Update Newsletter for August

Read the full stories HERE.

These Teachers Rocked the IAAP’s Workshop
Teachers from across the state gathered for the Illinois Teachers Workshop: Rocks, Minerals & Mining in Today’s Society, presented by the Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers on July 19th to 21st at Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton, Illinois. Everyone present refreshed their knowledge of earth science and learned so much more about the importance of stone, sand, industrial minerals, fossils, sustainability, and the mining process. This was the twenty-sixth year for the rocks, minerals & mining workshop.

IAAP Golf Outing
September 16th in Peoria, Illinois
More info and registration here
www.iaap-aggregates.org/golf-outing.html

Infrastructure Investment Takes a Big Step Forward
As reported in Rock Products Magazine, an agreement has been reached by the bipartisan group of senators negotiating legislation that will invest more than $1 trillion to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure without raising taxes on the nation’s job creators.
The proposal invests $110 billion of new funds for roads, bridges, and major projects, $17 billion for airport infrastructure, $25 billion for airports to address repair and maintenance backlogs, and $55 billion in clean drinking water infrastructure. Additionally, there are historic investments for broadband (included targeted funding for rural and underserved areas) and power infrastructure.

Zak Lasemi, Noted Researcher at Illinois State Geological Survey, Retires
On June 30th, 2021, Dr. Zakaria (Zak) Lasemi retired as a Senior Geologist from the Illinois State Geological Survey after a distinguished 27-year professional career. For most of this time he worked in the Industrial Minerals & Resource Economics Section of the survey serving as the head of that section from 2000 to 2016. At various times from 1978 to 1994 Zak had been employed as a part time research assistant in several ISGS programs.

IAAP Co-Signs Letter to U.S. EPA on Environmental Justice Policies
The IAAP and several other Illinois business associations have submitted a letter to U.S EPA administrator Michael Regan requesting a meeting to discuss our concerns with a May 7th letter sent to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the repercussions it is having on Illinois EPA's permitting and businesses' ability to plan.  The May 7th letter, which was prompted by a building permit for a facility located in an Environmental Justice area in southeast Chicago, is found here https://bit.ly/3yqQrPM.  The business community letter is here https://bit.ly/3io55S7.

Blasting Licensure and Certification Training and Examination
All individuals whose duties include the direct supervision of blasting operations at surface mining operations are required to be licensed or certified.
To obtain a blaster license or certificate, a person must provide an application to the Department of Natural Resources and show proof of blaster training.  Once the application is approved, the person must pass an examination administered by the Department.  Individuals may obtain the required training from colleges, consultants or representatives from explosives manufacturers.  Training will be provided by the Department, at no charge, in conjunction with each examination.

Illinois Voluntary Limestone Program Producer Information Booklet
The Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers and Illinois Department of Agriculture are publishing the 2021 edition of the Illinois Voluntary Limestone Program Producer Information booklet detailing test results for aglime available from various sources in Illinois and surrounding states.
The booklet will be available by mid-August and posted as a PDF document on the IAAP’s aglime webpage at www.iaap-aggregates.org/agricultural-lime.html. 

New Frontier Materials Buys Fred Weber Quarry, Asphalt Assets
According to Rock Products Magazine, New Frontier Materials, a company formed last year to acquire companies in the construction materials industry, has purchased Fred Weber’s asphalt and rock quarry assets, giving the new firm more than 20 asphalt and quarry sites. 

Safety Slogan T-Shirts
Working safely is the most important part of a miner’s job.  Each year the IAAP offers safety T-shirts to members with a slogan and logo designed by a miner’s child.  This year’s design, Safety Rules Are Your Best Tools, helps employees to recognize safe work habits.
2021 Safety Slogan T-shirts can be ordered now and picked up at the IAAP office or we will deliver to your door.  Get yours for $12 each at the link below.  You may also download the logo to print posters for your workplace.
www.iaap-aggregates.org/safety-slogan-t-shirts-order.html