The Americas

Cement dispatches increased in Peru in the first two months of 2014, while the country’s manufacturing, construction and mining sectors continued to grow in January.

According to the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2014 report, the estimated value of mineral production in the US reached US$74.3 billion in 2013, down from US$75.8 billion in 2012.

Solidia Technologies was selected as a finalist for the 2013 Katerva Award and has been named one of the best places to work in New Jersey as part of the NJBIZ programme.

According to local reports, the government of Venezuela has approved a project to set up five mini cement plants, each with a capacity of 4.235 million bags/year.

SNIC has released preliminary results for February 2014, indicating a rise in domestic cement sales volumes.

The Cement Association of Canada calls on Ministers to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to protect the lobster fishery industry in Gaspesie following approval of Port-Daniel-Gascons cement project.

USGS releases cement sector figures for December 2013 and full-year 2013. Highlights from the reports include clinker production statistics, as well as Portland cement shipment levels in the US and Puerto Rico.

Humboldt Wedag, Inc. will carry out projects for Lafarge cement plants in Canada and the US, with a scope of supply running from the raw material feed to clinker handling.

Vulcan Materials Handling has completed the sale of its cement and concrete operations in Florida to Cementos Argos.

New report concludes that the use of coal combustion residues including coal flyash in concrete and flue gas desulfurization gypsum in wallboard offer environmental and economic benefits.

Latest figures from the AFCP reveal that domestic cement dispatches fell by 13.9% m/m and 3.1% y/y in the second month of 2014.

A statistical look at the skills shortage facing the US manufacturing and trades sectors, via WorkBoots.com.

Robin E. Graves elected chairman of ASTM International Committee C07; Ian Chin elected chairman of ASTM International Committee C15; Tim Harvey elected chairman of ACI 313 committee.

The ‘Deep Roots – Part of our communities: past, present, and future’ initiative supports the French cement producer’s global Sustainability Ambitions for 2020.

Innovative belt cleaner design helps eliminate carryback and the problems it causes at North American Limestone Corporation.