EnviroMINE conducted a survey of lead agencies to determine the amount each charge to implement their Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (SMARA) program. SMARA requires lead agencies review proposed mining applications for land use permits and/or reclamation plans (or amendments thereto), submit reclamation plans and financial assurances to the State for technical review and comment prior to approval, annually review financial assurances, annually inspect mining operations for compliance, and take enforcement actions where necessary. Section §2207(e) of SMARA indicates the lead agency may impose a fee upon each mining operation to cover the reasonable costs incurred by implementing the program.
CA Environmental Goals and Policy Report Lacks Mention of Mineral Resources
The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) released its draft of the California’s Climate Future – The Governor’s Environmental Goals and Policy Report (EGPR) for public comment.
The report considers the state’s future in the context of a changing climate and a population that is projected to grow to 50 million residents by middle of this century. The discussion draft provides a vision of the state’s future and a broad overview of the state’s programs and policies to achieve that vision. (OPR)
Granite Construction’s Liberty Quarry could mean millions for California
CEMEX update guidance for 2010
Azusa council votes to reconsider Vulcan Materials Co’s mining plan
Teichert Aggregates Installs Wind Turbine
Teichert Aggregates installed a 1.5-megawatt wind turbine generator to deliver electricity on site at its sand and gravel operation in western San Joaquin County, located just south of Tracy, Calif. The first on-site installation of utility-scale wind equipment at an industrial facility in the California Central Valley, the 390-ft.-tall General Electric wind turbine will supply up to 20% of electricity consumed by the operation. Concurrently, Teichert will be removing the equivalent of 1,300 metric tons of CO2 from the environment annually, an impact equivalent to planting approximately 300 acres of trees in the community. The approximately $4 million project was financed and developed by Foundation Windpower of San Francisco. The Foundation assessed the wind resource, selected equipment, organized installation, and secured construction financing and tax equity investment.
Source: http://rockproducts.com
Vulcan Materials Currently 3.30% Below its May 6th Crash Low of $48.72 (VMC)
Vulcan Materials is currently trading 3.30% below its May 6th low of $48.72. Investors are looking to see if the shares can regain the May ‘flash crash’ level which may act as short-term resistance.
In the past 52-weeks, shares of Vulcan Materials have traded between a low of $39.14 and a high of $62 and are now at $47.13, which is 20.40% above that low price.
Aggregate Shipments Fall 21% in Q4
The U.S. Geological Survey reports that an estimated 255 million metric tons of crushed stone was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2009, a decrease of 20% compared with that of the same period of 2008. The estimated annual output of crushed stone produced for consumption in 2009 was 1.11 billion metric tons, a 23% decrease compared with that of 2008.
Region needs quarry
California’s roads are crumbling, and we’re running out of construction materials to build schools, hospitals and churches in our communities.
In just 20 years, a dozen quarries in Riverside and San Diego counties will close because of exhausted reserves or expired permits, leaving this growing region without enough rocks and gravel to meet its needs. The proposed Liberty Quarry project would help address that shortfall and would be run by Granite Construction, which has a strong history of monitoring and minimizing environmental impacts and carries a solid safety record.
Granite Construction CEO to retire
Calling it “a bittersweet time,” William G. Dorey, president and chief executive officer of Granite Construction, announced his retirement Monday after 42 years with the company.
James H. Roberts, 53, who has been with the Granite since 1981 and served as executive vice president and chief operating officer since September 2009, will be stepping into the top slot when Dorey leaves Aug. 31. His appointment must be confirmed at the 2010 annual meeting.