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Mineral product companies have continued to improve their sustainability, but sales growth prospects remain uncertain, according to a key industry watchdog. In its 3rd Sustainable Development Report, The Mineral Products Association (MPA) praised its members and the industry as a whole for progress on health and safety, carbon emissions, biodiversity, nature conservation and resource efficiency.

A £150million (€179.43million) government scheme to reduce crashes and congestion at a notorious UK motorway junction has been welcomed by highways building material specialists Lafarge. Work at the Catthorpe Interchange, the meeting point of the M1, M6 and A14 on the border of Counties Leicestershire/Warwickshire, is part of a wider £1billionn (€1.19billion) of investment in the Highways Agency's infrastructure programme over the next three years.

A new sand washing plant for Reddal Sand is said to have resulted in a significant improvement in the quality of the sand being produced at its site IN southern Norway. Reddal Sand, located in Grimstad, Aust-Agder, has supplied a variety of construction materials to major projects in the area since 1989, including materials for use in the manufacture of roofing tiles, concrete, road construction and various types of ground works (sports fields, playgrounds and golf courses).
Morten and Jan Tore Pedersen

Godwin, manufacturer of the Dri-Prime automatic self-priming, dry-running pump, and a Xylem, company, has made a a donation to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), which works to eliminate domestic violence, empower battered adults and children, promote and unify direct service programmes, alert and educate the public, and promote partnerships.

Gravel output in France went up 3% over the January-September 2011 period, according to the Unicem professional body. However, the pace is slowing down dramatically as the year is drawing to a close. Output dropped by 0.8% in the second quarter and by 0.7% in the third quarter, following the 12.8% increase reported in the first three months of the year.

JCB has unveiled plans for a new £31million [€36million] engine development project in the UK that will create around 350 jobs across its Midlands and Wales' plants. The programme is set to get underway after the company was awarded £4.5million [?5.25million] towards the cost from the Government's Regional Growth Fund (RGF).

Breedon Aggregates, the UK's largest independent aggregates producer, has issued a statement in advance of its preliminary results announcement, which is due on 6 March, 2012. The company says that anticipated trading results for the year to 31 December, 2011, remain comfortably in line with market expectations, assuming normal weather conditions in December, and that several potential acquisitions are under review.

The Mineral Products Association's executive director, Dr Pal Chana, has described the industry's performance against its Environment Agency-agreed Sector Plan targets for 2010 as a landmark for the cement industry.. In 2005 MPA cement members entered into an historic five-year environmental performance programme with the UK Environment Agency setting demanding targets to be met by 2010.

Energy-intensive industries such as steel making, cement and chemical manufacturers have been granted a £250million (€292.5million) package from UK Chancellor George Osborne to help counteract rising power costs.
The Chancellor's Autumn Statement confirmed a tax relief and compensation package would be used to shield British businesses from costly environmental legislation.

The British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA) has launched a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) strategy which puts in place a structure to ensure that the marine aggregate industry can address the many issues surrounding protection and enhancement of marine biodiversity robustly and consistently across the sector as a whole.

Hanson is restructuring its concrete, asphalt and contracting business to improve efficiency and customer service and prepare for the challenges which lie ahead in 2012 and beyond.

The Quarry Products division will be split into three product-focused business lines (Hanson Aggregates incorporating Hanson Marine; Hanson Concrete, and Hanson Asphalt and Contracting. All will be managed nationally.

According to a recent study conducted by the consulting company Intesco Research Group in 2011 the Russian market for sand, crushed stone, pebbles and gravel may grow by 9%.

In 2010, the market for natural sand rose by 12.2%. Imported materials accounted for less than 0.5%.

As winter approaches, 150,000 honey bees are preparing to colonise in six hives recently located at Cemex UK Taffs Well quarry near Cardiff, South Wales.

The 60-hectare quarry site, with Special Area of Conservation status, provides a perfect environment for the bees with its extensive beech woodland and wide variety of flora and fauna in the woods and on the restored rock benches.

After a SEK 144million (Rs 90 crores/?15.6million) investment, Volvo Construction Equipment's factory in Bangalore is now producing its first excavators.

The first excavators, an EC210B Prime and an EC290BLC Prime, have rolled off Volvo Construction Equipment's (Volvo CE) new Indian assembly line, and have undergone an extensive testing and validation regime, ahead of a full-scale production launch of the machines.

A new book on hydraulic excavators is being published containing over 400 photographs.

Hydraulic Excavators: Quarrying & Mining Applications has been compiled by Rob Sinclair, an enthusiast on the subject for some 36 years (since the age of four).

A new book on hydraulic excavators is being published containing over 400 photographs.

Hydraulic Excavators: Quarrying & Mining Applications has been compiled by Rob Sinclair, an enthusiast on the subject for some 36 years (since the age of four).

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has signed an agreement with CeDe Group that will see a range of specialised machines made available for customers working in specific applications. The machines will be available through Volvo CE's European distribution network.

According to the Ministry of Economic Development, crushed stone production in the Republic of Karelia (North-West) will be 12,000tonnes in 2012; 13,000tonnes in 2013, 15,000tonnes in 2014 and 17,000tonnes in 2015.

In 2011, the figure should rise to 11,000tonnes (10,280tonnes in 2010).

The Mineral Products Association's prestigious Health and Safety Conference and Awards celebrated and shared outstanding examples of best practice by MPA members, in order to inspire and help the industry to achieve the highest standards in health and safety.

Godwin, manufacturer of the Dri-Prime automatic self-priming, dry-running pump, has made the first donation under its newly-formed Charitable Contributions Committee.

The donation went to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, the first and only pediatric cancer centre to be designated as a comprehensive cancer centre by the National Cancer Institute.