Quarrying is a challenging industry to work in but it is one that is vital for nearly every aspect of modern-day life. Materials garnered from the process are used in the manufacture of a vast array of products from laptops to concrete, the second most used product in the world after water. The industry needs to meet an ever-increasing demand from the multi-billion dollar construction industry for quality aggregates, with huge new infrastructure projects continuing pace.
Roads, railways, housing, dams, and power stations all require aggregates but increasingly their acquisition is set against complex planning, environmental and safety constraints. Having successfully launched the Aggregates Business Europe magazine in 2007 for the European aggregates industry we are now introducing Aggregates Business International to cater for producers in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. These regions have seen a remarkable increase in the demand for aggregates in recent years along with the equipment to quarry and refine them.
Aggregates Business International is being launched to help the industry meet challenges more effectively, and will bring you the latest business news while aiming to deliver improved awareness of quarrying best practice as well as looking at other important issues affecting the industry.
This first edition provides a flavour of what Aggregates Business International will embrace in an industry that is rapidly changing, with new regulations; planning requirements, and safer and more fuel-efficient machinery being constantly introduced.
While there may be further changes and enhancements to the new product, other key components of the new magazine will be regular features, including interviews with key people in the industry; indepth profiles of quarry operations and market reports, which will look at how the market for aggregates varies around the regions. Here, we report on how the industry is meeting demand in India, the second largest market in the world, and increasing, and on a huge investment at one of the world’s largest quarry sites in the United Arab Emirates as well as an interview with a leading industry executive.
Analyses of environmental and health and safety issues affecting the quarrying industry will also be major focuses in future issues. Aggregates Business International will bring you the latest developments in technology and equipment for quarrying and aggregate production, and will also look at the application of aggregate-based materials on site.
Aggregates Business International will be published 3 times in 2013 and distributed to quarrying professionals across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
You will be able register to receive the magazine regularly, and keep up to date with the latest news, through our website www.aggbusiness.com
I hope you enjoy reading this issue and I look forward to hearing your views and suggestions for future news items and features.
