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While screening technology is helping to tightly control product specification, AggFlow believes that quarries could be more proactive when it comes to ensuring they are operating in the most profitable manner. The company is working on a new element of its modelling software that will allow the profitability of different set ups to be assessed. "The AggOpti system will allow engineers and sales staff to put demand forecasts into the model and work out the best mode of operation and see the impact on the bo

Greater efficiency and higher quality crusher components manufacturing is promised by Sandvik with the announcement plans for investment in a new 6000m2 factory in Svedala, Sweden. The new SEK300million (€32.4million) plant will be fitted with the most modern production equipment for manufacturing key components for Sandvik's crushers, which are assembled not only in Svedala, but also in other countries.

Airborne dust can be a major problem for quarry operators but enclosing equipment is not always possible. ABE takes a look at other innovative solutions. The location of many quarries close to residential areas means that the impact of airborne dust is a problem that has to be dealt with. But dust can be a very difficult issue to define, as what constitutes a nuisance is very subjective and can vary from site to site.

LeTourneau is a name that has become synonymous with the development of earthmoving equipment. ABE takes a look at the man behind the name. Working as an earthmoving contractor in the early 1920s led Robert Gilmore LeTourneau into a career of developing equipment for this application. Today, many quarries and earthmoving contractors still use equipment that can be traced back to the LeTourneau brand.

Norway has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to hard rock aggregates to the extent that it exports over a quarter of its production each year. Aggregates in Europe are generally local products that are limited by the cost of transportation to a 50km radial geographical area around the quarry. But that is where Norway is different - its hard rock aggregates are shipped many thousands of kilometres by sea to meet demand elsewhere in Europe.

The legality of the UK's aggregates tax still hangs in the balance after an earlier ruling was overturned by the European Court of Justice. Minerals lawyer Robert Camp looks at the case. In 2002, the UK government introduced the Aggregates Levy (with the approval of the European Commission) in an effort to improve the environmental performance of its mining industry. Unpopular from the outset, it includes a tax in the form of a levy on aggregates, with an exemption for spoils resulting from the extraction o

The European Aggregates Association's partnership with the United Nations Environmental Programme on a biodiversity toolkit for the quarrying industry. The need for biodiversity at both restored and working aggregate extraction sites is widely accepted by the quarrying industry, but achieving biodiversity is not a straightforward process. However, plans to develop a new information source for the sector could help to ease the task for those implementing and regulating biodiversity plans.

Atlas Copco enters the mobile market Atlas Copco has expanded its offering to the quarrying sector with acquisition of Austria-based mobile crushing and screening manufacturer Hartl Anlagenbau. The company has said that entering the growing mobile crushing and screening market will strengthen the group's position in the area of quarrying and recycling.

Having recently rejoined Case after a gap of eight years, Israel Celli talks to ABE about his new role, the recession and plans for the quarry market. Few people return to a company once they have moved on and even less can be coaxed out of retirement to rejoin. But that is exactly what Israel Celli did when he returned to Case Construction Equipment last year.

RUD may be better known in the quarrying industry as a tyre chain manufacturer but the company has produces protection fences. The latest product to be launched is Barriertech which is an extension of the company's SnowGripper avalanche protection system. Barriertech is designed to offer protection against rock falls and landslides, as well as snow fall. Barriertech draws its inspiration from nature and the way that the layered branches of conifers flex to absorb and spread the weight of the snow.

Caterpillar has extended its offering to the quarry market with the addition of a new excavator model to its product range. The new 90tonne 390D L excavator replaces the 385C L and offers improved performance, rugged durability, more operator facilities and easier serviceability, according to Cat.

The name Nordberg lives on as a Metso Minerals product line, but who was the man that gave his name to crushing and screening's heritage? Claire Symes reports. Most people have heard of the Nordberg company that was acquired by Metso Minerals in 1989 but how many have wondered where the name came from? The man that founded the original business - Bruno Nordberg - gave the company his family name when the company was first established in 1886.

Washing is a common part of aggregate processing but managing water resources is essential to ensure operations are profitable and environmentally friendly. Claire Symes reports. Filter presses usually achieve 85% water recovery, although we have seen up to 93% in some applications.

For the last 25 years Martti Kärkkäinen has managed the aggregates business of Finland-based Rudus. Claire Symes talked to him about his career with the company. In today's world few people stay with the same company for their whole career but when Martti Kärkkäinen retires later this year, he will be celebrating 38 years of working with Rudus. During his time with the Finland-based construction materials business he has seen many changes in the organisation but believes the company is on the right path for

More strength is the main benefit promised by the latest safety helmet design launched by PPE specialist JSP. The new EN14052 Mk8 Evolution hard hat is said to offer three times the crown protection of the older EN397 design and also offers side protection, which the company claims is the biggest advance in technology in over 30 years.

Hardly a day goes by without the words recession or credit crunch hitting the headlines. Many question how many of these headlines are really media hype but how much will the instability of the banking world affect aggregates production in Europe?

Volvo showcased its new FMX construction truck at the Hillhead exhibition in the UK in June with the display of the 26tonne GVW, all-wheel drive 6x6 tipper version. Built specifically for heavy construction tasks, the specification of the FMX displayed at Hillhead included the D11C 11litre engine rated at 450HP driving all three axles through a Volvo Powertronic 6-speed, fully automatic gearbox. The Volvo in-line six-cylinder D11C450 diesel delivers 2150Nm of torque between 950 and 1400 rpm.

Investment in conveyor systems is helping some quarries to improve productivity and reduce operating costs. Claire Symes reports. With the need for more fixed operating costs, many quarries are turning to conveyors as a hauling option in place of using a fleet of dump trucks. According to the conveyor manufacturers, they can offer a more environmentally friendly and cheaper option in the long term.

Hydraulic excavators are now the construction or quarry workhorse, but the concept took a while to catch on. Hydraulic excavators are now the most widely used of all off-highway machines but that the hydraulic excavator has become, effectively, ubiquitous is of note. The current generation of hydraulic excavators are descended from machines developed 60 or so years ago, which is a considerably shorter time than for other pieces of equipment, such as the bulldozer or grader.

Doosan has announced the launch of a new range of hydraulic breakers for mini through to large excavators. The DXB range are said to offer simple, robust design providing both economical and reliable performance, low maintenance costs, operator comfort and carrier protection. The five model range includes the DSC36, DXB100, DXB170, DXB190, and DXB260, with the largest DXB260 breaker designed for use on 27 to 37tonne excavators. DXB technology ensures the carrier is protected from the effects of reduction in