Quarry Aug 2021

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INSTITUTE OF QUARRYING AUSTRALIA

AUGUST 2021

CRUSHING PLANT AT HEART OF LAOS DAM PROJECT

TRACKED UNIT SUITS TOUGH TOP END CONDITIONS

An Australian business turns to modern science for its dust reduction solution

Crushers and feeders support a joint venture to provide power across two countries

A track-mounted crusher contributes to key infrastructure across the Northern Territory

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SURFACTANTS TESTING FOR DUST SUPPRESSION

24

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IN THIS ISSUE AUGUST 2021

VOLUME 29, ISSUE 08

FEATURES 22 THE T40: A CAPABLE, CONVENIENT DRILL RIG Epiroc has designed the SmartROC T40, using fewer fittings and half as many hoses as previous iterations.

30 RELIABLE GEAR KEEPS HARD ROCK SITES ROLLING CJD Equipment’s Volvo CE gear has helped it cement a strong relationship with a Victorian business.

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SURFACTANTS TESTING An Australian business turns to modern science for its dust reduction solution.

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LAOS DAM PROJECT Crushers and feeders support a joint venture to provide power across two countries.

32 TAKING CABIN PRESSURE OUT OF COMPLIANCE How small but vital sensors can benefit not only the health of a quarry’s workforce but the health of its machinery too.

33 HEAVY LIFTING AT THE BREAKWATER A Hitachi excavator is doing the heavy lifting on breakwater construction for WA’s Ocean Reef Marina project.

37 CONVEYING THE POWER OF WORDS Literacy specialist and THRASS trainer Michelle Tham explains what effective communication is and why it should not be treated as a one-way process.

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TOP END PERFORMER A PV380 crusher contributes to key infrastructure across the Northern Territory.

AUGUST 2021

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INSTITUTE OF QUARRYING AUSTRALIA

www.quarrymagazine.com

CRUSHING PLANT AT HEART OF LAOS DAM PROJECT

TRACKED UNIT SUITS TOUGH TOP END CONDITIONS

An Australian business turns to modern science for its dust reduction solution

Crushers and feeders support a joint venture to provide power across two countries

A track-mounted crusher contributes to key infrastructure across the Northern Territory

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QUARRY

SURFACTANTS TESTING FOR DUST SUPPRESSION

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The IQA national conference in Newcastle will enable the industry to reconnect.

40 GONG FOR SESSION ON ANTARCTIC QUARRYING A paper on the challenges of quarrying in one of the world’s harshest environments has earnt the 2020 Caernarfon Award.

AUGUST 2021

JAQUES

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44

RE-ENGAGE AT IQA2021

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EVERY MONTH 04 FROM THE EDITOR

16 PRODUCT FOCUS

06 FROM THE PRESIDENT

41 IQA NEWS

08 NEWS THIS MONTH

43 FROM THE IQA CEO 46 GEOLOGY TALK

Quarry August 2021 3

EDITORIAL

OUTLIVING LOCKDOWNS - AND OUR WINTER OF DISCONTENT

W

ell, here we are again. It’s as if the CD player is on repeat – and it’s 2020 again. I’ve written plenty of columns about COVID-19 since it started, with an optimistic eye about what lies on the “other side”. In fact, I’ve resisted this year commenting on the pandemic because I didn’t want to sound like a broken record.

As I write, three capital cities are in lockdown – Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide – and a few weeks before that Brisbane, Perth and Darwin shut their doors to the Delta variant of the virus.

As if 13 million people being sidelined and our continued frustration about the slowness of the vaccine rollout isn’t already enough, we’ve endured the squabbles of federal and state politicians, quarters of the mainstream media, and Victorians, Western Australians, Queenslanders and New South Welshmen dishing it out on social media. It has been far from edifying.

Unfortunately, there’s not an awful lot we can do except grit our collective teeth and soldier on. We can only keep doing what we can control – in my case, production of this publication, and in yours, the extraction of aggregates to keep our economies and livelihoods going while Australia searches for an elusive path to the “other side”.

Inevitably, to live with the virus, we need the bulk of our population vaccinated before the winter of 2022.

I’m not going to tell quarry professionals to “arm up”, as I expect the majority of you are sensible enough (being of mature age and committed to safety across the industry) to have received at least your first vaccinations or (if you’re part of the younger cohort impatiently waiting for the first jab) to have sought medical advice. Further, I anticipate

some extractive businesses will step up to ensure the younger contingents of their workforces are inoculated once the Pfizer vaccine becomes more readily available (if workplaces volunteer as vaccination hubs).

There’s no doubt the past eight weeks have been difficult for everyone, especially as some NSW and SA quarries’ deliveries for the Sydney and Adelaide construction markets were put on ice. The construction shutdowns in Sydney and Adelaide were unwelcome “firsts” in the pandemic; even in Victoria’s long lockdown last year, construction was mostly uninterrupted. Even with generous government assistance for businesses and employees, I cannot imagine the shutdowns were easy for smaller firms and owner/operators, and even some of the larger companies had to stand down staff and shut some plants.

However, as you read this, I hope the situation across Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide is mostly resolved and it’s the last we see of lockdowns. It’s dependent on politicians settling the vaccine supply problem and establishing a robust quarantine system – but if the NSW, Victorian and SA outbreaks can be brought to heel as soon as possible, then the industry still has good reason to treat the remainder of the year with confidence and the first half of next year with more optimism as the population is steadily immunised. We’re not at that stage but we’re better poised than this time last year when a vaccine seemed a long way away. Let this be our last winter of discontent.

DAMIAN CHRISTIE Editor

Published by:

THE CONSTRUCTION SHUTDOWNS IN SYDNEY AND ADELAIDE WERE UNWELCOME ‘FIRSTS’ IN THE PANDEMIC; EVEN IN VICTORIA’S LONG LOCKDOWN, CONSTRUCTION WAS MOSTLY UNINTERRUPTED

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

Editor Damian Christie damian.christie@primecreative.com.au

Journalist Henry Ballard henry.ballard@primecreative.com.au

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 Subscriptions T: 03 9690 8766 subscriptions@primecreative.com.au Follow Quarry online: Facebook: facebook.com/quarrymagazine Twitter: twitter.com/2021Quarry LinkedIN: linkedin.com/groups/4314906/ Web: quarrymagazine.com The Publisher reserves the right to alter or omit any article or advertisement submitted and requires indemnity from the advertisers and contributors against damages or liabilities that may arise 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 August 2021

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT

A CHANCE TO ‘RE-VITALISE’ AFTER THE LONG BUMP IN THE ROAD The Institute of Quarrying

T

o everyone around Australia, I trust you’re well and safe.

When we thought the worst was behind us, the Delta variant of COVID-19 has bit hard. Whether you’ve recently been in lockdown in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Darwin, or you live in regions with zero cases that have been closed off from other states in caution, I and other members of the IQA Board share your frustration.

It is unfortunately a reminder for our industry that we must stay vigilant.

COVID-19 is far from beaten and may not be overcome for a considerable amount of time. The Delta variant can seemingly strike anywhere, any time.

Even New South Wales, which has for so long been the shining light of the pandemic, has not been immune to its rapid spread.

The rise of the Delta strain reinforces our importance as an essential industry. Infrastructure projects are still front of mind for all three tiers of government. The industry must be vigilant to provide the mainstay of economic activity. Consequently, we have to be unequivocal in our response to COVID-19. We must treat it like any other safety aspect in our operations. Continue to practise safe distancing, wearing of masks, and hygiene. Look at ways to improve and modernise our operations. Focus on what we can control. Be COVID-safe in everything we do and where we go.

The industry has been outstanding in these areas for the past 18 months and I’m confident we will continue to rise to the challenge.

Similarly, I’m optimistic that our state regulators will soon have a better handle on the Delta variant. Further, as more vaccines become available and more of our population is immunised, we should gradually move away from the lockdown mentality and learn to live with COVID-19, as we do with the

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Quarry August 2021

Australia

flu and other infectious diseases. I’m also confident that we will be in a good place for the IQA national conference in Newcastle come October.

Preparations for the conference (and other IQA events) continue, registrations are on track and there is still plenty of time for you to register (see page 44). The plenary program has some excellent presenters.

I’m looking forward to seeing Gus McLachlan, Boral’s executive general manager for business performance, discuss engagement and change, and Macquarie Bank’s Jason Todd talk about the national economy’s impacts on our industry. Other speakers include University of Newcastle’s Prof Craig Wheeler on a new rail-based conveyor system, Boral’s Alex Niceton and Orica’s Scott Blair on reducing blast-induced vibrations, CEMAGG’s Steve Franklin on autonomous machinery, and author and former Antarctic expedition leader Rachael Robertson on big leadership in small moments.

The three themes of the conference are: Re-Think, Re-Source, Re-Engage.

The “Re-Engage” aspect will resonate as it will be the first time in more than 18 months many of us can interact in a learning environment. Such opportunities have been few and far between but when they’ve occurred it has been incredibly uplifting.

And that’s what I hope the coming conference will also mark – the opportunity to not only Re-Think, ReSource, Re-Engage but to “Re-Vitalise” ourselves at the end of a protracted, wearisome period for the industry.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at Newcastle in October. Until then, stay safe and well.

SHANE BRADDY President Institute of Quarrying Australia

Educating and connecting the extractive and associated industries

quarry.com.au THE RISE OF THE DELTA STRAIN REINFORCES OUR IMPORTANCE AS AN ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY. INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ARE STILL FRONT OF MIND FOR ALL THREE TIERS OF GOVERNMENT

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.

• Diversity and inclusion.

• Working, development skills, careers and life-long learning.

• Networking, connection, trust and communication.

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

• Increase 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.

NEWS

MAWSONS WELCOMES MILBRAE IN SUPPORTING SOUTHEAST AUSTRALIA

Milbrae Quarries, which has been operating for more than 50 years, will now become part of the Mawsons Group.

Mawsons has signed a contract to acquire Milbrae’s concrete, quarrying, mobile crushing and mining services businesses, combining 35 quarries and 48 concrete plants across Victoria and New South Wales.

“THE AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE THE CONCRETE AND AGGREGATE OPERATIONS OF MILBRAE REPRESENTS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND THE GEOGRAPHIC FOOTPRINT OF THE MAWSONS BUSINESS”

financial year, with the acquisition representing a multiple 4.3 times 2021’s earnings.

NICK MILLER

“We understand the needs of our regional customers, employees and suppliers and we look forward to working with Milbrae’s stakeholders as we bring these two great businesses together.”

ADBRI CEO

maintained.

Mawsons managing director John Mawson said the biggest difference will be the renewed strength of both businesses moving forward.

Mawsons has been a joint venture between Adbri and BA Mawson since 2007, while Milbrae has grown since 1969 to own 13 quarries and seven fixed concrete plants.

“It is a great opportunity and privilege for our company to be able to combine with Milbrae and continue the growth of these strong regional Australian businesses,” Mawson said.

Milbrae’s workforce, work sites, products and service offerings will be

Milbrae has been forecast to earn $85 million in revenue for the 2021

The deal was confirmed to begin as of July and expected to be complete by 1 August, 2021.

Adbri chief executive officer Nick Miller said the deal will allow both businesses to develop throughout Australia’s south-east.

“The agreement to purchase the concrete and aggregate operations of Milbrae represents a unique opportunity to expand the geographic footprint of the Mawsons business,” Miller said.

Milbrae managing director Chris Woods will be helping with the integration and then stepping back in a more collaborative role.

In a statement, Woods said he was “a bit sad to be stepping back” but “delighted our family’s business and all the excellent people in it would be able to keep developing with Mawsons as the new owners”.•

DARACON AWAITS CONSENT ON LONG-TERM PROPOSAL Daracon revised its expansion proposal for Martins Creek Quarry in New South Wales, ahead of the State Significant Planning Department (SSPD) taking community submissions until the beginning of July.

Based 28km north of Maitland, Daracon first proposed an expansion to the hard rock quarry in 2016.

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its operations.

Truck movements were a matter raised by a concerned local community. However, Daracon’s revised proposal indicates that little change will take place before and after the expansion.

In the past five years, Daracon has accepted community and SSPD feedback as it revised its proposal from 1.5 million tonnes to 1.1 million tonnes.

“The proposed road transportation limit of 500,000 tpa (tonnes per annum) returns road haulage volumes to a level that is not inconsistent with road haulage volumes occurring prior to Daracon securing its licence in 2012,” the proposal stated.

Key revisions included reduced road transport volumes, refined operational hours, a reduced disturbance footprint, and a shorter approval term.

The revised proposal would add 22 full-time jobs to the community, while contributing about $58 million to the NSW economy.

Daracon is awaiting approval on proposed changes to its Martins Creek Quarry operations.

A Daracon spokesperson said the company was keen to properly inform the community about the proposed changes to

Martins Creek Quarry is one of Daracon’s four operations that supplies NSW with high quality rail ballast, sand and various

aggregates for asphalt, sealing, concrete and drainage.•

Quarry August 2021

NEWS

POLO CITRUS CELEBRATES LATEST APPOINTMENT Polo Citrus has appointed a new national business development manager as it looks to expand and invest in its future and that of the extractive industry.

Polo Citrus managing director Brett Aisen said that Debbie MacDonald was a perfect fit for the business after a career across multiple sectors, including banking, quarrying, and sales and marketing.

“Debbie has a wealth of experience and knowledge, being involved in the extractive industry for over 20 years now,” Aisen said.

“She has experienced both sides of the coin, having been involved in the operation of quarries and then most recently working for suppliers to the industry in sales and marketing.”

As a former customer herself, MacDonald said she almost knew Polo Citrus inside-out.

“It was an opportunity too good to be true. We had used Polo Citrus dust suppressants for well over a decade, I knew how they worked, and I also knew they did a great job,” MacDonald said.

“Polo have some amazing customers and they are just great to deal with. Having been in the industry for so long, it’s just wonderful to be able to find a job that is so satisfying, helping people I admire and respect.”

Aisen added MacDonald has begun the role strongly. “Debbie is already having a positive effect with our customer base,” he said.•

SEVEN GROUP CLOSES IN ON MAJORITY OWNERSHIP OF BORAL THE BORAL INDEPENDENT BOARD OUTLINED IN THE SIXTH TARGET’S STATEMENT THE CONSEQUENCES OF SGH GAINING MAJORITY OWNERSHIP, INCLUDING CONTROL OF THE COMPOSITION OF THE BORAL BOARD AND INFLUENCING BORAL’S DIVIDEND POLICY

In mid-July, the Boral Board urged shareholders to reject Seven Group’s final update to its Offer to buy more shares in the company after it secured a 52.65 per cent stake.

On 15 July, Seven Group Holdings (SGH) announced the conditions to its Second Conditional Increase had been met, having achieved a greater than 50 per cent stake in Boral Limited.

It increased the consideration under the Offer from $7.30 to $7.40 cash per Boral share. The SGH Offer Period was extended until 29 July, 2021.

In response to these conditional increases, Boral’s Independent Board Committee, led by chairman Kathryn Fagg, issued a Sixth Supplementary Target’s Statement, continuing a unanimous recommendation to its shareholders to reject the revised SGH Offer. It cited four reasons: 1. The Offer was “materially below” the assessment of value of $8.25 to $9.13 per share (including a premium for control) identified by independent expert Grant Samuel & Associates, particularly on the back of the divestment of some of Boral’s North American buildings products businesses. In addition, and as noted in the First Supplementary Target’s Statement dated 21 June, 2021, Samuel advised Boral that the final price agreed for the sale of its North American building products business of $USD2.15 billion ($AUD2.88 billion) exceeded the $USD1.8 to $USD2.0 billion ($AUD2.41 to $AUD2.68 billion) valuation range estimated in its Independent Expert’s Report.

2. Boral’s strategy is to continue to unlock significant value in the nearterm from potential divestment of assets, notably in North America, and to drive value creation and earnings growth.

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Quarry August 2021

including the prospect of controlling the composition of the Boral Board and influencing Boral’s dividend policy, the composition of its management and the strategic directions of Boral’s businesses and subsidiaries. It also warned Boral’s share price might fall after the end of the Offer Period and its weighting in Standard & Poor (S&P) and Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) indices reduced. Indeed, Boral announced on 9 July that S&P had placed Boral’s BBB credit rating on CreditWatch Negative because “the current shareholding increases the likelihood that Seven can exert direct or indirect control over Boral to the extent that it could influence Boral’s strategy and disposition of cash flows”.

The board also warned that as The Corporations Act permits SGH to increase its holdings in Boral by up to three per cent every six months without a full takeover offer, it could gradually control Boral over time.

SGH stated in its Bidder’s Statement dated 10 May, 2021 that it would review its representation on the Boral Board and seek additional representation that is “reasonably proportionate” to its interest in Boral shares.

4. SGH was attempting to increase its influence over Boral without paying fair value.

The Sixth Supplementary Target’s Statement reiterated that consistent with Boral’s Target’s Statement issued on 10 June, 2021, the Boral Independent Board Committee will ensure that it has governance protocols in place that are in the best interests of all shareholders.

The Boral Independent Board further outlined in the Sixth Supplementary Target’s Statement of the potential consequences for Boral shareholders of SGH acquiring majority ownership,

It stated any proposal for additional SGH representation on the Boral Board will be considered by the independent directors of Boral on its merits at the appropriate time.•

3. The SGH offer was opportunistic and designed to take advantage of an improving outlook for Boral.

Debbie MacDonald has had an immediate impact as Polo Citrus’ national business development manager.

The Seven Group is now close to holding majority ownership in Boral Ltd.

NEWS

NSW REGULATOR OPENS PORTAL TO CERTIFICATION The NSW Resources Regulator has introduced a section to its online portal for mining workers to apply for examinations, certificates of competence and practising certificates.

A step-by-step guide on applications is available on the Regulator’s website: resourcesregulator.nsw.gov.au The online application process has become particularly pertinent, as remote learning grows in popularity and necessity, following the pandemic.

The update to the Regulator website comes as the organisation wraps up a string of workshops which sought to inform and reeducate quarry managers who hold practising certificates.

The workshops provided an update on maintenance of competence requirements and a self-auditing checklist for logbooks.

The Regulator has suggested a range of steps applicants can take in preparing to apply for examinations or certificates.

These include revising the linked guide above, subscribing to the Mine Safety newsletter, and attending a briefing session.

The IQA has thrown its support behind the workshops and guides offered by the Regulator, and the continued development of the workforce.

“As the professional body for quarry operators and suppliers, the IQA is here to support your continuing professional development requirements,” an IQA announcement stated. For further information about training, visit the IQA website: quarry.com.au •

The NSW Resources Regulator and the IQA are highly supportive of those seeking to learn or upskill.

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Quarry August 2021

LANDFILL APPROVED AT MARY’S MOUNT QUARRY “THE PROPOSAL THAT’S BEEN APPROVED IS TO REPURPOSE THE EXHAUSTED PARTS OF THE QUARRY AS A LANDFILL FOR GENERAL SOLID WASTE” TIM MACKELLAR

MacKellar Excavations has been approved to develop an innovative landfill site as extractive operations are progressively completed at its Mary’s Mount Quarry in New South Wales.

The Northern Regional Planning Panel decided that the proposal was a smart way to deal with waste and rehabilitation in one solution.

MacKellar Excavations general manager Tim MacKellar said he was glad to see so much effort in planning coming to fruition, as he explained the details of the proposal.

“The proposal that’s been approved is to repurpose the exhausted parts of the quarry as a landfill for general solid waste,” MacKellar told Quarry.

The waste will be non-putrescible and comprised predominantly of excavated materials, construction and demolition waste, and commercial and industrial waste. There will be no contaminated, restricted or toxic waste received at the landfill site.

“The end result was a unanimous decision from the Northern Regional Planning Panel,” MacKellar said.

“The Planning Panel saw it as an innovative use of a quarry void, with the net benefit being there will be no void at the completion of the landfill because the land will be restored to its original profile.”

The blue metal quarry usually has a licence to extract 360,000 tonnes per year (tpa) but has had a temporary license increase to 499,000 tpa, owing to potential work on the Inland Rail project.

Some confusion had arisen around the details of the proposal but MacKellar assured the community a landfill is the best case scenario if the quarry is to continue serving them well.

“The oversight and the compliance and regulatory requirements that go with these facilities is intense, as it should be,” MacKellar explained.

“But I think people have seen the local garbage tip here and they have visions of exactly the same sort of enterprise (at Mary’s Mount), and nothing could be further from the truth.”

He said communities love it when resources are recovered sustainably –

Mary’s Mount Quarry produces more than 350,000 tonnes of blue metal per year.

until they are in the same postcode.

“Everyone always believes we should be doing more about waste and recycling – and there will be a process of resource recovery (at Mary’s Mount),” he said.

“Everyone agrees these facilities are needed, they just don’t want them near them.”

Mary’s Mount Quarry is expected to contribute about $8.6 million to road infrastructure over its lifetime, with almost $2.5 million spent already in intersection upgrades, tar sealing of nine kilometres of previous gravel road, and general road improvements.

MacKellar said the quarry has served the community well.

“There’s an ongoing contribution of a rate per tonne, plus the roadworks that the local community are now benefitting from would not have occurred without us,” he said.

“Up until our quarry commenced, all aggregates for the area came from outside of it because there was no other blue metal quarry around. The quarries supplying those aggregates and the companies transporting them did not contribute to the local roads as we do.”

Mary’s Mount Quarry employs eight full-time workers, eight truck drivers, plus numerous contractors servicing crushers, conveyors, a weighbridge, and a weather station.

MacKellar Excavations’ clients include Western Sydney Airport, Daracon, Boggabri and Whitehaven Coal, Gunnedah Shire Council and the Australian Rail Track Corporation, the manager of all major national rail networks and the facilitator of Inland Rail. •

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NEWS

LOCAL QUARRY OWNERS DOING RIGHT

BY LOCALS A basalt quarry in New South Wales has assured a wary community that it intends to tick all the required boxes, as the Richmond Valley Council considers a Development Approval.

Bentley Quarry lies 180 kilometres south of Brisbane and owners Rob and Sarah McKenzie have been developing the weathered basalt deposit into a 300,000 tonne per year operation. The couple who moved to Bentley four years ago have emphasised that other local quarries are trucking double and triple that volume.

“We’re listening,” said Rob McKenzie, in response to local fears over the impact a large quarry might have on the peaceful farmland.

“We live here. We are hearing community concerns and want to assure everyone we have no intention of impacting anyone with our plans,” he said.

The quarry has supplied construction materials to councils, material wholesalers, farms, horse yards and private businesses in the past and the McKenzies intend to continue supplying much needed basalt.

“Bentley Quarry wants to contribute to this vision, not impact it,” McKenzie said.

“We need to make a living, but we remain a small, local, familyrun business. We want to thank the Beyond Bentley group for their frank and honest feedback at this early stage.”•

The Bentley Group has stated it wants to work with its local community.

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HEIDELBERGCEMENT BACKS GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY “THE MAJORITY OF HEIDELBERG’S SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENTS FLOW THROUGH OUR BUSINESS IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER” DOMINIK VON ACHTEN

HeidelbergCement has emphasised its commitment to tackling climate change, as its Sustainability Report 2020 outlined a tightening of emissions targets and a belief in technology.

To open the report, HeidelbergCement chairman Dominik von Achten said the company aimed to do all it could to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

He conceded the company hadn’t always been in a position to reduce its emissions in an effective manner.

“As a company in the energyintensive cement industry, a large proportion of the emissions from our production processes have been unavoidable to date,” von Achten said. “We are continuously enhancing our sustainability reporting in order to further increase transparency towards our stakeholders.”

The company will look to deploy carbon capture utilisation/storage (CCU/S) technology as a pillar of its emissions reduction techniques.

HeidelbergCement, which has owned Hanson in Australia since 2007, has already planned two CCU/S projects in Norway and Sweden, indicating successful trial projects will pave the way for the rest of the company’s global portfolio.

“After having gained valuable experience with CCU/S technologies in Norway and other countries, we are taking the next step with a completely carbon-neutral cement plant in Sweden. This will be a game changer for our industry,” von Achten said.

Hanson Australia’s sustainability manager Brendan Liveris said HeidelbergCement’s global ambitions were supported locally, and the Australian company is working towards achieving its own sustainable goals.

“The majority of Heidelberg’s sustainability commitments flow through our business in one form or another,” Liveris said. “For example, we’re working on CO2 reduction across our business with a focus on highly sustainable concrete products and the reduction in Scope 2 emissions in electricity over the next 10 years.

HeidelbergCement chairman Dominik von Achten.

“Like HeidelbergCement, we’re committed to achieving better outcomes for the environment and our communities through improved land use, water use and community engagement.”

The importance of emissions reductions to HeidelbergCement has been shown in its new remuneration policy, which links emissions targets with staff bonuses.

“We have anchored our CO2 reduction targets in the remuneration systems across the group,” von Achten said. “The full bonus can only be achieved if both the financial targets and the sustainability target are met.”

Liveris confirmed this initiative has been implemented worldwide.

“Locally, CO2 reduction is a core focus throughout the business, with success in this area linked to performance incentives,” Liveris said.

HeidelbergCement’s goals have acknowledged cement processing can be emissions-intensive, as the company looks to form a reclamation plan for each of its hundreds of quarries.

“Eighty-six per cent of our quarries in the cement business line and 79 per cent in the aggregates business line have reclamation plans. We intend to increase these figures to 100 per cent by 2030 at the latest,” the Sustainability Report 2020 stated.

HeidelbergCement also facilitates the Quarry Life Award every two years, including in 2021. The Award is open for submissions and closes on 18 November, 2021. To learn more, visit quarrylifeaward.com •

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COMPACT, VERSATILE SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS Xylem’s Flygt 3000 Series submersible pumps (from 1.3kW to 680kW) are designed to handle not only municipal wastewater but the toughest extractive and industrial water applications. Flygt submersibles have compact integrated motors and hydraulics, various voltage options, and are available in cast iron, hard iron (60 HRC) and stainless steel. They also have industrial coatings for contaminated and/or abrasive media, and there are explosion-proof versions for hazardous applications. A range of sensors monitor and protect the pumps, and the submersibles have flexible installation arrangements and accessories.

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BULK EXPLOSIVE DELIVERY SYSTEM The Flexmaster 8 is the latest addition to Orica’s industry-leading bulk explosive delivery systems. It is designed to maximise on- and off-road payloads and offers mid-range delivery rates that are ideal for quarrying sites. The Flexmaster 8 has five bins that can carry from 2800 to 5170 kilograms of ammonium nitrate or ammonium nitrate emulsion. It features 650-litre fuel, 500-litre water and 65-litre gas tanks. The Flexmaster is also equipped with the LOADPRO Plus control system, an in-cab control for auger-loaded and pumped products, and other sensors for delivering pumped product.

More information: Orica Mining Services, oricaminingservices.com/au

MISTING SYSTEM FOR DRILL APPLICATIONS The TE30851R misting system injects water into the drill flush air, reducing dust during percussive drilling operations. This high quality portable system is equipped with a 95-litre water tank and can provide dust suppression for four to eight hours, depending on the size of the hole. The TE30851R uses a pneumatic water pump, which receives air power from the drill flush air. The water pump creates more pressure than the air and injects the water back into the airline, creating a mist that can be easily adjusted for water to air ratio. Using DUST KING (see page 18) over water will provide even greater performance from the misting system.

More information: Quarry Mining & Construction Equipment, quarrymining.com/products/dust-suppression/

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Quarry August 2021

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DUST CONTROL

Water carts are used to spray water, often with an additive such as a surfactant, onto haul roads for dust suppression.

SURFACTANTS TESTING OFFERS ENCOURAGING OUTCOMES

In quarrying, the containment and reduction of dust emissions is an ongoing concern and challenge. An Australian business with experience across the extractive industries has devised a dust reduction solution using the best equipment and testing techniques in modern science.

Q

uarry Mining and Construction Equipment Pty Ltd (aka Quarry Mining) is a privately owned Australian business with an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for customer service. The company has been supplying the Australian mining, quarrying and tunnelling industries with drilling consumables and related products for more than 38 years.

Quarry Mining’s team of experienced personnel ensures the highest level of technical and product service to projects.

The company’s head office and manufacturing base is located at Beresfield, New South Wales, with offices in Mackay, Queensland, Melbourne, Victoria and a heat treatment plant in Sydney, NSW. The company is committed to delivering ongoing solutions including on-site support product trialling and procedures training.

Quarry Mining’s managing director is Kari Armitage, who has a track record of working collaboratively with researchers and customers to solve industry problems in a cost-effective way.

“Over the years we have worked on many R&D [research and development] projects with our customers who often come to us with their unique problems for us to help them solve,” she said. “Our team has over 150

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Quarry August 2021

years of combined experience in underground mining and construction, mostly ‘hands-on‘ operating drill rigs and hand-held bolters, so we understand the challenging and often hazardous environments that are mines, tunnels and quarries.

“Health and safety is at the forefront of our customer’s minds and we are always looking at new ways we can engage and partner with them to solve current and emerging issues,” Armitage added. “More stringent workplace exposure standards for both coal and silica respirable dust have recently been introduced in response to a rapid rise in the number of reported cases of occupational dust diseases such as black lung and silicosis. We saw an opportunity to develop and trial a dust suppressant product so we could assist our customers address this critical issue.”

Effective from 1 July, 2020, the acceptable Work Exposure Standard (WES) for respirable crystalline silica in nearly all jurisdictions across Australia is the eight-hour timeweighted average (TWA) of 0.05 mg/m3 under the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011.

(Tasmania is the only jurisdiction to not lower the WES from a TWA of 0.1mg/m3.)

The Quarry Mining team sought the counsel of Mark Shepherd, the compliance and industry support manager at Coal Services

and the chairman of the NSW Standing Dust Committee. Shepherd’s advice was to establish some sound baseline data under a controlled environment testing regime with stringent test methods and measurable outcomes for comparison. This work would be critical to the success of any dust suppressant product. Acting upon this guidance, further investigation lead Quarry Mining to a team of researchers at Curtin University’s Western Australian School of Mines in Kalgoorlie who were active in this space. Their established wind tunnel (Figure 1) was ideal for Quarry Mining’s experimental work and significant meaningful outcomes have eventuated from this work using samples of dust sourced from different sites around the country.

Some leading types of engineering controls for dust suppression are: • Automation involving total removal of workers from dusty environments.

• Water infusion to increase the moisture content in-situ.

• High pressure water and atomising sprays to optimise water spray dust capture using very fine water droplets.

• Foams used to blanket broken ground and dust.

• Surfactants used to increase the wettability of coal and silica dusts.

SURFACTANTS FOR DUST SUPPRESSION Surfactants, an abbreviation for surface acting agents, are a simple and cost-effective control measure to reduce water tension, thereby improving the wetting capability of water droplets and increasing dust capture efficiency.

“Surfactants have been used across the industry for decades but failed to gain a foothold in a meaningful way as field performance was so unreliable,” Quarry Mining’s business development manager Neil Alston said. “One of our customers challenged us to build a wind tunnel so we could validate performance in a more controlled environment. We took up the challenge and went about designing the test equipment but found the design had to be underpinned by complex and expensive CFD [computational fluid dynamics] modelling. An alternative was to collaborate with University researchers and to use existing experimental equipment. We discovered a team of

The Dosatron water-powered dosing pump is a simple, clever, and proven system that can be installed directly in the water supply line.

DUST CONTROL

Figure 1. A schematic diagram of the wind tunnel: (1) dust generation part, (2) spray part, (3) dust measurement part, (4) dust collection part.

researchers at Curtin University’s WA School of Mines in Kalgoorlie who were active in this space, so we approached them to work with us. Their established wind tunnel was ideal for our experimental work.

“Despite Covid-19 restrictions during 2020, we successfully scoped and conducted a series of experiments with our commercial surfactant product called DUST KING and we were suitably impressed with the results,” Alston said. “Three variants of the DUST KING product were tested with respirable size fraction thermal coal, coking coal and silica dust suspended in fine water droplets.

Of greatest interest was silica dust as this rock type is present in all mines, tunnels and quarries.”

The test results showed DUST KING at a one part to 3000 parts water (or 1:3000) dose rate improved the mean suppression efficiency for the capture of crystalline silica dust from 23.8 per cent (water only)

Figure 2. Wind tunnel test results. Mean suppression efficiency of crystalline silica with three variants of DUST KING surfactant products.

to 37.7 per cent and for DUST KING B the improvement was even greater at 50.2 per cent (see Figure 2). Similar results have been confirmed in underground trials at production faces with the product applied using small dosing units connected into the water spray circuit.

DRILLING AND PROCESSING APPLICATIONS DUST KING can be applied in many versatile ways to suit each project. It can be fed through the drill rigs themselves, applied through spray systems on to stockpiles, conveyors or transfer points and is also applicable for use with fog cannons.

Quarry Mining can tailor the dosing method to suit customer requirements. As agents for the highly reputable USA TEI brand, the company has the expertise and can offer the TEI range of water misting units available in sizes to suit specific equipment.

Haul road dust impacts include reduced visibility, respirable dust risks, fugitive dust emissions, excessive water consumption, and plant and roadway maintenance costs.

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HAUL ROADS APPLICATIONS Beyond underground mines and tunnels, DUST KING also works effectively to reduce dust on haul roads in surface operations.

Haul road dust impacts are wide-ranging and include: • Safety (visible dust).

• Health of workers (respirable dust).

• Environmental (fugitive dust emissions).

• Water consumption.

• Plant and roadway maintenance costs.

The same DUST KING product used to improve the suppression efficiency of water sprays works progressively on haul roads to initially dampen the surface, bind the loose or fine dust particles and then, after repeat applications, strengthen and waterproof the road surface. Once the tough outer layer forms, moisture is retained rather than evaporates with water only. The durability of the upper layer (skin), will be a function of weather and traffic type and flow. Even if the skin degrades over time, the larger particles are less likely to become airborne and the skin can be more readily re-formed.

The product is readily applied to haul roads at open cut mines and quarries by dosing water carts with either pneumatic or electric pump systems tailored to customer requirements.

“A remote solar-powered dosing system has been implemented at a large open cut mine in central WA,” Alston explained.

“Water cart operators have a remote fob in the cab which when activated is used to deliver a fixed amount of DUST KING product safely and reliably into the water cart during each fill. The water carts become more effective as dust suppression with each application.”

Quarry Mining has also developed a dosing system suitable for quarries and civil applications. The Dosatron water-powered dosing pump is a simple, clever, and proven system that can be installed directly in

the water supply line. Water as the power source, activates the Dosatron, which takes up the required percentage of concentrate injecting into the water. Inside the Dosatron dosing pump, the concentrate is mixed with the water, and the water pressure forces the solution downstream. Once the dosage is set, the required dose of product is maintained precisely, regardless of variations in flow and pressure.

The system includes: • A D8WL3000 Dosatron pump suited to a 1:3000 dose rate at a maximum flow rate of 150 litres per minute and a maximum pressure of eight bar.

• A 200-litre moulded polyethylene tank.

• A protective steel cage fitted with forklift tynes.

The DUST KING product has now been independently tested and successfully trialled at various underground and surface operations to deliver a substantial improvement in dust suppression. A range

The tough upper layer skin developed on the roadway surface.

of dosing system designs is now available to suit customer requirements. “We have come a long way in the last 18 months gathering reliable laboratory and field data, so our customers have confidence in our product before use at their own operations,” Kari Armitage said. “DUST KING has given us the opportunity to strengthen the bond with our

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drilling customers, primarily in underground mines and tunnels, and allowed us to foster new relationships with open cut mines and quarries with the collective goal of reducing dust disease across all these industries.” • For more information, visit the Quarry Mining & Construction Equipment website: quarrymining. com/products/dust-suppression/

DUST CONTROL

THE T40: A COMFORTABLE, CONVENIENT AND CAPABLE DRILL RIG

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or fuel burn and simplicity, the Epiroc SmartROC T40 surface drill rig can leave competitors in the proverbial dust. The T40’s dust and noise suppression kits particularly make this rig an effective all-rounder for owners and operators alike.

Epiroc has designed the SmartROC T40 using 70 per cent fewer fittings and half as many hoses as on previous iterations. Further, the intelligent nature of a closed-circuit design means the hydraulic oil tank has been reduced from 400 litres to 100 litres.

Epiroc Australia’s business line manager for crawlers and exploration Craig Marsh told Quarry that the tank’s cyclonic design means easier aeration and reduced oil capacity “It’s all to do with the hydraulic circuit,” Marsh said. “Most other rigs run 400-litre tanks because the oil needs time to settle to allow for aeration. We have designed the hydraulic system so we don’t get that aeration, so we don’t need to have the volume of oil sitting there.”

Marsh added that in the unlikely event of a failure, inventory management is aided by the reduced parts and oil. “Because it’s a closed circuit, the hydraulic oil just rotates around, which helps environmentally. When you do a service and you change your hydraulic oil every 1000 hours, you’re only disposing of 100 litres instead of 400 litres,” he said.

“If you have a major blowout on your rig, there’s only 100 litres at risk of being wasted.”

While industry-leading fuel burn hasn’t been a major drawcard in years gone by, owners have slowly realised the benefits – especially as environmental regulation tightens.

Marsh said the T40’s fuel burn capabilities were the best in the extractive industry, while not taking away from its overall productivity. “We have brought the fuel burn

on the T40 to between 14 and 16 litres per hour, down from the low to mid-20 litres per hour,” he said.

Such fuel efficiency is achieved using configurable compressors and suppressors.

Marsh explained how the levels of these key components can be controlled from inside the cabin. “In past rigs, you load the air compressor, you have it pre-set, and you turn it on at that level.

With the new system, we can wind down the percentage of the compressor’s capacity,” he explained.

“So, you can use anything from 20 to 100 per cent, decreasing the fuel burn, depending on your application. The lower percentage, the lower the fuel burn, the longer the engine will run and the less maintenance it requires.You can even start at 20 per cent at the start of a hole and wind it up as you dig deeper.”

Marsh explained Epiroc has worked hard to perfect dust suppression. “We run a dust extraction system with pre-separator filters, where all dust created is funnelled through a cyclone and through a set of filters. Then, at the end of the drilling cycle, it’s disposed of.

“If there is any excess dust or a requirement for further dust suppression, we also have hydraulically controlled water injection, which allows the operator to put water into their air while drilling and wetting it down.”

In this way, the T40 is suitable for both remote and urban quarries.

Epiroc’s noise reduction kit can be ordered to fit the SmartROC T40, and its addition won’t take away from the rig’s productivity.

The noise reduction kit reduces noise levels by as much as 10 decibels with a lightweight design and hydraulically powered hatches.

This helps the rig comply on sites with noise regulations.

Marsh explained effective noise reduction on a drill rig can have significant benefits for areas near and far from the machinery.

“The noise reduction kit takes the noise spike out of the drilling process,” Marsh explained. “When you’re drilling, the rod changes involve high-pitched metallic sounds – with this kit you don’t have to hear that.”

“From a safety perspective, the kit covers all of the moving parts while drilling, meaning it’s safer and quieter for those surrounding the rig in a civil or quarrying capacity.”

The automation involved with many Epiroc offerings can be found in the T40, much like operating on autopilot.

Marsh explained how technologies like Epiroc’s Hole Navigation System (HNS) and the Auto Rod Handling System (Auto RHS) allows operators to add drill rods manually or automatically to reach the desired depth.

“For operators, their favourite part would be the simplicity in the seat,” Marsh said. “It’s the automatics. The rig can just rattle out and all they’ve got to do is pull it back out of the hole again before moving onto the next one.

“Also, with GPS navigation, there’s no marking out of the pattern and putting red dots on the ground. That can all be done wirelessly for the operator to view on the screen.” •

The SmartROC T40 has been designed to burn less fuel than any other in its class.

For more information about the Epiroc SmartROC T40 drill rig, visit epiroc.com

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63RD IQA NATIONAL CONFERENCE NEWCASTLE, NSW 5 – 7 OCTOBER 2021 To register or for further information visit the Conference Website https://iqa.eventsair.com/conference

The Institute of Quarrying Australia

CRUSHING

CRUSHING PLANT

AT HEART OF LAOS DAM PROJECT A Thai/Laos/Italian joint venture in Southeast Asia promises to provide power across two countries.

To that end, the JV has employed a broad range of Terex MPS crushers and feeders to produce aggregates for the dam walls.

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joint venture of Italy’s Cooperativa Muratori e Cementisti (CMC) di Ravenna, Thai company Ital Thai and Vietnam’s Song Da Corporation is using a 1500 tph ICM/Terex MPS plant to produce aggregates for a four million cubic mere rolled compacted concrete (RCC) and 500,000m3 conventional concrete (CVC) dam at the Nam Theun River, Bolikhamsay Province, Laos.

The dam, which is 105 metres high and 700m long at the top, will produce electricity in three groups: two units of 250 megawatts (MW) to be distributed in Thailand, and one group of 150 MW to be distributed for local use in Laos.

The solution consisted of a complete

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crushing plant to produce 1,500mtph of concrete aggregates. The plant is made up of two 5220 vibrating grizzly feeders, two Cedarapids JS4552 jaw crushers, three vertical shaft impactors, two Cedarapids TSV6202 horizontal screens, six Cedarapids TSV8203 horizontal screens and four cone crushers – two Cedarapids MVP550Xs and two Cedarapids MVP450Xs. In addition, the set-up includes an impressive 45 conveyors (total length of 1400m), and the installation of 5000 kilowatts (kW) of power.

The plant is being fed by blasted sandstone rock with a high abrasion index to produce 0-5mm, 5-12mm, 12-25mm and 25-50mm, as dictated by the mix design of the RCC, with any excess being recycled. A reclaiming

plant transports aggregates from stock to a cooling plant via two downhill conveyors (one for coarse aggregates with a capacity of 1800 tph and one for sand with a capacity of 700 tph). The supply is completed by a set of conveyors with a capacity of 1000m3 to pour RCC into the dam.

Commissioned in 2018, the plant was supplied by distributor ICM srl, Italy, which also completed all the engineering required (except civil works), equipment, electrical system (power and controls), steel work (hot galvanised), delivery, assistance to assembly and erection up to commissioning (with customer crew). The plant is now being operated by Sinohydro, with works expected to be completed in 2023.

Photo credit: ICM

A reclaiming plant transports aggregates from stock to a cooling plant via two downhill conveyors one for coarse aggregates, another for sand.

A 1500 tph ICM/Terex MPS plant has been established on the dam site of the Nam Theun River, in Laos.

Paul Lilley, the sales director for Terex MPS’s ERA said the plant installation at Laos Dam demonstrated “how our equipment can be seamlessly combined to provide a tailored solution that consistently delivers aggregates that meet customer requirements – even in complex, extensive projects such as this. We have no doubt this plant designed by ICM will continue achieving ultimate efficiency and production output through to project completion”.

VIBRATING GRIZZLY FEEDERS The Simplicity range features heavy-duty pan feeders with grizzly sections added to the pan surface. They perform both scalping and feeding in a single unit and are designed for impact loading and heavy burdens in the toughest applications. The grizzly feeder reduces maintenance and capital costs by scalping only large material to the crusher or rip rap pile, while fines pass through the grizzlies to be screened or discarded.

Standard grizzly feeder sizes range from 99cm x 3m (39” x 10’) to 218cm x 9.1m (86” x 30’) and can be customised for a site’s specific needs with a wide range of options.

JAW CRUSHERS Rugged, field-proven designs and almost 200 years of combined jaw crusher manufacturing experience provide the foundation for the Terex Jaques and Cedarapids jaw crusher lines. With rated capacities from 100 tph to 1000 tph, these industry-leading brand names provide the platform from which other machines are measured.

The JS series jaw crushers feature a quick-change jaw die system and quickadjust hydraulic shim system to provide

The set-up includes an impressive 45 conveyors, spanning a length of 1.4km, to transport aggregate for the roller compacted concrete.

more uptime. They are designed to be more profitable and offer reliability, quality, capacity, and ease of use.

CONE CRUSHERS MVPX cone crushers simply pulverise everything that stands in the way of success.

Inside and out, the MVPX’s advanced engineering of sets industry benchmarks, featuring a patented Rollercone roller bearing design and an innovative hydro-pneumatic tramp iron relief system. The complete MVPX line includes three different models in stationary or portable configurations, up to 375kW power input, processing up to 700 tph and capable of handling sand and gravel, shot rock and recycled materials. Each machine offers competitive advantages – from improved product quality to high throughput capacities to low operational costs.

TSV HORIZONTAL SCREENS The revolutionary TSV increases production and handles applications not possible with traditional horizontal screens because it combines the efficient, high G-force ElJay oval stroke motion with variable slope operation to handle larger deck loads. This screen also features more steel in the “rock zone” for industry-leading durability. The screen adjusts up to 10° in 2.5° increments to best fit the application and optional bottom deck deflector plates increase efficiency.

The TSV with its variable slope operation gives customers a product that handles more applications than other screens on the market.

The increased capabilities, higher production, enhanced durability and ease of maintenance of the TSV make it an industry leader.

TSV horizontal screens are available in a wide variety of sizes and deck styles to accommodate virtually any application. Sizes range from 4.8m x 1.5m (5’ x 16’) to 6m x 2.4m (8’ x 20’) two-deck or triple-deck units.• For more information about Terex MPS static crushing and screening solutions, visit terex.com/mps/en-au/

Quarry August 2021 25

CRUSHING

TRACKED CRUSHER

SUITS TOUGH TOP END CONDITIONS A ferocious track-mounted crusher has been helping to build key infrastructure across the Northern Territory and Western Australia, thanks to the expertise of Precisionscreen.

S

ince early 2000, Top End company Allan King & Sons Construction has provided various sizes of sand, gravel and aggregates through its own quarries and gravel leases. It also specialises in bulk earthworks, drainage and flood mitigation works, concrete works, maintenance works, mine works and road construction. Allan King & Sons originated in Katherine, Northern Territory before it expanded its operations to Darwin, where its head office is now based.

Johnny Park, workshop and service manager for Allan King & Sons, has been capably serving the crushing and screening industry for about 15 years and has grown an intimate knowledge of Precisionscreen’s benefit to Australian businesses.

Since getting its hands on Precisionscreen’s Trackcrush PV380 VSI, Allan King & Sons has added even more productivity to its impressive fleet than was advertised by Precisionscreen, according to Park.

“We have comfortably – and I mean comfortably – put 400 tonnes per hour through it,” he said. “It’s given us the ability

to produce more aggregates with less headaches, making our whole job easier.”

With many Precisionscreen units in its mobile fleet, Allan King & Sons sees the manufacturer as a first port of call.

“We’re always growing,” Park said.

“We’ve got three jaws, three cones, a VSI, 12 screens, a few track stacks and many multiple diggers and loaders. So, we will always talk to Precisionscreen about units.”

KEY TO CUSTOMER SERVICE From the original inquiry with Precisionscreen through to having the VSI on its way to Allan King & Sons’ site near Darwin, the process took no more than three days.

Precisionscreen general manager Paul Kerr says the key to the company’s effective customer service has been its transparency.

“When people are under the pump, we know how important it is that they, at least, get information back,” Kerr said. “We keep information and communication flowing which allows people to make more comprehensive decisions. We have an automated system

Precisionscreen’s tracked PV380 makes it possible for businesses to crush on- or off-site.

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Quarry August 2021

where, if we have a delay with a supplier, our client immediately gets an email or an SMS.” Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Park had to commission his own VSI once it arrived on-site. This wouldn’t be the norm but considering the restrictions and Park’s extensive history working with Precisionscreen, he was willing and able.

This wasn’t a one-off either. Kerr said a major advantage of Precisionscreen’s service is the network of capable operators across Australia who know the brand and work together to maintain its reputation.

“We have such a strong network because we buy, make and employ locally, which has given us a pretty good network of people who can support our machines in difficult times,” Kerr said.

“Because we’ve manufactured in Australia over the years, we’ve put a lot of people through our own factory, so we have an ad hoc support network of people who’ve been associated with the company.”

THE POWER OF THE PV380 Using a Caterpillar C15 engine, the PV380 boasts up to 447kW (or 600 horsepower).

Kerr said this was by design, not just for the sake of producing a powerful product.

“Part of the reason for the engine selection is to maximise fuel efficiency. By giving it more power, we can run the crusher at the correct speed to manage its output and consumption of fuel,” Kerr said.

“A lot of our design ethos comes from knowing what it’s like working in very remote areas and trying to design machines and systems that allow for that. So, the fuel burn isn’t just an environmental constraint, it’s about cost of operation, particularly in remote areas.”

Park said his team were naturally apprehensive of any change to their routine but it didn’t take long for them to realise the benefit of an extra unit.

“They were a little bit off to start with,” Park said. “They didn’t understand why we needed

it and saw it as just another headache, another machine that they had to look after.

“We’ve been making fine crushed rock, sealing aggregates and concrete aggregates for the past 10 years at least and we hadn’t needed one. But we were always on the limit.

“So, we decided to go ahead and try this VSI, and now that they’ve been running it for 700 to 800 hours – as long as they do the basic maintenance and start it up in the morning – they’re very happy with it.”

The maintenance is certainly basic, Park added. With the touch of a lever, an operator has access to the inside of the crusher and can carry out any maintenance necessary.

“Obviously with any crusher, with a conveyor going in and out, you’ve got maintenance with skirts and so on. That’s all quite easy with this machine,” Park said.

“We’re having a good run. We’re getting 400 to 500 hours out of a set of tips before we need to change them.”

Kerr said the experience of owning

Precisionscreen products is highly considered throughout the design process. As an Australian manufacturer, Precisionscreen understands what works for its customers.

“It’s designed to be easily serviceable. We think, ‘If I was the guy with the spanner, how do we make it easy enough that it gets done regularly to allow the machine’s effectiveness to be maximised for the client?’” Kerr said.

“Our ethos is: ‘If we make it too hard for someone to do something, they won’t do it’. That comes back to our motto ‘Simplicity without compromise’.

“When we build machines at Precisionscreen, we’re not building them to be consumed in five to seven years, we’re building them for a lifetime. We had a guy ring up this week for a part we built in 1991, and that’s the kind of longevity we’re after.”

HOMEWORK AND HORSEPOWER With any key piece of materials handling

equipment, everyone should do their homework first, to ensure a machine suits an application. Park said he did the very same and advises anyone to ask around about the true effectiveness of the PV380.

“Talk to people who’ve had one, talk to people who’ve trialled one, talk to people who own one, and I don’t think you’ll find a bad report,” Park said. “They provide – as [Precisionscreen founder] Harold Kerr would say – simplicity without compromise.”

Homework and horsepower were all it took to convince Park that this was the machine for him.

“Horsepower, personal knowledge of the machine and speaking to the person who had it on hire before us who gave it a great write-up. He had absolutely no problems at all,” he said.

“As a bit of an insurance policy, we took it on a hire to buy policy but we were very happy with it from day one and we had every intention of buying it, which we did.” •

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LOAD & HAUL

DIGITAL TECH ALLIANCE TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY, SAFETY, PROJECT COSTS

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dvances in technology mean there are significant opportunities to drastically change the sector, enabling more work to be done for less while tackling the global skills labour shortage.

Environmental and engineering consultancy Tonkin + Taylor (T+T) has teamed up with Komatsu’s Smart Construction division to support this industry need.

Komatsu Smart Construction’s general manager James Muir said that now, more than ever, the infrastructure and construction industry is ready for technology adoption and new methodologies to increase productivity, improve safety and remove time and material waste from construction.

“We’ve got an incredible amount of talent throughout the planning, design and construction stages of a project,” Muir said.

“The challenge is to better integrate this skillset with new technologies and data to improve productivity and decision-making.”

Despite New Zealand’s construction industry contributing over $20 billion of GDP in 2019, the productivity of the sector continues to lag, with average annual productivity growth between 1994 and 2019 at 0.9 per cent. This is particularly discouraging in comparison to the likes of the information communication technology and agriculture sectors, which enjoyed average annual productivity growth of 3.1 per cent and 2.2 per cent respectively.² To achieve better outcomes for productivity, Muir said, certain aspects across the construction project require attention.

“These include upskilling and enabling machine operators within the digital site, streamlining the design-to-construct process to remove inconsistencies between offsite design and on-site construction plans, providing greater accessibility to data to make sound decisions on-site without bias or opinion, and building trust within the digital ‘as-built’ environment to improve work validation and cashflow,” Muir explained.

“These are commonly known issues in our industry, voiced by contractors and clients alike.”

T+T’s executive leader for digital Rekha Kharbanda says that digital technology is well equipped to help solve these significant

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Quarry August 2021

Garth Dixon, Komatsu NZ’s national sales manager for new equipment construction (left), with John Cooper, T+T’s principal major projects delivery specialist.

productivity issues in infrastructure.

“We’re imagining a highly connected, transparent industry where machines can help keep their operators safe by working seamlessly with the site’s designs to automatically manage risks,” Kharbanda said.

“Where engineers are designing in software that communicates directly to the operator and machine carrying out the work. Where on- and off-site engineers can collaborate in real time to work through inconsistencies without having to significantly delay a project.

And where there is one source of truth for all contractors, engineering consultants and clients to easily understand the site, the design and its risks at any stage of the project.

“Combining T+T’s digital design engineering strengths and access to complex client projects with Komatsu Smart Construction’s technologies and collaboration with industry experts will enable us to improve construction productivity using digitisation,” Kharbanda said.

“We’re looking to determine just how much of a difference can be made in this area so that the construction sector can improve the value chain.”

McKinsey Research has identified

seven key areas that could boost the NZ construction sector’s productivity by 50 to 60 per cent, with T+T and Komatsu’s collaborative efforts looking to address five of them: 1. Rethinking design. ✓ 2. Improving onsite execution. ✓ 3. Infusing technology and innovation. ✓ 4. Reskilling workers. ✓ 5. Improving procurement and supply chain.

6. Reshaping regulation.

7. Rewriting contracts.

Muir said that industry and infrastructure owners are increasingly demanding that assets are planned, designed, constructed and maintained using a digital replica of the environment - or a “digital twin”.

“Komatsu and T+T intend to be at the forefront of this advancement, and understand it’s critical to collaborate with our customers, communities, industry peers and colleagues to find better ways to deliver infrastructure projects quickly, safely and to a high standard,” Muir said.

“By looking at the bigger picture and utilising smart technology, we’re better able to serve the whole project at hand.

“We’re looking forward to working with other construction industry leaders to pave this way forward.” •

KOMATSU LAUNCHES FULLY ELECTRIC, REMOTE-CONTROLLED EXCAVATOR As part of its 100th anniversary celebrations, Komatsu Ltd has announced a fully electric, remote-controlled mini-excavator as its next generation concept machine into the future.

Designed to lay the foundations for commercialisation of fully electric construction equipment, the electric three-tonne class miniexcavator, with a bucket capacity of 0.09m3, is based on Komatsu’s accumulated technological expertise in electric forklifts and miniexcavators. It incorporates new technologies, such as lithium-ion batteries and electric cylinders without hydraulics. Thanks to full electric power, the mini-excavator is eco-friendly, as it generates no exhaust gas, noise or heat. In addition to improved energy efficiency, it also features maintenance-free operation, thanks to no use of hydraulic equipment.

As the concept machine does not require an operator, a vehicle controller and operational device are connected via wireless LAN, enabling remote control operations under any work environment.

The operator can select the operational devices he/she likes.

Thanks to electrification and remote control, the machine should be stress-free and easier to operate in confined, dangerous sites such as indoor demolition tasks and rescue work from disasters.

In 2020, Komatsu launched the PC30E-5 electric mini-excavators

(hydraulic drive) in Japan, and plans to introduce in FY2022 more electric mini-excavators after equipping them with the lithium-ion battery system used in the concept machine for Europe.

Sean Taylor, the managing director and CEO of Komatsu Australia, said of this development: “Looking into the next 100 years, Komatsu will continue to move forward with its stakeholders as it creates value through manufacturing and technology innovation to empower a sustainable future where people, businesses and our planet thrive together. Komatsu’s focus is on creating a sustainable footprint through our operations, processes and our products.

“Climate change and moving towards a global zero emissions economy is obviously the big challenge for our generation,” Taylor added. “Komatsu has a long, rich history of driving sustainable innovation, with industry breakthroughs such as the first hybrid excavator which reduced fuel consumption by more than 40 per cent and the deployment of low emission engines that reduce particulate matter by up to 80 per cent. This concept machine is an exciting extension of this journey.” • Source: Komatsu Australia

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ustralia’s booming resources sector requires its mines and quarries to deliver hundreds of millions of tonnes of product each year to local and international markets.

The backbone of any effective operation is the equipment needed to turn rocks into profits. For Matthews Quarries, the “go to” brand has always been Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE).

Operating in Victoria, Matthews Quarries has depended on the Volvo CE brand since brothers Rob and Graeme Matthews reopened the quarry in 1980 after their father Keith Matthews had previously worked at the site before it was shut in 1952.

Matthews Quarries produces more than 500,000 tonnes of premium basalt for Victoria’s local construction industry each year.

The company currently operates three sites in Victoria, including its 50 per cent stake in Latrobe Valley Sands. The three sites are used to produce washed sand, concrete, crushed rock, ballast and sealing aggregates.

For more than 15 years, the company has purchased Volvo CE machinery from CJD Equipment to ensure the aggregates are supplied from the Latrobe Valley in a reliable way.

CJD is a nationwide distributor of construction machines from reputable brands such as Volvo CE and SDLG as well as the Kenworth, DAF, Isuzu and Fuso truck dealers in selected states.

The company was founded in 1974 and distributes construction equipment and trucks throughout Australia, including regional towns and mining hubs.

CJD is dedicated to providing its customers with the highest quality support available, evident through its slogan: “Big enough to trust, small enough to care.”

For Matthews Quarries owner Robert Matthews, Volvo equipment is a vital part of the company’s three operations, consistently delivering sand and hard rock aggregates with minimal downtime.

“We have continued to invest in Volvo CE due

to its reliability,” Matthews said.

Volvo CE machines are deployed across the quarry located on the Tyers-Walhalla Road, Boola, including an A60H articulated haul truck, two A40F articulated haulers, three A45G articulated haulers, two L250G loaders, a L260H wheel loader and a 75-tonne Volvo EC750D excavator, equipped with a 3.3m3 to 5.16m3 bucket capacity range.

A60H ARTICULATED HAULER As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of articulated haulers, Volvo’s A60H has proven worthy of the demands of Matthews Quarries and is surprisingly versatile for its capacity.

The aim of an articulated hauler is to provide true off-road capabilities, allowing work across all terrains.

The 60-tonne A60H represents the company’s latest innovation in its articulated hauler concept, featuring differential locks, active hydraulic front suspension and load optimisation.

To ensure productivity levels are maintained, the A60H’s hydraulic front suspension allows it to continue moving in tough conditions, while its on-board weighing system ensures each load is accurate.

The EC750D is equipped with a 3.3m3 to 5.16m3 bucket capacity range for loading articulated and rigid dump trucks.

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Quarry August 2021

Matthews Quarries uses Volvo’s state of the art A60H articulated hauler at its Boola quarry.

The A60H is equipped with a 495kW engine and wet disk brakes which also allow the hauler to deliver reliable and efficient power delivery with a lower cost per tonne.

“The main reason we keep choosing Volvo is due to the dependability of the machines to produce what we expect,” Matthews said.

“We have maintained a good relationship with CJD Equipment that has enabled us to maintain reliability and sales.”

According to Matthews, CJD Equipment’s support and services have been made

convenient with local aftersales service in the vicinity of the company’s operations.

“They offer local support and services for our machines nearby, so we don’t have to wait for them to come from Melbourne,” he continues.

“It makes it much more convenient.”

JOINT VENTURE Matthews Quarries also uses Volvo CE earthmoving vehicles at its Latrobe Valley Concrete and Latrobe Valley Sands joint venture with the Blackwood family.

By using a Volvo L90F wheel loader, the company provides pre-mix concrete and 450,000 tonnes of sand from the Latrobe Valley region of Victoria each year.

The Latrobe Valley Sands operation also features a Volvo EC18D compact excavator, EC480D excavator, two Volvo A45G articulated haulers, two A40Fs, two L250Gs and a L150F wheel loader.

A common trait among Volvo CE machines is their fuel economy, exhibited by the L250G’s 13-litre, six-cylinder turbo-charged diesel engine, which delivers high torque at low engine speeds.

For Matthews, the value that the Volvo namesake represents has seen the company remain an active customer.

“The main reason we continue to purchase Volvo equipment is due to the competitive prices and reliability,” Matthews said. “Those are the two main aspects that keep us coming back.”• Source: CJD Equipment

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TAKING THE CABIN PRESSURE OUT OF COMPLIANCE

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lack of cabin pressure monitors on a quarry site might have a curious correlation to your operators seeking work elsewhere. These small but vital sensors from REDARC subsidiary Hummingbird Electronics can benefit not only the health of a quarry’s workforce, but the health of its machinery too.

REDARC acquired Hummingbird Electronics in 2015 for its bespoke solutions in sensing, measuring and monitoring systems. Both brands have expanded their influence on a range of industries, including quarrying.

REDARC and Hummingbird’s mining and industrial manager Scott Montgomery said Hummingbird has developed a range of electronic solutions to satisfy compliance regulations on quarry sites.

“Particularly for quarries and mine sites where it’s very occupational health and safety-driven (OHS), when an issue arises, they can be very reactive sometimes,” Montgomery told Quarry. “So, we want to have a product suite that fills the gaps of these issues that operators and businesses are having in the OHS compliance space.”

One such gap that Hummingbird fills is cabin pressure monitoring, which can have multiple benefits for operators and owners.

Montgomery explained why the market has realised the necessity for such technologies.

“Especially with cabin pressure, no one wants to work in a dirty, dusty cabin. Our customers want their operators to go home in the same condition that they came to work, and they want their machinery to be performing to its optimum and most efficient for the longest amount of time,” he said.

Hummingbird has two options for cabin pressure monitoring. Both options use simple tubing to connect an indoor and outdoor unit, allowing the product to compare atmospherics pressures.

Both options use visual alarms to alert the operator to incorrect cabin pressure but one uses a simpler red/green LED light, and the other a panel-mounted touch-screen display with more detailed information such as current pressure settings.

Either option can be paired with Hummingbird’s audio alert system, which

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Quarry August 2021

A Hummingbird panel-mounted pressure monitor.

can be programmed to speak any alert the customer requires. The point of the audio alert system is to help simplify things for the operator, as Montgomery explained.

“Anything that can be done to take confusion out of a busy and cluttered dashboard makes it easier for the operator,” he said. “Many operators are working in multiple machines which look different inside and have different controls, so the easier we can make it for them, the better.

“When you’re operating a vehicle and there’s a light flashing on the left, an alarm going off to the right of it all can get very confusing. So, if you’re getting told by a human voice exactly what the problem is and exactly what to do, the reaction time is quicker.”

In an age where dust mitigation and OHS is at an all-time high, these products are ideal for keeping on top of such issues.

But in conjunction with human health, cabin pressure and dust monitoring can add precious time to the life of quarry equipment.

“One of the biggest reasons (for the product) is the air conditioning systems in vehicle cabins which have evaporators to filter out hot air and suck in cool air,” Montgomery said.

“Without a cabin pressure sensor, these evaporators can get clogged and cost between $2500 and $3000 plus maintenance costs to replace them.

“If you can have a cabin pressure monitor to ensure the cabin is pressurised and no dust is getting in, all of these

mechanical failures tend to be slowed down considerably.”

REDARC and Hummingbird manufacture their products to fit into vehicles from original equipment manufacturers and their distributors across Australia.

Montgomery said this owed to Hummingbird’s strong reputation.

“Hummingbird are quite well known for that sensing and monitoring technology in the mining and quarrying space,” he said.

“Whether it be driver behaviour modules, inclinometers, silent horn systems, or incabin audio alert systems, we do a lot of sensing and monitoring products. And the cabin pressure sensor is just one of those well respected, good quality products.

“We manufacture these for Komatsu and CJD who put their logos on it – showing they’re happy with the product.”

Montgomery also added that REDARC and Hummingbird scarcely receive a product back on warranty, which can be attributed to several factors.

The first is that 70 per cent of REDARC’s revenue is made from bespoke customer products, where its engineers work to a brief set out by a customer’s specific requests.

This allows for a high rate of satisfaction as customers get as close to their required outcomes as possible.

The second reason for a high customer satisfaction rate is REDARC’s intense testing process.

“We have some amazing test facilities at the REDARC factory,” Montgomery explained. “Our EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) test for noise compliance and our accelerated life testing machine both test everything for the most extreme scenarios, giving us a good indication of how long something will last in the field.

“And honestly, one shouldn’t expect anything less when it comes to a product suite that maintains the dual health and wellbeing of its workforce and its equipment.” • Based in Lonsdale, Western Australia, REDARC has 40 years’ experience in the research, design, development and manufacture of electronic voltage converters and associated products. For more information, visit redarc.com.au

The ZX690LCH-5 is WA Limestone’s firsttime purchase of a Hitachi excavator.

HEAVY-DUTY EXCAVATOR SHOWS DURABILITY ON BREAKWATER PROJECT

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stablished over 40 years ago, WA Limestone is a family-owned company with quarries strategically located all over the Perth Metropolitan Area. It is known as one of the biggest suppliers of road construction materials in Western Australia.

The company’s director Steven Della Bona is no stranger to the quarrying industry. He has been instrumental in Limestone’s continued growth, which now encompasses the construction of sea walls and breakwaters among various other applications within the industry.

He’s also a long-standing IQA member, former chairman of the IQA’s Western Australian branch and a former national IQA director.

Recently, Della Bonna’s business took on the breakwater construction on the Ocean Reef Marina, near Joondalup, about 30km north of Perth. Work is scheduled to be complete by 2022.

Commissioned by the WA Government, the two breakwaters will stretch for two kilometres. Each breakwater is up to 18.5 metres high from the ocean floor and includes 650,000 tonnes of limestone and 300,000 tonnes of granite.

The heavy lifting of such materials has been secured with the recent purchase of a Hitachi ZX690LCH-5 mid-sized excavator. Della Bonna said Hitachi machines are “renowned for their reliability, performance and fuel economy”.

The ZX690LCH-5 features an optimised hydraulic system and engine which assures Della Bonna the machine will not only run efficiently but maintain high durability – in spite of the harsh weather conditions it will be subjected to along the coastline.

Striving to meet customer satisfaction and go the extra mile, Della Bonna remarked that “so far the machine has had outstanding reliability with minimal down time. In particular, the operator comfort and overall machine performance is second to none. We’re also enjoying the peace of mind the ConSite Oil technology has provided, allowing us to monitor the machine’s condition and operational performance in real time.

“I’m particularly impressed with the strength of the boom arm. It seems the Hitachi excavators are equipped with more steel in this area compared to other excavators which improves the overall lifting capacity,” he added.

This is WA Limestone’s first purchase of a Hitachi machine. Della Bonna acknowledged the support of Hitachi Construction Machinery’s major accounts manager Steve Gunn. “He made it very easy to access the information required and provided an honest timeline on

machine delivery, so I could continue to meet the demands of the Breakwater construction project.” • For more information on equipment and services available through Hitachi Construction Machinery (Australia), visit www.hcma.com.au

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Quarry August 2021 33

SAND PROCESSING

The Terex Washing Systems plant at Keohane Readymix, in County Cork, Ireland.

TURNKEY SOLUTION

BEAMED LIVE AROUND THE WORLD An Ireland-based readymix site has hosted a virtual tour of its full sand washing systems – conveyed live into the offices and homes of industry professionals around the globe.

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erex Washing Systems hosted a highly successful virtual “End to End Washing Solution” showcase, which was broadcast live from a Keohane Readymix site in County Cork, Ireland, on 22 June, 2021.

The event showcased a full turnkey solution for washing and classifying to produce specification sand and aggregate for Keohane Readymix. A team of washing experts explained the different pieces of equipment that came together to form the bespoke plant and outlined how combined this washing system is proving to be a success for the customer.

Keohane Readymix, founded in 1979 by Paddy Keohane, is now a third generation company serving a broad customer base throughout Ireland with a range of concrete products, sand and aggregates. The washing solution is situated at its site at Brinny, County Cork, which feeds sand and gravel product to other Keohane Readymix sites in the region.

Viewers were taken on a journey from the start of the design process, which was determining the nature of the material to be processed. Johnston Patterson, the applications manager for Terex Washing Systems (TWS) explained: “The material is a natural sand and gravel deposit which, while fairly free-flowing, can get sticky and has some clay through it, as well as some organics, sticks and roots. The feed material is 60-40 sand to gravel and predominantly

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Quarry August 2021

minus 150mm, but it can be up to 300 to 400mm. The typical percentage passing 63 micron (µm) is around 10 per cent.”

To get started with the process of designing the new plant, Keohane Readymix provided a sample of its material and instructed the team on what products it would like to make from it. This material was analysed in a Terex Washing Systems lab and from this analysis the team were able to propose a bespoke plant that would meet Keohane Readymix’s needs.

Viewers were then taken through the operational site, learning about the key features of each piece of equipment that make up the full plant – including a H30 feed

hopper, an AggreSand 206, an AggreScrub 150, a deep cone thickener, a floc dosing unit, a central control panel and stockpiling conveyors. Viewers also saw how the plant uniquely features a freshwater tank buried beneath the machine to reduce its overall footprint.

This in-depth look at the inner workings of the entire wash plant allowed viewers to see the years of experience that have gone into the engineering of TWS. All aspects including the design, manufacturing and installation of the system were covered by TWS, which allowed for a truly integrated system.

Barry McMenamin, the business line director at TWS, explained: “Our team worked

TWS had a team of experts at Keohane Readymix to answer viewers’ questions.

with the Keohane business in assessing the application and designing the plant that specifically suits their needs. They also helped to design the civil concrete works that the plant is seated on. A very unique and innovative feature here is the fresh water tank beneath the machine, within the plinth itself, demonstrating the extent to which this plant is tailored to the requests from the customer.”

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Viewers also heard directly from Gavin Twohig, the operations manager of Keohane Readymix, on how the plant is performing.

Speaking of his experience of the plant, Twohig said: “We’ve been very happy with the output of the plant. We had decided to put in a log washer system because of the cleanliness of the material. With the log washer on site it’s doing an excellent job and the chips are very clean”.

Following the showcase, viewers were able to take part in a question and answer session

with the washing experts. There were queries about maintenance access and more specific water management inquiries. Participants also asked about the potential for a filter press on a site where water is limited (similar to the situation at Keohane’s Brinny site) as well as ask about how a plant could be tailored for their site.

The digital format of this live event enabled TWS to bring one of its modular washing systems into the homes and workplaces of hundreds of participants in a single day.

“In today’s world, where our customers are not able to be with us in person, we wanted to provide a ‘walk around’ of this operational site in the real world, explain the features of the equipment and show it in operation,” McMenamin said. “We believe this is the best way to give our customers a complete understanding of how we can provide an end to end solution tailored to their needs. The live event was a huge success – to be able to showcase a system that we’re massively proud

A drone’s eye view of the TWS plant on a very compact footprint.

of to such a large audience has been fantastic.

“No such installation or project would be complete without investment from a customer, and we are glad that Keohanes chose Terex Washing Systems as a partner for this project. We extend our appreciation to all at Keohane Readymix for enabling us to showcase their plant to the world, live from their site.” • To learn more about TWS or any of the machines featured in the End to End Washing Solutions Live Showcase, email Ben.Willcox@terex.com or visit terex.com/washing. For more information on Keohanes Readymix, visit keohanereadymix.com

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SAND PROCESSING

OPPORTUNITIES FOR C&D MATERIALS TO SUPPORT GROWTH OF GLOBAL CITIES

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esource recovery and utilising alternative construction materials to support urban growth was highlighted as part of a recent Engineering Insights virtual event hosted by wet processing industry experts CDE. The second edition of the event, held across three days from 18 to 20 May, followed a successful 2020 inaugural conference for industry professionals eager to engage in global learning and networking in the absence of international tradeshows and in-person conventions.

To support the continued sharing of insights about the global market, CDE convened industry leaders from across Australia and programmed a series of dynamic presentations about the supply and demand of geological construction materials and landfill diversion in the demolition industry.

A regional plan published by the Greater Sydney Commission has shown Greater Sydney’s population grew at an annual rate of 2.5 per cent for most of the 20th century.

Today, Greater Sydney is one of the top 10 fastest-growing regions in the Western world.

That rapid population growth and significant demographic shift is set to continue.The plan also projects an additional 3.2 million people will call Greater Sydney home by 2056.

Dugald Gray, the principal at Ecoroc, said of the 40 million tonnes of construction material required to meet demand in the region, 42 per cent was from alternative materials including virgin excavated natural material (VENM) and sandstone.

“They’re used in large quantities, they’re low value, they’re generated within the city, and from a sustainability perspective they’re fantastic,” Gray said in a panel discussion about the supply and demand for geological construction materials in global cities.

He was joined by Daniel Webber, CDE’s regional manager for Australasia, Mitchell Bland, managing director at RW Corkey & Co, and Quarry editor Damian Christie.

Gray said such materials can be used as a substitute for road base, hard sand and other materials used for filling voids. He added it also reduces the burden on finite virgin sand and aggregates by ensuring quarry operators can earmark freshly quarried materials for

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Quarry August 2021

A slide from the recent webinar ‘We Built this City’, delivered by quarry professionals Dugald Gray and Mitchell Bland to CDE Global customers.

higher strength and higher value applications.

“As a consequence, what that allows for is hard rock quarries to maximise the yield of aggregates they produce for concrete or asphalt,” Gray said.

Mike Ritchie, managing director at MRA Consulting Group, one of Australia’s leading environmental consultancy firms, said that New South Wales has in place an 80 per cent landfill diversion target for construction and demolition (C&D) waste by 2030.

“We are not there yet but it is positive,” Ritchie said. “C&D recycling rates sit at 74 per cent. C&D is highly recyclable due to its consistent strains of materials and lends itself to higher recovery rates. Government is using landfill levies to move the industry towards hitting the 80 per cent target.”

Ritchie spoke in the session about resource recovery and diversion from landfill for the demolition industry. He was joined by Mark Smith, CEO of the Waste Recycling Industry Association Queensland, Mike Wheeler, editor of Inside Waste, and Marcus Barber, of the City of Greater Dandenong.

“We haven’t reduced the tonnages landfilled in the past 20 years,” Ritchie said. “To hit the 80 per cent target, we are going to have to do more work. To reach this national target by 2030, we need to double our historic recycling rate. This is only possible with the right market and pricing signals.”

He said government levies have done the “heavy lifting” in terms of recycling growth

over the past two decades. Analysis by MRA shows the relationship between recycling rates and levies confirms the higher the levy the greater the recycling rate.

“We need to continue to advocate to the government to ensure everyone understands the benefits of levy and price signals in terms of making C&D recycling profitable and worth investing in.”

Ritchie added the recycling industry is worth the investment. “We have major investors coming into the waste market now to invest in C&D companies,” he said.

Smith discussed the end of life solutions for products and buildings while Barber advocated for the use of recycled products in the construction sector. He suggested concrete produced from C&D waste materials has its applications.

Referencing a UK-based customer, he said, “They have been bold, and they guarantee their products. They say this concrete is good enough for a car park. They’re not going to build an airport runway with it but leave virgin extracted material for the right places.” • The three-day Engineering Insights program featured 16 sessions involving almost 50 speakers.

The full program can be viewed on demand for registered attendees. Visit CDEGlobal.com/vEvent The session on the material needs of the Greater Sydney Region can also be viewed at quarrymagazine.com/2021/06/04/we-built-this-city/ or youtu.be/yZEdIKPcKRE

EDUCATION

UNDERSTANDING AND

CONVEYING THE POWER OF WORDS In chapter five of a seven-part series on the characteristics of effective leadership, literacy specialist and THRASS trainer Michelle Tham explains what effective communication is and why it should not be treated as a one-way process.

I

n the past few months I have collected a number of interesting articles and stories based upon the seven characteristics (listed in Figure 1, in the boxout). However, as I reviewed and discussed the many contributions with the authors, prior to submitting a piece for publication in Quarry each month, it became evident that there are four attributes underpinning the effectiveness of leadership (see Figure 2 on page 38).

I am in the process of writing a companion compilation book – Effective Leaders: Four attributes that underpin the core characteristics of effective leadership – which will address: RESPECT: (Diversity/Gender Equality, Inclusion and Culture).

COURAGE: (Personal and Public).

INTEGRITY: (Accountability and Transparency/Authenticity).

AGILITY: (Alignment and Agility Leadership/Emotional/Management).

Take a break, grab a coffee and enjoy

reading this month’s article, from Michelle Tham of Wise Owl Learning on one of the core characteristics of effective leadership – Effective Communication – but from a very different perspective, albeit a critical aspect of what should be open and transparent communication.

Mike Cameron

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION – MICHELLE THAM’S STORY “All I need is a sheet of paper and something to write with, and then I can turn the world upside down.”

Friedrich Nietzsche Effective Leaders understand the power of words and their ability to inspire, support, reassure and direct their people. They communicate with clarity of purpose.

As a literacy educator, I believe it is my role to inspire, support, reassure and direct my

THE EMERGING LEADER’S MODEL ❑ Organisations require: • Predictable results and performance. ❑ Workplace engagement is achieved through: • Trust, purpose, alignment, conversations. ❑ The Seven Core Characteristics of Effective Leadership: 1. Know yourself.

2. Emotional resilience.

3. Empathetic relationships.

4. Vision and values.

5. Effective communication.

6. Motivation and teamwork.

7. Trust in your leadership.

Figure 1. The Emerging Leader coaching model.

students as I coach them to explore and ask questions about the world around them. I hope to stimulate their curiosity. I want them to care, and for those who desire it, set them up with the vocabulary and understanding that will help them to become effective leaders themselves.

I work with people of all ages: pre-schoolers to adults, and everyone in between. I educate teachers and principals, children and adults with global developmental delay or poor working memory, as well as children and adults with excellent working memory and a thirst for knowledge.

With all of my clients, I ensure that my goals and expectations are clearly communicated so that they know what to expect from me, avoiding acronyms and teacher-talk that might dilute or confuse my message.

Communication is two-way, so I also actively listen to their concerns and expectations of me, allowing space to discuss, clarify and reassure them.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines the verb communicate as follows: Communicate (verb) /kəˈmjuː.nɪ.keɪt/ To share information with others by speaking, writing, moving your body, or using other signals.

With my young learners, I use all of those modes to help them to express themselves and communicate their needs. When speaking, they need to have an appropriate vocabulary if they are to be able to effectively articulate their feelings, express their dreams, their fears and their goals. If they don’t comprehend the words, then they cannot be expected to include them in their writing, even if they can spell them correctly.

I am aware of what a privileged role I have.

I know the power of my words to inspire or shame my charges. My praise and support can offer some students the courage to

Quarry August 2021 37

EDUCATION

persevere when things get hard, but careless words can also shame them, crushing their enthusiasm and self-belief.

“Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble.”

Yehuda Berg Many of my students struggle to grasp the written word, purely because of the way their brains process language. As a consequence, they rarely experience the joy of losing themselves in a good book, or of transferring the creative adventures in their heads into the rigid structure required by the school’s curriculum for each text type.

I can explain how their brain decodes to read and encodes to write, and that poor spelling is not a measure of their worthiness or ability to contribute at school or in society.

We can explore other ways of reading and writing to make it more accessible but they still need to comprehend in order for it to be meaningful. If their aim is to persuade, or effect change, they need clear and direct teaching of the process required.

As teachers, we don’t always model effective communication ourselves. We seek considered responses to our questions during discussion, but then hand out worksheets containing spelling rules that just do not work. We teach that letters make sounds but when what we have taught doesn’t follow those rules, we respond by saying: “English is a funny language and you just have to learn it.”

For example, think about a common word such as “was”. Then try to sound it out using a traditional, letter-sound approach. It does not work, does it? When my learner writes “woz”, she has actually represented all of the

Literacy specialist and THRASS trainer Michelle Tham says communication is not a one-way process.

sounds in that word, using the most common spelling choice, and in the correct order.

She just has not used the correct letters for that word. It is my job, as her teacher, to effectively communicate that the letter “a” can also represent that sound as in “want”, “wash”, “Lachlan” and “s” in “is”, “his”, “bees”. If I start with the premise that letters are just the symbols used to represent the sounds we hear in words, then I can give my student credit for everything she has got right. Like in maths!

In fact, I argue that understanding the meaning of a word is actually the most important factor in effective communication.

If our students do not have any idea of what the words on their spelling lists or texts even mean, then we are never going to see them being used in their writing.

“Be mindful when it comes to your words.

A string of some that don’t mean much to you may stick with someone else for a lifetime.”

Rachel Wolchin

Figure 2. The four core attributes underpinning the Emerging Leader coaching model.

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Quarry August 2021

With my adult learners, I seek to inspire them to learn another approach to supporting their students to read, write and spell. The method that I am encouraging them to adopt is different from the way many of them were taught themselves, and so, as life-long learners, I need to reassure and support them as they try a new way of teaching.

I need to effectively communicate my message in a way that challenges them to re-think what they have always done. They need to see the purpose of learning a new way and be supported as they learn, question and critically assess this new technique.

It will take effort on their behalf and so I want to inspire them and help them recognise that the reward is worth it. To succeed, they need to be prepared to be vulnerable in front of their own students by admitting that they might get it wrong at first. In fact, they probably will, because that is where they will learn most.

As they explore the dictionary and continue with their professional learning, their understanding and confidence will grow.

They will be able to apply their knowledge to new circumstances and adapt it to their own unique, teaching goals.

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

Mother Teresa These teachers are also demonstrating effective leadership by modelling their own commitment to life-long learning, communicating their understanding and applying an inquisitive approach to English.

They will also need to use kind words to themselves as they grapple with this new approach that explores words in the context of their meaning, etymology (origin), morphology (word parts) and orthography (spelling patterns in English).

This is a road that I have also travelled. It took time, and it was scary to try something new. However, now that I have gained that knowledge, I can use and adapt it to preschool-aged children, primary and secondary school students, and adult learners (LOTE, speech therapists, teachers, teacher aides, parents) and I still get to learn myself.

For example, one of my students recently wrote a narrative in which he wanted to include the word “pandemonium”. Great word, hey?! We weren’t entirely sure of the spelling, so we looked up the meaning first.

Pandemonium (noun) /pandɪˈməʊnɪəm/ wild and noisy disorder or confusion; uproar.

Pan – all, demon – hell, ium – a Latin suffix

which forms abstract nouns. It literally means, “All hell breaking loose”.

He wanted to use the word, so I supported him as he applied the process which I had directly taught him. No jargon, no teacher-talk.

And I learnt something too.

So, I contend that effective leaders should be learning from those they teach. All it takes is a little courage to admit that they don’t know it all, while ensuring that they are always learning and practising effective communication.

“I believe that understanding the importance of communication, as a key management competency, is crucial; but mastering and applying the essential fundamentals of effective communication is the key to success in the leadership role.”

Mike Cameron • Michelle Tham is the business owner of Wise Owl Learning and a THRASS trainer at The THRASS Institute. Email: michelle@wiseowllearning.com.au

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Quarry August 2021 39

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

PRESTIGIOUS AWARD RECOGNISES SESSION ON ANTARCTIC QUARRYING

A

paper on the challenges of quarrying in one of the world’s harshest and inhospitable environments has received the 2020 Caernarfon Award.

The winner and runners-up of the 2020 Caernarfon Award were announced by the international presidents of the Institute of Quarrying (IQ) as part of the awards ceremonies at the QuarryNZ conference in Wellington, New Zealand, on 16 July.

Since 1989, the international honour has been presented to an IQ member who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the science and practice of the quarrying sector.

Gavin Hartley MIQ, the quarry manager of Blackhead Quarries, in Dunedin, New Zealand, is this year’s winner.

His presentation – Quarrying way down south – highlighted the challenges of quarrying in one of the world’s harshest environments. He helped establish a quarry at McMurdo Station, Antarctica in 2019, including supplying the foundations for six buildings at the American base. Hartley delivered his presentation at the IQ Otago/Southland branch mini-conference in July 2021.

The international presidents recognised that Hartley’s presentation demonstrated how IQ members share their skills and expertise with colleagues and other professionals around the world, while at the same time expanding their own knowledge and understanding of the science of quarrying, the very principles on which the IQ was founded.

“Quarrying in an isolated place and in adverse weather conditions is very challenging,” IQ New Zealand President Dean Torstonson said. “Gavin’s paper provided a snapshot of a small team of quarrying professionals producing aggregate for new building foundations – way down south – in McMurdo Station, Antarctica. It described the landscape, the project, the quarry and equipment, health and safety, the people, and the outcomes, as well as piqued the interest of everyone associated with the quarrying industry.”

With several high quality submissions for the prestigious award, the IQ’s international presidents also presented four entries with a

40

Quarry August 2021

Gavin Hartley, of Blackhead Quarries (right), receives the Caernarfon Award from IQNZ President Dean Torstonson.

“Highly Commended” recognition.

Gavin Mennie, Breedon Group, and Martin McGroarty, Fife Council, presented “Mineral planning in Scotland” on behalf of the IQ Scottish branch. The presentation gave a unique insight of the requirements that the operator and the planning authority have to consider during and after the life of the site.

Claudia Trotter, Mates in Mind, presented “Improving mental health within the workplace” on behalf of the IQ North Wales Branch. While many businesses have structures in place to help staff, the presentation highlighted important information on the help available and more importantly assisted with dismissing the stigma of asking for help, along with the understanding of different forms of mental health problems.

Simon Tose, Blast Consult, delivered a

short online course on blast design to IQ South Africa members. The course covered the fundamentals for blast design, providing insight into approaches for developing more efficient blasting methods.

Mark Godden FIQ, Albion Stone, presented “Portland Stone – The transition from surface to deep mining” on behalf of the IQ West of England Branch. It outlined the geology of Portland and the important role that Portland stone has played in construction over past centuries, the drivers for going underground in terms of the past and the current impact of quarrying on the landscape of Portland, as well as the processes of developing the underground excavation work. He also explained how this innovation would secure a long-term future for Portland stone.

“Despite the challenges caused by the global pandemic, it’s clear to see from the volume of applications to this year’s Caernarfon Award that our international network of IQ organisations have continued to deliver high quality, informative and educational sessions for their members,” IQ International Presidents Chair (and IQA President) Shane Braddy said.

“On behalf of the IQ, I congratulate our winner Gavin Hartley, as well as each of our highly commended runners up.”

“To receive an award judged by your peers in New Zealand is awesome,” Hartley said, upon receiving the Award. “To be recognised by your peers internationally is an unbelievable honour and I am so proud to be part of such a great industry.”•

Earthmoving and crushing gear operate in snowfall at McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

IQA NEWS

The Institute of Quarrying Australia

Team Hanson won the NAGA Award.

The traditional Precisionscreen-sponsored breakfast kicked off proceedings.

SAFETY AND HEALTH CONFERENCES

To view pictorial highlights of the Queensland Quarrying & Mining Health and Safety Conference, visit the IQA YouTube channel: youtube.com/channel/ UCi9QSkECi18mhfJ0maidLVg

the IQA calendar of events for 2021, including the IQA Awards.

ILLAWARRA SUB-BRANCH NEWS

The Illawarra sub-branch was pleased to organise a networking event. Even allowing for the recent lockdown that has included the Illawarra region, the sub-branch is optimistic that it will connect with industry colleagues at future IQA events in the remainder of this year.

In May and June this year, the IQA held three very successful Safety & Health Conferences: • The New South Wales Quarries and Concrete Safety Seminar (in partnership with Cement Concrete Aggregates Australia [CCAA]) on 19 May. • Quarrying & Mining Safety and Health Conference, in Brisbane (in partnership with CCAA and Resources and Safety Health Queensland [RSHQ]).

• Quarrying and Mining Safety and Health Conference, in Townsville (in conjunction with RSHQ).

A fantastic array of speakers presented on critical areas of health and safety. Across each of the conferences there was a common theme of effective leadership in safety and creating a healthy reporting culture.

Dinner meeting, 27 May The Illawarra sub-branch gathered at Windang Bowls Club for its first event for the year. This event was attended by 34 Members and Associates and celebrated the resilience of the industry. It set the stage for further face to face events scheduled for the remainder of 2021.

Chairman Natalie Hansen welcomed attendees and highlighted the theme of National Reconciliation week – “More than a word” – which focused on the delivery of action-based outcomes. She also discussed

Attendees heard a presentation from Fulton Hogan project director Matthew Saviana about the Albion Park Bypass Project, followed by a Q&A session.

QUEENSLAND BRANCH NEWS Queensland Annual Golf Day After having foregone the annual golf day in 2020 thanks to COVID-19, the Queensland branch could not have asked for a more perfect day for golf on 21 May.

The Brisbane conference was opened by Kate du Preez, Queensland’s Commissioner for Mine Safety and Health, and Garvin Burns, NSW’s Chief Inspector of Mines provided valuable insights into the key issues identified by the NSW Resources Regulator in NSW. Klaus Hormann, the head of NEECA Group Health & Safety at Heidelberg Cement, spoke about his company’s approach to zero harm.

Klaus outlined the global commitment to safety first and the shift to embedding safety as a core value, using lead indicators to share information on safety and health issues affecting the quarrying and mining sectors, share experiences and knowledge relating to workplace practice and policy, and learning new ways to provide a safe and healthy work environment.

SA Young Members concluded their busy day with a visit to Groundwork Plus’s Adelaide HQ.

Quarry August 2021 41

IQA NEWS

The Institute of Quarrying Australia

region. This site is a major supplier of quarry materials used in the construction, building and chemical industries.

The site tour of Penrice began with a presentation delivered by the quarry operations manager Michael Close. He gave attendees an overview of the site and its activities, including a brief history of the site which began operations in the 1950s. While the site provides a vast range of typical quarry products, it also has number of niche markets and products that the company produces.

These products are particularly dependent on the site’s chemical make-up, with their end use going to glass manufacture, animal nutrition products, agricultural limes, and cement manufacture.

The viewing platform at Penrice Quarry provided an excellent vantage point of the Barossa region for the SA Young Members Network.

A cool start, turned into a beautiful day with sunshine and enthusiasm in abundance. With 131 players and a full course of sponsors, the event started with the traditional Precisionscreen-sponsored breakfast and some networking before the tee-off over 18 holes of golf.

The branch is grateful to everyone that made the day an outstanding success.

This year’s sponsors included: CDE Group; Metso Outotec; RUD Australia; Groundwork Plus; N&P Site Boring; Saros International; Ausrocks; H-E Parts; Komatsu; Scope Engineering; Orica; Astec Australia; MSC Group; Epiroc; Tradefaire International (TFI); Terex Jaques; Crusher Spares Australia; Precisionscreen; Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers; and Orana Drilling & Blast.

To view a highlights video, go to the IQA YouTube page: youtube.com/channel/ UCi9QSkECi18mhfJ0maidLVg

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BRANCH NEWS SA Young Members Network tour On 14 May, members of the SA Young Members Network (YMN) had a rare opportunity to view two key businesses at work: Penrice Quarry and the Adelaide Brighton Cement (ABC) cement manufacturing plant. The focus of the tour was to follow the entire cement manufacturing process through, beginning at raw material extraction and finishing at cement packaging and distribution.

To cap off the day, YMN members visited Groundwork Plus’s SA office for an insightful business overview and fantastic hospitality.

After a year of no events for the South Australian YMN members due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was very welcoming and refreshing for them to regroup. Eleven members joined the day’s tour beginning at Penrice Quarry and Mineral, located in the heart of the famous Barossa Valley wine

UPCOMING BRANCH EVENTS • TBC NSW Young Member Network Holcim Site Tour (rescheduled due to COVID-19) • 20 Aug

SA AGM and Dinner (Adelaide)

• 2 Sept

QLD WIQ 5th Annual Conference

• 7 Sept

TAS AGM, Site Tour and Dinner (Launceston)

• 13 Oct

CQLD Technical Dinner Meeting (Rockhampton)

• 10 Nov

TAS Update from the Regulator & IQA CEO Dinner (Launceston)

• 26 - 28 Nov TAS Technical Weekend (Bruny Island) • 19 Nov

WA Annual Golf Day (Joondalup)

• TBC

Vic Student Presentation Night (rescheduled due to COVID-19)

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Quarry August 2021

The latter is where the theme of the tour would pick up, with the team from Penrice Quarry being able to show how the extraction of raw materials for cement manufacture is conducted. Drill and blast supervisor Craig Taylor provided an overview of the drill and blast process and then laboratory and quality supervisor John Shultz explained the process for testing and approving the materials for production or despatch. The tour group moved out of the site’s processing areas (fixed and mobile) and then out into the pit. The viewing platform provides an excellent vantage point across the Barossa.

The next stage of the tour was to visit the ABC special products plant located in Angaston. This plant is home to Brightonlite cement manufacture. The YMN party was met by shift supervisor Luke Dal-Bello and process engineer Jay Samonte who provided an insightful tour of the site and a first-hand view of the cement manufacturing process. All attendees were intrigued by the complex process. Luke and Jay were able to summarise each of the major steps in cement manufacture and the YMN party was able to see how raw materials arrive and are then refined further for the appropriate kiln feed, including the blending of the correct raw materials to achieve the correct chemical composition before being fed into the kilns for the burning process.

ABC uses both wet and dry kiln processes, and it was interesting to hear the differences between the two and also the challenges of achieving the correct balance of raw materials and chemical composition. YMN members were able to experience and feel the heat generated off the rotating kilns while Jay and Luke explained the fuel used for the firing process, and some of the intricacies of

The Institute of Quarrying Australia

GROWING THE MEMBERSHIP, INDUSTRY NETWORKS IN FY22 The financial year has ended. With this brings a focus on resetting and looking to the future and the goals of the next 12 months and beyond.

The IQA had a relatively successful FY21 under the circumstances, despite disruptions from COVID-19.

As we look to the future, the priorities of the IQA remain on value for members, supporting the industry in health, safety and sustainability and working closely with key stakeholders such as our valued supporters and the regulators.

This financial year we will continue to support branch events across the country and the full calendar of events will support ongoing networking and member engagement. It is pleasing to see a number of our sub-branches, including Northern Region, Hunter and Cairns, are again operational with active committees and members dedicated to hosting quality events. As we head into the cycle of annual general meetings (AGM), I encourage you to nominate for a branch committee position.

Membership is the foundation of the IQA and our members are vital to the ongoing success and support we can provide for the industry.

The IQA Board and Membership Review

Committee recently made changes to the requirements for membership grades in the Institute. These changes reflect the current roles in our industry. By aligning the grades more closely to roles the IQA will achieve greater consistency in its membership grades.

For example, any quarry manager with the statutory right to practise in their state meets the requirements of the grade of Member.

There are a number of current members who meet the requirements of a higher grade.

As part of the 2021-22 membership renewal cycle the IQA team will ensure all members are aligned to the correct grade and upgraded accordingly. In addition, all IQA members will have: • The right to vote at the Institute’s national AGM. • The right to use postnominals aligned to their grade.

keeping a kiln running efficiently, particularly given its age. Finally, the group viewed the final stage of cement manufacture with the grinding stage of clinker, producing the final finished product which is despatched through pneumatic tankers or packaged in an automated bagging process.

The YMN thanks Penrice Quarry, ABC Angaston plant, and Groundwork Plus for allowing its members to visit their sites. The SA YMN group looks forward to hosting more events in the future and creating more opportunities for members to meet, network, and learn together.

These site tours gave the YMN members great insight into both the critical linkage of the supply of raw materials from the quarry perspective, and then the use of the raw materials in the production and supply of Brightonlite cement.

To finish the day, YMN members visited the Groundwork Plus office in Nuriootpa.

Director James Rowe gave an overview into the Groundwork Plus business and the range of services it offers to support the extractive industries, and provided some fine hospitality.

IQA TRAINING Do you have a clear plan of what training your team needs? The IQA can help. There is training and materials on key technical aspects of the quarry industry, plus training on soft skills such as leadership and supervising for safety. Contact the IQA today to help you plan your training.

• 21 July – Learning from Disasters Online Workshop • 27 July – Supervising for Safety

• Access to the 2021-22 member eBadge.

Please encourage someone you know who is not yet a member to get involved. The networking and connections the IQA offers can support anyone in the industry from support service to operators to senior managers. I look forward to growing the network of members engaged with the extractive industry through the IQA. KYLIE FAHEY Chief Executive Officer Institute of Quarrying Australia

Workshop (Brisbane) • 15 September – Electrical Awareness Online Workshop • 23 September – Slope Stability Online Workshop • 23 November – Slope Stability for Operators (half-day) Online Workshop • Self-paced – Effective Risk Management Online Course • Self-paced – Incident Investigation Online Course • TBC - Supervising for Safety Workshop* (Bendigo) • TBC - Supervising for Safety Workshop* (Melbourne) *For more information, contact the IQA, tel 02 9484 0577 or email admin@quarry.com.au •

Quarry August 2021 43

IQA CONFERENCE NEX, the home of IQA2021 from 5 to 7 October.

RE-THINK, RE-SOURCE, RE-ENGAGE AT NEWCASTLE FOR 2021

T

he countdown is on for the 63rd National IQA Conference (IQA2021) in Newcastle from 5 to 7 October, 2021.

The conference is set to provide a welcome opportunity for members of the extractive and associated industries to re-connect through an innovative and engaging program.

Supporting the IQA’s vision of educating and connecting the extractive and associated industries, the conference theme – ReThink, Re-Source, Re-Engage – is designed to incorporate the significant learnings the industry can take from successfully operating during the COVID-19 pandemic period and the growth opportunities that lie ahead as economic recovery strategies are implemented.

Through an engaging and informative program, delegates will hear from a range of insightful speakers and industry practitioners and explore the key changes that impact the extractive and associated industries.

WELCOME TO NEWCASTLE Nestled in the heart of the Hunter Region and only two hours’ drive north of Sydney,

Newcastle boasts cosmopolitan cafes, award-winning restaurants, harbourside bars, a vibrant arts scene and boutique shopping precincts. With direct flights from Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney and regional areas, Newcastle is an easily accessible destination for IQA2021.

As Australia’s second oldest city, Newcastle offers modern and contemporary venues, together with iconic and historically significant function spaces which delegates will have the opportunity to experience at IQA2021.

Accommodation has been secured at four hotels within walking distance of the conference venue. Rooms are selling quickly so book soon to avoid disappointment.

IQA2021 will be held at the Newcastle Exhibition and Convention Centre (NEX), a state of the art conference facility located in the Newcastle CBD. IQA2021 plenary sessions, the inaugural Position Partners Conference Theatre, and more than 50 exhibitors showcasing the latest equipment and services available to the extractive and associated industries, will all be positioned on the one level at NEX, within an open, modern space. An outdoor display in the adjacent Hangar at NEX will complement the exhibition.

CONFERENCE PLENARY PROGRAM IQA2021 is certainly shaping up to be one of the best events yet. The Organising Committee have devised a fantastic conference plenary program which will showcase the host city of Newcastle and provide opportunities for education and networking.

See the opposite page for an outline of the keynote speakers and presenters.

The Event Room at NEX, venue of IQA2021.

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Quarry August 2021

SOCIAL PROGRAM Three social functions will be incorporated into the IQA2021 Conference Program.

The program commences with the Hitachi Welcome Reception on Tuesday, 5 October at Newcastle Museum, followed by the Komatsu Conference Dinner on Wednesday, 6 October at Newcastle Racecourse and the Caterpillar Gala Dinner on Thursday, 7 October in The Arena at NEX. All three events will provide fantastic opportunities for networking with industry colleagues.

Additional tickets for social functions are available to purchase. Visit the conference website below or turn to page 23 for further details.

SITE TOURS Two site tours will be held in conjunction with IQA2021. The first incorporates a tour of Australia’s largest coal export port, the Port of Newcastle, followed by a visit to Port Waratah Coal Services and the Mines Rescue Station.

The second, an initiative designed specifically for younger employees within the extractive and associated industries, includes a private tour of the Orica Kooragang Island site.

Both tour options have been popular to date and limited numbers apply, so make sure you register soon to secure your place on one of these tours.

REGISTRATION Early bird registration has now closed but it’s not too late to secure your place at IQA2021.

For further information or to register, visit iqa.eventsair.conference We look forward to joining you in Newcastle. •

2021 IQA NATIONAL CONFERENCE

5 – 7 OCTOBER 2021, NEWCASTLE NSW

Bringing together the extractive and associated industries to Re-Think, Re-Source, Re-Engage

In October 2021, we will meet in Newcastle to hear from a range of insightful speakers and industry practitioners who will explore the key changes impacting the extractive and associated industries.

Designed to incorporate the significant learnings the extractive and associated industries can take from successfully operating during the COVID-19 pandemic period and the growth opportunities that lie ahead as economic recovery strategies are implemented, the IQA2021 program will focus on the future of our industry moving forward.

I N T R O D U C I N G

Michael McQueen Futurist

Phil Schacht Hanson

Tegan Smith

S O M E

O F

O U R

Rachael Robertson

George Agriogiannis

Nick Miller

Victoria Sherwood Boral

University of Newcastle

Melvyn Maylin

Keynote Speaker

Adelaide Brighton Ltd

Holcim Australia

Groundwork Plus

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service

Kris Larkin

Lachlan Grant

Laurence McCoy

Gus McLachlan

Jason Todd

NSW Rural Fire Service

S P E A K E R S

Boral

MinesRescue

Macquarie Bank

Richard Jones

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service

Craig Wheeler

ARTC Inland Rail

Barbara Chappell

Simply Speaking Senachai

GEOLOGY TALK

THE SOCIOLOGY OF SAND EXTRACTION

A dry river sand explosion. A recent study is urging more sustainable consumption of global sand resources.

There are new calls for the sustainability of global sand supplies as researchers take a holistic view of how humans use sand throughout the supply chain.

O

ne Earth, a peer-reviewed journal on global environmental change and sustainability science has published a research paper - “Sustainability of the global sand system in the Anthropocene”.

In the paper, researchers from the Michigan State University’s (MSU) Centre for Systems Integration and Sustainability and Belgium’s Université catholique de Louvain examined the sustainability implications of overexploitation of sand, which is a key ingredient in concrete, asphalt and glass.

They argued that in 2020 the sum of “man-made” objects (anthropogenic mass) for the first time exceeded living things on Earth (global biomass). The largest share of the former came from sand, gravel and crushed rock. This “momentous occasion”, they added, underlines just how much material we need to continue developing our built environment.

Aurora Torres, lead author on the paper, told The Eurasia Review this focus on sustainable production was important.

“With this paper, we look forward towards what we need to do as a society to promote sustainable consumption on global sand resources,” Torres said. “As

46

Quarry August 2021

with climate change, there is not a single solution but multiple entry points for more sustainable consumption.”

The researchers suggested a universal understanding of the construction supply chain is required to confront the issue.

“Here, we present a new perspective on global sand sustainability that shifts the focus from solely evaluating local impacts of sand mining to understanding the entire sand supply network (SSN) of a region as a coupled human-natural system,” the authors wrote in the preface.

With a general sense of humanitarianism, the paper showed most concern for the strength of global supply chains and the satisfaction of societal needs.

Principal at Ecoroc Consulting Engineers Dugald Gray told Quarry the ongoing replacement of natural sand with hard rock sand will continue an upwards trend for Australia as a whole but has its hurdles.

Ecoroc and RW Corkery & Co have studied the raw construction materials needs of the Greater Sydney Region on behalf of the Mining, Exploration and Geoscience division of the Department of Regional New South Wales (see page 36).

“If hard rock is to progressively supplant natural sand sources, then important economic matters of transport costs and a reduced diversity of suppliers also come to the fore,” Gray said. “Even in Australia, many natural sand deposits, particularly across the regions are worked by smaller firms, not the multinationals.

“If the societal choice is to dispense with these sources of natural sand supply by replacing them with rock sources, then we must expect less competition, choice and convenience for the community.”

Not only will the transition to hard rock sand sources become a barrier for entry to smaller businesses, but the technical demands of the undertaking can be underestimated, Gray said.

“Nature has done much of the work in value-adding natural sand – reducing it down to its particulate state, shaping it and removing much of the weaker contaminants,” Gray said. “[This is] not so with crushed rock fines. Any audit of the sustainability merits of natural sand versus manufactured sand must address the embodied energy issue - otherwise the sustainability equation is incomplete.”

Gray believes Australia is safe from the “global [sand] crisis” for now but is best to aid in it, lest the country be unprepared for a shift in global demands.

“The exporting of bulk sand to Asia for use as construction aggregates presents as one such opportunity,” Gray said.

“But I think there is a risk of Australia adopting a ‘head in the sand’ mindset in response to the global shortage of natural sand. This would be myopic. It is not inconceivable that hungry eyes will turn to our continent in the future as the global sand shortage intensifies.

“We should keep the issue clearly on our national radar, do our bit to help alleviate the global sand shortfall, but not assume our sand resources [for use as construction aggregates] are ubiquitous.

It would seem that very assumption has led to the global sand crisis.”•

The joint MSU Centre for Systems Integration and Sustainability/Université catholique de Louvain paper can be found on the Science Direct website: sciencedirect.com

2021

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