Quarry July 2022

JULY 2022

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INSTITUTE OF QUARRYING AUSTRALIA

JULY 2022

HOW IMPORTANT IS QUARRY REHABILITATION?

HOLCIM LEVELS UP ITS OPERATIONS

Quarry rehabilitation can help preserve biodiversity.

Holcim improves operations with Kayasand.

32

Take a closer look at the winners announced at the IQA Conference.

36

QUARRY

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IN THIS ISSUE JULY 2022

VOLUME 30, ISSUE 07

FEATURES 34 CDE DELIVERS AUTOMATED WASTE PROCESSING PLANT Rino Recycling has developed a new recycling plant with CDE and Turmec.

40 NEW CAT HAMMERS SHOW OFF NEXT GEN EXCAVATOR TECHNOLOGY New hydraulic hammers H190S and H125S have been added to the Cat hammer line-up, offering high levels of technology and features to deliver greater productivity.

22

THE GOLD STANDARD Take a closer look at the winners of the IQA Conference.

32

HOLCIM LEVELS UP ITS SAND OPERATIONS Holcim improves operations with Kayasand.

42 BUILDING CUSTOMER LOYALTY WITH HIGH-QUALITY EQUIPMENT Renowned for its safe, high-quality equipment, Kleemann was a clear choice for Rostrevor Group.

44 LOCALS SUPPORT QUARRYING The locals of Northern Victoria want to bring about change in how the quarrying industry is viewed.

48 RUNNING WITH THE BIG DOGS The South Australian Young Members Network (YMN) visited Boral and Topcoat sites in Lonsdale, SA.

36

HOW IMPORTANT IS REHABILITATION? Quarry rehabilitation can help preserve biodiversity.

JULY 2022

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INSTITUTE OF QUARRYING AUSTRALIA

38

HOW IMPORTANT IS QUARRY REHABILITATION?

HOLCIM LEVELS UP ITS OPERATIONS

Quarry rehabilitation can help preserve biodiversity.

Holcim improves operations with Kayasand.

42

32

QUARRY

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www.quarrymagazine.com

Take a closer look at the winners announced at the IQA Conference.

MORE IS MORE Resource optimasation helps quarries to ensure they achieve maximum extraction.

JULY 2022

COVER ADVERTISER: Volvo EC950E excavator from CJD promises next level safety, productivity, operator comfort and ergonomics, making it ideal for all your quarrying needs – and it delivers.

THE GOLD STANDARD

50 SEE ME, BE ME Traffic & Transport Plus traffic engineer Jamie Murray encourages other women to pursue careers in the extractive industry for the many opportunities it brings.

Turn to page 28 or visit cjd.com.au/

EVERY MONTH 06 FROM THE EDITOR 08 FROM THE PRESIDENT 10 NEWS THIS MONTH 18 PRODUCT FOCUS

46 IQA NEWS News from Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia 52 GEOLOGY TALK A tale of two sandstones

Quarry July 2022 3

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EDITORIAL

WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND

J

ust like that, we have entered the second half of 2022.

We’ve been seeing a lot of steps being made towards sustainability amongst key players like Boral, Holcim and Adbri (page 10).

Within sustainability, comes recycling.

This month we’ve decided to take a closer look – be it reducing crusher dust stockpiles with Kayasand (page 32) or improving waste recovery rates with CDE (page 34).

Minimising waste and making the most of our available resources is crucial when looking to be more sustainable.

Likewise, the Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA )awards show that no good deed goes unnoticed.

On page 22 we pay homage to the winners of the Gold Environment Award, Excellence in Innovation and Community Engagement Award, Quarry Operator of the Year Award, and the Conference Exhibitor of the Year.

These awards touch on themes of environment, health and safety, and talent retention.

Recognising people and companies around these themes reminds us of all the benefits that come from being part of a network, supporting each other and the benefits of having a governing institution work with you to enhance your operations through training, knowledge, or networking – this is something IQA President Shane Braddy discusses more in depth on page 8.

Included in the awards was the Gold Environment Award, which recognises a site’s contribution toward the advancement of environmental management, including quarry rehabilitation.

Therefore, in line with this, it would be remiss to deep dive quarry rehabilitation on page 36.

Across the world quarries are being made into landmarks to support local biodiversity.

This is also in line with industry’s push to gain recognition for how far it has come, versus how it is perceived.

Mapping out plans for what a quarry will be turned into supports this, showing that a balance of give and take can be established.

Quarrying is crucial to the development of infrastructure and buildings, and this is the angle we see most in the news.

In contrast, seeing quarries being turned into complex ecosystems to support wildlife is not something necessarily highlighted to the public, therefore it’s great to see steps being taken by governments and business alike to work towards preserving biodiversity.

Published by:

MINIMISING WASTE AND MAKING THE MOST OF OUR AVAILABLE RESOURCES IS CRUCIAL WHEN LOOKING TO BE SUSTAINABLE.

11-15 Buckhurst Street South Melbourne VIC 3205 T: 03 9690 8766 www.primecreativemedia.com.au Publisher John Murphy john.murphy@primecreative.com.au

I’m sure this will help quarries be perceived in a more positive light, too.

Editor

Whilst on the topic of light, we continue to shine a light on women in the industry with a profile on Traffic & Transport Plus traffic engineer Jamie Murray on page 51.

maria.highland@primecreative.com.au

Murray’s profile creates an aspirational image of what it is like to work in the industry as a woman.

“While there are perceived stereotypes about male-dominant industries, I have never experienced anything but support and respect,” Murray said.

More positive accounts and examples of diversity will hopefully pave the way for future prospective women looking to join the industry.

Maria Highland Business Development Manager Les Ilyefalvy les.ilyefalvy@primecreative.com.au

Client Success Co-ordinator Ben Griffiths ben.griffiths@primecreative.com.au

Design Production Manager Michelle Weston michelle.weston@primecreative.com.au

Art Director Blake Storey Graphic Design Kerry Pert, Aisling McComiskey

Subscriptions T: 03 9690 8766

Be sure to check out Geology Talk this month on page 54, as it recounts the findings of the IQA Tasmanian Branch Seminar, which was held at Bruny Island, Tasmania.

subscriptions@primecreative.com.au

It’s an interesting piece of history and geology, and testament that nature is unpredictable.

damages or liabilities that may arise

Maria Highland Editor

The Publisher reserves the right to alter or omit any article or advertisement submitted and requires indemnity from the advertisers and contributors against from material published. © Copyright – No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the permission of the publisher.

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Quarry July 2022

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT

TALENT RETENTION IS THE KEY TO PRODUCTIVITY The Institute of Quarrying

F

inding people in the quarrying industry, just like everywhere else, it’s very difficult right now. The unemployment rate fell to 3.9 per cent April 2022 in April, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The lowest levels in decades!

One way to mitigate this is by managing your existing talent. First and foremost, you need to win the hearts and minds of your employees.To do so, businesses need to ensure that they are adequately investing in developing staff on a personal and professional level.

If workers are not being looked after, they will not hesitate to walk away and go to the next best opportunity.

Therefore, a company’s greatest strategy comes from its ability to manage its talent pool. With supply of labour in such shortfall, your investment in developing frontline employees will pay enormous dividends if you spend enough time and focus on implementing education and professional development programs.

The more you work on investing on your front line, making sure that your staff members are happy and empowered, the more your organisation benefits from increased discretionary effort and productivity.

Likewise, giving employees access to the right opportunities also enables them to do their jobs better.

All of this comes through training, education, and focus. This is where the Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA) comes in.

The IQA is your secret weapon, your greatest asset, when it comes to helping shape and retain talent.

Whether you’re an operator, supervisor, manager, or an owner of a quarry business, the IQA is here to partner with you and help you gain access to the right knowledge, networks, and skills necessary to succeed.

Whether you want to attract new people or retain your existing workforce, 8

Quarry July 2022

Australia

the IQA has the means to support your people or, to become members of the IQA, enabling them to go to technical seminars, meet with a vast range people from all over the industry by participating on branch or sub-branch committees. This is the connection that is going to help your staff develop.

Another point to note, is that developing your staff with help of the IQA not only benefits your staff but also benefits the company overall through talent retention at a time where skilled labour is so difficult to find.

In the quarrying industry, it’s about helping people. If you invest in them, and grow their opportunities, then you’re getting both productivity and loyalty.

You will see amazing growth of your people – they’ll come to the table with bounds of discretionary effort; they’ll go the extra mile; they’ll feel indebted to the company because you’re helping them to develop and become the best version of themselves.

If you want your business to continue to prosper and take advantage of the opportunities, it’s time to invest in your workforce. The people on the front line are what makes the business, so why wouldn’t we want to be investing in them?

You can make the phone call right now and the IQA team will be more than happy to develop a partnership program with your company. This could include in the workplace, virtual or classroom style programs to meet your organisation’s training and developement needs.

As always, wishing everyone good health and please stay safe, especially this flu season and with Covid still prevalent in the community.

SHANE BRADDY President Institute of Quarrying Australia

Educating and connecting our extractive industry

quarry.com.au THE MORE YOU WORK ON INVESTING ON YOUR FRONT LINE, MAKING SURE THAT YOUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE HAPPY AND EMPOWERED, THE MORE YOUR ORGANISATION BENEFITS FROM INCREASED DISCRETIONARY EFFORT AND PRODUCTIVITY.

The IQA’s Strategic Plan 2020 to 2025 embodies the following vision, values and strategic priorities: Vision: Educating and connecting the extractive and associated industries.

Values: •A safe and sustainable environment.

•D iversity and inclusion. Working development skills, careers and lifelong learning.

•N etworking, connection, trust and communication.

Strategic Priorities: •M aximise outcomes for industry through education and sustainable practise.

• I ncrease our relevance.

•A high performing and sustainable organisation.

IQA CONTACTS: Phone: 02 9484 0577 Email: admin@quarry.com.au Chief Executive Officer Kylie Fahey Company Secretary Rod Lester For all education, member and branch enquires please email: admin@quarry.com.au.

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VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT ALLOCATES $2M TO SUPPORT QUARRIES THE PRODUCTION OF MINERALS AND EXTRACTIVES ALSO TIES INTO THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVE TO BE A GLOBALLY CONNECTED ECONOMY.

Quarries provide crucial materials for infrastructure and housing projects.

The Victorian Budget 2022–23 has announced that $2 million will be set aside to streamline minerals and extractives regulation to help quarries provide affordable materials for infrastructure and housing projects.

The budget also includes $7.4 million to search for and develop rare earths and minerals critical to manufacturing renewable energy components and a range of other advanced manufacturing sectors.

The Victorian Budget outlined that “funding is provided to support Victoria to reform the regulatory framework for mining and extractives activities. This will encourage investment by industry, reduce the cost of extractive materials and support additional employment in the resources sector”.

The production of minerals and extractives also ties into the Government’s objective to be a globally connected economy.

“Supporting investment in resources and low emission technologies, the Department fosters innovation, productivity, jobs and trade in the state’s earth resources sector,” the state said in its Budget Paper No.3.

“Through strategic resource and related land use planning, new opportunities are able to be identified for Victoria’s earth resources, along with supporting major infrastructure development in the state.” •

ADBRI ON A MISSION TO MANUFACTURE LOW-EMISSION LIME Adbri and Calix have secured a $11 million grant from the Government’s Carbon Capture, Use and Storage (CCUS) Hubs and Technologies Program to explore the manufacture of low-emission lime on a commercial scale.

Adbri will utilise Calix’s Low Emissions Intensity Lime and Cement (LEILAC) technology to develop a low-emissions lime kiln in Kwinana, WA. It will also collaborate with CarbonTP and the Heavy Industry Low Emissions Technology CoOperative Research Centre (HILT-CRC).

The plant will produce lime using renewable power and will operate only during peak renewable electricity production/low electricity cost periods to load switch.

Further consideration will also be given to using alternative energy sources, such as hydrogen and natural gas.

Plant construction and demonstration will

10

Quarry July 2022

include raw material feedstock contributed

by Adbri.

including the finalisation of commercial terms and further technical work.

CO2 emitted from the process will be captured and provided to the proposed South West Hub Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project. Once the plant is operational, CO2 will be fed into the system for permanent storage, creating truly zeroemissions lime.

This includes undertaking a feasibility study for the project followed by a front-end engineering and design phase.

“This project is an important step in demonstrating pathways to reduce the emissions of CO2 from heavy industry for lime, and then cement,” HILT-CRC chief executive Felicity Lloyd said.

“The major sectors of aluminium and steel are users of lime, and the project will be of direct interest to them in better understanding how to reduce the emissions intensity of their products.”

Adbri and Calix will proceed with the next stages of the project under the Heads of Agreement announced in March 2021,

“As a leading Australian producer of lime aspiring to be net-zero by 2050, we recognise it is a difficult manufacturing process to abate,” Adbri managing director and chief executive Nick Miller said.

“The funding commitment represents a significant milestone in our collaboration with Calix to develop carbon capture and storage technology to reduce emissions from lime production.”

“I am proud our first commercial scale lime kiln is being developed here in Australia, creating local jobs, utilising and developing local talent, and helping to future-proof our vital local manufacturing sector,” Calix managing director and chief executive Phil Hodgson added. •

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CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO SPEARHEAD LIME MARKET GROWTH

The lime market is set to experience moderate growth between 2022 and 2026.

The Australian lime market is being driven by growing demand from the steel and construction industries, according to ‘Australia Lime Market Report and Forecast 2021–2026’ by Expert Market Research.

According to the report, the lime market will experience a moderate growth of compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of two per cent between 2022 –26 due to rising government investments in the construction of

THE REPOT EXPLORES MACRO AND MICRO ASPECTS OF THE INDUSTRY, LOOKING AT THE LEADING LIME TYPES OF LIME SEGMENTS BASED ON APPLICATION – SUCH AS QUICK LIME, HYDRATED LIME, AND HYDRAULIC LIME.

public infrastructure, as well as rising population and urbanisation.

“The construction industry in Australia has maintained a significant growth rate over the last few years, especially in the New South Wales and Victoria regions. This development has played a key role in growing the sales of limestone to the construction industry,” the report said.

The report highlighted that “the rapid pace of urbanisation, increased

demand for better infrastructure, and increasing construction projects in the commercial and manufacturing sectors are also expected to boost the growth of the lime market in Australia during the forecast period”.

“In addition, the government is gradually investing in the construction of public infrastructure, including railway stations. Improving airport infrastructure in the region also creates major growth opportunities for the lime market in Australia,” the report stated.

The repot explores macro and micro aspects of the industry, looking at the leading types of lime segments based on application.

According to the report, environmental uses are the fastest-growing use of lime, with lime being used to comply with air, drinking water, sanitation, and solid waste rules.

Based on application, the industry is broken down into major application segments such as metallurgical, environmental, chemical, and industrial, agriculture, and construction.

According to the report, key players in those industries include Boral, Adelaide Brighton, Graymont, Cockburn Cement, Swan Cement, Agricola Mining, and Calcimo Lime & Fertilizers, and others.•

BORAL CARBON CAPTURE PROJECT RECEIVES $30M GRANT Boral has been awarded a $30 million grant from the Australian Government’s Carbon Capture, Use and Storage (CCUS) Hubs and Technologies Program to support the creation of a carbon capture plant in the Southern Highlands, NSW, in partnership with Calix.

The plant will use Calix’s LEILAC technology to capture and compresses up to 100ktpa of unavoidable CO2 emissions resulting from the decomposition of limestone in cement manufacturing – which is one of the biggest challenges within cement manufacturing.

Unlike a traditional calciner, Calix’s LEILAC technology indirectly heats limestone via a special steel vessel.

12

Quarry July 2022

This process enables CO2 to be captured as it is released from the limestone.

The project will operate in three phases to reduce investment risk.

Phase one is to develop a detailed commercial model and pilot design to assess the engineering and commercial viability of the project. This is due to be completed by June 2023.

If successful, Boral will consider further investment into the next phase of the project which involves technical and engineering design. Options for utilisation of the CO2 from the project will also be assessed.

When combined with alternative fuels or renewable energy to power the technology this will work towards

creating zero emissions lime and cement production.

“This is game changing technology for our industry and will play a critical role in supporting customers’ sustainability targets,” Boral chief executive Darren Schulz said.

“If successful, we believe this project will enable the national rollout of carbon capture technology to Australia’s cement and lime industry creating smarter and more sustainable solutions for our customers,” Schulz said.

This “project represents an acceleration in carbon abatement ambition that has occurred in Australia over a very short timeframe,” Calix managing director and chief executive Phil Hodgson added. •

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SUPPORT FOR HOLCIM’S NET ZERO JOURNEY ECOPLANET CEMENT IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE DELIVERED AT LEAST 30 PER CENT LOWER CARBON FOOTPRINT COMPARED TO ORDINARY CEMENT SINCE ITS LAUNCH.

Holcim believes the opportunities for climate action and renewable technologies are endless.

Holcim shareholders have approved the company’s first Climate Report during the Annual General Meeting held on 4 May 2022.

75 million tonnes of waste recycled overall; and around 40 per cent of financing agreements to be linked to future sustainability goals.

Climate Report outlines Holcim’s short- and long-term renewable energy targets and a plan to transition to a netzero company.

A key focus is the green transformation of cement production, which is based on the decarbonisation of cement from the use of calcined clay through to construction waste.

It’s 2025 Accelerating Green Growth strategy includes ambitious sustainability targets to be achieved by 2025.

This includes a 25 per cent of readymix sales of ECOPact, with 30 per cent to go towards 100 per cent lower CO2 footprint; 10 million tons of construction waste recycled in new products, with

Holcim will continue to focus on developing innovative low-emission raw materials such as its green cement ECOPlanet and green concrete ECOPact.

Both range from 30–100 per cent reduced footprint compared to the local industry benchmark.

ECOPlanet cement is estimated to have delivered at least 30 per cent lower carbon footprint compared to ordinary cement since its launch.

The company is also looking to provide 100 per cent recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste.

In addition, Holcim is “pursuing other sustainable practices such as using renewable energy in aggregates operations, restoring quarries after use, preserving biodiversity and recycling carbon from operations into recycled aggregates,” the report said.

Holcim has also outlined circular construction goals to reduce, reuse and recycle materials where possible.

It recycled 6.6 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste in 2021 and aims to reach 10 million tonnes by 2025.

The company is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.

It has committed to a reduction from all operations through its 2030 target of 475 kg CO2/t cementitious materials, with a net-zero commitment by 2050.

“On our net-zero journey, we are walking the talk at Holcim, taking clear science-driven action to win the race for climate,” Holcim chief sustainability and innovation officer Magali Anderson commented in the report.•

HEIDELBERGCEMENT TRUMPS DIFFICULT MARKET German building materials company HeidelbergCement has reported significant revenue increase of 12 per cent to 4.24 million despite a marked increase in cost of energy and transport burdens.

“Despite the continuing uncertainties regarding the supply of energy and raw materials and the associated rise in energy prices, we were able to increase our revenue significantly,” HeidelbergCement chairman of the managing board, Dr Dominik von Achten said.

“Although our result declined in comparison with the same quarter of the previous year, which was exceptionally

14

Quarry July 2022

good, it increased in comparison with the equally strong first quarter of 2020.”

While uncertainty remains for energy costs and the availability of raw materials, von Achten acknowledges there is strong demand for product in all regions – especially for sustainable, low-carbon products.

With that in mind, HeidelbergCement will further implement a number of measures, including a number of carbon capture, use and storage projects worldwide.

The company will also continue its focus on carbon-reduced concrete products, with the expansion of its new

EcoCrete brand into European markets.

Despite ongoing market volatility and price risks for raw materials, HeidelbergCement holds a positive outlook for 2022, with a strong revenue increase and slight growth in result expected.

“Demand for our building materials remains high in all regions, despite the persistently volatile market conditions,” von Achten said.

“In addition, the efficiency programmes with a focus on our sales prices and costs are starting to deliver results. We thus expect to see strong growth momentum for the rest of the year.” •

WOMEN’S BUDGET PROMISES BOOST FOR WOMEN IN TRADES The Federal Government will invest $38.6 million over four years from 2022–23 to boost the number of women working in trades.

The Government’s 2022–23 Women’s Budget Statement outlines $2.1 billion boost in funding for women, building on the Government’s existing $3.4 billion investment made in 2021–22, bringing the total funding to $5.5 billion.

Included in this is a range of initiatives aimed at supporting women in non-traditional occupations such as construction and quarrying.

The Women Building Australia program, delivered by Master Builders Australia, is set to receive $2.3 million over six years to 2023–24 “to support women in the building and construction industry and encourage girls to consider a career in the industry”.

The Women in Work Boots initiative, delivered by RTV Training, will also see $0.8 million allocated over three years to 2023–24 to support unemployed and underemployed women in Tasmania interested in pursuing

According to the Statement, in 2021, women represented only 8 per cent of apprentices in non-traditional trade occupations.

a career in agriculture, horticulture, civil construction, rail, transport, mining and quarrying industries.

“Working to increase the number of women in non-traditional trades will help to address skills shortages, can improve workplace

“Many industries and organisations are recognising the importance of increasing the representation of women,” the Statement said.

practices, and further promote women’s economic security because these trades are in-demand and highly paid.” •

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SKF TEAMS UP WITH AMAZON WEB SERVICES THE NEW SYSTEM OFFERS A SOLUTION THAT REINVENTS THE FIELDS OF INDUSTRIAL MACHINE RELIABILITY AND PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE.

SKF Axios complements the company’s exisiting product profile.

SKF has launched a new fully automated condition monitoring system, SKF Axios, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services.

The new system offers a solution that reinvents the fields of industrial machine reliability and predictive maintenance.

SKF Axios will allow manufacturers to monitor more equipment in their facilities through simple and affordable wireless technology.

The system is comprised of sensors, gateways and a machine learning system that is easy to install. The fast

installation means the technology is operational within minutes.

SKF Axios detects anomalies and sends push notifications, allowing for quick action to ensure maximum machine productivity. This ensures that users never miss a problem and can react proactively ahead of time.

“With SKF Axios, we are able to provide a larger portion of the industrial market with actionable insights leading to improved decision making and more efficient maintenance planning and scheduling,” SKF president

of industrial region Americas John Schmidt said.

SKF Axios will complement the company’s current portfolio of condition monitoring products.

“Through leveraging these insights and SKF’s knowledge of rotating equipment, customers can improve machine performance and overall reliability of their operations,” Schmidt said.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) vice president of AI services Vasi Philomin praised SKF Axios for delivering an opportunity for industrial customers to benefit from data-driven technologies.

“SKF Axios represents a tremendous opportunity for industrial customers of all sizes to benefit from scalable, datadriven, machine-learning technologies offered by AWS,” Philomin said.

“These solutions enable industrial customers to make better decisions faster, increasing operational efficiency, and reducing the costs associated with unplanned equipment downtime.”

SKF and AWS remain committed to offering their customers high levels of expertise and innovation when it comes to their products.

Inventory for SKF Axios is expected to be available globally in late 2022.•

HOLCIM ENHANCES AUTOMATION OPERATIONS Holcim has utilised mobile communication technology from Swisscom to develop its existing autonomous vehicle project with Volvo at its limestone quarry in Villigen, Switzerland.

The move is part of Holcim’s ongoing Plants of Tomorrow digitalisation initiative and is in line with its net-zero target for renewable energies and climate-friendly logistics to achieve more sustainable cement production.

The battery-powered, driverless electric dumper trucks are both quieter and safer than conventional dumper trucks.

The loaded dumper trucks make their way from Holcim’s Gabenchopf quarry to the production plant.

It is crucial that the time that it takes for

16

data to reach the control centre from the vehicles is as fast as possible.

The large amount of data transmitted and a constantly changing quarry topography due to limestone and marl mining practices adds to the challenge.

To address this, Holcim has deployed Swisscom’s communication technology mobile private network to monitor and control the trucks. This means that resources are specifically allocated to Holcim, ensuring that critical business processes run smoothy.

Swisscom’s Mobile Private Network provides a bridge from the mobile network to the Holcim’s Local Area Network, carrying mobile data through a separate D channel via its mobile core.

“We have to ensure that the vehicles are monitored at all times. We therefore looked for a mobile technologybased remote monitoring solution for the vehicles and found it with Swisscom,” Holcim Plants of Tomorrow/ Manufacturing 4.0 programme manager Michael Suter said.

“The the solution needs to be secure, stable and scalable,” Suter added.

Holcim and Volvo first embarked on the project in late 2021.

“Our participation in this project represents another step towards fulfilling our sustainability objectives,” Holcim chief executive, Switzerland and Italy Simon Kronenberg said in a press release.”•

Quarry July 2022

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It’s a New Day and a New Deere.

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TRACTA_JCF63736_AU_LINEUP_QM

PRODUCT FOCUS

To submit new product and equipment releases, email: les.ilyefalvy@primecreative.com.au

GET AUTOMATION READY WITH THE EPIROC SMARTROC D65 The SmartROC D65 is built to face the toughest of conditions. It’s loaded with intelligent features that will improve your operations, increase safety, and boost productivity.

With smart features such as automated drilling and rod handling, the automation-ready platform also includes an Auto Feed Fold option.

With a single action, the Auto Feed Fold enables the operator to fold the feed for tramming or position it for drilling. This also comes in handy when operating one or more drill rigs remotely with the BenchREMOTE option.

The SmartROC D65 is controlled via an advanced rig control system displayed on a touch screen inside the comfortable, air-conditioned FOPS and ROPS-certified cabin. It presents everything from drilling parameters to real-time Measure While Drilling data (MWD). The SmartROC D65 down-the-hole drill rig can significantly raise quality across your whole operation bringing the future of mining within your reach today.

More information: Epiroc, epiroc.com/en-au

KEEP YOUR CONVEYORS WORKING LONGER WITH PU WEAR PLATES Polyurethane (PU) wear plates are widely used on the belt conveyors.

They function as the function as the sealing between the chute and belt, as well as the protection.

The PU wear plates come in widths of 100mm, 125mm and 150mm, with a thickness of 10mm, 12mm and 15mm. The wear plates come in 10-meter rolls.

The PU wear plates can also be made to order to meet a specific length, width, and thickness. The hardness ranges from 70 to 90 Shore A. Hong Hui JV PU wear plates are lightweight and have a long lifespan.

This helps to reduce the power consumption of machinery, as well as reduce service cost and time.

More information: Hong Hui JV, hhjv.com.au/ or call 0401 459 289.

DUST CONTROL WITHOUT THE HEADACHE Polo Citrus understands the challenges of the quarry industry. Polo Citrus’s main objective for their customers is to produce consistent quality, highly effective dust control with minimal headaches.

Polo understands that water sources can be unpredictable and that staff can make changes outside of company recommendations, which causes problems to the overall dust control.

Polo Citrus’s priority is to stop the variability of the amount of product (BDS) in the foam due to factors mentioned above.

HD405-8 OFFERS MAXIUM PRODUCTIVITY The Komatsu HD405-8 is known for its manoeuvrability and tight turning radius, making it ideal for quarry, construction, and small-scale mining operations. With the integration of the latest Komatsu engine technology and increased power, the HD405-8 rigid dump truck is designed to offer maximised productivity and low operation costs.

The K-ATOMiCS transmission helps avoid unnecessary fuel consumption, reduces material spillage and provides a smoother ride for operators by automatically selecting a gear position depending on grade, speed and acceleration. All this is backed by Komatsu’s Australia-wide service and support network.

More information: Komatsu, komatsu.com.au/ or call1300 566 287.

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Polo Citrus is able to provide a selfregulating pump that will monitor and adjust when and where necessary to ensure that the percentage of Polo Citrus product in the water remains the same.

Polo Citrus also provide a comprehensive Service Maintenance Program. This has a flow on effect on customer confidence, in both in site dust control as well as ensuring the finished product is within the specification.

More information: Polo Citrus, polocitrus.com.au/

SmartTechAustralia.com.au

PRODUCT FOCUS A LONG HERITAGE OF EXPERTISE – KLEEMANN MSS 802 EVO SCALPING SCREEN Kleemann has been developing and manufacturing machines and plants for the past 100 years.

As a powerful mobile screen for coarse elements, the Mobiscreen MSS 802 EVO has been designed for evolving challenges in different applications.

With its ingenious machine design and flexible conversion option, an ideal throughput can be guaranteed for natural stone and recycling applications.

Changing work locations and new applications often create challenges for screening plants. The MSS 802(i) EVO mobile scalping screen is ideally equipped to take them on successfully.

Electric operation via an external power supply is possible with the optional electric-hydraulic dual power drive. The temperature-controlled fan ensures a significant reduction of noise emissions, saves diesel, and reduces the amount of dust entering the engine compartment. This means that environment friendly work with zero emissions can be realised with even lower operating costs.

More information: Wirtgen, wirtgen-group.com/ocs/en-us/kleemann/kleemann-products-97-c/

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF OPERATION Rivergum Industries supplies a broad range of parts, as well as equipment, related to the sand washing industry.

While it does supply cast wear parts from America and Asia, it has supplied locally cast high chrome wear parts for a number of years.

Rivergum has found these to be the longest lasting cast wear parts available.

Individual components can be designed and modified to suit specific applications, as well.

These have been used in a variety of operations and conditions, such as washing rock or river pebbles, crusher dust, as well as sand.

With supply chain issues affecting all industries, these cast wear parts are a locally made high quality solution to hard wearing applications.

More information: Rivergum, rivergumindustries.com.au/

ASSET AND PERSONNEL TRACKING AT YOUR FINGERTIPS MeshTracer is Rajant’s personnel and asset tracking software that advances site security and situational awareness.

THE JUMBO CRUSHING AND SCREENING MACHINE Rapid Crushing does things differently to achieve optimal mine site efficiency and cost savings for mine site operators. Rapid can provide the plant, equipment and personnel to crush, screen ore and quarry material. Rapid’s latest investment in jaw crushing is two Jonsson L160 units. Weighing in at nearly 200 tonnes, the L160 is the most powerful track jaw crusher available to hire in Australia, and Rapid acquired two of them. Rapid is the only independent crushing contractor in the southern hemisphere to own these impressive machines and considers itself the only contractor to offer them for hire in the market. One Jonsson L160 is based on the east coast and operates from Rapid’s Mackay branch, while the other is available for hire in WA. The L160’s have a Metso Outotec C160 Jaw which is the pinnacle in the industry.

More information: Rapid Crushing, rapidcrushing.com.au or call (08) 9452 5888.

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It is the most effective mustering and tracking, incident management, and communication platform on the market today. MeshTracer uses real-time location system (RTLS) technology to identify people and assets going into and out of an entrance, located in a zone, or in a particular area of a site.

The software is easily adopted, highly adaptable, and simple to use.

When integrated with a client’s incident policies and equipment, MeshTracer provides an enhanced solution for every facility and personnel.

More information: SmartTech Australia, smarttechaustralia.com.au/solutions/wirelessnetworks/rajant-kinetic-mesh-networks/

To submit new product and equipment releases, email: les.ilyefalvy@primecreative.com.au

UNDER THE HAMMER

THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER Ritchie Bros is auctioning an unused 2022 Precisionscreen Contractor 604 Portable Screen Plant, a 2017 McCloskey C44 Tracked Cone Crushing Plant, and a 2009 Metro Stationary Screen Plant.

The 2022 Precisionscreen Contractor 604 Portable Screen Plant (item number 6852378) is available in Earlville, Queensland. It features a 16ft x 4ft double deck screen, three-cylinder diesel engine, S/A carrier and e-stops.

The 2017 McCloskey C44 Tracked Cone Crushing Plant (item number 6542302) is available in Corio, Victoria. It features Telsmith 44SBS cone crusher, hydraulic leveling, dust suppression, cable remote control, auto lube, and a Cat C13 6 Cylinder 440 hp Engine.

The 2009 Metro Stationary Screen Plant (item number 5485957) is available in Tyers, Victoria. It features a 16ft x 6ft triple deck screen, three cross conveyors, two transfer stacking conveyors, catwalks, and e-stops.

Buy now or make an offer on Marketplace-E. It’s easy, convenient, and secure.

Buy heavy equipment every day with the buying option of your choice, including competitive buy now prices or negotiate with the ‘make offer’ option.

Marketplace-E offers more control over price, location, and timing, while providing buyers access to equipment 24/7.

Ritchie Bros. is a globally recognised, multi-channel network for equipment buyers and sellers to connect.

More information: Ritchie Bros., rbauction.com.au, ironplanet.com.au

Rostrevor Group, established in 2019, to service the recycling and Quarry industry with crushing and screening services.

SAFE & RELIABLE CRUSHING AND SCREENING

• Modern fleet of Crusher, Screens & Excavators • Highly skilled team of employee and contractors • Specializing in Recycling - 1. Asphalt 2. Concrete 3. Bricks

0409 847 079 daisy@rostrevorgroup.com.au

AWARDS

THE GOLD STANDARD A successful day the IQA National Conference was followed by a night of excellence as a lucky few went home with awards to commemorate their hard work.

T

he 63rd Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA) National Conference was held in Newcastle, NSW on 29–31 March. The awards ceremony took place on day two of the conference during a dinner hosted by Komatsu at the Newcastle Racecourse.

Nine awards were announced, including Quarry Operator of the Year Award, Conference Exhibitor of the Year Award, Gold Environment Award and the Excellence in Innovation and Community Engagement Award.

“Yesterday we celebrated and recognised the achievements in the area of safety and, of course, the individual recognition of quarry manager of the year,” IQA chief executive Kylie Fahey said.

“Last night I was privileged enough to be sat with John Stanton who received the President’s medal.

“Listing to John’s achievements it made me reflect on the purpose of our networks and the quote that James opened with from Will Smith: “If you are not making people’s lives better then you’re wasting your time. Your life will become better by making other lives better”.

“John has supported others in so many ways with his work through the institute and numerous organisations,” Fahey continued.

“This made me think about this next category, the Quarry Operator of the Year (Award). We have heard around the challenges of labour in this area and the IQA has recognised it needs to more in training operators.

“We revised the criteria in this category and are working hard to offer develop offerings relevant to our operators,” Fahey said.

The Quarry Operator of the Year Award recognises an individual quarry operator’s personal commitment and leadership in occupational health and safety (OH&S and risk, environment, and operations. The award also recognises demonstrated excellence in exceeding defined objectives and outcomes of their prescribed role.

This year, the award went to Holcim Albion Park Quarry site trainer David Lide who is one of the longest serving members at the quarry.

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Conference and IQA NSW branch chair James Collings and IQA president Shane Braddy presented the Conference Exhibitor of the Year Award to GreaseBoss chief executive Steve Barnett.

The award was sponsored by RTV Training and was judged by RTV Training director Marie McDonald and IQA WA branch chair Tinus Nagel.

The judging panel agreed that Lide’s nomination was outstanding, and he scored a perfect 10 in all categories.

Lide is driven by best practice performance and works hard to communicate to all employees what they should be looking for, to achieve the best results for the site.

The judges noted that he shows great passion and dedication to train his fellow peers and ensure their knowledge and competency is safe and productive.

They described him as an empathetic and natural leader who passes on his knowledge to his employees to ensure they are aware of training pathways to move up the levels and to achieve a best practice baseline.

Lide received a framed certificate and accredited training up to the value of $3500 through RTV Training.

Likewise, the IQA wanted to thank all its sponsors and exhibitors. “You supported us

as we adjusted the date and have provided the support to enable the IQA to make this conference the biggest and best yet,” Fahey said.

Correspondingly, the Conference Exhibitor of the Year Award recognised the supplier with the most creative and engaging exhibition and involvement in the IQA 2021 conference held in Newcastle, NSW. The award requires the winner to demonstrate and embody the highest standards of professionalism, IQA code of conduct, as well as the professional standards and values of the IQA. The award was judged by selected members of the conference organising committee, led by Scott Whitaker.

This year, the award winner was GreaseBoss. The 2022 IQA Conference chair and IQA NSW branch chair James Collings presented the award to GreaseBoss chief executive Steve Barnett.

GreaseBoss was established in 2020 and develops cloud-based software to help prevent heavy machinery breakdowns.

AWARDS

The Gold Environment Award recognises a site’s contribution toward the advancement of environmental management.

GOING FOR GOLD The Gold Environment Award was sponsored

by Groundwork Plus and presented by Groundwork Plus laboratory business manager David Gregson.

The award recognises a site’s contribution toward the advancement of environmental management.

This contribution can be either quarry rehabilitation, pollution control, or a new or improved work process that enhances environmental management.

“We heard yesterday from Tegan Smith Principal of Groundwork Plus on the perception of our industry and the power of language. This perception is negative,” Fahey said.

“Sustainability and ensuring our industry addresses this negative perception will evolve as we manage to reduce any negative impact on the environment.”

Hanson Construction Materials environmental planning and compliance manager Lisa-Jane Hults received the Gold Environment Award.

Hults’ nomination is evidence of her passion for successful and positive environmental outcomes within the Hanson business and across the wider industry.

The Gold Environment Award was judged by Groundwork Plus chair Dave Doolan and RW Corkery managing director Mitch Bland.

They found Hults’ publication ‘Best Practice Guidelines for Management of Phytophthora Dieback in the Basic Raw Materials Industries’ to be fantastic example of her commitment to continuous environmental improvement.

They noted that they were not aware of a similar guideline and felt that the approach to risk identification and mitigation is simple and easy to understand.

The guidelines were written in collaboration with Main Roads WA, multiple Western

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Australian Local Government authorities, Curtin University, Murdoch University, and Hanson.

The guidelines outline ways in which basic raw materials (BRM) producers and suppliers can minimise the spread of Phytophthora Dieback – a soil-borne plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomic which causes the death of many native plant species on sites infested with the pathogen.

Dieback is a major plant disease of native vegetation in the south-west of WA and infested areas are known as dieback sites.

Dieback is spread in soil and water and the BRM industry poses a significant risk of spreading this disease when using material sourced from infested pits.

These guidelines provide advice on general considerations such as hygiene/dieback management plans, green card training, contractors, and sales and marketing.

Specific guidance is provided for all stages in the operation of a mine or quarry.

The techniques also aim to help minimise the spread of pests, other pathogens, and weeds in BRM sourced from agricultural sites.

The panel acknowledged that while the guidelines provide limited impact on any one operation, the guideline offers a very substantial positive benefit for the industry as a whole.

Hults was thrilled to receive the award and thanked everyone that worked on the guidelines with her.

“The award is welcome recognition of our contribution to the publication of the ‘Best Practice Guidelines for Management of Phytophthora Dieback in the Basic Raw Materials Industries’,” Hults said in a post on LinkedIn. “Hanson has worked with the Dieback Working Group for nearly a decade and this collaboration has allowed us to learn how best to manage our operations, protect our restoration efforts onsite and in turn, allowed us to share our knowledge with the wider community to improve dieback management.

“Congratulations go to everyone involved” she concluded.

Hults was presented with with a stone trophy and framed certificated to commemorate her win.

The trophy stonework was done by Gosford Quarries, which also took home the Gold Hard Hat Site Safety Award.

The Gold Hard Hat Site Safety Award recognises a site’s contribution to the advancement of OH&S in the quarry industry.

The stonework for the Gold Environment Award done by Gosford Quarries, which also won the Gold Hard Hat Site Safety Award.

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So why not give your operation the chance to profit from the added intelligence of this market-leading drill rig.

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AWARDS

This includes: demonstrating sustained leadership in the area of OH&S; successfully implementing a suggestion, improvement or invention relating to equipment, processes, training, safety management, industry/ community representation that has resulted directly in improved OH&S outcomes; or sustained excellent performance over a 12 month period of time which demonstrates improvements in OH&S at the site and within the industry.

VALUING INNOVATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT The IQA prizes innovation and believes that engagement with the wider community is a vital part of modern operations.

Therefore, the Excellence in Innovation and Community Engagement Award recognises an individual’s contribution to excellence and innovation in the quarry industry, including outcomes in community engagement and consultation.

The contribution can be for innovation in design, production, operations, automation, plant design, maintenance, or processes as a single event or for a longer-term contribution to improvement over a period of time.

The innovation should show improvements in measurable outcomes. The winner will also be

able to demonstrate engagement with peers, the industry and/or the community.

The award was sponsored by Eltirus and presented by Eltirus chief executive Steve Franklin.

Metro Quarry Group – now Metro Quarry Sands after being bought by Barro and Adbri in a joint venture – won the Excellence in Innovation and Community Engagement award.

At the time of the nomination, Metro Quarry Group chief executive Brendan Carruthers led the innovation and worked closely with Metro Quarry Group accountant/regulatory and compliance Natalie Summonds and Metro Quarry Group senior quarry manger Adam Mantel.

The award has been given to the team for its three-year journey to implement technology to improve the technology used to assess and manage the site. The judges have deemed the level of innovation worthy of recognition.

On the night of the awards, David Cilento FIQ collected the award on behalf of the group.

The award will be presented at an IQA Victorian Branch event later in the year.

“I would like to acknowledge Steve Franklin from Eltirus – the sponsor and on the judging panel. Representatives from Metro Quarry Sands could not be with us today. The award

will be presented to them in person at a future Victorian Branch event,” said Fahey The IQA was pleased to announce the award winners and give recognition to businesses and individuals working to advance safety and sustainability within operations.

One of the IQA’s core priorities is to ensure everyone has a safe workplace and nobody is injured at work.

It believes that ongoing training and updating worker skills is key for maintaining and developing health and safety across the industry.

To support this, the IQA has numerous training programs.

For example, NSW has mandatory CPD that supports improving health and safety outcomes. To support this, the IQA is running a national Supervising for Safety workshop.

The workshop has been designed to prepare quarry supervisors to meet their obligations for managing workplace risk, and to provide them with the skills to effectively supervise and lead for safety.

This workshop is relevant to all supervisors working in quarrying and small mines. Hunter Branch running Supervising for Safety on Thursday 21 July 2022 in Argenton, NSW. • For more locations and dates, visit www.quarry.com.au

David Cilento accepted the Excellence in Innovation and Community Engagement on behalf of Metro Quarry (now Metro Sands).

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FOR SALE OR HIRE

FISHER AIR SEPARATOR

Skid Mounted 13’ Fisher Air Separator with variable speed drive. Processes 150pth crusher dust to concrete specification manufactured sand, process data available. As new 2020 Model.

Sean Pennell 0499 770 848 | Williamtown NSW

EXCAVATORS

VOLVO EC950E EXCAVATOR

TICKS ALL THE BOXES

Volvo EC950E excavator promises next level safety, productivity, operator comfort and ergonomics, making it ideal for all your quarrying needs – and it delivers.

F

ounded in 1974, CJD is the official distributer for Volvo equipment in Australia with a partnership stretching back to the 90s.

“CJD has been the Western Australian dealer since 1992, we have been the national dealer and distributor since 2002,” CJD Equipment national product engineering and training manager Lindsay Daniels told Quarry.

“We have had a strong 30-year relationship

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with Volvo and this has allowed CJD to develop our product range and our reputation with Volvo as a strong, reliable and successful dealer for their product.”

For Daniels, Volvo’s commitment to the planet and people is what sets it apart from the competition.

“Volvo has a strong commitment to environmental awareness and safety for both the operator people working around the site

and those servicing the product throughout all their business interests,” he explained.

Volvo’s corporate core values are safety, environment and operator comfort.

Specifically, “Volvo’s aim is to provide the best m3 per litre production in class, reducing the cost of production,” Daniels noted.

For example, “Volvo also has a strong leaning to innovation and design, being the first manufacturer to install ROPS cabins on

The EC950E can take on the toughest applications.

wheel loaders, parallel lift loader frames, seat belts and articulated dump trucks – (these are) just a few of the innovations introduced over the years and adopted by the industry as standard,” said Daniels.

Therefore, “representing Volvo puts CJD at the forefront of manufacturer technology and machine developments,” he added.

One prime example of Volvo’s values in action is the EC950E excavator.

“The EC950E was introduced to the market about five years ago deliberately sized to be the ideal loader to the Volvo A60 articulated hauler and quarry applications,” Daniels said.

“It is available in GP or ME configuration, depending on the customer’s needs.”

The EC950E is “powered by the Volvo D16 6-cylinder diesel engine, producing 446 kw at 1800 RPM power and 2650 Nm of torque at 1350 RPM following Volvo criteria of high torque at low engine RPM, providing good fuel economy and excellent productivity,” highlighted Daniels.

More specifically, the EC950E stands out terms of safety, productivity, and operator comfort and ergonomics.

When it comes to safety, EC950E features ground level servicing and grouped grease banks. This minimises down time and reduces the need to climb on the machine, Daniels explained.

The upper house area on the EC950E is easy to access and has well positioned handrails and footsteps to provide secure three-point contact, both increasing safety and improving accessibility.

The safety features do not just end there.

“The upper house is fitted with punched steel tread plates providing real confidence in you footing when inspecting the engine from above,” Daniels said.

“Rear vision and option side vision cameras also reduce the risk of damaging the machine when manoeuvring on the job site,” he added.

Safety often leads to productivity as

accessibility is improved. However, to add an extra boost of producvity, the EC950E features a long undercarriage as standard.

This “provides good stability and lifting capacity across and over the front of the machie,” Daniels said.

The EC950E is “a well balanced machine that provides the opportunity to optimise bucket size to match digging conditions and material weight.

“The Volvo EC950EL has a large list of bucket sizes available,” Daniels added.

Likewise, the EC950E demonstates next level fuel effiency to generate extra cost savings. “Volvo’s D16 engine has Volvo’s trade mark high Kw rating with High torque at low RPM’s which gives the EC950E outstanding fuel economy.

“Matched to Volvo’s high flow hydraulic system, this enables fast digging and loading cycles,” Daniels said.

This is in line with Volvo’s core goal to provide unrivalled m3 per litre production in

Quarry July 2022 29

EXCAVATORS

Volvo’s heavy-duty bucket is built with wear-resistant, steel plates.

class with the aim of reducing production costs.

Ergonomics and user experience is at the core of all Volvo designs. The Excavators Care Cab on the EC950E is specifically designed to ergomonic and provide optimal working conditions for workers. It is spacious and provides an uncluttered, simple control layout for ease of operation, Daniels noted.

For example, the operator’s cab is supported on hydraulic dampening mounts to reduce shock and vibration levels. When coupled with the sound-absorbing lining,

noise levels are reduced.

“The cab also has large windows or greater visibility to large entrance doors with well-placed handrails for safe 3-point contact at all times,” Daniels said.

“The air-conditioning provides positive pressurisation to the cab elimination dust ingression, (and) when fitted with the optional HEPA filters it provides the operator with a very clean safe environment,” Daniels continued. Air is distributed throughout the cab from 14 vents.

Great care was taken to design an

Superior digging force, quick cycle times and outstanding fuel efficiency offers a maximum return on investment.

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ergonomic operator’s seat. The seat has 12 different adjustments and can be moved independently along with the joy stick console to accommodate the operator.

Daniels believes that “it’s the little things that set Volvo apart from the competition.”

For example, “the strength and efficiency of the air conditioning system, comfortable air suspension seat, cab layout, excellent visibility, and the design strength of the machines upper house all lead to a comfortable stable and productive machine,” he explained.

“The difference is in the build quality, come and see for your self,” Daniels added.

The benefits do not just end after the purchase as CJD continues to be a trusted after-sales partner.

CJD has fully equipped parts warehouses in every capital city in Australia and throughout major regional towns, meaning that customers are supported regardless of their location.

“CJD has a very strong reputation for customer satisfaction and 24 hours after sales service for parts and service support,” Daniels said.

Likewise, “Volvo’s Care Track system keeps the customer fully aware where the machine is, its operational status, fuel usage, and service requirements in real-time.” • For more information, visit cjd.com.au/

CRUSHER & SCREEN SALES PTY LTD MATERIAL PROCESSING SOLUTIONS

crusherscreen.com

Specialist Manufacturers of Quarry, Mining & Recycling Equipment Irish Manufacturing Services Ltd www.ims-ltd.ie

Crusher & Screen have in stock a selection of IMS high quality track conveyors including their new MC1200-20T high production stacker Crusher & Screen Sales (CSSH) are the Australian distributor for IMS who manufacture range of pugmills, blenders, conveyors, cement hoppers and silos. The pugmills and blenders produce accurate mixers either manual or fully computerized blending multiple products at once including powders and liquids, multiple plant can be all controlled and batchers recorded under one central control system. CSSH can offer mobile 40 tonne silos and bulker bag powder hoppers for sale and hire. For clay based material we can offer for hire a Komatsu BZ200 with apron feeder and multiple inline mixers with PLC control system along a range of support plant with crushers and screens.

The IMS- MC1200-20 track conveyor has a heavy duty 1200mm belt and upsized head drum, rollers, hydraulics and powered by a CAT C4.4 motor, production up to 900 plus tonnes per hour and product size up to 300mm. And ideal machine for stockpiling oversize rock or working with a Jaw Crusher and the quarry face feeding the crushing train on the quarry floor reducing the moving of the crushing train.

The IMS- MC1050-14TF with a five meter feed hopper and the option of a tipping gride has variable speed option from 10-400TPH, ideal for blending a second product, remote stop/start and the ability to automate.

Crusher and Screen currently have the above stackers in stock along with 20 & 24 meters units with standard 1050mm wide belts and small wheeled hydraulic drive conveyors.

John 0424 181 056 | Chris 0424 180 860 Email: info@crusherscreen.com | www.crusherscreen.com PO Box 144 Southport QLD 4215 | Lot 4 - 181 Sandy Creek Road Yatala QLD 4207

SAND PROCESSING

HOLCIM LEVELS UP ITS SAND PLANT

WITH KAYASAND

A Holcim quarry in New South Wales’ Illawarra region gains commercial and sustainability advantages with the Kayasand V7-60 sand plant.

H

olcim’s Albion Park quarry extracts and supplies hard rock and sand to the construction industry in the region as well as the wider Sydney market.

In the highly competitive market, plant efficiency is as important as product quality and consistency. Maximising the value of what’s extracted from the ground is critical to the long-term sustainability of the industry.

Holcim quarry manager Darren Essex spoke to Quarry about how Holcim gained an advantage with Kayasand’s V7-60 plant,

increasing its saleable dust levels by about 50 to 60 per cent and creating value out of waste.

“We had two issues at the site,” said Essex.“We wanted to reduce our crusher dust stockpiles and improve the shape of our manufactured sand.”

Only a small percentage of Albion Park’s crusher dust was being utilised in concrete.

The dust was both poorly shaped and high in 75 micron content, rendering it unsuitable for concrete applications above a 20

percent natural sand replacement.

Stockpiles were growing each year, so the decision was made to invest in new plant machinery and technology.

Kayasand ticked all the boxes for Holcim during the plant selection process, Essex said. Shape and consistency were big factors – most off the shelf plant technology that Holcim looked at tended to create a lot of fines and it was hard to get shape in the lower sieves.

“The V7-60 technology is cutting edge as

R T O

R e a m r f t g

D V7-60 technology is cutting edge as far as improving shaping in a sand product.

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T R

Sand

far as improving shaping in a sand product.

When you look at our product now, you see a noticeable improvement in its shape.”

The air screens that feed oversize material back through the plant ensure the endproduct consistently meets specifications, while undersize dust particles are collected in a filler silo.

“Today we produce a better-quality product without an excessive amount of 75 micron byproduct,” Essex said.

This of course is a highly desirable quality to the high-demand Sydney market, where large projects need reliable supplies.

“The Kayasand plant has been instrumental in us getting a significant portion of our manufactured sand into the Sydney market,” Essex said.

“In a market where you’ve got lots of other sand, it might not stack up so high. But in one that’s depleted of natural sands, or one with fine dune sand around to complement it, manufactured sand is a really good solution.”

To be sure the plant was going to benefit

Holcim wanted to reduce its crusher dust stockpiles and improve the shape of manufactured sand.

Albion Park, Kayasand sent Albion Park quarry samples to Japan.“The Japanese market seemed to be a bit further along in the use of manufactured sand,” Essex said.

“In fact, I heard of some examples using Kayasand’s plant to produce material at around 100 per cent replacement of natural sand.”

“I haven’t seen any other off the shelf plant achieving that level of replacement.”

Of course, selling more manufactured sand means less waste. In 2017 Holcim was awarded with the Environmental Innovation Award by Cement, Concrete and Aggregates

Australia (CCAA) for dramatically reducing their dust stockpiles at Albion Park.

The Albion Park Quarry has reduced that waste even further by turning it into a valueadded product.

“There’s a waste product that comes out of the Kayasand process that’s a dry 75 micron material,” Essex explained.

“We add that to asphalt dust and road base through a pugmill to improve our product quality. We’ve managed to use about 70 per cent of the by-product in other products.” • For more information, visit kayasand.com

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RECYCLING

CDE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN BUSINESS S and and aggregate wet processing solutions supplier CDE is celebrating its 30th year in business.

Over the last three decades, CDE’s wet processing technologies have facilitated the diversion of more than 100 million tonnes of construction, demolition, and excavation (CD&E) waste from landfill around the world.

The family-owned business has been at the leading edge of innovation in the material processing industry since it was founded in 1992 by company chairman Tony Convery.

Since its inception, CDE has successfully delivered more than 2000 proven solutions in over 100 countries.

“When CDE was established three decades ago I was confident that we had something new to offer and that we could be a force to drive meaningful change in the industry,” Convery said.

“In our relatively short history, we’ve made significant advancements, driven innovation through our technologies, achieved great success, and built a solid reputation for expert engineering that delivers for our customers.

“Under the direction of our senior leadership team and with the support of the next generation of the Convery family, who are already rooted in the business, I’m in no doubt that CDE has a prosperous future ahead of it.”

CDE employs a global skilled labour workforce of more than 500 people, including over 120 engineers with over 1000 years of combined industry experience.

Headquartered in Northern Ireland, CDE operates across five regions – the UK and Ireland, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Australasia, and the Americas – with regional headquarters in each.

“At CDE, we share a common purpose to create our best world a tonne at a time,” CDE chief executive Marc Jennings said.

“We’re very proud to announce that in our 30th year, together with our customers, we have diverted 100 million tonnes of CD&E waste from landfill while continuing to support our customers to maximise their natural resources in the most sustainable way possible, with greater efficiency and less waste than ever before.

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CDE directors Rosemary and Tony Convery.

“This accomplishment is testament to the commitment of our pioneering customers, those who have adopted and invested in CDE wet processing technology over the past three decades.

“It’s a direct result, too, of the past and present talent at CDE. We know our success is dependent on our people and that’s why we are so focused on developing, promoting, and retaining great talent so that we can continue to develop innovative solutions that empower and equip our customers, and the wider industry, to build a more sustainable future.”

CDE has big plans to celebrate its 30th year in business, including strengthening its manufacturing capabilities and regional hubs, and expanding its workforce in response to increasing demand.

“CDE recorded its most successful year to date in 2021,” Jennings said.

“We partnered with more customers than ever before and together we almost doubled our ambitious waste recycling targets for the year helping us surpass 100-million-tonnediversion from landfill.

In light of demand and to better serve its customers, the company has also announced two major investments.

CDE recently launched a new website that reflects its global reach.

Offering more content and resources than ever before, the website provides visitors with the comprehensive insight into CDE’s innovative solutions and thousands of projects the company has delivered globally.

It has also invested in new state-of-theart cutting and automation equipment at its fabrication campus in Monkstown, Ireland, to boost manufacturing capacity.

As part of its latest investment, CDE has installed two new Bystronic high-speed sheet metal laser cutting systems to boost productivity and output in line with growing international demand for its product set.

Integrating seamlessly with these is a new 400-tonne steel storage and management system incorporating fully automated loading and offloading of the laser cutters.

The new system will improve cutting capacity and efficiency, and underpin future growth in manufacturing.

“Demand for our solutions continues and our new website will help prospective customers see how CDE technology has transformed operations similar to theirs in terms of challenges, size, sector and material,” Jennings said.

“Investing in our world-class manufacturing campus ensures that we can meet that demand as efficiently and timely as possible.

“In addition to the launch of the site, we have other ambitious plans in the pipeline, including creating new employment opportunities, launching new products to the market and further supporting our regional bases.”

CDE is focused on providing the very best customer experience, Jennings explained.

“With ground-breaking global customers and pioneering engineering excellence, we are perfectly positioned and 100 per cent determined to lead the future of waste recycling,” he said. “Relentlessly innovating, collaborating, and empowering our customers to transform waste into valuable resources.

Laying the foundations for the circular economy and doing our part to protect people and planet.”• For more information, visit cdegroup.com

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REHABILITATION

WHAT CAME FIRST,

THE QUARRY OR THE NATIONAL PARK? There is a drive to reverse environmental damage caused by industrialisation with key players from each sector taking steps to ensure their operations are sustainable. In step with them is the quarrying industry.

T

he European cement association Cembureau believes that going above and beyond legal requirements for quarry rehabilitation is the best way to ensure the longevity of biodiversity. Doing so can give way to new habitats and allow rare and threatened species to thrive.

“The European cement industry is committed to achieving the goals set in the EU Green Deal,” Cembureau chief executive Koen Coppenholle said in a press release.

“In addition to climate change, one of the key priorities of our industry is to protect and preserve the rich ecosystems thriving in and around our quarries and make a strong contribution to biodiversity across the EU.”

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Quarry July 2022

Correspondingly, Cembureau has outlined goals to put a stop to biodiversity loss during the lifecycle of a quarry using rehabilitation processes in its 2030 Biodiversity Roadmap.

The roadmap outlines key actions and objectives for the industry until 2030 in four key areas: ecosystem rehabilitation and ecosystem services; EU pollinators initiative; invasive species; and protected species.

Each area has its own vision, targets and monitoring mechanisms.

The roadmap aims to help, guide, and influence companies to better manage biodiversity. The Cembureau also hopes to inspire collaboration between the cement industry and other stakeholders such as conservation associations and regulators.

“Quarries are home to a rich variety of species, as many different habitat types are

often encountered, with the transitional zones between offering significant biodiversity interest,” the roadmap said.

“These transition zones between habitats, known as ‘ecotones’, support better biodiversity outcomes. Extractive activities support habitat succession, which in turn helps support pioneer species, including wildflowers and pollinator,” it explained.

A good example of this is the working partnership between Belgian industrial material solutions company Sibelco and wild bird conservation organisation BirdLife.

Sibelco has recognised that non-saleable sand and loam fractions via pipes from its sand-processing facility constantly creates new mudflats.

In Spring, the mudflats attract several bird species that are in decline, such as common shelduck, little ringed plover, and northern lapwings. Other migrating waders such as

Rehabilitated quarries can help support biodiversity.

stilts, dunlins, and sandpipers also benefit from this location as a stop-over and feeding site.

Come summer, the mudflats are favoured by grey herons and great white egrets as a resting place. In winter, birds from the north such as greylag geese and tundra bean geese sleep on the mudflats. Ducks and grebes also visit the site.

Through a process of restoration and habitat creation, Sibelco and BirdLife intend to reverse the population decline of threatened species and maintain existing populations of common bird species.

BirdLife believes that collaborations with the private sector is key to maintaining biodiversity and bring about transformative change as it believes that businesses are key to fighting the climate crisis.

Indeed, biodiversity and extraction have a complex relationship, reiterating the value of working together. The UK is a prime example of this, with many landscapes designated as National Parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) used for mineral working initiatives.

In England, it is currently estimated that 47 per cent of active quarries are located inside National Parks or AONBs, or within 5km of their boundaries. In Wales, that figure is 46 per cent of active quarries within National Parks or AONBs. Quarrying, mining, and other productions cover 2400 sites across the UK, with an emphasis on the supply of cement, asphalt, cement, and aggregates.

Trade association for mineral industries in the UK, the Mineral Products Association (MPA), estimates that there are 81000 jobs held in the wider industry in the UK, with 400 billion tons produced each year and

£5.4 billion ($9.4 billion) contributed to the economy annually.

Operations in the oldest national park in the UK, Peak District National Park, contributes more than £5 million ($8.7 million) to the local economy, while up to £50 million ($86.9 million) is paid annually to local employees in mineral extraction industries in Derbyshire.

Working the land for minerals within designated landscapes like national Parks and AONBs continues to be a centuriesold practice, with many features of those landscapes directly created with quarrying.

“National Parks and AONBs are working landscapes for millions of people across the country as well as places to be cherished for their beauty,” MPA executive director for planning and resources Mark Russell said in a statement.

However, he warned that “extraction must not be overlooked as minerals can only be worked where they lay in the ground and these operations make a unique contribution to rural economies, besides providing a wide variety of essential mineral resources that the country depends on for construction, manufacturing, and industrial end-uses.

“That’s neither fully understood nor appreciated by the Government and there would be a significant adverse economic impact if future policy changes failed to properly consider the important role of mineral producers in designated landscapes and their settings,” Russell said.

“The limited geographic distribution of some mineral resources means it would be impractical to provide all the minerals society requires solely from outside National Parks and AONBs or their immediate surrounding areas.”

However, understanding the need to protect biodiversity, the MPA has released its 2022

Position Statement ‘Minerals in Designated Landscapes’, detailing long-term plans for mineral extraction in designated landscapes.

The statement aims to highlight its support of the evolving Natural Policy Planning Framework in the UK, recognising that equal consideration should be given to conserving and enhancing landscapes of natural beauty while recognising that minerals and mineral products are essential to the economy and overall quality of life.

The statement outlined the importance of minimising the environmental impact of mineral extraction while continuing to deliver economic and regional benefits to those communities directly involved in quarrying.

The statement included four main points, including need to supply the high-value minerals society requires from within National Parks and AONBs. It also highlighted the need to focus on permitted reserves in designated landscapes and AONBs and continue to supply sustainable sources which feed into the larger supply chain. These chains will also continue to support ongoing employment in rural areas where jobs can be scarce, the MPA said.

Thirdly, the statement reassured that the MPA has a strong track record of restoring former quarry sites and stated that “MPA members will continue to ensure environmental effects are minimised and positive benefits are delivered through sensitive restoration,aftercare and after use.”

Finally, industry applications for mineral extraction will continue to operate within the requirements of the National Planning Policy. Any new applications will need to demonstrate sustainability benefits and the ability to mitigate and moderate environmental effects, the MPA said.•

Quarry July 2022 37

OPTIMISATION

THE VALUE OF

RESOURCE OPTIMISATION Eltirus principal mining engineer Greg Lister and Eltirus technical services manager Jackie Gauntlett discuss how to get the most out of quarry operations using resource optimisation solutions.

B

risbane-based consultancy Eltirus focuses on digital transformation and sustainable solutions for quarries. It has found that applying best practice mining industry resource optimisation solutions to quarrying has resulted in revolutionary results for clients.

To date, the quarrying industry has rarely utilised resource optimisation, despite it adding value to the mining industry for several decades. Resource optimisation considers the geological, financial, and operating constraints for an extractive operation and algorithmically determines the optimal pit that should be extracted.

Anything outside of that optimal pit is determined as being uneconomic to extract, given the assumptions used.

“Historically, in quarrying, decisions on where to extract and how to stage the extraction are undertaken using rules of thumb or simplistic calculations – like overburden thickness contours,” Eltirus technical services manager Jackie Gauntlett explained.

“These methods often neglect the key geological, geotechnical, and economic aspects of a quarry, which can result in significant loss of realised value.”

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Quarry July 2022

CHANGING COURSE WITH RESOURCE OPTIMISATION Essentially, the process of resource optimisation is to determine the optimal extraction boundary and extraction sequence for a particular deposit with the intent to maximise value.

In technical terms, optimisation seeks to maximise Net Present Value (NPV) or Cumulative Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) for an extractive operation. The result of each optimisation scenario is the algorithmic selection of the optimal resource blocks to be extracted across the life of the scenario, the order of block extraction, and the NPV generated by the scenario.

A recent project led by Eltirus saw a 42 per cent improvement in potential NPV after optimisation.

The client, a company that trades in aggregate products, wanted to know the best approach to expand an existing operation. Eltirus undertook scenario testing using Deswik Global Optimisation (Deswik.

GO), to execute and analyse the resource optimisation.

“We worked with our client to determine realistic scenario assumptions and utilised Deswik.GO to determine the projected

financial outcomes with and without optimisation.

We were able to achieve a 42 per cent improvement in NPV over 30 years,” Eltirus principal mining engineer Greg Lister said.

SOFTWARE EVOLUTION OPTIMISES THE ULTIMATE PIT “The key benefit of using Deswik.GO is not only being able to give clients the ‘optimal pit’, but most importantly, being able to advise them on how to stage that pit,” Lister explained.

“Deswik.GO is the latest generation of resource optimisation solutions that uses a set of innovative algorithms.

“Instead of using the previous generation of Pseudoflow or Lerchs-Grossmann algorithms made popular by Whittle, Deswik GO utilises Direct Block Scheduling (DBS), a phase generation algorithm, and a linear programming Phase Bench Scheduling (PBS) algorithm,” he said.

Optimisation results from previous generation algorithms were relatively simple with limited outputs.

Next generation software such as Deswik.

GO considers the geological, geotechnical, and financial aspects of a mining operation.

A major benefits is that complex constraints and assumptions can be applied to the schedule, such as ratios of material types to blend into products.

Furthermore, it allows for the semiautomated determination of phased stages, which has previously been a very manual labor intensive, time-consuming, and iterative process.

An additional benefit of resource optimisation is the ability to test a number of scenarios quickly and objectively.

An example of this is to stress test changes in sales mixes. For example, aggregate heavy versus roadbase heavy or to stress test changes in costs or revenues.

By understanding how the optimised extraction sequence responds to changes in input assumptions, a strategic decision can be made as to how to progress development, whilst minimising risks associated with the unknown.

CASE STUDY A regional quarry operation in New South Wales turned to provide assistance with geological modelling and resource assessment.

The quarry produces a blend of roadbases, aggregates, and several other minor products, such as armour rock, ballast, and dust. The geology and degree of weathering is highly heterogenous making it both difficult and dangerous to plan on rules of thumb alone.

The quarry already had a long-term extraction plan in place based on a previous generation geological model, however the extraction sequence was not based on quantitative resource optimisation.

Given the high degree of heterogeneity in the distribution of geological materials, Eltirus suggested that the quarry use resource optimisation to work out the best way to stage extraction.

A set of optimisation scenarios were undertaken to investigate the impact of various assumptions regarding mining intensity, product blend ratios, sales forecasts and extraction limits.

The goal was to determine not only the optimal pit shell and extraction sequence, but also to explore whether changing the assumptions significantly altered the optimal pit boundary or staging sequence over a 30year period.

A recommended optimal pit and extraction sequence was thus determined after

Unoptimised depleted pit after 30 years with the red line signifying the maximum extraction boundary.

Optimised depleted pit after 30 years, with the red line signifying the maximum extraction boundary.

analysing various scenarios. The staged extraction sequence of this optimised scenario was significantly different to the original conceptual plan that was in place.

To evaluate the value gained from optimisation, Eltirus explored an additional scenario where extraction was in line with the original, conceptual, and non-optimised staged extraction plan. These results were compared to the optimised case.

RESULTS Following an unoptimised extraction schedule, the client could expect to extract 21 per cent additional waste material for the same amount of product during the first 30 years. This would result in a strip ratio increase from 0.21 to 0.26.

Most of this additional stripping is in the first six years of the schedule. As a direct result of the additional stripping at the front end of the schedule and the severe impact on cash flow during this period, there is a $3.42 million reduction in NPV.

This stems from the resultant material cash flow and cumulative discounted cashflow (i.e., the NPV) of $8.11 million for the unoptimised case, versus the NPV of $11.53 million for an optimised case, demonstrating an increase of 42 per cent.

In other studies, Eltirus has determined that for a medium-to-large aggregate quarry, CO2 emissions of approximately 2kg per extracted tonne can be expected. This includes emissions from drill and blast, load and haul, and processing.

The increased stripping requirements in the first 30 years of the unoptimised schedule would realise a 4.2 per cent increase in CO2 emissions compared to the optimised scenario.

Therefore, by integrating best practice resource optimisation into a quarry business, there is significant potential to improve the economic and social sustainability of quarries today. • For more information, visit eltirus.com

Quarry July 2022 39

EXCAVATION

Cat hammers are easy to operate and require less time on service, helping boost productivity.

NEW CAT HAMMERS SHOW OFF NEXT GEN EXCAVATOR TECHNOLOGY Hydraulic hammers are one of the most versatile work tools available and can extend the usefulness of skid steer loaders, backhoe loaders and excavators within quarrying operations.

N

ew hydraulic hammers H190S and H125S have been added to the Cat hammer line-up, offering many features and high levels of technology that delivers greater productivity on site.

The new hammers cover Cat 349-395 excavators with carrier weight ranging from 45t to 120t, fulfilling the hammer need for the large excavators like the 374 and 395.

These hammers are simple to operate and require less time on service which, in turn, boosts site productivity.

The hammer hits with consistent power and can be switched between blow frequency and power to best suit different applications and improve efficiency.

“Quarrying is very typical application for hydraulic hammers, it requires the hammer to work much longer than other demolition or construction work,” Caterpillar Australia work tools consultant, global construction and infrastructure, Asia Pacific Jason Zhang told Quarry.

“The hammers are required to perform primary or secondary breaking at a quarry site all day, every day. Therefore, hammer durability and performance is key,” he explained.

40

Quarry July 2022

“CAT large performance series hammers tests showed 37 per cent more productivity than competitors.

“This keeps hammer operation costs low (and is) also vital for quarry customers – CAT large performance hammers lowered operation costs by 18 per cent lower versus our competitors,” Zhang added.

KEY FEATURES AND BENEFITS The power adjust feature on H190S and H215S hammers allows operators to manually adjust the power of the breaker for different materials and applications.

The long stroke has less piston frequency, resulting in higher impact power and productivity. This makes it ideal for harder materials and strenuous applications.

Alternatively, the short stroke has higher piston frequency which results in less impact power, making it is best for lighter applications.

This allows the operators to determine the desired piston speed based on the materials and applications to increase the productivity and efficiency while lowering the fuel consumption.

Specifically for quarrying operations, “this

power adjust function will allow the customer to adjust the hammer breaking power to suit hard rock breaking (high power, low impact frequency) or soft rock like lime stone by low power high impact frequency – which will give customer the best productivity from hammering work,” Zhang said.

The hammers also offer an overflow protection function. This function is performed by the internal restrictor valve in the hammer, which detects the overflow of hydraulic oil from the excavator.

It limits and adjusts the oil flow to the hammer. This feature prevents the over speeding of the piston and avoids costly damages and rebuilds, reducing operating costs.

The automatic shut off (ASO) feature on H190S and H215S hammers offers protection against blank firing by stopping the piston from cycling internally when there is no material under the tool.

Eliminating blank firing helps protect the hammer from premature damage by reducing internal stresses and heat and this helps to lower overall hammer ownership and operating costs.

Additionally, ASO will protect rental fleet

hammers where operator skill level and expertise can vary. This feature can be easily set to on or off in the field.

The hammers are also protected by the auto stop feature. This feature warns the operator when the hammer is hammering for too long in one spot.

A warning message will pop up on the screen after 15 seconds of permanent hammer activation and, after exceeding 30 seconds, the hammer will automatically stop. This prevents premature damage to the hammer and machine, even with an inexperienced operator.

A hammer mounted auto lube system is a standard offering in the hammers. This auto lube system provides continual greasing while the hammer runs.

The hammers are also configured with the oil-fired design to ensure less waste is generated in internal heat, providing more power to the tool which delivers efficient operating cycle and consistent production over time.

EFFORTLESS MAINTENANCE The Cat H190S and H125S hammers offer easy maintenance. All the daily checks and routine service can be performed while the hammer is attached to the machine.

Easy and quick access to critical lubrication points and all other maintenance areas ensures the hammers are ready to operate at their peak and helps to reduce maintenance costs over the life of the tool.

Service of the lower bushing can be carried out in the field using simple hand tools and the bushing is rotatable to 90 degrees which doubles the life. This reduces the overall service time and lowers the cost of ownership and operating costs.

The hammers are designed to keep the gas pressure steady through the duration of the annual service interval, eliminating the need to contsantly check the the gas charge.

The gas charge of the hammer can also be verified without removing it from the carrier.

A buffer system is fitted inside the hammer housing to protect the carrier from potentially

damaging reflective forces. The system also helps to reduce vibration to the machine, improves noise suppression, and aids hammer durability.

Overall, the Cat hammer portfolio is configured to ensure that they prioritise safety and offer best choices that are suited for all customer needs while delivering efficient productivity and durability.

For Zhang, the biggest stand out features of the H190S and 215S hammers is the “next generation Cat hammer, power adjust, and auto lube standard,” he said.

Likewise, the “PL161 attachment locator standard for these hammers (is a) perfect match with Cat next general excavators,” he added.

The “PL161 attachment locator will record the hammer running time and send back data through product link, which will give the customer clear information how the hammer is performing.” • For more information visit your local Cat dealer.

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CRUSHING

BUILDING CUSTOMER

LOYALTY WITH HIGH-QUALITY EQUIPMENT German equipment manufacturer Kleemann has been producing crushers and screens for the mineral processing industry for over a century. Renowned for its safe, high-quality equipment, Kleemann was a clear choice for Rostrevor Group.

The quality of Kleemann equipment and Wirtgen’s technical support is what keeps Rostrevor Group coming back.

K

leemann is a “member of the worldwide Wirtgen Group and the business has built its expertise in the crushing and screening industry in mobile crushing,” crushing and screening buyer, Kleemann, Wirtgen Australia Kyle Fredericks told Quarry.

“They initially came from the static plant Industry and then moved over to complete mobile crushing and screening equipment.”

Based in Dandenong, Victoria, Wirtgen is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of Kleemann, distributing equipment to Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific Islands.

The lineup includes, “jaw crushers, cone crushers, impact crushers, reclaimers or scalpers, screens and also stacking conveyors,” Fredericks noted.

He explained that a standout aspect of the Kleemann brand is that “it is a very innovative company, and it looks at simplifying the operation of the machines, as well as to improve the safety of those machines within their various applications.”

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Quarry July 2022

For this very reason, Kleemann was the perfect fit for Rostrevor Group.

Established in 2019 by Cathal Clerkin-Parr, the company has remained a loyal Wirtgen customer from the beginning.

“We’re a small family business based in Melbourne, Victoria that predominately works in the recycling industry,” Rostrevor Group owner Cathal Clerkin-Parr said.

“Wirtgen provides all the crushers and screens that we need to actually process material down – so, that’s everything from the impact crushers, screens to cone crushers.”

For Rostrevor Group, the quality of Kleemann equipment and Wirtgen’s technical support is the reason it keeps coming back.

“The reason why we choose Kleemann is because of their engineering on the machines,” Clerkin-Parr said.

“When we originally started the business, we looked for machines that would best suit our needs. We considered all the competitor options and Kleemann, but Kleemann stood out as a clear choice,” he recalled.

“Just by walking around the Kleemann

machines, we could see how much thought had been put into the design of the equipment, from both an engineering and operational point of view.

“That’s why we chose that machine; because we could see the level of detail from the build perspective, so we knew that the operation was going to be good, too – because they would have thought the whole process through,” Clerkin-Parr explained.

And when it comes to working in the field, Kleemann equipment delivers on its promise.

According to Clerkin-Parr, the machines are so well built that when you put them into the field they rarely fail.

“We’ve now bought up to five crushers and screens from Kleemann and we’ve never really had a problem,” he said.

“They provide around 20-25,000 total hours of crushing output – that is how well the machines are made – it’s their strong suit.”

Kleemann also stands out to the Rostrevor Group as it is “the only real supplier of mobile diesel electric crushers,” Clerkin-Parr said.

“For us they’re the only real option for

diesel-electric (crushers), there is no other.”

Wirtgen is a leader when it comes to dieselelectric crushers, agreed Fredericks.

“We’ve been designing (diesel-electric crushers and screen) for a very long time now, versus competitors only entering that space in recent times. “(This means) we’ve got a head start when it comes to expertise and knowledge on what needs to happen, what can go wrong, and so on. As a result, there are less teething problems,” Fredericks said.

FINDING THE RIGHT PROVIDER When looking for a provider, Rostrevor Group requires a company that offers not only high-quality equipment, but also technical support to support the equipment in the long run.

“We want a company that’s got good depth of experience and knowledge, that has the technical expertise to answer any questions we may have,” Clerkin-Parr said. “(For example,) Kyle can answer a question or the on-site service techs, the boilermaker,

or the mechanic – if we need to know something, (we know that we) can just ring a person who is specialised in that machine.”

Fredericks supports this: “That’s the one key benefit of us being an OEM,” he noted.

“We’ve got direct factory access.”

“So, if there any issues, our engineers or the design engineers based in Germany can be on the phone with the customers, sorting out an issue, or explaining how to fix it, how to make it better, or how to improve it,” Fredericks said.

Going forward, Rostrevor Group looks forward to many more years of partnership with Wirtgen.

“We’re very happy to be growing with Kleemann and Wirtgen, and we will continue to grow with them,” said Clerkin-Parr.

“Three years ago, we started off with one machine. Now, three years later we have 13 bits of equipment, which includes other earth moving equipment.”

“If you look at where we started three years ago, to where (Rostrevor Group) is now that it’s been massive growth, at

a steady rate,” Fredericks added.

“A proportion of that comes down to the plant availability that we get from Kleemann,” added Clerkin-Parr.

He explained that every morning, Kleemann machines are always guaranteed to start.

“We come in in the morning and just press the start button, it starts up and just keep going – you work all day,” Clerkin-Parr said.

“Whereas, in my previous experience of with working with a lot of other equipment, this not always the case – a machine may be crushing all day before but come the next day, it might not even start,” he explained.

“We don’t find that (with Kleemann). So, when we’re talking about growth, it is that we get good plant availability.

“This gives us good productivity, which obviously increases our profit margin, because less downtime allows us to continue to grow uninterrupted,” Clerkin-Parr concluded. • For more information, visit wirtgen-group.com/en-au/

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APPROVALS

LOCALS SHOW UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR QUARRYING

Quarrying provides the resources necessary to build homes and infrastructure.

W

hen Tegan Smith presented her Caernarfon Award winning paper at the 63rd Insitute of Quarrying (IQA) National Conference in March 2022, the talk centred on changing the general public’s perception of the quarrying industry.

Smith spoke about the language used in the industry, and how this can be used to shape a positive or negative view on the sector she’s been employed in for over 20 years.

Now, locals of Northern Victoria have taken up the fight to bring about change in how the quarrying industry is viewed.

Conundrum Holdings is one such local business. A passionate, family-run business that has been involved in the extractive sector since the 1950s, Conundrum Holdings has been engaged in 15-year battle for a hard rock quarry approval.

Member of the Legislative Council for northern Victoria Tim Quilty is a strong supporter of Conundrum Holdings. He hopes to help the business get approval for the new North Central Quarry and end their almost two-decade long fight.

“I appreciate the value that small to medium-sized quarries such as the one proposed at Wallan bring to our state, particularly in terms of planning, growth and development,” Quilty said.

Construction Material Processors Association (CMPA) general manager

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Quarry July 2022

Dr Elizabeth Gibson agreed with Quilty’s statement, adding that governments should be “aware of the importance of quarries in private and public infrastructure development.”

As the wait for approval expands, so too does the stress on Conundrum Holdings.

Chris Ryan Earthmoving had to shut its doors after over 30 years of operations for that very reason.

“We have really had enough of the red tape involved in starting a new pit or applying for a variation,” owner Chris Ryan said.

As businesses continue to face a crackdown on approvals, Quilty has reiterated the importance of keeping the quarrying industry afloat.

“Without quarries to extract resources, where will our new houses, foundations, roads, and bridges come from?” he asked.

“When we do not use those resources that are closest to us, the ones that are most accessible, it in fact costs us more – but worse still, we abrogate our responsibility to manage that resource development to other states, other economies, and other countries.”

As Smith discussed in her paper, a key factor to help the quarrying sector be seen more positively is changing the language that surrounds it; changing ‘industry’ to ‘sector’ or highlighting changes as ‘community infrastructure’ to help members of the

community become more involved.

After all, it is members of the community that run many of the small to medium quarrying businesses.

There are hopes that the Victorian government’s Extractive Resources Strategy will help these businesses get back on their feet.

The strategy is a first for the state and will secure Australia’s extractive resources to prevent them becoming inaccessible.

Quilty called on the government to enact this strategy to save the sector and its resources.

“Quarries provide the state with the resources needed to meet our current and future development needs. They are an essential part of our economy,” Quilty said.

“These resources that we are lucky enough to have here in Victoria are world leading, and as a society, as a state, as a country we have a responsibility to manage and sustain those resources in a way that benefits Victoria most.”

While the broadening calls to action from state leaders is positive news for the extractive sector, it is not the end of the fight.

Small businesses still have a long road ahead of them in order to get the approval they desperately need but perhaps they can take some comfort in the fact that they no longer have to fight alone. •

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IQA NEWS OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE IQA BRANCHES

From the left: Mike Williams, Adbri; Paul Thompson, DEM; Alistair Walsh, DEM; and Andrew Wilson, IQA SA chair.

SA TECHNICAL BREAKFAST SEMINAR South Australia’s Technical Breakfast Seminar was the first branch function of the year, held on Tuesday 3 May 2022 at Adelaide Pavilion.

Over 60 members and guests attended the technical breakfast seminar.

Program leader of extractives and industry Paul Thompson and Acting team Leader, mining and compliance & regulation from the Department of Energy & Mining (DEM) gave an update on the requirements for compliance reporting.

The Department of Energy & Water principal water planner – ground water Simone Steward shared a presentation via Zoom on water licensing requirements and fit for purpose water resource management.

Adelaide Brighton regional operations

IQA JOB NOTICE BOARD The IQA Jobs Board is a great way to reach people in the industry who may be looking for a new opportunity. IQA members can advertise vacancies for free. The advertisement will be published for three weeks and, if the role is not filled in that time, you will be able to request the advertisement stay live for a further three weeks.

Email admin@quarry.com.au to advertise a job and follow the IQA on LinkedIn for industry updates.

46

Quarry July 2022

manager Michael Williams gave an overview of the COVID-19 management plan and subsequent learnings for the annual plant shut down and the management of hundreds of local and interstate contractors on site during this period.

A Technical Member certificate was also presented to Penrice Quarry and Mineral crushing and screening supervisor Adam Schutz.

The IQA would like to thank its sponsors for 2021–22 for making this event possible: Aplus Blast Management; Bridgestone Mining Solutions; Cavpower; Delta Rent; Finlay Crushing & Screening; Groundwork Plus; Hitachi Construction Machinery; Komatsu Australia; Lucas TCS; Orica Australia; Position Partners; Quarry & Mining Manufacture;SMS Geo Technical; Southern Contracting Group;Southern Quarries; Warrin Mining & Volvo/VRents.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING The IQA has scheduled a number of new courses that are now being offered face-toface. This includes: supervising for safety; plant and equipment: safety, compliance and best practice; slope stability; respirable crystalline silica; and more.

The IQA also ran a Quarry Products Technical Training virtual workshop on 9 June.

The workshop provides participants with knowledge relating to specifications, quarry product test methods, quality control, basic statistical measures, technical characteristics, and the influence of quarry products on

IQA SA chair Andrew Wilson and Penrice Quarry and Mineral’s Adam Schutz.

concrete, asphalt, seals, bases and fills, and other rock products.

Students will obtain quarry certification of completion contributing to CPD Hours.

The IQA is also offering self-paced online courses such as the Effective Risk Management and Incident Investigation.

QUARRY MANAGER CERTIFICATION SYSTEM The Quarry Manager Certification System (QMCS) is a system implemented by the IQA for granting professional recognition to quarry industry professionals.

The system is designed to include: • Allocation of professional development hours (and category) for all IQA training and member involvement • Requirements for on-going professional development for the achievement and maintenance of Certified Practising status • Requirements for continuing practise in the industry for the maintenance of Certified Practising status • Professional ethical standards to be adhered to by certified practising quarry managers and supervisors, and • Procedures for initial and on-going assessment of certified practitioners and for auditing of compliance with the system.

QMCS is recognition of a person’s ongoing professional development. Certification through the program means approval by the CP Committee that the individual CPQM or CPQS has met the stated Ongoing

IQA NEWS Professional Development requirements of the program for the given period (usually a 12-month period).

Visit quarry.com.au for more information. If a course is not listed, please contact admin@ quarry.com.au and we can discuss your training needs.

EVENTS The IQA has a number of events coming up, including: • The Victorian Sub Branch Winter Dinner on 14 July in Milawa, Vic. • The Hunter Networking Dinner on 21 July in Argenton, NSW. • Central Queensland Sub Branch Annual Golf Day on 5 August Rockhampton, Qld. • The South Australia AGM and Dinner on 19 August in Lockleys, SA. • North Queensland 24th Annual Golf Day on 2 September in Townsville, Qld. • The South Australia November Dinner Meeting on 4 November in Norwood, SA.

CONFERENCES Annual Quarrying and Mining Safety and Health Conference The Annual Quarrying and Mining Safety and Health Conference will be held on Wednesday 19 October 2022 at West HQ Rooty Hill in Western Sydney, NSW. Co-hosted by the IQA, Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) in collaboration with the State regulators, the one-day interactive program addresses safety and health issues relevant to the quarrying and mining industries.

Construction Materials Industry Conference 2023 Save the date for the Construction Materials Industry Conference 2023 (CMIC23) which will be held in Brisbane from Wednesday 15 March 2023 to Friday 17 March 2023.

This event is not to be missed and more details will be released by the CCAA and the IQA shortly.

The Institute of Quarrying Australia

TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP The IQA would like to thank you for being an IQA Member for 2021–22. IQA Memberships are coming up for renewal.

Over the coming weeks the IQA team will be working to renew all memberships.

Invoices are being prepared and sent to companies and to individuals. To support this process please ensure your contact details are up to date. You can do this by logging into your profile on the IQA website.

Membership is about connecting you to the industry, offering networking opportunities and access to education and information. We look forward to supporting you and the industry in the next 12 months.

Ensure you follow the IQA on Linked In for updates on industry information.

IQA NEWS

The Institute of Quarrying Australia

RUNNING WITH THE BIG DOGS The South Australian Young Members Network had the honour of visiting the sites of major industry players Boral and Topcoat in Lonsdale, SA on 29 April.

T

he South Australian Young Members Network (YMN) organised a visit to two major businesses within the South Australian construction materials industry, Boral’s Linwood Quarry and Topcoat Asphalt’s plant in Lonsdale, SA. Each site had recently completed major project works, which presented an opportunity to the YMN to look further into these projects and gain some key knowledge.

It had been a while since the last YMN event due to Covid restrictions, therefore the IQA was eager to finally schedule another event for its YMN members to catch up, SA YMN coordinator Tristan Throup said.

The day began at Boral’s Linwood Quarry with eight YMN members in tow.

Boral project manager Josh McLachlan and Linwood Quarry manager Roger Ward greeted the YMN and showed them the recently completed new entrance way road project, followed by a tour of the quarry site. “(McLachlan) began the morning by giving us all a great explanation and overview of the new entrance road project, and how the project was a considerable undertaking for the site that has bought with it many benefits

48

Quarry July 2022

including internal quarry traffic efficiencies and excellent community safety benefits,” Throup recalled.

One of the main goals of the new entrance road project was to improve community safety by minimising heavy vehicle interactions on local roads. This was done by connecting the quarry and all associated vehicle movements, including heavy and light vehicles, directly with the main road network.

As a result, there has been a marked reduction of traffic on local community roads, reducing the community’s exposure to the impacts associated with truck movements and transport noise.

Likewise, the project saw the installation of new dual weighbridge, truck wash, and weighbridge/entrance office. This has helped to further streamline traffic movements across the site and enabled Boral to improve its traffic management plan.

“Overall, the new entrance road was a great and long-awaited project for the Linwood site, which now stands as an excellent prelude to the quarry site amidst a very busy metropolitan area,” Throup said.

After showing the YMN the road project,

Reco

YMN members saw the new entrance road project at Boral’s Linwood Quarry.

McLachlan and Ward took the members on tour through the quarry.

They explained “the ins and outs of their operation and obligingly answer(ed) any of the questions that the YMN members had,” Throup said.

According to Throup, “of most interest was the quarry development plan and the future in which the site will take part in the many decades to come supplying strategic resources into the valuable construction materials market.

“This subject raised and led to some interesting discussion topics with the members through the day.

IQA NEWS

YMN members were grateful for personalised tours of each site.

The Institute of Quarrying Australia

YMN members explore Topcoat Asphalt’s plant in Lonsdale, SA.

products, which is not commonly seen in “A huge thankyou to (McLachlan) and other asphalt plants in Australia.

(Ward) for playing host for the morning and Speciality mixes includes a crumbed rubber allowing the IQA YMN to hold an event on mix which is produced in partnership with their site,” Throup added.

Tyreccycle using rubber from collected end of Next on the schedule was Topcoat Asphalt’s life tyres and conveyor belts.

Lonsdale asphalt plant. Here, the YMN was Other specialty mixes include the use of greeted by Topcoat Asphalt general manager recycled asphalt. Manning explained how Kelly Manning. the use of recycled materials and other The site first opened in 2020 and has been unconventional materials are handled in the operational for a little under two years. plant, what impacts and considerations it Manning explained that the plant has has on mix designs, and the quality control positioned Topcoat Asphalt to better service customers in the south of Adelaide, helping to systems put in place to ensure material meets required customer specifications. grow its operations and offerings in SA. “We were able to climb to the top of the The asphalt plant was designed to produce asphalt plant, see the structure up close, 250,000t of asphalt a year and has capacity while (Manning) explained in great detail to produce a variety of speciality hot mix RecoveryAd_AU_Quarry7_22.qxp_Layout 1 6/8/22 7:17 AM Page 2

the finer workings of the asphalt plant,” Throup said.

“All YMN members were very grateful for the very personalised tour that (Manning) was able to offer us, and all took a lot away from the opportunity.”

The final leg of the tour saw YMN members head to the Saint Francis Winery for lunch and a fantastic chance to network.

“The day was a great informative day, allowing members to look closer into two key businesses within the construction materials industry,” Throup said.

“Thank you to Boral and Topcoat for hosting tours across their sites and providing our YMN members with some valuable learnings from their projects,” he added. •

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2020 Attendee Britton Lawson, Veit and Company, Inc.

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WOMEN IN INDUSTRY

SEE ME, BE ME

T

raffic & Transport Plus traffic engineer Jamie Murray enjoys the variety her role brings her and encourages other women to pursue careers in the extractive industry for its networking, learning, leadership, and salary opportunities.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY? I have been in the traffic and transport industry for about five years. After completing a two-year graduate program with the Department of Transport and Main Roads, I travelled for a year and then came back to work for Traffic & Transport Plus, where I have been for about three years.

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND WHAT DOES THIS INVOLVE? My job role is traffic engineer. I predominantly evaluate the traffic related information of development applications – this includes traffic impact assessments and sometimes pavement impact assessments for quarries and concrete batching plants. I recently have had the chance to undertake/prepare a couple of traffic impact assessments myself, rather than just review/assess them.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT YOUR ROLE? Every project is different, which means every assessment is different. It is not just ticking

boxes. I also enjoy that my role requires me to remain impartial, giving fair opinions in regard to the proposed developments and their traffic impacts.

HOW DO YOU JUGGLE AND BALANCE YOUR HOBBIES AND SOCIAL TIME AND YOUR ROLE? Coffee, lists, snacks, and my calendar. I also prioritise exercise early in the morning, this allows me to be productive throughout the day and then if things come up last minute, I have the afternoon to complete them.

I also organise social things in advance so that I know what time is allocated to meeting with friends, etc. That way, I also have events to look forward to outside of work.

It also really helps working for a company that is flexible and trusting, allows decentralisation and promotes mental health and wellness. I work a nine-day fortnight (with an RDO) and have the option to work from home which means I can get some life admin and appointments done during the week and I can enjoy my weekend a bit more.

KNOWING WHAT YOU KNOW NOW, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF IN YOUR FIRST WEEK IN THE INDUSTRY? I would tell myself to read the relevant Standards and Guidelines properly and in depth, and to ask lots of questions.

Traffic & Transoport Plus traffic engineer Jamie Murray.

CAN YOU SHARE A CHALLENGING MOMENT AND HOW YOU WORKED THROUGH IT? When I first started at Traffic & Transport Plus, I felt I was lacking knowledge and understanding of some important principles to successfully contribute to the company.

I needed to learn and teach myself this information...fast!

I decided to go back to university part time and do my master’s in traffic and transport engineering. While I’ve learned a great deal from my colleagues, by doing my Master’s I had a better understanding, which allowed me to pick up concepts faster and hold meaningful conversations with other professionals.

DO YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS? Since going back to university as a “mature” student and knowing how to manage my time better, I’ve realised how much more I learn by engaging properly. I wish I listened more and engaged more with people and activities at university the first time.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN WHO MAY HAVE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY? The extractive industry is a great place to work as a woman. While there are perceived stereotypes about male-dominant industries, I have never experienced anything but support and respect. The industry offers a competitive and fulfilling career in terms of salary, networking, learning, experience, and leadership. I would highly recommend. • Quarry July 2022 51

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GEOLOGY TALK

MAKE OR BREAK: VENTENAT SANDSTONE

The IQA Tasmanian branch annual technical seminar was held at Bruny Island on 26-28 November 2021.

The Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA) Tasmanian Branch Seminar was held at Bruny Island on 26–28 November 2021. The seminar delegates wrote up a site inspection and research report titled ‘The Ventenat Point underground sandstone quarries, Bruny Island, Tasmania’, to recount their findings.

“T

he Ventenat Point sandstone quarries consist of several spectacular nineteenth century tunnels, or caverns, excavated into the lower cliff face of thick westerly dipping whitish to light grey coloured beds of sandstone, which outcrop on the coastline at Ventenat Point and Little Taylors Bay, Bruny Island, about 6km northwest of the township of Lunawanna,” the report said.

The quarries were developed and worked intermittently from around 1860 to 1880, with peak production occurring during the 1860s. The quarries at Ventenat Point were just a few of the quarries along the western coastline of Little Taylors Bay that produced and supplied building stone to Melbourne during the 1860s and 1870s.

The white to light grey sandstone found here became one of the most sought-after building stones in southern Australia in the 1860 and 70s due to its colour, aesthetics, strength and durability.

The sandstone was used in stone facades and ornamental masonry of several of Melbourne’s important buildings constructed in the latter half of the nineteenth century, such as the Melbourne GPO, Bank of Victoria and St Patrick’s

Cathedral. However, as the report pointed out, the caveat was that “geologically suitable stone with such attributes was at the time rare in the colony of Victoria.”

“Colonial Victoria produced fine quality (but sombre) bluestones and granites for use as building stone in foundations and basal layers and the like, but not good quality contrasting, and readily worked, white freestone insisted upon by the architects and building committees of the day, to emulate the celebrated freestone masonry of the great public buildings of Great Britain and France,” the report said.

During the gold rush, the Victorian colony prospered, and Melbourne quickly rose to prominence as one of the great cities of the world. To reflect this, the Victorian Government felt compelled to construct gold rush-era grand public buildings.

For this, it used local Victorian sandstone from sources like Bacchus Marsh. However, to their surprise and embarrassment, the buildings started to crumble within a few years. And so, the hunt for a suitable building material started.

“An earnest search occurred for durable, white-coloured and easily workable freestone in the southern Australian

colonies. After much politicking and technical evaluation of stone specimens, it was Tasmanian sandstone (freestone) that came to the fore, despite resistance from some mainland circles,” the report said.

“Upon its discovery, and after its use in 1860 in the first floor of the Melbourne Post Office, the Ventenat Point quarries’ sandstone was described as possessing “a beautiful French, grey tint” and “not surpassed in quality by any of the freestones of England”.”

“These Tasmanian sandstones, wellsuited as freestone with their whitish colours, durability and alluring sheens and textures, won not only the hearts of the masons, architects and the public, but also stayed intact,” the report explained.

However, by most accounts, the quarries at Point Ventenat were inactive by 1864 and were abandoned shortly after in 1866, said to be in a poor state.

According to the report, “geological conditions such as the declination of the sandstone beds and dangerous underground conditions from weaker and fractured rock, coupled with market economics, were substantial contributors to their demise (the cost of underground quarrying being many times higher than its open cut equivalent).”

The quarries are now owned by Rodney Hopwood, who kindly allowed the IQA Tasmanian Branch seminar inspect the quarries.

Delegates found the quarries to be “remarkably well preserved, though deteriorating roof conditions after more than 150 years of exposure, is increasing the risk of rockfall. Such underground freestone quarries are rare in Australia, and the caverns excavated into the Point Ventenat cliff faces are amongst the nation’s most evocative and enigmatic, given their spectacular scale, aspect, age and coastal setting,” the report said.

“Now, some 160 years later, quietly basking in and reflecting upon their past glories, The Quarries rest in their idyllic cliff face settings on the western coastline of Bruny Island, as monuments to and from a bygone era. The stone they begrudgingly gave up still adorns some of Melbourne’s most iconic historic public buildings.” •

Quarry July 2022 53

GEOLOGY TALK ‘The Quarries’ were established towards the base of a coastal cliff, in layered beds ranging in thickness from two to four metres “of fine to medium-grained sandstone of Triassic Age (approx. 200250 million years old (Ma)), which is part of a group of sedimentary rock formations known as the Upper Parmeener SuperGroup,” the report said.

“These sandstones were formed from sediments deposited in a time of large meandering or braided river systems which deposited deep sand layers across broad floodplains, and where swamp forests were formed into coal.

“Mudstones and siltstones were also deposited, often as overbank deposits in lower water energy environments (as finer sediments),” the report added.

During the Triassic period Tasmania was near the South Pole. As the temperature started to warm up from the previous cold Permian period and polar ice started to melt, rivers began to run.

“Based on the evidence of a common feature known as ‘cross bedding’ revealed in Tasmania’s sandstone exposures, geologists believe the large rivers of the Triassic that carried the quartz-rich sands generally flowed in an easterly or southeasterly direction,” the report said.

“We observe the Triassic sandstones today as Tasmania’s ‘golden sandstones’ which outcrop in many areas of Southeast Tasmania. Their aesthetics and the durability of certain thicker layers for potential use as freestone have long drawn the eye of the inquisitive mariner, surveyor, landowner, and mason.”

The sandstones’ bedding is often subhorizontal and, when coupled with its location on the coastal cliffs of Southeast Tasmania, means that the sandstone is occasionally exposed to erosion from the sea.

“In viewing such exposures, we can peer into the earth through a natural geological cross section,” the report reflected.

“We can see the sandstone’s colours and hues beautifully layered, banded, variously iron-stained and contoured with dissecting structural features (layers, bedding planes, joints, etc) revealed to the astute observer.”

“Following deposition, the sand and finer (siltstone and mudstone) sediments have been subjected to lithification and subsequent tectonic forces which have uplifted, fractured and at Ventenat Point

54

Quarry July 2022

The Quarries are located at Ventenat Point on the west side of Bruny Island, Tasmania.

tilted the sedimentary rocks (to the west),” the report continued.

Likewise, iron-rich ground water can seep in, leaving orange iron-stain on some of the sandstone beds. In the Ventenat Point caverns this is only visible on deposition adjacent to joint sets and in the upper sandstone beds towards the cavern roofs.

The report also observed that the sandstones exhibit some common precipitation patterns such as ring patterns known as ‘Liesegang Rings’. These rings are largely absent in the Ventenat Point sandstone but when visible, they are “often centred on fractures or joints along which iron-bearing waters have migrated and percolated into the stone. Other common patterns include irregular patches, bands along bedding, spots, and nodules, as well as uniform overall (“bulk”) colourations,” the report explained.

Quality and technical characteristics When it comes to selecting high-quality building stone, aesthetic appearance, strength, and durability are key considerations. Therefore, any stone that offers low durability, propensity to fracture or unsuitable aesthetic characteristics is considered unsuitable for building purposes.

The report explains that “the technical criteria for high quality building sandstone include the degree of rock freshness, joint breaks and fracturing, cracks and microcracks, lineation and foliations, bedding and ‘ribbons’, colour, texture, textural defects, chemical composition, mineralogy, strength,

porosity, water absorption, density, resistance to salt/ chemical attack and abrasion resistance.”

Nothing in nature is uniform and thus these the quality of sandstone across different beds or layers will vary. The erosion of the exposed sandstone at Ventenat Point is a prime example of this.

The report discusses light-grey coloured sandstone visible on an upper, tilted bed, which appears to be “considerably less eroded than its underlying, orangecoloured neighbour where the action of waves and salt attack has undercut the weaker bed.”

In 1860,“Thomas Glaister describes it as being “universally admired in Melbourne for its excellent quality and uniformity of colour, and being of a pleasing and peculiar tint, is noticed for its extreme susceptibility to light and shade thereby producing a splendid effect on embellishments of any description”,” the report noted.

The sandstone that was so highly desired was located the bottom of the cliffs on beds that tilted downwards to the west, heading underground.

Therefore,“once any suitable surface stone was recovered from open cut quarrying of any fresh residual rocky outcrop near the shore, the only practical means to recover quality stone of any commercial quantity was to embark on underground quarrying (which is both dangerous and expensive),” the report said •

At Polo Citrus our priorities are: Protecting our staff!

Protecting your staff!

Partner with us to control dust on your site and keep your staff safe!

Looking after our staff at Polo Citrus in 2022 Making the most of the small things!

Rolling with the virus!

Hey, how are you going?

How was your trip to Regional NSW? Great, I caught up with some awesome customers and solved some big dust issues!

Not so great i just tested positive to COVID Take it easy and look after yourself. We will handle things here.

Also lucky enough to enjoy some fabulous food and regional hospitality.

Taking time out to recharge!

How was your trip to Queensland installing the new Dust Suppression System?

It was great, the customer is very happy with the new system and I feel like new, after my weekend stopover at the Gold Coast, on the way home to Melbourne.

Work life balance!

These last few years have made us reflect on how we are working and living our lives. We hope your place of work is flexible and gives you a healthy work/life balance, which brings out the best in you!

Telephone: +61 3 9364 9700 Email: admin@polocitrus.com.au www.polocitrus.com.au

JULY 2022 www.quarrymagazine.com

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