Pit & Quarry, January 2010

EDITED BY BRIAN RICHESSON Aggregate production down in 3rd quarter Upcoming Events ISEE Conference on Explosives Blasting Technique Feb 7 10 Orlando Fla NSSGA Convention Feb 14 17 Cincinnati AGG1 Aggregates Forum Expo Feb 15 18 Cincinnati 2010 SME Annual Meeting Exhibit Feb 28 March 3 Phoenix LAST MONTHS QUESTION WHICH STATEMENT ABOUT YOUR OPERATION IS MOST TRUE REGARDING THE COMING WINTER SEASON Well close as normal 19 Well keep running as normal 26 Well close for longer than normal this winter owing to the economy 43 Well close this winter owing to the economy though we normally keep running 13 VISIT US ONLINE @ www pitandquarry com for the latest industry news and events information and to participate in this months Pit Quarry survey Submit news and events items for consideration to brichesson@ questex com An estimated 586 million metric tons Mt of total aggregates were produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the third quarter of 2009 a decrease of 21 percent compared with that of the same period of 2008 The estimated production for consumption in the first nine months of 2009 was 145 billion metric tons Gt a 25 percent decrease compared with that of the same period of 2008 An estimated 335 Mt of crushed stone were produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the third quarter of 2009 a decrease of 20 percent compared with that of the same period of 2008 The estimated production for consumption in the first nine months of 2009 was 852 Mt a 24 percent decrease compared with that of the same period of 2008 The estimated U S output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the third quarter of 2009 was 250 Mt a decrease of 21 percent compared with that of the same period of 2008 The estimated production for consumption in the first nine months of 2009 was 597 Mt a 27 percent decrease compared with that of the same period of 2008 The above estimates are based on information reported to the U S Geological Survey USGS quarterly sample survey by crushed stone and construction sand and gravel producers The estimated portland cement consumption decreased by 24 percent in the third quarter of 2009 and decreased by 27 percent in the first nine months of 2009 compared with that of the same periods of 2008 This information is obtained from the USGS monthly survey of U S cement producers Mining fatalities fall to all time low in 2009 Preliminary data from the Mine Safety Health Administration MSHA indicates that mine fatalities in 2009 fell to an all time low for the second straight year Coal mines recorded 18 mining deaths and metal nonmetal mines recorded 16 mining deaths for a combined total of 34 mining deaths nationwide and a significant drop from last years total of 52 deaths In 2009 MSHA assessed 173000 civil penalties for violations of mine safety and health legal requirements The dollar amount of assessed penalties totaled 1407 million in 2009 Twenty five flagrant violations were assessed at a total of 34 million Of the 34 fatalities reported 11 coal miners and 14 metal nonmetal miners died at surface mines while seven coal miners and two metal nonmetal miners died at underground facilities Seven coal miners and five metal nonmetal miners died in accidents involving powered haulage the leading cause of all fatal mining accidents in the U S during 2009 From Oct 19 2008 to June 9 2009 no underground coal mine fatalities were reported with the total number of underground coal mine deaths about half the previous historic low FIRST OF MONTH OPENING DECEMBER NOVEMBER Cemex SA 1148 1036 Eagle Materials 2731 2500 MDU Resources 2270 2090 Martin Marietta Materials 8600 8339 Texas Industries 3527 3349 Vulcan Materials 4858 4627 4 PIT QUARRY January 2010 www pitandquarry com