EnviroMINE will conduct a Financial Assurance Cost Estimate (FACE) Workshop in February 2011.

To view the flyer click here.
For the registration form click here.

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting to be held January 23-27, 2011. The conference will focus on how the economic downturn combined with the demand for livable communities will shape the future of the Nation's transportation network. Click here to read more.

The San Diego Engineering and General Contractors will hold courses to qualify for a SWPPP Practitioner and Developer in February 2011.    

High Speed Rail

In mid December, the California High Speed Rail Authority Board approved starting construction of a "train to nowhere".  By the end of December, California decided to spend an additional $1.2 billion to bring the line closer to "somewhere".  For more information, click here.

Transportation Projects

Misc.

Federal Transportation Funding

The Federal Government avoided passing a long-term transportation bill by extending the program to March 2011.  For more click here.

Overall Economy

With 2010 coming to a close, the official economic statistics for 2009 are being released.  California was reported to be the largest economy in the U.S. and the 8th largest economy in the World.  Interesting to note, the L.A. Basin ranked 15th in the World. To read the full report click here.

Construction Employment

Construction employment in California had the largest gains in November compared to other sectors.  Nationally the construction unemployment rate rose to 18.8%.

Housing Outlook

When will housing come back in California? Five experts offer their views.  To read their perspectives click here.

Housing Permits

After three consecutive months of decline, housing permits increased in November.  Some economists believe housing permits are a better indication of developer's intentions and are also less influenced by seasonal variations.

Royalty Rate Trends in California

Royalties are payments made by mining companies to the owners of mineral interests in return for the right to extract minerals from their property.  As this relates to the construction aggregates industry, the royalty rates are influenced by a number of factors including supply and demand economics, quantity and quality of resource found on the property and proximity to the market.  EnviroMINE has completed a number of royalty rate surveys in California as part of an ongoing effort to track royalty rate trends in the construction aggregates industry.  This article describes the methods used to complete the surveys, factors used to determine royalty rates and different methods for calculating royalty payments.  Overall, royalty rates are rising and they appear to be influenced by the growing scarcity of production sites. To read more here.

     by Matt Prasek

We hope you enjoy Miner Details - A Construction Aggregate Industry Newsletter. We are committed to providing you with the most up-to-date information on technical issues, regulation, news and events in California that may impact your business. Please feel free to contact us at crystal@enviromineinc.com with any comments or suggestions.

Sincerely,

Warren Coalson