Episode 55 of Drilling Deeper celebrates the arrival of the reimagined Pit & Quarry University – an expansive learning resource designed to guide newcomers and seasoned professionals alike through the fundamentals of stone, sand and gravel production.
The new Pit & Quarry University is now available at pitandquarry.com/pqu, marking the first full update to the classic Pit & Quarry Handbook since 2014. With workforce development and training more critical than ever in aggregates, the 2025 edition arrives at a pivotal moment for aggregate producers.
P&Q editorial director Kevin Yanik shares some history behind the legacy handbook in this episode, offering a behind-the-scenes view into how the 2025 edition ultimately came together. And to bring Pit & Quarry University content to life more fully, the show is joined by a special guest: Anthony Konya, CEO of Intercontinental Development, Konya Mining Company and DetX.
Konya, a globally recognized explosives engineer and mining leader, lends his deep experience across surface and underground operations to help unpack some of the most critical concepts in drilling and blasting. Konya tackles the “first transformative act” in quarrying, explaining why a blast sets the tone for everything that follows downstream. He explains how a well-designed shot can elevate production and equipment life, breaking down common fragmentation misconceptions while detailing how digital modeling, drones and modern QA/QC practices are reshaping evaluation and execution in the field.
Additionally, Konya shares lessons learned from real-world blasting challenges and offers advice for the next generation of drillers and blasters entering the industry.
Whether you're an experienced operator or new to aggregates, this episode – and the debut of the new Pit & Quarry University – offers a timely, in-depth guide to doing quarrying work safer, smarter and more efficiently than ever.

For 108 years, Pit & Quarry magazine has been the premier monthly aggregate processing information source. Through multiple platforms, we deliver the very latest in equipment and technology news and information that is critical for safely achieving the highest level of efficiency and profitability. Editors Kevin Yanik and Jack Kopanski cover the market in print, online and through e-newsletters. As respected industry insiders, they moderate the annual Pit & Quarry Roundtable & Conference and speak at industry conferences and meetings.
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