The annual Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference brought industry leaders to Phoenix for education and networking.

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The 2025 Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference is a wrap in Phoenix, where aggregate industry leaders gathered last week for education and networking.

The Jan. 30-31 meeting at The Wigwam attracted more than 80 registrants. Roundtable discussions explored topics such as equipment and technology, safety and health, and how the industry can secure its future.

“We were pleased this year to welcome so many leaders from across the industry to our annual event,” says Rob Fulop, group publisher of Pit & Quarry. “The industry is undergoing a variety of significant changes at this moment. The Roundtable was a great platform to assess these developments and look to the future with many of the people who will shape the road to come.

“It was great to hear about recent advancements and implementation of new technologies, especially from an industry that is sometimes regarded as stagnant and inflexible,” he adds.

This year’s speakers

The 2025 Roundtable featured three speakers: the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association’s (NSSGA) Evan Bender, Ogletree Deakins’ Margo Lopez and FMI Capital Advisors’ George Reddin. Bender and Lopez each shared their expertise during individual Q&A sessions with Pit & Quarry.

Bender, who serves NSSGA as director of government affairs, shared perspective on the new Trump administration and the impact it might have on the industry. He also touched on the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act and what might be next for highway funding beyond the bill that’s expiring in September 2026.

Lopez, meanwhile, focused her comments on Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) developments. Lopez, who is a workplace safety lawyer representing mining companies, reflected on the agency as it operated over the last few years under assistant secretary Chris Williamson, as well as what might be ahead for MSHA under the Trump administration.

“I’d be really surprised if we saw a rule even coming out in the next four years,” Lopez says. “It takes a long time for MSHA to put a rule out. Quite often and with this type of administration, rules are not something we expect to see.

“But, I have to say, the mobile equipment safety program rule originated in the prior Trump administration,” she adds. “I think they may have felt like they needed to have at least one rulemaking underway, so they chose that one, and it was pretty much enacted as written from a prior administration. So, I’ll never say never but I’m not expecting it.”

In another presentation, Reddin delivered a construction materials market outlook for 2025, providing insights on industry trends – including mergers and acquisitions.

“From a mergers and acquisitions standpoint, we’re firing on all cylinders with the bolt-ons, the platforms and the mega deals,” says Reddin, managing director at FMI Capital Advisors. “That’s a good sign for how people feel about the outlook of the market.”

Producer contributions

Three aggregate producers also contributed to the educational component of the 2025 Roundtable program, relaying their experiences and outlooks on a panel that covered topics like autonomy, AI and predictive maintenance. The producers who served on the panel were Ross Duff (Duff Quarry), Raymond Slaughter (Luck Stone) and Kristin Sweeney (US Aggregates).

Slaughter offered an update on the autonomous haulers running at Luck Stone’s Bull Run Plant in Chantilly, Virginia, noting that the operation’s leaders are getting more comfortable with them though they are still in the early learning phase.

“We’ll just keep expanding on that capability,” says Slaughter, director of engineering and construction at Luck Stone. “I’m sure there will be another opportunity for us as we learn more about them because we have several plants that have larger fleets that would benefit from this type of automation.”

In addition to speakers, Roundtable registrants had the opportunity to share their own views during a pair of concurrent two-hour-long, roundtable-style discussions that covered a range of topics.

What else you missed

A golf outing at The Wigwam’s Gold Course and a cocktail reception welcomed attendees to Phoenix. The foursome of Clay Albright (Caldwell Stone Co.), Chad Greenfield (Syntron Material Handling), Ryan Morales (Gulf Coast Sand) and Vinnie Rocco (AMCAST) won the golf outing with a 12-under par 60.

Look for P&Q’s full report dedicated to the 2025 Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference in the magazine’s April 2025 edition.

The 2026 Roundtable

At the conclusion of this year’s meeting, the magazine announced that the 2026 Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference will take place at La Playa Beach & Golf Resort in Naples, Florida. The 2026 meeting will take place Jan. 26-27. Producers interested in attending are encouraged to reach out to P&Q editor-in-chief Kevin Yanik at kyanik@northcoastmedia.net.

Related: Learn more about the 2026 Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference

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Most mine inspectors with the Mine Safety & Health Administration do act professionally on mine sites, but there are exceptions.

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Mine operators and their personnel want to be – and should be – treated fairly and professionally by Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) enforcement personnel.

Most MSHA inspectors do act professionally in carrying out their duties on mine sites, but there are exceptions. 

Certain inspectors seem to regularly fall into the category of inspectors who behave badly. Even a generally good inspector may cross the line from time to time. 

Regardless of how an inspector may behave, mine management should always be professional with the inspector.  Sometimes, an inspector’s problematic conduct has nothing to do with enforcement. The inspector is on the property on official duty, but conduct goes far beyond the bounds of what would be considered appropriate. 

Here are some examples that we have encountered over the years: 

• Threatened or physical aggression or verbal abuse directed at mine personnel

• Sexual advances toward company personnel, such as unwelcome touching, pressure to go on dates, or lurking around a company employee that makes that person uncomfortable

• Derogatory remarks or inappropriate “jokes” about physical appearance, race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or other protected characteristics

• Negative remarks about managers and supervisors, such as statements or behaviors indicating a bias against female mine supervisors, or attempting to undermine management in other ways by communicating to miners unfounded opinions and accusations about mine management or the mine operator

What to do

Whenever a mine operator encounters inspector misconduct such as this, the company may make a formal complaint to the district office. 

For more egregious conduct, this may be prudent from a legal standpoint to fulfill the mining company’s responsibilities to protect its employees from harassment and other unwelcome behaviors. 

Depending on the circumstances, a first step may be to discuss the situation with the inspector’s field office supervisor. If that does not resolve the issue, elevating the complaint to the district may be necessary to facilitate further review. 

In some instances, MSHA may conduct a formal investigation that could include interviews of mine personnel. Those interviews are voluntary, and the witnesses may have anyone with them in the interview that they choose. 

MSHA may not be forthcoming with details about the outcome, as this is a government personnel matter. But the mine operator should be told whether the outcome includes an assurance that the inspector will not be returning to the mine. If the inspector does return, the operator will want to keep an eye out for any signs of retaliation.

Other issues

Two other types of inspector issues can stem from an inspector’s on-site enforcement activity. 

The first category of issues occurs when an inspector refuses to take reasonable steps to protect his or her own safety while conducting an inspection. Because MSHA has a right of entry to conduct inspections, the operator may not be able to call a halt to an inspection – even though an inspector is putting himself or herself in harm’s way. 

The operator can respond, though. The first step would be to discuss the situation with the inspector, advising on the mine’s requirements for PPE in that area, for example, or stating that the mine does not permit entry to a certain location without fall protection or other precautions taken. 

The mining personnel in the inspection party should continue to take appropriate safety precautions, regardless of what the inspector chooses for himself or herself. It may be necessary to contact the inspector’s supervisor or the district office.

The bottom line is this is being done for the inspector’s own safety and health. It is not to impede the progress of an inspection. It is also important for inspectors to model good safety practices to help with upholding the safety requirements the mine has in place for its workforce. 

Another enforcement-related conduct issue with inspectors can arise out of an inspector having previously worked at a mine or, perhaps, a related mine owned by the same operator – or even a neighboring operator. 

MSHA generally keeps inspectors away from places they worked for a period of time post-employment. Sometimes, however, it may appear that inspectors elevate the gravity or negligence on citations unfairly based on a bias against the operation. 

In this circumstance, operators can raise the issue with MSHA management. Conferencing and contesting citations is also an option that may help to make the point that the inspector has been overwriting citations at the operation.

Previous column: How MSHA, mine safety should be reshaped in 2025

Bill Doran and Margo Lopez are with the national labor, employment and safety law firm Ogletree Deakins. They can be reached at william.doran@ogletree.com and margaret.lopez@ogletree.com.

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OTR Engineered Solutions is teaming with Pressure Systems International (P.S.I.) on its TireView system.

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OTR Engineered Solutions plans to offer Pressure Systems International’s (P.S.I.) TireView system in its line of pneumatic tire and wheel assemblies to monitor tire pressures and provide telematics.

OTR will also integrate the technology for OEM customers, helping manufacturers to implement the product into their equipment offerings.

According to OTR, the TireView offering includes sensors that detect pressure and temperature in each tire. Real-time data can be viewed on an optional in-cab display, through a smartphone app or on the dash of a vehicle, allowing drivers to verify correct inflation and overall tire health. OTR says alerts quickly point out potential issues.

Additionally, OTR says fleet managers and rental centers can view tire and location data remotely through the TireView Live portal to track their vehicle assets and monitor tires.

“P.S.I. recognizes OTR as a leading innovator when it comes to off-the-road tire and wheel technologies and is proud to partner with them to offer TireView’s TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) sensors to their customer base,” says Craig Smith, vice president of marketing and communications at P.S.I. “Real-time tire pressure and temperature alerts are important for vehicles of all types and configurations, and with the addition of TireView Live telematics, OTR and P.S.I. can now offer a fleet-wide solution for tire management.”

Adds Ben Brown, global vice president of OEM sales and marketing at OTR: “OTR is excited to announce our relationship with P.S.I. in the off-highway space. Pairing that with OTR’s robust tire design, wheel manufacturing and mounting capabilities creates added value for our customers.”

Related: Components of a sound tire maintenance plan

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Visit Precision Pulley & Idler (PPI) at AGG1 in St. Louis, Missouri, from March 25-27 at booth #1116. PPI is eager to showcase its latest products and service offerings, including the enhanced plate-constructed Herringbone Wing pulley, which delivers exceptional cleaning performance compared to conventional wing designs. Additionally, explore PPI’s industry-leading pulleys and idlers on display. […]

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Visit Precision Pulley & Idler (PPI) at AGG1 in St. Louis, Missouri, from March 25-27 at booth #1116. PPI is eager to showcase its latest products and service offerings, including the enhanced plate-constructed Herringbone Wing pulley, which delivers exceptional cleaning performance compared to conventional wing designs. Additionally, explore PPI’s industry-leading pulleys and idlers on display. Stop by the PPI booth to learn from our experts how PPI’s solutions can optimize your operations, saving you both time and money. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with the PPI team at AGG1!

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Backed by over a century of combined experience, Douglas and Rulmeca have engineered the PSV Idler to set the standard for durability and performance. Built to excel under heavy loads, harsh environments, and high speeds, its triple-labyrinth seal protects against contaminants, ensuring peak efficiency, longer roller life, and lower operating costs—delivering the reliability your operation […]

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Backed by over a century of combined experience, Douglas and Rulmeca have engineered the PSV Idler to set the standard for durability and performance. Built to excel under heavy loads, harsh environments, and high speeds, its triple-labyrinth seal protects against contaminants, ensuring peak efficiency, longer roller life, and lower operating costs—delivering the reliability your operation demands.

Our lineup of conveyor pulleys, including drum and self-cleaning wing style , is designed to withstand the toughest environments. Whether you need Heavy Duty, Mine Duty, Quarry Duty, or Engineered Class pulleys, we have the perfect solution for your most demanding applications.

We pride ourselves on our fast lead times, high-quality products, and dedication to helping our customers improve safety and efficiency.

Contact us today to learn how we can partner with you to drive your business forward.

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It’s important to evaluate screen media every so often to ensure you’re using the best tools for the job.

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Editor’s note: Over the next nine months, the magazine will present excerpts from the 2025 edition of the Pit & Quarry University Handbook that will be published this November. P&Q spotlights screening this month, with a focus on screen media selection and the benefits of high-performance screen media.

With increasing infrastructure developments in the works comes a growing demand for raw materials, beginning at the core with mines and quarries throughout the world.

Making sure equipment is running efficiently is a top priority, but it’s also important to evaluate screen media to ensure you’re using the best tools for the job. 

Here are four things to keep in mind. 

Considerations

1. Operational requirements. Consider the types of materials going through the vibrating screen. Factors such as material size, weight and abrasiveness all come into play during the selection process. 

Materials with top sizes as large as 10 in. require more durable screen media to handle heavy impact. Abrasive material, such as granite, typically requires screen media with higher wearability, whereas higher open area plays a larger factor for softer material, such as limestone.

2. Phases of screening. Next, look at your screen deck, as there are three phases material goes through in the screening process – from layered to basic to sharp. 

Equipping the screen deck with a single type of media overlooks the fact that each of these phases has different needs. By recognizing and analyzing each phase, you can customize your vibrating screen’s deck with various types of screen media for the best combination of wear life and open area. 

3. Screening costs. Using the wrong screen media can lead to increased maintenance costs and downtime, so start by looking in the boneyard at the discarded screen media. 

Problem areas such as broken wires, wear areas, pegging or blinding are often a sign of carryover or contamination, resulting in unwanted material in the screened material pile, as well as the added cost of rescreening. 

4. Screen media selection. Engineered screen media used alone or blended with other options such as woven wire cloth or self-cleaning screens can provide the ultimate combination of wear life and open area.

Polyurethane screen media offers extended wear life. The polyurethane is poured open cast, offering up to two times the wear life of injection-molded screen media. It is often ideal for handling impact at the feed end during the layered phase of screening. 

Hybrid screens are an option that combines woven wire with polyurethane to provide a higher open area than polyurethane while extending wear life four to seven times beyond woven wire. This is often a good solution on that difficult-to-access second deck.

When screening large top sizes, look for rubber screen media. Rubber screen media is ideal for handling top sizes larger than 12 in., or for an application requiring an opening larger than 4 in. 

Final thoughts

To find the best tools for the job, screen media selection is a factor that should not be overlooked. 

Some of the top items for operations to keep in mind are operational requirements, phases of screening and screening costs. Additionally, operations should consider working with an OEM to thoroughly evaluate their site and ensure they are equipped with the right screen media for their application.

Steve Fair is the engineered media manager at Haver & Boecker Niagara.

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Superior Industries’ Conveyor Skirting Systems are designed to minimize dust and material spillage at conveyor load zones. Featuring an innovative stilling zone with internal dust baffles, these systems allow airborne dust to settle, keeping material on the belt and reducing environmental and health hazards. Adjustable legs and a simple wedge clamping system provide quick, tool-free […]

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Superior Industries’ Conveyor Skirting Systems are designed to minimize dust and material spillage at conveyor load zones. Featuring an innovative stilling zone with internal dust baffles, these systems allow airborne dust to settle, keeping material on the belt and reducing environmental and health hazards. Adjustable legs and a simple wedge clamping system provide quick, tool-free adjustments for maximum sealing performance, while durable skirting rubber options cater to diverse applications. Tail sealing sections prevent material swirling and spillage, ensuring efficient and clean operation. Retrofits are seamless with minimal field fabrication, making this a cost-effective solution for existing conveyors.

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The German Design Council awarded 2025 awards to Kleemann for its Mobirex MR 100(i) NEO/NEOe and the Mobiscreen MSS 502(i) EVO.

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Two Kleemann plants were bestowed with German Design Awards from the German Design Council, which characterizes itself as Germany’s leading authority on design.

The council describes the German Design Award as “one of the most prestigious design awards in the world.”

Kleemann, whose global headquarters is based in Germany, had its Mobirex MR 100(i) NEO/NEOe impact crushing plant and Mobiscreen MSS 502(i) EVO screening plant recognized with awards. Specifically, the plants earned awards in the German Design Council’s “Excellent Product Design” category.

According to Kleemann, the Mobirex MR 100(i) NEO/NEOe was recognized for its high flexibility, which the machine owes to its compact dimensions and low transport height. Kleemann says the impact crushing plant sets new standards in the compact class.

Kleemann says the Mobiscreen MSS 502(i) EVO also delivers high flexibility, as well as ease of use. Featuring a compact design and transport-friendly dimensions, Kleemann says the scalping screen is ideal for changing locations. Sustainability is also a top priority with the MSS 502(i) EVO, the company adds, as the electrohydraulic dual-power drive operates locally emission-free.

Related: Wirtgen Group highlights its latest at Technology Days 2024

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The A50 is the newest addition to Volvo Construction Equipment’s articulated dump truck (ADT) lineup, which was updated with a variety of new features.

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Volvo Construction Equipment unveiled a new size class of articulated dump truck as part of its fully revamped articulated hauler lineup.

With a 50-ton payload capacity and full-suspension technology, Volvo CE says the A50 articulated hauler provides users a new option to tackle terrain in quarries, mines and large construction sites.

According to the company, the A50 delivers 10 percent more productivity and 8 percent greater fuel efficiency compared to the previous generation’s A45G FS. The A50 features improved, full-suspension technology for faster travel speed and a smoother ride, Volvo CE adds.

“Volvo invented the articulated hauler, and we are proud to keep pushing the category forward with this new addition,” says Tyler Smith, product manager of articulated haulers at Volvo CE. “Customers were asking for a truck with this payload capacity, and the A50 is a great way to achieve more for less with the same incredible strength and durability that make our articulated haulers the market favorite.”

The A50 will make its North American trade show debut March 25-27 at World of Asphalt (Booth 4713) in St. Louis.

Beyond the A50, Volvo CE made updates to seven new-generation ADTs ranging from 28- to 61-ton models. Updates in the series include improved fuel efficiency, a redesigned cab with a host of new features, enhanced safety, and simpler maintenance.

“Articulated haulers handle some of the toughest tasks in the most challenging terrain,” Smith says. “We took customer feedback and completely redesigned what was already the world’s best articulated hauler lineup. These new Volvo haul trucks are built to be the workhorses customers need to get their toughest jobs done on time and on budget.”

A new electronic system, for example, and a new Volvo-developed transmission help to reduce fuel use across the product range. Plus, Volvo CE says the new series is designed in such a way that the haulers can be adapted for future drivetrain technologies.

Also, the Volvo drivetrain with terrain memory ensures fuel efficiency without compromising power, thanks to its ability to identify and remember slippery road segments. Automatic drive, 100 percent differential locks and all-terrain bogie, and hydro-mechanical steering work together to provide traction, stability and precise control.

Related: Haul truck considerations for aggregate producers

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