Features

Sandvik has been working on building a new approach to training for drill operators, which it claims benefits the overall production within the quarry. "We used to just offer start-up and technical training when we delivered a new rig to familiarise operators with the new features on a rig and show them how to use and maintain it on a daily basis," explained Sandvik surface top hammer drill training manager Mika Kotro. "But we began to notice the need to educate drillers about the importance of their work

Cirino Mendola's 40 years of experience will stand him in good stead as he takes up the presidency of ANEPLA - the Italian aggregates federation - for the second time. Adrian Greeman reports. It is surely an honour to take on the role of president in the Italian aggregates federation, the Associazione Nazionale Estrattori Produttori Lapidei Affinia (ANEPLA) but for the new president it is perhaps one filled with déjà vu? Certainly it must seem that way for Cirino Mendola who has recently been elected to the

Blasting in European quarries has an excellent safety record thanks to rigorous checks and training and the latest security initiatives are also helping to boost safety. Claire Symes reports. Problems with noise and vibration from drilling and blasting are causing some quarries to consider ripping or hydraulic breakers for primary breaking in Europe. However, since most quarries deal with hard rock, blasting is still an essential tool, so explosives are likely to remain part and parcel of aggregate produc

Reversing is a hazardous process in a quarry site but, according to Brigade, there is a quieter alternative to noise pollution creating beeping systems. Beeping reversing alarms are now commonly heard in quarry sites across Europe as operators try to reduce the risk of strike accidents during manoeuvring operations. But while such systems can improve safety, the noise they create can be difficult to locate and may also be a nuisance to neighbours.

Preparation for restoration gets underway as extraction of material at Cemex's Longham Quarry nears completion. After 12 years and production of over 1.8million tonnes of sand and gravel, the life of Longham Quarry in Dorset, UK as an active gravel pit is nearing its end. Once the final aggregates have been processed, the site is destined to be reprofiled to form a 1.4million cubic metre reservoir. Quarry operator Cemex is currently using its Case CX210B excavator to stockpile the sand and gravel from

Promoting sustainable development is an important issue for the aggregates sector and the UEPG is helping to find methods to benchmark and promote awareness of these capabilities

Growing environmental awareness means that strategies to promote sustainable development are high on the agenda of most businesses in Europe. The quarrying sector is no exception and the European Aggregates Association (UEPG) has been working with the European Commission to help benchmark sustainability.

The EC launched its S

Developments in asphalt mix design are now being matched by hi-tech innovations in paving technology. ABE takes a look at one of these in action on site in Germany. Advances in asphalt mix design have helped to create road surfacing around Europe that reduce spray in heavy rain, create less noise and offer better skid resistance. All these attributes have been achieved by careful laboratory analysis to revise the aggregates used, the material size and shape and high performance bitumen binders.

Europe's railways rely on high quality aggregate to maintain both line speeds and passenger comfort. ABE reports on the technical aspects of railway ballast