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Environment

Quarry puts environmental accomplishments on display

June 19, 2008 By: Mark S. Kuhar Pit & Quarry


KBDJ, an Austin, Texas-based quarry operation, hosted about 125 fourth graders from a local elementary school on a field trip to its limestone quarry located near Buda, Texas. In an outdoor laboratory setting, the students:

  • Planted wildflower seeds.
  • Learned about water-conservation practices and open-space preservation at the quarry site.
  • Studied rocks and heard a geology presentation.
  • Saw the mining operation in action.

The field trip was presented by KBDJ, the Texas Aggregate and Concrete Association and the Hill Country Conservancy.

Since July, KBDJ has implemented a number of wildlife-enhancement projects on-site in order to earn certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council. Completed projects include installing bat houses, recycling Christmas trees to create new fish habitat, hosting a field trip for environmental educators and welcoming to the site members of the Hill Country Conservancy’s Emerging Professionals in Conservation.

PCA honors cement plants

Five cement plants received special recognition for their commitment to improving the environment and their communities at the Seventh Annual Cement Industry Environment and Energy Awards, presented by Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Cement Americas magazine, at PCA's spring meeting in Chicago.

The awards honor individual cement facilities that exemplify the spirit of continuous environmental improvement and support this spirit with action, according to PCA. These plants went beyond government regulations and local laws to ensure that their processes and policies contributed to making their communities better places to live and work.

The winners in each category were:

  • Overall Environmental Excellence: Cemex, Davenport, Calif.
  • Outreach: Lafarge North America, Sugar Creek, Mo.
  • Environmental Performance: Holcim U.S., Theodore, Ala.
  • Land Stewardship: Cemex, Davenport, Calif.
  • Innovation: Lafarge North America, Sugar Creek, Mo.
  • Energy Efficiency: California Portland Cement Co., Colton, Calif.

"The cement industry is dedicated to producing a superior product while continuously challenging manufacturing policies and procedures to minimize our environmental footprint," said Brian McCarthy, PCA president and CEO. "The activities at these plants are an example of putting this commitment into practice."

Komatsu to produce hybrid excavator

Komatsu announced the development of the PC200-8 Hybrid excavator, the company's first foray into large-scale hybrid construction equipment. The company launched sales of a hybrid lift truck last year.

The PC200-8 Hybrid is powered by the Komatsu Hybrid System, which uses a newly developed electric motor that turns the upper structure, power-generation motor, capacitor and diesel engine.

"We are introducing this hybrid excavator as it is our flagship piece of construction equipment," said company President and CEO Kunio Noji. "As a leading company of the construction-equipment manufacturing industry, we are determined to meet the needs of the time by proposing innovative equipment designed to reduce environmental impact, including CO2 reduction."

Compared with the standard PC200-8 hydraulic excavator, the hybrid model achieves about 25 percent reduction of fuel consumption, according to the company. Also, in operation tests by customers, a maximum reduction of 41 percent was achieved at a jobsite where the machine’s upper-structure turns more frequently.

The machine is expected to cost about $250,000 on the U.S. market.

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