates industry, I, like hobbit Bilbo Baggins, have spent many a day enjoying the comforts of a hole in the ground. Much of my knowledge about the aggregates industry has been gleaned from studying the faces of gravel pits and the highwalls of quarries. Even lunch “in the pits” is a pleasure, dining on a sandwich and soda while visually exploring the structures in the sediments or rocks from my seat on the bottom of an overturned 5-gallon sample bucket.

But I am not alone in enjoying the comforts of a hole in the ground. All over the world, the exposures in quarries and pits help geologists unravel the mysteries of our planet and how life has evolved. The geologic information mined from quarries and pits contributes to economic development by improving our ability to find new mineral resources, and plays an important role in understanding geologic processes such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding, and landslides. And let us not forget the important role that aggregate operations play in the education of the budding geologists of tomorrow.

Sustainability has given birth to a new word — geodiversity — which is a term used primarily in the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Australia. Geodiversity is the geological equivalent of biodiversity and, in general, means ‘the variety of geological features.’ Frequently, geodiversity is used to emphasize the importance of geology in our daily lives and to encourage the conservation of areas that display diverse geologic conditions. 

The concept of geodiversity and geologic conservation presents a novel opportunity to aggregate operators. As stated above, quarries and pits can be a vital resource for geological education, training, and research. Aggregate operators can present this educational resource to schools and communities so they can discover and understand the world at their doorstep, and to universities and scientific organizations to conduct detailed scientific research.

Geological conservation does not inevitably require preserving features. For example, as quarry excavation advances, one exposure often is replaced by another of comparable interest. Aggregate companies can make a significant contribution to the study of geodiversity simply by allowing and encouraging research and educational visits. This can be accomplished by allowing scientists access to the quarry and by holding quarry tours, constructing self-guided viewing platforms, and providing on-site interpretative material such as information boards, leaflets, and maps for the general public. Interpretive information can describe geology and geologic processes, demonstrate links between geology and quarrying, and show how industry and people use the products from the pit or quarry.

Geodiversity presents a huge opportunity for the aggregates industry to create a better understanding of its work and leave something of lasting value to future generations. What does the industry have to gain? In the words of Tolkien…

“This is the story of how a Baggins had an adventure, and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected…He gained — well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.”