News

The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has expressed consternation at the UK government’s decision to review the HS2 high-speed rail megaproject.

MPA CEO Nigel Jackson said: “Our members have invested in detailed planning and improved capacity to supply the tens of millions of tonnes of materials required for this major public infrastructure project. We are most concerned to see yet more delay and uncertainty over HS2. The Government should decide promptly, commit firmly and deliver the project on time.

CRH, the Ireland-headquartered global building materials group, has posted record first half-year EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation & Amortisation) of €1.54 billion, 36% up on H1 2018. The Group also increased its H1 2019 sales by 11% to €13.2bn. The period under review saw CRH divest €2bn of its assets and spend €500mn on acquisitions. Meanwhile, the Group-wide profit improvement programme is said to be progressing well.

Commenting on the latest trading figures, Albert Manifold, CRH ch

Metso says it is closing its foundry operation in Isithebe, South Africa, as part of its ongoing synergies-led development of the global supply network of its Minerals Consumables business area. As part of the initiative, the consultations evaluating closure or other alternatives concerning the Isithebe foundry in South Africa have resulted in a decision to close the foundry operation by the end of September 2019.

The decision affects approximately 200 employees currently employed at the foundry and its

An UK charity which supports disabled people has received a match-funded grant worth £15,000 (€16,290) over the next three years from local firm Grundon Sand & Gravel.

With inclusivity at its heart, Kingsley Organisation provides self-development and training opportunities aimed at creating an environment where disabled people can learn new skills and show off their abilities.

It also has a real community focus and its head office, the Kingsley Centre in Kingsley, near Bordon, Hampshire, southern Engl

India-based cement, textiles and chemicals firm Grasim Industries (Aditya Birla Group) saw its year-on-year income rise 12.72% to INR 19.09 trillion (US$257.9bn) in the 1 April to 30 June 2019 period.

The company achieved a consolidated net profit of INR 17.86bn ($249.43mn) , up by 27.86%. UltraTech, Grasim Industries’ cement subsidiary, contributed INR 10.18tn ($143.15bn) in revenues, up by 14.35%.

A Scheme of Arrangement amongst Century Textiles and Industries Limited (Century), UltraTech and their

Family-owned business Feiring Bruk, which operates primarily in eastern Norway where it has 10 sites extracting and producing crushed stone, gravel and asphalt, has announced an 88% reduction in fines as a result of its wet processing plant commissioned with CDE.

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is highlighting how it offers many new technologies and services to help quarrying and construction companies reduce spending on fuel while becoming more environmentally friendly in the process.

Fuel is one of the largest expenses for any quarrying and construction businesses. And Volvo CE notes that for every litre of diesel fuel saved means there is 2.6kg less carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.

The major global original equipment manufacturer’s key

The new CESAR initiative, helping UK site managers and others to identify the engine emissions stage compliance of individual machines in environmentally sensitive areas, reached a milestone with the launch of the prototype ECV system at the recent Plantworx 2019 exhibition in Peterborough, east England. Industry feedback on the new system is now being evaluated with a view to a full roll out later this year.

A JCB Hydradig became the first piece of construction plant to be fitted with the prototype ECV

Marshalls, a leading UK building materials supplier and landscaping group, achieved revenues of £280.1 million (€304.24mn) in the first half of 2019, compared to £244.3mn (€265.35mn) for the same period of last year. The group posted a 14% increase in reported pre-tax profit to £37.1mn (€40.29mn). The acquisition of brick manufacturer Edenhall helped to improve Marshalls H1 2019 results.

Speaking to industry reporters, Group chief executive Martyn Coffey said the first-half performance, coupled with a “

CEMEX, the building materials major, has highlighted examples of its long-time successful partnership with leading UK conservation organisations including the RSPB and Butterfly Conservation.

The collaboration has seen significant progress at both working and restored quarries. The summer months offer the best opportunity for spotting butterfly species at our sites. However, butterflies face many challenges with two thirds of species now showing population declines nationally. Butterflies are under threa

South Africa’s Concrete Institute (TCI) has applied to the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) for tariffs on the huge influx of cement imports coming onto the domestic market.

Speaking to reporters in Johannesburg, TCI managing director Bryan Perrie said the institute, which represents AfriSam, Dangote Cement SA, Larfarge, Natal Port Land Cement and PPC, believed the imports were seriously impacting the industry at a time when it is facing "unprecedented low levels of demand" due to a

Birla Corporation (Birla), a leading Indian cement producer, posted a 14% rise year-on-year revenue rise in the first quarter of the 2019/20 financial year to INR 18.44 billion (US$249.1mn). In the three months to 30 June 2019, Birla’s fiscal earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) by 49% to INR 4.02bn ($56.07mn), while its net profit rose 68% to INR 1.41bn ($19.75mn).

In a company statement released with its latest trading results, Birla says it is now looking to invest

Quarry operators can discover how to maximise the effectiveness of water quality monitoring, whilst also minimising cost, at this month’s ‘Lunch & Learn’ webinar from the UK-based Institute of Quarrying (IQ) Academy.

The webinar focuses on knowledge and innovation from 12.30pm-1pm on Thursday 29 August. Delivered by environmental specialist, Dr Craig Speed, the 30-minute online session counts towards valuable continuing professional development (CPD) for IQ members.

Dr Speed, associate director at

Allu Transformer will be exhibiting its solutions for the construction, recycling, extraction and mineral processing industries at four upcoming exhibitions in Sweden and Germany.

The Finland-based crushing and screening bucket manufacturer will be present at the Load Up North construction equipment event held at Nolia AB, Umeå, Sweden from 29-31 August.

Allu will also be at Entreprend Live, which takes place from 12-14 September in Ring Knutstorp, Kågeröd Skåne, Sweden. The event has a large dedicate