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Creation of habitats for rare species of birds has helped one Lafarge UK quarry to win two awards for its work. Whisby Quarry, near Lincoln, won both the conservation award and community award at the recent BTO EDF Energy Business Bird Challenge 2010.

'Safer by Design' stimulated some interesting discussions at October's Atlantic Alliance conference in Brussels. The European Aggregates Association reports. Sharing good practice and developing harmonised concepts within the global aggregates and mining industries was the aim of this year's Atlantic Alliance.

Cemex has announced that its business will now be split into six regions – Mexico, US, South America and Caribbean, Northern Europe, Mediterranean and Asia – and has appointed new presidents for each region.

Better fuel economy and lower emissions are promised for off-highway equipment by a new range of oils launched by Total Lubricants. TP Star Max FE 10W-30 and TP STAR TRANS 80W-110, within the new Concept TP range, are multi-purpose oils designed to satisfy the most recent demands of manufacturers and international standards. According to Total, the Concept TP Star gives sites two oils that meet all needs as well as reducing fuel consumption by 3% and help produce 6tonnes less CO2 emissions per machine per y

An important gritstone quarry is proving that industry, nature and the community can work in harmony

Construction of a new harbour in Finland is being fast-tracked following delivery of a new backhoe dredger from Hitachi, which is also helping to provide construction materials for the project.

Family-owned McGraths Quarries proves that you don't have to be a multinational player to gain recognition for environmental excellence. Claire Symes met with John Joe and Michael McGrath to find out more. The need for environmental awareness and investment in protection measures is now an accepted part of the modern approach to quarrying but it hasn't always been that way. Nonetheless, one family-owned quarry operation in Ireland has consistently placed the environment at the forefront of its work in a way

Despite the current financial turmoil, Russia's aggregates market looks set for continued expansion. Heikki Harri reports. During the last decade the production of aggregates and related products has increased many times over in Russia and there is no seeming end to this trend. The country is committed to continuing investment in infrastructure and this means demand for aggregates will continue to grow.

Hillhead was the location selected by Case to unveil the first in the new range of dozers for the European market. The 1650L mid-sized machine was on display at the show in the UK in June and the company claims it is ideal for both precision grading and heavy duty earthmoving applications. The machine is powered by a Tier 3 Case 6.7litre engine and will soon be joined by the smaller 1150K model. The 1650L has a dual path PowerStat hydrostatic transmission, using variable axial piston pumps and motors to prA

When Godwin Pumps launched it's new Dri-Prime pumps 40 years ago, it did not expect the range to still be in production today. When a company launches a new product, it hopes that it will prove popular with the market but few can predict the longevity of an innovation. However, the simplicity of some designs means that they quickly become established and are not superseded by new technology.

The EU's Mining Waste Directive was supposed to bring legislative parity to extractive industries across Europe from 1 May last year. UK minerals lawyer Robert Camp reviews progress. The EU's Mining Waste Directive, or Directive 2006/21/EC to give it its proper name, was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on 15 March 2006. Its aim is to regulate the management of waste from mining and extractive industries in order to prevent harm to the environment and human health and the directi

Capacity at France-based Durance Granulats quarry in Gardanne has been boosted by 25% with investment in a new conveyor system at the site in south eastern France.

Three BHS mixing plants are producing concrete for the new Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport. Mobile high-capacity concrete mixing plants from BHS-Sonthofen are producing the concrete for the Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport, which is currently under construction in Germany.

Shaping the EU strategy for security of supply of raw materials in Europe is critical, the UEPG reports on progress
Just over a year ago, European Aggregates Association (UEPG) president Denis Mertens and Council of European Producers of Materials for Construction president Jim O'Brien met with EU vice president Günter Verheugen. The aim of the meeting was to present the construction minerals case for an EC initiative to ensure security of minerals supply and marked a milestone in the long term UEPG campai

Terex Finlay has added a new four-way split inclined screen to its product range with the launch of the 694+. The tracked unit features a 6100 by 1524mm triple deck screen, which the company claims delivers efficient, high capacity screening. The screenbox features quick wedge tensioning, access holes and bottom deck hydraulic tensioning system to reduce time required for mesh changes. All four discharge conveyors are adjustable and hydraulically fold for transport.

Italy-based MB Crusher claims to have launched the world's only universal quick coupler range, which it said is quick and versatile to use. The new series features seven models to suit carriers in the 7 to 40tonne weight classes. According to the company, the new design is 50% lighter than other solutions on the market to reduce strain on the excavator and the geometry also reduces the distance between the excavator arm and attachment.

Russia-based Cesla is reported to be planning to invest up to €90million in expanding its cement operations in Leningrad.

The testing of materials such as concrete and asphalt is essential for sound structures: in many regions it is a legal requirement. Patrick Smith reports. Malta National Laboratory's decision to ask the internationally respected TRL to help it establish a construction materials testing facility shows the importance attached to such facilities. This agreement will allow MNL to become an independent test house on the Mediterranean island, able to undertake the testing of road materials such as aggregates, con

Holcim has announced plans to invest €11million in improving its cement factory in Rohoznik, Slovakia and outlined a scheme to invest a further €40million in the region.

Caterpillar's second surprise for the quarry market at Bauma will be the upgraded 988H wheeled loader. "Caterpillar is committed to offering value to its customers and this includes lowering the cost per tonne of production and the revisions on the 988H focus on this," explained Cat regional industry manager for Northern and Central Europe Markus Gebauer.