35 minute read
CHOOSING THE RIGHT
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CONE CRUSHER FOR YOUR APPLICATION
Not every cone crusher is equal, depending on the application, but they can be adapted for highly competitive uses.
When it comes to the three main styles of cone crushers in the aggregates market – namely the floating bowl cone, the screw bowl cone and the floating shaft cone – there is no one style that is solely and uniquely associated with a specific application.
Rather, all three types of cone crushers can work but some are more suited to some applications than others. Depending on the type of material being processed and the desired output in terms of tonnage or specification, extractive producers have the opportunity to select from any one of the three styles of cones.
Wayne van Antwerpen, the group crusher technology product manager for Terex MPS, has discussed the various cone crushers and their overall individual suitability for various applications.
“We wanted to be in a position to offer a solution for every cone crushing application requirement, while meeting the application needs of our customers with the best possible product quality and productivity,” van Antwerpen said. “With the addition of the TG series cones to our cone crusher portfolio, we are now able to do that. The TG cones series allows us to further add the versatility of bronze bushing technology to that of our current robust and efficient roller bearing cones.”
40 Quarry August 2019 A screw bowl cone, as represented by the Cedarapids MVP380X.
CONE TYPES Van Antwerpen said the floating bowl cone, which is represented by the Terex TC series, is recommended for most mining and quarrying applications, especially catering to contractors, from a secondary down to a quaternary position. “The cone design performs consistently in a secondary position with an unscalped all-in-feed,” he said. “This helps promote excellent shaped products through attrition crushing.”
The screw bowl cone, which is represented by the Terex MVP series offering, is also suited to mining and quarrying applications.
“Due to the fact that this style of cone offers the large tramp iron stroke clearance, it would be the better choice when looking for a cone in a recycle-type application where there is the
possibility of smaller metal contaminants,” van Antwerpen said. “It is also well suited to high tonnage applications, and for those where large reduction ratios are required, fine/sand products are to be made, or that require strict product shape and grading requirements. The screw bowl cones can work in secondary, tertiary and quaternary positions.”
The floating shaft (spider-bearing) cone, represented by the Jaques gyracone range (roller bearings) and the newly launched Cedarapids TG cones, is also ideal for mining and quarrying applications, with similar characteristics found on the floating bowl cone. The large feed secondary TGS version of the new cone, which can accept a feed size up to 75 per cent larger than its fine version, enables positioning in a control fed primary stage for sand and gravel applications.
“The bronze bushed TG spider-bearing cones fall in-line with the other two styles of cones when it comes to applied power and productivity, but with the ability to change the eccentric throw of the cone easily and economically gives it increased application
versatility,” van Antwerpen said. “If a higher yield of a specific-sized product is required, the numerous eccentric throw options can be changed to suit the application requirements.”
The new Cedarapids TG series cones consist of four models focused on the aggregate and construction industries, namely the TG120 (89kW), TG220 (164kW), TG320 (240kW) and TG420 (313kW) respectively. Each model is available in two versions: the TG (fine) and TGS (secondary). The TG style can be run in a secondary, tertiary and a quaternary position; the TGS models, which can take an approximately 75 per cent larger feed, are designed for large feed secondary positions. There are also two larger models available for large capacity mining and quarrying applications, namely the TG820 (611kW) and the TG1020 (760kW).
AUSTRALIAN COMMISSION The first Cedarapids TG series cone — a TGS220 —has recently been commissioned on the mid-north coast of New South
A floating bowl cone, as represented by the TC1150.
Wales. As Terex Jaques’ northern region sales manager Ben Willcox explained: “Our customer was looking to replace an existing Allis Chalmers S36. When a rebuild was cost prohibitive, they turned to Terex Jaques for support and we were able to offer a new TGS220 at a competitive price that met all the customer’s requirements.
“Once commissioned, this unit increased capacity, improved reduction and allowed this site the opportunity to reduce plant operating hours,” Wilcox said. “This unit also provides flexibility to adjust the stroke in the future should the plant be upgraded.”
“The new range of TG spider-bearing cones puts us in a complete class of our own in the industry with no other OEM able to offer such a diverse and extensive cone crusher portfolio,” van Antwerpen said. •
Source: Terex MPS
REVERSIBLE, IMPACT CRUSHER PROMISES ‘ALL IN ONE’ SOLUTION
Small and mid-sized quarries are looking for a reliable, costefficient solution for producing gravel, chippings and sand.
The variopactor, a newly developed reversible impact crusher for medium-hard to hard rock from thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions, can deliver crushed products in consistent quality at a high cubicity and with reduced maintenance times. Furthermore, it can be easily integrated into existing equipment.
The variopactor’s modular design enables it to be easily adapted to a wide variety of applications. By fitting different rotors, aprons or the optional grinding path, the variopactor can produce gravel, chippings or sand of consistent quality at high cubicity. At the same time, all the parameters that influence product quality – eg rotor speed, apron or grinding path position – can be flexibly adapted to the specific requirements of customers in the minerals industry.
Aprons and grinding paths can be easily adjusted at the press of a button. Since the variopactor’s housing, rotor and entire crushing chamber are symmetrical, the rotor can be operated in both directions and the direction of rotation can be changed at any time. Using the
The variopactor’s modular design enables it to be easily adapted to a wide variety of applications.
rotor in both directions means the blow bars always operate with a sharp edge and the need to replace or turn them is minimised. Furthermore, thyssenkrupp is now offering, for the first time, the option of metal matrix composite (MMC) blow bars with high carbide inlays, which are cast into the matrix material in the main wear zone along the edge of the blow bars, where most of the crushing occurs. This gives the blow bars a significantly longer service life than conventional high carbon chromium steel bars. The matrix material for the MMC blow bars can be made from different steel alloys to suit the application and a producer’s requirements.
The variopactor offers accessibility from both sides, so wear parts are easy to fit. As maintenance work can be carried out more quickly, downtime is reduced to a minimum. It can also easily be integrated into existing equipment to create an efficiency-enhancing system solution.
By enabling gravel, chippings and sand to be produced from a single modular machine, smaller operators have an “all in one” solution that delivers high product quality at high cubicity. The maintenance-friendly design also reduces downtime.
“The variopactor is ideal for use in small and mid-sized quarries and meets our customers’ demand for reliable, cost-efficient production and high quality products,” said Dr Armin Greune, the head of standard machines in thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions’ mining technologies business unit.
Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions’ Australian arm is headquartered in Perth, with a newly opened, 1000m 2 service centre in Brisbane supplying wear and spare parts, and offering refurbished equipment and other services. • The symmetrical housing, rotor and crushing chamber enable the rotor to be operated in both directions.
IMS PM 1050-16Tb Track Pugmill Crusher & Screen can now offer the IMS Track Pugmill which is fitted with a 2400mm long x 1360mm wide and 835mm deep pughead with 640mm twin mixers producing up to 480 tonne per hour. The machine offers quick fully hydraulic set up between transport and operating mode and the advantage of self loading and site mobilization. When not required as a Pugmillthe head can be removed and used as a 16 meter track conveyor or attach a screen box adding total flexibility. Crusher & Screen can offer for Sale or Hire the IMS Track Mounted Pugmill and high production Blender. The Pugmill hydraulically folds up from working mode to operational mode, is high production and available with water only option or a fully integrated computerized system with attached cement hopper and bulk silos available in mobile or semi mobile from 19-74 tonne also controlled by the pugmill control system.
John Andersen +61(0)424 181 056 | Chris Wong +61(0)424 180 860 Fax: +61(0)7 3036 6400 | Email: info@crusherscreen.com | www.crusherscreen.com
crusherscreen.com The IMS track mounted blender can be used to blend another two products with the pugmill or used as a high production blender with production up to 1000 TPH. The blender also has its own mixer which hydraulically moves to the side when not required, the mixer option is ideal for blending soils and compost materials etc.
IMS PM 1050-16Tb Track Pugmill
Crusher & Screen can now offer the IMS Track Pugmill which is fitted with a 2400mm long x 1360mm wide and 835mm deep pughead with 640mm twin mixers producing up to 480 tonne per hour. The machine offers quick fully hydraulic set up between transport and operating mode and the advantage of self loading and site mobilization. When not required as a Pugmillthe head can be removed and used as a 16 meter track conveyor or attach a screen box adding total flexibility.
IMS manufacture a wide range of conveyors and feed hoppers, from ship loaders to high production 24-30 meter link conveyors, wheel & track conveyors up to 30 meters long with loader feed hoppers and twin power options.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: A KEY TO ORGANISATIONAL SUCCESS
For organisations – and the individuals working within them – to thrive today, they should adopt a dedicated approach that takes everyone on the same narrative. Mike Cameron outlines the importance of emotional intelligence to the creation of a successful organisational culture.
Five key elements, identified in 1995 by American psychologist Daniel Goleman, define emotional intelligence (EI): 1. Self-awareness. 2. Self-regulation. 3. Motivation. 4. Empathy. 5. Social skills. EI is the capacity to be aware of, to control and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically. Simply put, people with a high degree of EI know what they’re feeling, what their emotions mean, and how these emotions can affect other people.
EI is the key to personal and professional success. After all, who is more likely to succeed: a leader who shouts at their team when under stress, or a leader who stays in control and calmly assesses the situation? The more that you manage each of these areas the higher your EI becomes. In fact, it has been argued that EI is more important than the intelligence quotient (IQ) in the development of successful leaders and, by definition, effective managers.
So, let’s review a story and examine how the outcome may have been different.
BRAD’S STORY Brad, an experienced manager of more than 25 years at one of Victoria’s major metropolitan quarries, received a brief email on Monday morning from his boss instructing him to attend a two-day workshop on the upcoming Thursday and Friday at the company’s head office in Sydney.
Brad’s mind raced with questions: “What is it all about? Why do I need to be there? Don’t they know that I’ve got production problems and I’m nursing a ‘sick’ crusher? Who could organise the weekend’s repairs and maintenance schedule while I’m in Sydney? How can I be away for two days when there’s no one capable of standing in for me? And, as well as all that, we’re going through a high
The five key elements of emotional intelligence. Image courtesy of the Cognitive Institute, cognitiveinstitute.org
demand period at present with the weather threatening to change! It’s typical – they don’t understand what it’s like to manage an operation like this!”
Brad’s boss John, a successful, emerging executive, had been asked a month earlier by the company’s national operations manager in Sydney to nominate an experienced quarry manager, with a passion for product quality and customer service, to join a cross-functional team meeting focused on enhancing the customer experience – or “CX”, a new initiative and directive from the company’s executive management team. There was just one problem – John had forgotten to make the arrangements for a suitable person to attend the workshop! So Brad was suddenly advised that he must attend the event and to make all necessary arrangements for his team to cover his absence for two days.
Once at the workshop, Brad quickly displayed a poor attitude, with arms crossed, rolling eyes, facial expressions and low sighs. While initially offering no comments, as the discussions progressed and the group raised a number of ideas, Brad suddenly launched into a tirade about how their latest suggestion had failed dramatically in the past and would have no chance of success moving forward! Both the group and workshop facilitator were confused because Brad had been represented as a champion of quality control and customer service. They had expected constructive ideas and positive feedback from this experienced quarry manager. The interstate quarry managers within the group also held Brad in some esteem but, as a result of his behaviour, they now felt that he had let them down. Brad had potentially damaged the meeting’s operational input – and they were annoyed.
Little did the group appreciate how Brad felt. He had been given no idea about the anticipated outcome of the workshop, how it was to be to be facilitated, where he fitted in, and who else would be involved. He felt that he had no time to prepare and, as a result, he felt vulnerable and more than a little frustrated by the lack of understanding and poor communication from his boss.
LEARNING VS COMPETENCY In today’s complex, demanding workplace environment, a high IQ doesn’t necessarily equate to being successful. Managers, team leaders and employees need to learn the skills of self-management, interpersonal awareness and effective communication. They need to work positively with each other, discussing topics openly, listening to issues and responding constructively, while effectively managing different opinions and the potential for conflict – all of which will motivate others to operate at a higher level. Learning these skills is relatively straightforward but gaining competency in applying them requires the development and strengthening of EI. Emotional intelligence is often defined by the way in which emotions are managed in the workplace.
EI is about understanding your emotions and the emotions of those around you; it’s about knowing yourself and your feelings so well that you can manage them effectively at any moment and for any given situation. This means working well under stress, handling
working relationships in a personal, yet professional manner, keeping a level head and appreciating the emotional needs of yourself and others.
These key skills can be acquired through mastery of the following: • Self-awareness – The recognition of your own strengths and weaknesses coupled with the ability to be conscious and understanding of your emotions and to recognise their impact on others. • Self-regulation – The ability to manage your emotions in a healthy way (selfcontrol). It is about expressing those emotions in a useful, appropriate manner. • Motivation – Being driven internally, rather than just working for a pay cheque, taking initiatives and adapting to changing circumstances and environments. • Empathy – The ability to inspire, influence and connect with others (leadership), work well in teams, manage conflict and note/respond to other people’s motivations and needs. • People skills – The ability to understand other people’s emotions, needs and concerns, pick up on emotional cues, feel comfortable socially, recognise the power dynamics in a group or organisation, to win others’ respect and build rapport. Following are examples of EI and how their application could have assisted John and Brad: • Being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. A key aspect of EI is being able to think about and empathise with others’ feelings. People who have strong EI can consider the perspectives, experiences and emotions of others and use this information to explain why those people may behave the way that they do. • Considering a situation before reacting. People who apply EI know that emotions can be powerful – but also temporary. For example, when a team member becomes angry with another co-worker or the “situation” within the workplace, the emotionally intelligent response would be to take some time before responding. This allows everyone to calm their feelings, moderate their responses and think more rationally about what may, or may not, have been “responsible” for the highly charged and emotional outburst. • Being aware of one’s own emotions. Emotionally intelligent people are not only good at thinking about how other people might feel, they are also adept at understanding their own feelings. Selfawareness allows people to consider the many different factors that contribute to their emotions and those of others. To that end, EI is important not only for maintaining and strengthening relationships within the company hierarchy but in fostering a collective culture of good will, co-operation and a common motivation for success. •
Mike Cameron is an IQA member and an executive coach for Strategically Yours. Email mike@strategically.com.au or visit strategically.com.au
RADIAL AND SUPER STACKERS - CRUSHING AND SCREENING - WASHING AND CLASSIFYING
M O D U L A R - B R E A K E R S A N D B O O M S Y S T E M S M A T E R I A L S H A N D L I N G
F I X E D
M O D U L A R
B O O M S Y S T E M S T R A C K
R E N T A L
2019 IQA EVENTS2019 IQA EVENTS
ACT BRANCH 15 Nov Dinner meeting
NSW BRANCH 23 Oct Sixth Annual Quarries and Concrete Seminar
NSW ILLAWARRA SUB-BRANCH 30 Nov Races day/Christmas function (Venue TBA)
QUEENSLAND BRANCH 7 Aug Dinner meeting & AGM, Brisbane 24 Sept Breakfast meeting, Brisbane 15 Nov Lunch meeting, Brisbane
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND SUB-BRANCH 23 Oct Safety and Health Seminar, Rockhampton
NORTH QUEENSLAND BRANCH 13 Aug AGM and dinner meeting, Townsville 13 Sept Annual golf day, Townsville 8 Oct Technical and dinner meeting, Townsville 30 Oct Technical and dinner meeting, Cairns 15 Nov Christmas Party, Townsville
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BRANCH 30 Aug AGM/dinner, National Wine Centre 8 Nov Dinner meeting, Adelaide
VICTORIAN SUB-BRANCH 12 Sept Dinner meeting, Ballarat 21 Nov Dinner meeting, Bendigo
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN BRANCH 7 Aug Breakfast meeting, Beaumonde on the Point, East Perth 3 Sept AGM and dinner meeting, Imperial Court Restaurant 22 Nov Annual golf day, Joondalup Resort
All dates and venues for the above branches are correct at time of press. Not all branches had confirmed their activities/ dates. For further information about IQA branch activities, contact your local branch representative (see IQA branch contacts on page 47) or visit quarry.com.au
PDP WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
To register for the workshops below and for further information, visit: quarry.com.au, click on the link to “Education”, followed by “Upcoming Professional Development Programs”.
IQA 62ND ANNUAL CONFERENCE GMHBA Stadium, Geelong Football Club Geelong, Victoria 1-3 October (Tuesday to Thursday), 2019
“The Future of Quarrying” will be the theme of the IQA’s annual conference at the home of the Geelong AFL Football Club. The conference program will focus on numerous topics, including: the maximisation of limited natural resources through technology; the benefits of effective management of workplace diversity; new developments in emerging fixed and mobile plant technology; environmental and economic trends impacting on the industry; and much more. In a first, the conference program will be hosted on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. For more information, visit conference.quarry.com.au
SPECIFICATIONS WPDP 5 August, 2019
Specifications provide the basis for compliance of construction materials. This webinar will take the participant through various documents that affect and influence quarry products. It will cover Australian Standards and state road authorities specifications. It is suitable for sales managers, technical/laboratory managers, supervisors, testers and operational managers.
TEST METHODS WPDP 19 August, 2019
Many product issues encountered by quarry operators can be traced back to an understanding of the material. Understanding how each test is performed and the corresponding results can assist personnel in recommending products to customers, as well as limiting future product technical claims or issues. This session is suitable for sales managers, quarry managers, quarry supervisors, testers and operational management employed or seeking employment in the industry.
AIMEX 2019 Sydney Olympic Park 27-29 August, 2019
The Asia-Pacific International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) is the largest in the region, with hundreds of mining suppliers, attracting thousands of producers across three days. It showcases the latest extractive technology, equipment and services, offering the opportunity for leading suppliers and buyers to conduct face-to-face business, stay informed of the latest trends and network in an interactive forum. AIMEX attracts local and international delegations sourcing Australian technology that can be implemented into their mining operations. For more information, visit aimex.com.au
EFFECTIVE RISK MANAGEMENT WPDP 2 September, 2019
The IQA and the quarrying industry at large recognise the importance of managing safety risks. Effective risk management processes are vital in realising significant gains in safety performance. When these processes are ineffective the wrong message is sent to workers and does little to improve safety
The Institute of Quarrying Australia
on-site. This webinar will assist operators in ensuring their risk management processes are effective. It will consider why risk management processes fail, identify risk profiles, provide advice on effective risk management processes and cover some incident investigations. Participants will be given practical examples of how small-scale quarries have achieved significant safety improvement through managing risk. The webinar is recommended for managers, supervisors and key support personnel.
HAZARD AND RISK IDENTIFICATION PRINCIPLES WPDP 9 September, 2019
Hazard and risk source identification are key steps in risk management. Hazards and risk sources that are not identified can lead to risks those hazards will not be well controlled, or controlled at all, if they eventuate. Robust identification and initial appreciation of hazards and risks are therefore critical steps in comprehensive, effective risk management processes. This webinar will outline definitions and interpretations, benefits of comprehensive hazard and risk source identification, potential consequences of inadequate hazard and risk source identification, common hazard and risk source identification methodologies, and an introduction to alternate hazard and risk source identification methodologies.
CCAA CONCRETE PRACTICE COURSES & WORKSHOPS 24-25 September, 2019, Perth 15-16 October, 2019, Melbourne 30-31 October, 2019, Mascot, NSW 13-14 November, 2019, Brisbane
This course – developed in consultation with the industry for the industry – has been designed to provide participants with a detailed understanding of concrete material and behaviour in relation to physical properties, production, placing and associated on-site operations such as reinforcement and potential causes of failure. It comprises two parts: (i) 14 eLearning modules that have been developed to enhance the industry’s knowledge of concrete, featuring embedded activities and assessments in a sequential, easy to follow and easy to navigate format; and (ii) workshops held around the country that will feature presentations from industry experts, Q&A panel sessions with industry experts, group work and case studies, and a final assessment. Participants will be required to complete all modules prior to attending the workshop (as learnings will be referred to and enhanced during the two-day workshop), and should allow five to six weeks to complete all the modules. Registrations will close five weeks prior to each workshop and attendance at the two-day workshop is a requirement to complete the course. A personalised certificate will be issued upon successful completion of parts i and ii of the course. The cost of admission is $1800 (inc GST) for CCAA members and $2200 (inc GST) for non-CCAA members. For further information, contact the CCAA’s learning and development manager Ceridwen Jones, tel 02 9667 8319, email ccaaeducation@ccaa.com.au
IQM CONEX 2019 Palm Garden Hotel Malaysia 15-16 October, 2019
The theme of the Institute of Quarrying Malaysia’s (IQM) annual conference and exhibition is “Innovative Quarrying Technology – Industry 4.0 (IQTech 4.0)”. It recognises that the quantum leap into the era of Industry 4.0 (cyber-physical systems) will require the quarrying industry worldwide to stay competitive and to evolve
IQA BRANCH CONTACTS
ACT Peter Hewson: 0429 001 476 NSW Gemma Thursfield: 0402 431 090 Northern Gemma Thursfield: 0402 431 090 Hunter Gemma Thursfield: 0402 431 090 Illawarra Dylan Treadwell: 0418 632 057 Central West Mitchell Bland: 0428 462 987 NT Darren McKenna: 08 8988 4520 QLD Jennifer Milward: 0419 782 688 Gladstone Jennifer Milward: 0419 782 688 Townsville Jennifer Milward: 0419 782 688 Cairns Chris Wilson: 0438 134 752 SA Marie Cunningham: 08 8243 2505 Tasmania Nicholas Palmer: 0418 126 253 Victoria Eli Carbone: 03 8637 4723 Vic Sub-branch Craig Staggard: 0407 509 424 WA Celia Pavri: 0417 027 928 quickly through cutting-edge knowledge, skills and innovative practices. The role of Industry 4.0 in the quarrying application will be explored and discussed across a range of presentations, including smart equipment manufacturing, the latest trends in rock fragmentation/blasting, smart and autonomous features in transportation, and cyber-security risks and safety precautions in data management. For more information, contact the IQM secretariat, tel 60 3 8062 4194, mobile 60 12 219 7519, email nirmala@iqm.com.my or visit iqm.com.my/ news&events.htm
10TH AUSTRALASIAN WASTE AND RECYCLING EXPO ICC Sydney 30-31 October, 2019
The 2019 Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo (AWRE) will showcase today’s global $AUD379 billion waste and recycling industry. Participants will be exposed to a suite of full-circle innovative products and sustainable solutions, including plant and equipment, software and services, bins, and vehicles. Participants can also connect with an influential community of recycling professionals, suppliers/service providers, government departments, public sector bodies and special interest groups. For more information, contact Gina Millar, event coordinator, tel 03 9261 4592, email awre@divcom.net.au or visit awre.com.au
IQA NEW MEMBERS
GRADE NAME BRANCH Member Matt Kelly NSW Member Warren Watson NSW Member Andrew James Nicholas QLD Member Ewen Thomson QLD Member Heiner Guenzel QLD Member Nicholas Armstrong TAS Member Erik Birzulis VIC Member Scott Norman French VIC Associate Andrew Egan NSW Associate Sharon Makin NSW Associate Stuart McIntyre NSW Associate Brodie James Champney QLD Associate Bronwyn Ramke SA Associate Matthew Ramke SA Associate Mark Degroot TAS Associate Grant Lenton VIC Associate Joe Noonan VIC Associate Ken Ian McGivern VIC TMember Steve Bird QLD
IQA NEWS
The Central West sub-branch’s Women in Quarrying panel (l-r): Jacque Wright, Kaitlyn Duckworth, Danielle Connolly, Alasdair Webb, Natalie Hansen, Alice Reti-Steel, Mardi Colbran and Mitchell Bland.
Mardi Colbran, of Dubbo Sands, discusses her professional journey in the industry.
NEW SOUTH WALES CENTRAL WEST SUB-BRANCH NEWS The Central West sub-branch held its inaugural Women in Quarrying meeting in Orange on 21 June. The program focused on local action to celebrate and facilitate women’s participation in the industry. The meeting heard from six inspiring women – and one crusty old bloke! Each of the speakers told their story of how they ended up in the industry. Each tale was different but the themes were common – that is, despite the occasional preconceptions and bias of others, the support, encouragement and training that they each received from the most unlikely of sources had been instrumental in their journeys. The consensus was that at site level, people work in small teams and the best teams support and mentor each other, irrespective of gender. This was emphasized by the “token bloke” – Alasdair Webb, of Holcim Dubbo – who discussed how increasing the female proportion of the workforce at his quarry had resulted in an improved work environment for all workers.
The panel discussion after lunch was wideranging but the consensus was that while it is rare for outwardly negative bias against female participation in the industry these days, unconscious bias is still present and needs to be countered. The panel also concluded that the industry is just not on the radar of many young women. The industry needs to promote itself locally and review how it advertises positions to ensure recruitment of the right person for the job – female or male – and how to retain them once they are on board.
The branch is grateful to all of the speakers, some of whom travelled considerable distances to attend: Mardi Colbran (Dubbo Sands); Danielle Connolly (Holcim Dubbo); Alice Reti-Steel (Metromix Merrangeroo); Natalie Hansen (Holcim Albion Park); Alasdair Webb (Holcim Dubbo); Kaitlyn Duckworth (Weir Minerals); and Jacque Wright (Hanson).
By Mitchell Bland
QUEENSLAND NEWS June was health and safety month for the IQA’s Queensland branches. Almost 300 delegates attended the 17th Annual Quarrying Safety and Health Conference on 14 June at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. The Queensland branch is grateful for the support of the event’s gold sponsors – Komatsu, Astec Australia, Evolution Mining – and its trade exhibitors comprising Groundwork Plus, Cotral Australia, Breathe Safe, the Minres Training Institute, Coolfog, Groundprobe, Kinder Australia, Astec Australia, Clean Space Technology, Global Road Technology, Hammersley Australia and OHMS Hygiene. CJD Equipment was also a catering sponsor.
Kate Du Preez, the Queensland Commissioner for Mine Safety & Health, opened the conference, before sessions commenced in the key areas of culture, rules, technology and tools.
The speaker’s program featured a diverse range of topics, with the morning session focusing on case studies from Oceania Gold, the University of Queensland’s Minerals Industry Safety & Health Centre, the Wagner Group, Hanson Construction Materials and Sunstate Cement.
The Queensland Chief Mines Inspector Luca Rocchi provided delegates with an update on key areas of focus for the Mines Inspectorate, followed by a presentation on the latest legislative changes and competencies from Hermann Fasching, the Deputy Chief
48 Quarry August 2019 IQA CEO Kylie Fahey demonstrates the Respirator Fit Testing device available from the QSolutions Group.
Mines Inspector. Greg Manthey, the Inspector of Mines for Occupational Hygiene, updated delegates on findings from the Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME) with respect to its investigations into respirable crystalline silica in the industry. IQA CEO Kylie Fahey spoke about education for the extractive industry to close out the session.
The afternoon session focused on technology and tools. Chris Doran, managing director of Mitacom, presented on collision management risk evaluation for mobile equipment, while Dave Arnott, resource manager for Holcim Australia, showcased how drones are assisting his company in assessing geotechnical risk. Simon Kuestenmacher, of the Demographics Group, gave the final presentation, entitled “Reimagining the way we work: How new technologies, new generations and new skills are changing the workplace”. The conference MC and IQA President Clayton Hill thanked the conference planning committee for a successful event and in particular the design of the speaker’s program. The planning committee consisted of Hill, Lionel Smith (DNRME), Russel Wilson (Boral), Aaron Johnstone (CCAA), Cassandra Koutouridis (CCAA), Jenny Krasny (Caterpillar), Kylie Fahey (IQA) and Jennifer Milward (IQA).
By Jennifer Milward
NORTH QUEENSLAND NEWS The program presented at the North Queensland branch’s Annual Mining & Quarrying Safety & Health Seminar in Townsville in June included many speakers and topics from the Brisbane event. There was also some local content, including a presentation by Shane Hillhouse and his team from Nambal Resources & Quarries, who outlined the accredited training initiatives they have developed for Indigenous staff. About 75 members attended the event.
QSolutions Group demonstrated its Respirator Fit Testing service during the seminar lunch break. IQA CEO Kylie Fahey
The Institute of Quarrying Australia
FROM THE CEO
The IQA has delivered a number of initiatives in the past two years to promote young people and women working in the industry or looking to join the industry. More recently the conversation has turned to one of diversity and inclusion.
Last month, the Central West sub-branch held its inaugural Women in Quarrying meeting in Orange on 21 June. The program focused on local action to celebrate and facilitate women’s participation in the industry. The day facilitated a conversation that was broader than just women, one of encouraging and facilitating diversity in the workplace. I commend the committee and delegates who shared stories of success and strategies to address unconscious bias. Broadening the conversation to diversity will be occurring through a number of IQA events including: • The 2019 annual conference in October, when Sean Taylor, the CEO and managing director of Komatsu Australia, will speak on the importance of inclusion and diversity. For more information, visit conference.quarry.com.au • The WIQ conference in South Australia, which will continue the discussion on inclusion and highlight the contributions of men and women in our industry.
Safety and workforce training I had the pleasure of presenting at both the Brisbane and North Queensland health and safety conferences in June. The two events attracted more than 340 delegates, and I thank Cement Concrete Aggregates Australia and the Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy for their strong support. A central theme was the importance of leadership and communication in a safety culture. I spoke about training being one part of the safety culture and a way to encourage team engagement, improve communication and leadership.
The IQA can support important aspects of workforce training and development. If you would like to discuss training for your teams, email education@quarry.com.au
Membership renewals Membership of the IQA is about supporting you and your commitment to your career in the quarrying and the minerals extractives industry. Our membership structure allows you to grow as your experience in the industry grows. Membership renewal for the 2019-20 period is now due. If you have any questions about your renewal, tel 02 9484 0577 or visit quarry.com.au
IQA Awards Having been involved in the discussion on safety and the importance of teamwork, I believe nominating staff for awards can be a positive recognition of initiative,
innovation and the correct behaviour. The IQA Awards recognise the contribution of individuals and sites to the growth and improvement of the extractive industry, and significant achievements across the industry that promote leadership and excellence. They also profile the valuable contribution of our industry to our community and aim to further the discussion about quality improvement, environment and safety.
Nominations for the 2019 Awards close on 6 August 2019. For more information, visit quarry.com.au, click on ‘Networking’, ‘Awards’ and ‘2019 Awards Submission’.
KYLIE FAHEY Chief Executive Officer Institute of Quarrying Australia
happily volunteered for the demo.
For further information about upcoming Queensland and North Queensland branch meetings, contact the Queensland branch secretariat, tel 0419 782 688, email qldadmin@quarry.com.au or visit quarry.com.au
By Jennifer Milward
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN BRANCH NEWS
About 20 WA branch members visited the Brikmakers clay brickworks in June. Brikmakers entered the market for clay bricks in 2009 when it opened its 300,000m 2 plant in South Guildford. This $110 million state of the art manufacturing facility is the largest clay brick plant ever built in Australia. Members had the opportunity to see the clay preparation area and the modern brick making process, featuring kilns, robotics, automation and the final packaging of the products. The branch is grateful to Nathan and Ryan from BGC for being the tour guides and sharing their vast knowledge and experience of the brickmaking process with the membership.
The WA branch’s AGM and dinner – with entertainment by the one and only Thomas Crane as Freddie Mercury – will be held at the Imperial Court Restaurant in Como on Tuesday,
20 members attended the Brikmakers operation.
3 September. To register and for further information about other branch activities, contact the WA branch secretariat, tel 0417 027 928, email wa-admin@quarry.com. au or visit quarry.com.au By Celia Pavri
GEOLOGY TALK
EXPLORING THE GEOLOGY OF MARS
Resembling a mosquito in shape, InSight is the new ‘guy’ on Mars! A ‘selfie’ by the Curiosity rover. Its wheels are 50cm in diameter and about 40cm wide.
For the past decade, NASA has had a series of roving robots exploring the Martian landscape for remote signs of life. Bill Langer discusses the work these robots have done for geology in the process.
Last month I described how robotics is being used in mining, and related this to the FIRST world robotics championship, a competition for secondary school students that simulated a cargo transport station on Mars.
Actually, having robots on Mars is not limited to the imaginations of secondary school students. There have been five successful robots on Mars. Four have been rovers: Sojourner, Opportunity, Spirit, and Curiosity. Their missions have been to explore the Martian surface and atmosphere by “roving” around. While the first three rovers are now non-operational, Curiosity is still working; it has actively explored Mars for more than seven years.
The robots were sent to Mars to help meet the science goals of the Mars Exploration Program. One of those goals is to characterise the geology of Mars.
The rovers had a variety of tools to accomplish their missions, with each rover having more and better tools than its predecessors. By the time Curiosity arrived, the tools had become quite sophisticated.
I always carry my trusty hammer when I do fieldwork. The twin rovers carried a RAT – a rock abrasion tool – that could scrape away the weathered surface and expose fresh, unspoiled rock just like my hammer.
I also bring a hand lens into the field. Some rovers were equipped with a MI – a microscopic imager – just like my hand lens. None of Curiosity’s predecessors could get deep into Martian rocks. My favourite tool is Curiosity’s sample collecting system consisting of a percussion drill, a brush, and mechanisms for scooping, sieving, and portioning samples of powdered rock and soil. The samples can be analysed with three instruments — a mass spectrometer, a gas chromatograph and a laser spectrometer. For sheer coolness, it’s tough to beat the ChemCam. This instrument fires a laser at Martian rocks from up to nine metres (30 feet) away and analyses the composition of the vaporised bits.
The rovers have other tools but possessing those mentioned above would make any field geologist as happy as a dog with two tails! The fifth robot – InSight – is the new “guy” on the planet. Unlike the rovers, it just sits there. But it uses a super-sensitive seismometer, a heat probe, and other equipment to study the deep interior of Mars. Thus far, the four rover robots on Mars have collectively made some remarkable discoveries: •More water in Mars’s past. Mars contains gravel, streambed deposits, sandstone rocks, and rocks with altered coatings, all of which appear to have formed in the presence of water. Earlier this year Curiosity found the highest amounts of clay in any sample so far, providing additional evidence there was once water in the region. •A suitable home for life. Mars contains the key ingredients necessary for the formation of life, as we know it, eg carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulphur. Furthermore, evidence found through the analysis of clays and rocks suggest that Mars may have been habitable for millions of years. •Mars experiences quakes. Seismic activity (aka “marsquakes”) occur on Mars. Studying those “marsquakes” may help scientists learn more about the interior of Mars. Maybe someday one of the FIRST competitors will operate a robot to mine the gravel Curiosity has found on Mars!
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