Pit & Quarry, November 2009

EDITED BY BRIAN RICHESSON MSHA increases funding for training grants Upcoming Events NSSGA Convention Feb 13 18 2010 Cincinnati AGG1 Forum Expo Feb 15 18 Cincinnati 2010 SME Annual Meeting Exhibit Feb 28 March 3 Phoenix The Work Truck Show 2010 and NTEA Convention March 10 12 St Louis Bauma 2010 April 19 25 Munich Germany Young Leaders Annual Meeting April 29 May 2 San Diego LAST MONTHS QUESTION REGARDING YOUR OPERATION IN THIS ECONOMY IS THE WORST BEHIND YOU Yes 27 No 73 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 The Mine Safety and Health Administration MSHA has allocated more than 83 million in health and safety training grants for FY 2009 up from last years distribution of 82 million Grantees will use the funds to provide federally mandated training to miners The grants cover training and retraining of miners working at surface and underground coal and metal and nonmetal mines including miners engaged in shell dredging or employed at surface stone sand and gravel mining operations Training grant funds are being awarded to 47 states and the Navajo Nation States applied for the grants which are administered by state mine inspectors offices state departments of labor and state supported colleges and universities Each recipient tailors the program to its miners needs and provides technical assistance The grants are given to states upon receipt and approval of their applications Bulletin on biodiesel fuels MSHA issued a bulletin to update the mining community on the technological feasibility of biodiesel fuels as an effective control method for reducing miners exposures to diesel particulate matter The bulletin is directed toward metal and nonmetal underground mine operators miners and miners representatives manufacturers of diesel powered underground mining equipment MSHA metal and nonmetal enforcement personnel MSHA technical support personnel and other interested parties To read the bulletin visit www msha gov Sentinels of Safety awards Twenty mining operations have been honored for their outstanding 2008 safety records in the annual Sentinels of Safety awards program sponsored by MSHA and the National Mining Association To see the list of winners visit www msha gov FIRST OF MONTH OPENING OCTOBER SEPTEMBER Cemex SA 1304 1319 Eagle Materials 2865 2613 MDU Resources 2082 1931 Martin Marietta Materials 9400 8718 Texas Industries 4155 3921 Vulcan Materials 5375 5000 Eye on the Blog Following is a selected entry from the Pit Quarry Editors Blog written by Contributing Editor Mark S Kuhar Highway bill jobs better roads and bridges Dennis Slater president of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers has written a compelling op ed about fully funding a new highway bill He writes America and Minnesota need better roads and bridges and Minnesota Representative Jim Oberstar chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is the champion for quick passage and full funding of a highway bill that would provide money for infrastructure improvements Read the entire op ed piece and other blog items from Pit Quarry editors at http pqeditors blogspot com 6 PIT QUARRY November 2009 www pitandquarry com