Rock Products

AUG 2012

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IN THE KNOW Irving Materials Purchases Indiana Quarries Irving Materials Inc. (IMI), of Greenfield, Ind., announced that it has made an asset purchase of Rock Industries from the Smith family of Peru, Ind. This includes the Acquisition of Rock Industries from the Smith family of Peru, Ind., includes Peru and Ply- mouth aggregate quarries. Peru and Plymouth aggregate quarries. The addition of the two Rock Industries facilities brings IMI aggregate mining operations to 18 across Indiana. Rock Industries has operated in Plymouth and Peru, Ind., since 1977. The family‐owned business produces more than 500,000 tpy of stone, sand and gravel. Earl Brinker, president and CEO of IMI, said he welcomes all of the new members of the IMI aggregates team and wants to express his thanks to the entire group from Rock Industries and IMI who worked hard to put this transaction together. Steve Crane, vice president of IMI Aggregate, said that he is excited to work with the Peru and Plymouth staff. "These are great people and we are welcoming them into the IMI family with open arms." Terry B. Smith, the grandson of the founder, will be managing the two locations. Crane said his first order of business will be to increase production at the facili‐ ties and to expand sales throughout the area. The two quarries currently employ 20 full‐time staff members. With increased productivity and expanded sales, IMI hopes to enlarge its workforce at the two facilities in 2013. Brinker said that, with decades of mining reserves, the Peru and Plymouth operations will serve the Irving Ma‐ terial companies, including the concrete and asphalt di‐ visions, and their customers for generations to come. House Bill Defines Aggregates as 'Strategic and Critical' According to the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA), The House of Representa- tives passed legislation that would speed devel- opment of strategic and critical minerals, including aggregates, on federal lands by limiting review time for drilling permits and requiring concurrent rather than sequential consideration. Introduced by Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.), H.R. 4402, the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act requires the secretaries of agri- culture and the interior to develop domestic sources of minerals of "strategic and critical importance." According to the text of the bill, this would in- clude "minerals that are necessary ... to support domestic manufacturing, agriculture ... and transportation infrastructure." The bill passed 256 to 160 on July 12, with 22 Democrats joining all Republicans in favor. Several amendments were considered during floor debate, including one offered by Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) seeking to narrow the scope of the definition of "strategic and critical," by specifi- cally removing "sand, gravel, [or] clay." The 12 ROCKproducts • AUGUST 2012 amendment was defeated 162 to 251, this time with 18 Democrats voting with all Republicans against the measure. In the committee report, sand and gravel were mentioned as examples of "construction mineral materials" needed for reconstruction that could be in short supply following a major emergency (earthquake, flood, hurricane, etc.). NSSGA con- sulted with Amodei and his staff, the Committee on Natural Resources and several cosponsors, to confirm the purpose of the legislation. The broad definition of "strategic and critical" was written deliberately to allow for the greatest flexibility over time. Legislation limits review time for drilling permits and requires concurrent rather than sequential consideration. NSSGA applauded the passage of H.R.4402. Senate action is in question. The White House issued a statement expressing strong opposition to the bill, but stopped short of threatening a veto. www.rockproducts.com PRODUCER NEWS FAST FACT FAST FACT

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