Aggregate line in progress despite bad condition

Aggregate line in progress despite bad condition

Among the equipment showcased by Brazilian company Randon at M&T Expo was its RD 406 Advanced backhoe, available in 4x2 and 4x4 drive versions, and engines of 84 hp (63 kW) or 110 hp (82 kW) turbo. The transmission and axles are from Carraro.
Sales of aggregates, asphalt and concrete fell so strongly in the second quarter of 2012 that the industry fears 2012 could be even worse than 2009 when the recession was at its deepest.

Mineral Products Association data show that in the second quarter, compared with the same period of 2011, sales of crushed rock and sand and gravel aggregates declined by 10% and 15% respectively. Sales of the value-added products of ready-mixed concrete and asphalt fell by 13% and 16% respectively.
The Fresno County planning commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit today for an aggregate mine and asphalt plant east of Sanger.

The proposed Carmelita mine, situated amidst the stone fruit orchards of Gerawan Farms, is located two miles south of Highway 180 on Reed Avenue near Sanger.

These figures indicate that for the first half of 2012 sales of crushed rock were down 11%, sand and gravel down 13%, ready mixed concrete down 12% and asphalt down 17%.

The site is just west of Jesse Morrow Mountain where Mexican company Cemex had been planning a 1.5 million ton per year aggregate mine before being denied by the planning commission in May .
The aggregates and concrete figures in particular are indicative of a significant decline in construction activity, the MPA said, particularly new construction activity. The decline in asphalt sales reflects a decline in road construction and road maintenance activity. ONS data shows road construction in the first quarter of 2012 was more than 40% lower than the average level of activity recorded throughout 2010 and 2011.
The project calls for an 886 acre operation surrounded by a buffer of farmland. The mine would dig up to mine sand and gravel and make asphalt for the construction of buildings, roads and bridges.

ONS data on construction output shows a 5.4% reduction in the year to May and the MPA data suggests that second quarter construction output will be well down on 2011.
Around 1.25 million tons of aggregate would be mined each year over the next 100 years to a depth of 50 foot. Under the proposal, and operators would also reclaim the land back to fruit trees and other agricultural uses as they move to new areas.