Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/124173
State & Province NEWS To keep up to date with this breakdown of news in the United States and Canada, visit www.AggMan.com for daily updates. by Therese Dunphy, Editor-in-Chief by Therese Dunphy, Editor-in-Chief tdunphy@randallreilly.com California Alabama The town of Gurley will be in court once again on its long-time lawsuit with M&N Materials, al.com reports. The decade-long battle started when two developers began to purchase land for a quarry. When the town learned of the plans, it held a referendum and annexed the property, zoning it for agricultural use. This effectively forestalled quarry development. Last December, the state supreme court reversed a $5 million judgment against Gurley, saying that the town's steps toward the property did not amount to a taking. Town officials have repeatedly said Gurley would be "exploring bankruptcy options" if unsuccessful on its appeal. Both sides will now make oral arguments before the court on May 3. California Las Pilitas Resources LLC released a draft environmental review of its proposed 234-acre quarry near Santa Margarita. According to The Tribune, the draft report notes that more than 100 acres of the site would be left as open space. Approximately 500,000 tons of aggregate — intended for use in Portland cement — would be produced each year, with reserves of 25 to 58 years. The San Luis Obispo County Department of Planning and Building served as the lead agency for the report, after citizen groups protested that the firm originally selected to do it was a "mining industry consultant." The comment period for the report ends on May 20, and a public hearing on the proposal is scheduled to be held on Sept. 26. California Graniterock is scheduled to host its Sixth Annual Construction Career Day on May 3 at its A.R. Wilson Quarry in Aromas. The event is designed for San Benito and Santa Cruz high school students and highlights career options within the construction industry. The day will begin with a tour of the quarry, followed by comments from Quarry Manager Peter Lemon. Finally, interactive presentations from more than 25 different professionals will address a variety of construction, engineering, science, and green building occupations. 6 Lehigh Hanson's Mission Valley Rock plant in Sunol is the first aggregates production site to achieve the Energy Star Challenge for the industry, according to the company. In one year, it reduced its energy intensity by 12.2 percent. To do so, plant management and personnel at Lehigh Hanson's technical competency center in Irving, Texas, completed a comprehensive review of its major systems, including crushers, conveyors, pumps, screens, feeders, fans, heating, air compressors, and more. Plant staff then used the findings to implement process improvements, energy optimization strategies, and equipment installations. Some production tasks were also shifted to reduce loads at peak times. Georgia Vulcan Materials Co.'s two quarries in Bartow County received feature coverage in the Daily Tribune News, which noted the sites employ approximately 35 people and include about $5 million in capital investments. The newspaper noted that the two sites are currently producing about 1 million tons of aggregate between the granite and limestone operations. Indiana Gene Stoppenhagen, of Bluffton-based Habig Trucking and Excavating, was the recipient of the 2012 Trucker of the Year award, presented by the Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association (IMAA). According to The Bluffton News-Banner, the award was presented during the IMAA Winter Workshops. The award recognizes one trucker for his work with a member company. Stoppenhagen was nominated by Joe Langel, operations manager of IMI Aggregates in Bluffton. Michigan Stoneco's Ottawa Lake Quarry in Whiteford Township received the company's "Quarry of the Year" award for a fourth consecutive year. According to The Monroe Evening News, the award program evaluates quarries and assigns scores in safety, housekeeping, public relations, and performance. The operation won the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association's Excellence in Community Relations Award and has gone more than 3,600 days without any lost-time incidents. AGGREGATES MANAGER May 2013 StateNews_AGRM0513.indd 6 4/18/13 2:18 PM