APRIL 2022
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INSTITUTE OF QUARRYING AUSTRALIA
APRIL 2022
www.quarrymagazine.com
No two operations are the same and Weir Minerals has crushers for any application.
WEIGHING SOLUTIONS
4/03/2022 7:44:47 PM
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TRIO CONE CRUSHERS
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Tecweigh is providing accuracy and reassurance to its quarrying customers.
EXPANDING CAPACITY
Astec Australia is supporting a major supplier of hard-rock quarry products.
IN THIS ISSUE APRIL 2022
VOLUME 30, ISSUE 4
FEATURES 20 OUTBACK CONTRACTOR PIONEERS MOBILE IMPACT CRUSHER Lincom Group has delivered the first Powerscreen Trakpactor 290SR in Australia, helping a contract crusher in regional South Australia maintain a rugged outback road network.
30 USING DATA TO IMPROVE INSIGHTS Trimble is leveraging data to help quarries manage their site more holistically.
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TRIO CONE CRUSHERS No two operations are the same and Weir Minerals has crushers for any application.
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WASH PLANT FOR SAND AND GRAVEL This dredge and dry-fed plant exceeded operational goals.
36 A SIMPLE RADAR FORMULA FOR BETTER PROCESSES VEGA ushers in a new era with the radar sensor VEGAPULS 6X.
42 HELPING LEADERS HEAR MORE BAD NEWS Jodi Goodall of Brady Heywood gives some advice on what is a very necessary part of being a senior leader.
44 PROVIDING A KEE TO SUCCESS When WA civil support services provider KEE Group needed a new pugmill for a difficult job, it turned to Crusher Screens Sales & Hire.
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WEIGHING SOLUTIONS Tecweigh is providing accuracy and reassurance to its quarrying customers.
APRIL 2022
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INSTITUTE OF QUARRYING AUSTRALIA
No two operations are the same and Weir Minerals has crushers for any application.
WEIGHING SOLUTIONS
4/03/2022 7:44:47 PM
40
38
QUARRY
18
TRIO CONE CRUSHERS
Tecweigh is providing accuracy and reassurance to its quarrying customers.
EXPANDING CAPACITY Astec Australia is supporting a major supplier of hard-rock quarry products.
Following International Women’s Day in March, the IQA continues to recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion.
APRIL 2022
www.quarrymagazine.com Quarry LT130E cover - April 2022.indd 1
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48 AN ACTION-PACKED FUTURE FOR WOMEN IN QUARRYING
EXPANDING CAPACITY
Astec Australia is supporting a major supplier of hard-rock quarry products.
COVER ADVERTISER: Tutt Bryant is an official distributor of Metso Outotec products and sees its sees range of Lokotrack crushers as the best choice for Australian quarries. Turn to page 18 or visit tuttbryant.com.au
EVERY MONTH 06 FROM THE EDITOR
16 PRODUCT FOCUS
08 FROM THE PRESIDENT
50 GEOLOGY TALK
10 NEWS THIS MONTH
Quarry April 2022 3
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EDITORIAL
SEEING THE STRENGTH OF THE INDUSTRY
I
t’s been a big month for much of Australia and, indeed, the world.
Just as we start to see some of the benefits of a (somewhat) receding pandemic and our ability to live with COVID – the freedom of interstate and overseas travel, the return of in-person dinners and catch-ups, including industry events like the much-welcomed IQA Conference, heading back into the office to work among colleagues – we’re beset with war and overwhelming natural disasters. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the end of February has created a devastating humanitarian crisis and sent shockwaves through world financial markets, destabilising resource values and sending the price of fuel skyrocketing. There’s no telling the long-term effects these changes, but they’ll no doubt have an impact on many aspects of the quarrying industry for some time to come. Heading back to Australian shores, large parts of Queensland and New South Wales have been damaged or even destroyed by major floods in recent weeks. As the clean-up continues following these severe flooding events, the team at Quarry extends its heartfelt wishes to all of those affected. We’ll do our best to share stories of resilience and rebuilding over the coming months. Looking at this month’s edition, I was reminded of the strength and determination that exists in quarrying, and why the people who work in the industry are a large part of what makes us proud to cover it in the magazine.
Such stories of perseverance come in the form of Walker Quarries, where a difficult hard-rock resource has been accessed using mobile Kleemann gear from Wirtgen, as well as the perspective of several grassroots crushing contractors in Rockhampton and Oberon, in New South Wales, who have made a living off reliable equipment from Precisionscreen and Porter Group, respectively. Of course, these stories don’t compare to the hardships of those facing war or natural disasters, but they do remind us of the kind of people who make up the foundations of this incredible industry. Through the fires and the floods of the past two years, not to mention the tribulations of COVID-19, these operators are what make quarrying so special. Speaking of special people, I’d be remiss if I didn’t tip my hat to the now-departed former editor of Quarry, Damian Christie. Over his nearly 14 years the at the helm of the magazine, Damian established himself as a trusted voice in the profession and helped build Quarry into the industry stalwart it is today. It’s people like Damian who allow industries, organisations and individuals to have their time in the limelight and defy periods of adversity. In much the same way Quarry will soldier on, so too will the industry and its great people. Paul Hayes Managing Editor
Published by:
RUSSIA’S INVASION OF UKRAINE AT THE END OF FEBRUARY HAS CREATED A DEVASTATING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AND SENT SHOCKWAVES THROUGH WORLD FINANCIAL MARKETS, DESTABILISING RESOURCE VALUES AND SENDING THE PRICE OF FUEL SKYROCKETING.
11-15 Buckhurst Street South Melbourne VIC 3205 T: 03 9690 8766 www.primecreativemedia.com.au Publisher John Murphy john.murphy@primecreative.com.au
Managing Editor Paul Hayes paul.hayes@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 Graphic Design Jo De Bono Subscriptions T: 03 9690 8766 subscriptions@primecreative.com.au 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 April 2022
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PRESIDENT’S REPORT
BE THE BUILDING BLOCK YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS The Institute of Quarrying
T
he theme of this year’s IQA National Conference – Re-Think, Re-Source, Re-Engage – couldn’t have been more fitting in 2022. For the first national conference in over two years, the event was one to savour after a long period of uncertainty, natural disaster, and isolation. What feels like eons ago, in the 2019– 20 summer, Australia suffered some of its most devastating bushfires in modern history, affecting many IQA members and their families. Almost immediately, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic landed on Australian shores and threw the next two years up in the air. Now, in 2022, much of Australia’s eastern seaboard has been battered by floods and the clean-up continues as we speak – hopefully bookending a difficult period. And while none of these events are easy to deal with, the resilience of our quarrying industry shines through when our communities need it most. First and foremost, we hope wherever our IQA members may be, that they and their families are okay and that they reach out for support from the IQA family in any way, shape or form. From a quarrying respective, we choose to see that there is good with the bad. As we take stock, the quarrying industry will band together to rebuild all kinds of infrastructure, from roads and paths, to personal, commercial and local municipality buildings. We must not underestimate the impact we can have on a community in need. With generosity and humility, the quarrying industry can prove why it is such a vital building block of society. But these new and improved communities won’t look the same as we once knew them, pre-fire or preflood We must Re-think how best a building can withstand the tide, or how best a road can carry emergency supplies.
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Australia
We must Re-source and consider how each and every asset is developed for the benefit of the community it serves. And through events like the IQA’s National Conference and a host of upcoming in-person and online events, we can Re-engage to remember why we do what we do. I find this last point possibly the most important of the three, as connection is key within our tight-knit quarrying community. Without connection, networking and learning from each other in the wake of adversity, we would not adapt to the changing world in which we live. A world where exciting new uses for our resources and methods to extract them are popping up at pace. A world where many of us continue to work from home, away from communal lunchrooms and Friday drinks. As we emerge from our sheltered cocoons of COVID lockdowns, it’s so important – now, more than ever – to reach out and build stronger relationships with our colleagues and clients. The IQA is always happy to support those who feel a little worse for wear as lockdowns lift. And while we continue to work on developing a structured mental health support network, a quick enquiry on our contact line (02 9484 0577) can point you in the right direction to discreet and professional services like Beyond Blue and the Black Dog Institute. If anyone did miss out on the 2022 IQA Conference, there’s always next year. But in the meantime, that same contact line or our website can provide resources on the topics discussed to ensure the major takeaways are spread far and wide. It’s been a tough two years. But if any industry can endure, survive and thrive out the other side, it’s the quarrying industry. SHANE BRADDY President Institute of Quarrying Australia
Educating and connecting our extractive industry
quarry.com.au AS WE TAKE STOCK, THE QUARRYING INDUSTRY WILL BAND TOGETHER TO REBUILD ALL KINDS OF INFRASTRUCTURE, FROM ROADS AND PATHS, TO PERSONAL, COMMERCIAL AND LOCAL MUNICIPALITY BUILDINGS.
The IQA’s Strategic Plan 2020 to 2025 embodies the following vision, values and strategic priorities: Vision: Educating and connecting the extractive and associated industries. Values: •A safe and sustainable environment. •D iversity and inclusion. Working development skills, careers and lifelong learning. •N etworking, connection, trust and communication. Strategic Priorities: •M aximise outcomes for industry through education and sustainable practise. • I ncrease our relevance. •A high performing and sustainable organisation. IQA CONTACTS: Phone: 02 9484 0577 Email: admin@quarry.com.au Chief Executive Officer Kylie Fahey Company Secretary Rod Lester For all education, member and branch enquires please email: admin@quarry.com.au.
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NEWS
FULTON HOGAN TO CONSTRUCT VICTORIAN RECYCLING FACILITY
Fulton Hogan gneral manger Peter Curl said the company is proud to be part of Victoria’s transformation to a circular economy.
“ONCE UP AND RUNNING, WE’LL BE SOURCING UP TO 10,000 TONNES OF GLASS PER YEAR FROM GEELONG AND OTHER LOCAL COUNCILS’ AREAS TO BE USED IN OUR ASPHALT PRODUCTS AND LAID ON LOCAL ROADS.” PETER CURL
Fulton Hogan has made significant strides in recycling construction materials this year, receiving funding for a new recycling facility while partnering on research with Swinburne University.
Delivered by Sustainability Victoria, the grant was one of 13 successful projects awarded through the fund, which will increase the state’s recycling capacity by a combined 137,000 tonnes per year
In January, the New Zealand-based construction and aggregates supplier received $740,000 for a regional glass processing hub in Lara, 60km southwest of Melbourne, under the Recycling Modernisation Fund.
Fulton Hogan infrastructure services general manager Peter Curl said the facility would commence construction later in 2022. “Once up and running, we’ll be sourcing up to 10,000 tonnes of glass
per year from Geelong and other local councils’ areas to be used in our asphalt products and laid on local roads,” Curl said. “This initiative provides a local reuse option for local recovered materials and strengthens the availability of sustainable solutions and local manufacturing in the Geelong area.” The company has another glass processing facility in Warrnambool, almost 200km further west, where car tyres and plastics are recycled for use in asphalt products. “We’re proud to be a part of the transformation of Australia’s waste and recycling industry and to support Victoria’s transition to a circular economy by increasing the capacity and capability of our state’s recycling sector,” Curl said. More recently, Swinburne University received almost $190,000 for a project which could replace some need for virgin quarried materials, of which Fulton Hogan Industries is a partner. The project will investigate new blends of foamed bitumen using recycled glass fines and recovered plastics instead of traditional quarry aggregates, according to Sustainability Victoria.•
BORAL RESULTS AVOID CONSTRUCTION HURDLES Boral has delivered sales revenue of $1.5 billion for its continuing operations in the second half of 2021, with concrete and quarries growing in spite of construction shutdowns and inclement weather. The construction materials company saw its concrete volumes increase in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia; however, concrete volumes declined in New South Wales for an aggregate one per cent gain nationally. Boral’s quarry volumes increased by four per cent but again fell short in New South Wales. Boral chief executive officer Zlatko Todorcevski said the $1.5 billion revenue was a one per cent increase on the previous corresponding half. “Boral reported revenue growth in its continuing operations, despite the impact of the construction shutdowns in the first
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quarter and exceptionally wet weather on the east coast during the second quarter,” Todorcevski said. “Revenue benefitted from higher residential housing activity, which was bolstered by government stimulus measures and improved infrastructure activity.
“Our strategy is to focus on our leading position as an integrated construction materials manufacturer and supplier in Australia, build on our competitive advantage and improve our performance and profitability to deliver higher returns for shareholders,” he said.
“There was, however, a less favourable geographic revenue shift away from NSW, where Boral has its strongest integrated position.”
Earlier in February, Boral distributed $3 billion back to its shareholders in the form of a $2.65 per share capital return plus an unfranked dividend of seven cents per share.
The half year report followed Boral’s completion of its sale of the North American Fly Ash business to Eco Material Technologies for $1.05 billion.
The return of up to $3 billion in surplus capital was voted on at the company’s annual general meeting in late-October 2021.
This sale marked the completion of Boral’s divestment programs and realigned the business to focus on Australian construction materials, according to Todorcevski.
The return of surplus capital followed the sales of its North American building products and 50 per cent owned Meridian Brick businesses, and the Australian building products businesses.•
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NEWS
LIEBHERR VENTURES INTO AUTOMATED BRICKLAYING “LIEBHERR AND FBR SHARE A VISION OF SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING THE SAFETY, SUSTAINABILITY AND EFFICIENCY OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.” MIKE PIVAC
A new deal will see Liebhrr support FBR in the design of the next-generation robot for tough worksite conditions.
Liebherr-Mischtechnik has entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Western Australian robotics company FBR to develop an automated bricklaying robot. Liebherr-Mischtechnik is a German business arm that coordinates Liebherr’s concrete technology operations, while the
latter created its first Hadrian X bricklaying robot in 2005. The first phase of the MoU will ensure the Hadrian X is industrially scalable and able to be commercialised. The deal will see Liebherr support FBR in the robust design of the next generation robot for tough worksite conditions.
The first phase should take less than two years. Assuming the success of the initial phase, phase two will see both companies sign a long-term manufacturing and commercialisation agreement. This agreement will address the scope and implementation of Hadrian X’s joint commercialisation activities including supply, service and intellectual property. FBR managing director and chief executive officer Mike Pivac said the collaboration would ensure Hadrian X ticks all the required boxes for future commercialisation. “We are pleased to be working with Liebherr-Mischtechnik on the industrialisation and global commercialisation of the Hadrian X,” he said. “Liebherr and FBR share a vision of significantly increasing the safety, sustainability and efficiency of the construction industry. “Both companies recognise that the digitalisation and automation of processes on the job site are the key enablers for realising this vision.”•
CONSTRUCTION SHRUGS HANGOVER, SETS FOR BIG 2022 The Australian Performance of Construction Index (PCI) has returned to growth as issues with the Omicron COVID variant and supply chain disruptions eased in February.
constructional scored between 55 and 60.
Presented by the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) and the Housing Industry Association (HIA), the seasonally adjusted Australian PCI improved by 7.5 points to 53.9 in February – where results below 50 points indicate contraction of the industry.
HIA economist Tom Devitt said he expected the recovery from Omicron to continue in the coming months.
Ai Group chief policy advisor Peter Burn said the holiday hangover had started to ease for the industry. “Following the Omicron-affected contraction of the sector in the December– January period, construction activity improved in February with activity in three of the four component sectors expanding and apartment building activity flat,” he said. Apartment construction was the slowest sector – albeit double its December– January score – with an even score of 50, while engineering, commercial and housing
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Promisingly, new orders rose back above 50 to a score of 55.4, securing the shortterm future of the construction industry.
“There are no indications that home building activity is facing a weaker outlook any time soon,” he said. “Home building bounced back as the Omicron wave abated. New home sales are exceptionally strong, up around levels usually only seen during periods of direct stimulus, on the back of the pandemic trend towards lower density housing.” The issue with the increase in new orders is employment growth, one of the only metrics to dip in February, falling 2.2 points to 54.3. Burn said this was likely to continue as Australia battles a skilled labour shortage. “The difficulties in supply chains persisted
The Australian PCI improved by 7.5 points in Feb.
although the pace of decline in supplier deliveries eased,” he said. “Ongoing inflationary pressures were evident with cost rises for inputs and wages growth remaining elevated and selling prices also rising on the back of solid demand. “With capacity utilisation at very high levels, employers from across the construction sector reported ongoing difficulties in filling positions particularly for skilled labour.”•
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Crusher & Screen can offer in stock IMS PM1050-16TB Track pugmills and mobile 40 tonne silos. The Pugmills are available in manual adding water only or fully PLC automated control and recording system for adding powders and liquids to main road specs, including controlling the 40 tonne silo. The pugmill is loaded with features, high production, fully hydraulic from operation to transport mode, pughead lowers to the ground in a vertical position for ease of cleaning. The manual pugmill can be upgraded to the automated vision at a later date, the pugmill PLC control system can also operate with extra IMS feed hoppers from single to double track mounted and electric modular mobile pugmill blenders offering four different feed hoppers and two powders all remotely controlled.
Crusher & Screen can also offer in stock for sale or hire the IMS – BP1200-9TB high production track blender with two large feed hoppers with gear drive hydraulic motors with variable speed conveyors feeding a stockpile conveyor remotely controlled. There is a mixer between the feed hoppers which is ideal for improved product mix with top soil and compost that hydraulicly moves to one side when blending road base and aggregates.
John 0424 181 056 | Chris 0424 180 860 Email: info@crusherscreen.com | www.crusherscreen.com Crusher & Screen Sales Pty Ltd | Yard: Unit 4, 181 Sandy Creek Road Yatala Qld 4207
NEWS
ZIRCON ANSWERS THE AGE-OLD QUESTION: CURTIN
By determining the “age distribution fingerprint” of zircon minerals in the sand of beached, rivers and rocks, researchers could look back over billions of years of tectonic movement.
Researchers from Curtin University have studied the age of sand granules to understand more about the Earth’s ancient history than ever before. By determining the “age distribution fingerprint” of zircon minerals within the sand of beaches, rivers and rocks, the researchers could look back over the last few billion years of tectonic movement. Lead researcher Milo Barnham said zircon was particularly good at storing information over such periods.
“While much of the original geological record is lost to erosion, durable minerals like zircon form sediments that effectively gather information from these lost worlds to paint a vivid picture of the planet’s history, including changing environments, the development of a habitable biosphere, the evolution of continents, and the accumulation of mineral resources at ancient plate boundaries,” he said.
DETERMINING THE “AGE DISTRIBUTION FINGERPRINT” OF ZIRCON MINERALS WITHIN THE SAND OF BEACHES, RIVERS AND ROCKS, THE RESEARCHERS COULD LOOK BACK OVER THE LAST FEW BILLION YEARS OF TECTONIC MOVEMENT.
The full paper, ‘Understanding ancient tectonic settings through detrital zircon analysis’, was published
in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters. Its introduction outlined previous issues with attempts to date back this far. “Resolving the tectonic setting of sedimentary basins becomes increasingly difficult further back in time due to the increasing likelihood of overprinting by younger tectonomagmatic and metamorphic processes,” the report stated. Burham explained why the new technique can mitigate these previous issues. “The way the Earth recycles itself through erosion is tracked in the pattern of ages of zircon grains in different geological settings,” he said. “For example, the sediment on the west and east coasts of South America are completely different because there are many young grains on the west side that were created from crust plunging beneath the continent, driving earthquakes and volcanoes in the Andes. “Whereas, on the east coast, all is relatively calm geologically and there is a mix of old and young grains picked up from a diversity of rocks across the Amazon basin.” •
REGIONAL SIGNIFICANCE FOR SILICA SAND PROJECT Metallica Minerals’ Cape Flattery silica sand project has been recognised as a project of regional significance by Queensland’s Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water (DRDMW). The acknowledgement will allow Metallica to apply for a water entitlement from the Water Plan 2019, which still includes 25,000 megalitres of unallocated water. Metallica executive chair Theo Psaros said it was important for new economy minerals to be prioritised moving forward. “We welcome DRDMW’s decision as it recognises the contribution our project is planning to make to the Cape Flattery region,” Psaros said. “This decision also reflects the Queensland Government’s commitment to the development of new economy minerals such as Metallica’s silica sand project in the Far North.”
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Cape Flattery has a total silica sand resource of 53.5 million tonnes at a grade of more than 99 per cent silicon dioxide. This most recent measure from October 2021 is more than four times the resource estimate of that at the beginning of the year. The purpose of the Water Plan 2019 is to provide a framework for sustainably managing water in the Cape York region, while regulating access to surface and underground resources. The granting of a project of regional significance must consider the economic and social impact of the project, as well as the public interest and welfare of people in the region. This includes all Aboriginal and Torres Stair Islander communities, of which there are 17 on the Cape York peninsula alone. Psaros said receiving the recognition proved to the company and community that
the Cape Flattery silica sand project was of benefit to many. “To achieve this status the project had to demonstrate the benefits it would bring to the region, particularly in diversifying the regional economy through delivery of employment opportunities” he said. In April 2021, Cape Flattery Silica Mines (CFSM) was recognised by the state government for its employment of Indigenous Australians. “The mine has been operating since 1967 and employs about 100 people, with 40 per cent identified as Indigenous employees,” said Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart. “Businesses such as CFSM that foster diversity and sustainability continue to play a vital role in Queensland’s economic recovery.” •
Quarry April 2022
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PRODUCT FOCUS CONVEYOR SKIRT SEALS THE DEAL Kinder Australia has AirScrape is a non-contact, dustless, material containment skirting and sealing system designed to hover 1mm from the surface of the conveyor belt. The design creates a contactless air seal to ensure dust is kept inside the conveyor section, while also minimising material spillage. The material movement together with the moving belt support increases the suction effect enabling fine dust particles to remain in the conveyor section. The AirScrape innovative and patented design has multiple benefits in health and safety including reduced material spillage and dust formation, particularly at critical transfer points. Additionally, due to the skirting and sealing system’s ability to hover freely above the conveyor belt, skirt friction and belt damage can be eliminated, the health of other conveyor components can also be extended.
More information: Kinder Australia, kinder.com.au
MOBILE MUSCLE FOR TOUGH CRUSHING As an official distributor of Metso Outotec products, Tutt Bryant Equipment (TBE) sees MO’s range of Lokotrack crushers as the best choice for Australian quarries. Within this range, the LT130E is no exception. This mobile jaw crushing plant is well-suited to primary crushing in heavy-duty environments, thanks to its CAT C15 engine and Nordberg C130 crusher. A deeper feed opening (1000mm) reduces the need for more blasting, while the 403kW (545hp) engine lets nothing get in the way of productivity. The machine’s easy split solution aids transportation as the crusher detaches from the tracks and conveyor. Set up can be complete within a matter of hours, allowing the mobile operator to get on with the job. TBE has come to know MO equipment inside and out and can provide specialist technicians who can help out in a jam or provide advice on how to maximise the machine’s capabilities.
More information: Tutt Bryant Equipment, tuttbryant.com.au
LASETLO – TRAIN LOAD OUT SYSTEM LASE has released a laser-based volume measurement system to quickly measure wagons and open doors in the front or back of train load out stations.The system consists of up to six LASE 2D laser scanners that communicate with the LASE system application software and continuously record measurement data.Two of these 2D laser scanners are placed in front of the train loading/unloading station centered above the tracks to measure the volume of each wagon. Two more are then positioned laterally next to the track and measure the walls of the wagons in horizontal scan planes, as well as the speed and positions of the wagons. Another two 2D laser scanners are placed behind the train loading/unloading station to measure the respective fill level or checks whether the wagon has been completely emptied.
More information: LASE, lase-solutions.com
SUPERIOR CRUSHES CONSISTENT CUBES Superior Industries manufactures 18 unique models of its Valor Vertical Shaft Impact (VSI) crushers. Usually positioned after primary or secondary crushing, VSI’s consistently produce cube-shaped material required by most modern asphalt contractors. The Valor VSI accepts a maximum feed of 200mm with production rates up to 450 metric tonnes per hour. Special features include hydraulic lids for chamber access, adjustable feed tubes, convertible chambers, rebuildable bearing assemblies, and an air transfer system to reduce dust. These units are available from the manufacturer’s Australian-based dealers: 888 Crushing and Screening Equipment (888CSE) and Tricon Equipment.
More information: Superior Industries, superior-ind.com
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To submit new product and equipment releases, email: les.ilyefalvy@primecreative.com.au
PUMP UP YOUR BRAND Why blend in when you can stand out? Turn your new pump into an industrial billboard aimed to turn heads and get your brand noticed on the worksite. A value-added service from Truflo Pumping Systems when you purchase a new Silent Pack,offers the opportunity to utilise a blank canvas of a Truflo Pumps’ Silent Pack to your advantage. Elevate your organisation’s presence in the field with a graphics package that reflects ownership and participation in the industry. It’s your choice – use a creative approach or claim ownership over an operation – this hassle-free branding value pack is perfect for expressing your brand and effectively promoting it to all that see your pump. Designs for branded wraps are created in-house by Truflo Pumps’ marketing department to suit your individual needs and goals.
More information: Truflo Pumping Systems, truflopumps.com.au
VERSION 2.0 CONTROL OFFERS PRODUCTIVITY BENEFITS Komatsu has released a significant update to its intelligent Machine Control (iMC) technology, known as iMC 2.0, that delivers major productivity, efficiency and cost saving advantages to its latest model “intelligent” dozers and excavators. The new technology is available on Komatsu’s D71EXi/PXi-24 and D61EXi/PXi-24 dozers and PC210LCi-11, PC290LCi-11 and PC360LCi-11 excavators. iMC 2.0 advances the automation capabilities of these machines, with factory integrated enhancements including two multi-constellation GNSS antennas. These assist iMC dozer operations on slopes, while new-generation excavator hydraulic cylinders incorporate Komatsu’s stroke sensing technology with a factory inertial monitoring unit (IMU) sensor attached to the tilting attachment, automating the tilting function. In addition, iMC 2.0 features all new “intelligent” highresolution touchscreen monitors, purpose-designed for each machine type, that provide accurate displays of machine operating conditions, and the jobsite design.
More information: Komatsu, komatsu.com.au
UNDER THE HAMMER RITCHIE BROS. MAKES THE GRADE Ritchie Bros. has sold another two integral pieces of equipment for any quarry or construction site – a 2005 Caterpillar D10T crawl tractor and a 2012 Caterpillar 14M VHP motor grader. The former sold for $550,000 and the latter for $202,500 at Ritchie Bros. National Unreserved Auction on February 23–24. The D10T has an SU blade with dual tilt functionality for difficult gradients, while a single shank ripper at the rear is ideal for breaking up hard soil or furrowing cultivated soil. The motor grader is about 9.4 metres long and the ripper has a pry-out force of almost 13 tonnes. The next National Unreserved Auction will take place on April 27–28, when 329 items will go on sale for use in a range of industries including construction, demolition and recycling, aggregates, lifting and material handling. Many machines such as these two will be available, including later models of similar equipment. Ritchie Bros. is a globally recognised, multi-channel network for equipment buyers and sellers to connect. The National Unreserved Auction is an online event taking place at rbauction.com or visit the website below to learn more.
More information: Ritchie Bros/Iron Planet, ironplanet.com.au/marketplace-e
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CRUSHING
TRIO CONE CRUSHERS CATER TO EVERY APPLICATION
No two operations are the same and Weir Minerals has the cone crushers to suit any application.
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elieve it or not, but the first cone crushers were invented at the beginning of the 19th century. And thanks to their durable and simple design, they quickly became the preferred choice as a secondary or tertiary position machine. The basic principle of these early live-shaft cone crushers was to have the head and main shaft as a single component. In Weir Minerals’ TC Series live-shaft machines, the countershaft takes the motor power and turns the eccentric to produce the crushing action. However, because of these machines’ component geometry, there is a limit to increases in stroke and speed. These limitations drove the development of the TP Series fixed-shaft machines. With its moveable head and stationary pedestal, the fixed-shaft style machine was widely celebrated as a faster-running cone crusher. While this style cone doesn’t necessarily guarantee operators more production, it does ensure more hits – on the head and the bowl, as well as interparticle
There is a Weir Minerals cone crusher for every application.
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crushing – per pass. These extra hits usually result in an better overall particle shape. As a result, many manufacturers decided to stop producing their live-shaft crusher, despite the fact it excels in various applications and creates less fine material. Weir Minerals decided otherwise. No two operations are the same and the company has therefore continued to manufacture both its Trio TP fixed-shaft and TC live-shaft range of cone crushers. There is, in other words, a cone crusher for every application. In an application like pebble crushing, which requires an extremely high level of force in order to crush what’s essentially the hardest rock, the Trio TC machine is perhaps the only viable option. However, in most applications, determining whether the Trio TC or Trio TP machine is the preferred option is best determined through a consultation process with Weir Minerals’ team of comminution experts. The application will ultimately dictate which machine is the best choice, as each crusher has its place in the flow sheet; however, it is one consideration among many. And, whereas not all competitors have the flexibility to offer customers liveshaft and fixed-shaft options, the fact Weir Minerals does allows it to provide a more tailored solution. The Trio TC Series design – with its aforementioned stroke and speed limitations – has been engineered for maximum output without compromising reliability. The Trio TP Series, with its fixed main shaft, allows the head to move independent of the shaft which, in turn, allows a faster input speed, higher pivot point and increased stroke. These features allow additional power input, which equates to an increase in production compared with similarly sized live-shaft machines. Feed material to all cones should be screened for optimal performance, but the Trio TP crushers perform at their best with a screened and well-graded feed material.
Fines percentage in the feed should be kept to less than 10 per cent passing the closed side settings (CSS) for proper
Weir Minerals believes determining which machine is the preferred option is best done via a consultation process with its team of comminution experts.
operation. Any exceptions can be discussed with a Weir comminution expert. Maintaining the proper chamber density will reduce the potential for bowl float or overload. In some applications, this may equate to a lower overall reduction ratio compared to the Trio TC Series, which can accept a higher level of fines material. Nonetheless, some limits still apply. Typically, the reduction ratio (F80/P80) should be about 4:1 in the Trio TP Series, whereas the Trio TC Series can be as high as 6:1. Driven by the need for upgrades and an increase in service requirements, some in
the industry have started upgrading the coiled spring tramp release system with a hydraulic one. These upgrades can be achieved more effectively by replacing the whole machine. A new installation brings all the benefits of
an unused machine without the performance and reliability challenges of a machine that’s been operating for decades. • To learn more about Weir Minerals’ TC Series, visit global.weir
Weir Minerals’ TRIO TC84XR crusher.
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CRUSHING
The Powerscreen Trakpactor 290SR removes double-handling with a recirculation conveyor.
OUTBACK CONTRACTOR PIONEERS MOBILE IMPACT CRUSHER Lincom Group has delivered the first Powerscreen Trakpactor 290SR in Australia, helping a contract crusher in regional South Australia maintain a rugged outback road network.
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owerscreen is an expert in the design and manufacture of mobile crushing and screening equipment, and Lincom is one of its 120 dealers around the world. From its Ballarat office in Victoria – one of seven across the country – Lincom services the south and south-east of Australia for all of its crushing, screening, washing and conveying needs. Lincom area sales manager Mark Quinn said the Powerscreen Trakpactor 290SR impact crusher was a no-brainer for a particular customer, as it attempted to get its road base material just right. “They had their mind made up they were going to go down this route with this style of machine, so we just helped them understand the pros and cons and how Lincom could support them through the ownership,” Quinn told Quarry. “Their main product is 40mm road base, so this machine’s screen box in the front and a recirculation conveyor meant they could get
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the material to size in one pass and avoid double-handling.” Out on the roads of regional South Australia, oversize material in road base can lead to uneven asphalt and result in damaged tyres. And when running between more than a dozen quarry pits to crush material for different communities, this contractor could hardly afford to waste time managing poorly crushed material. The 290SR took the worry out of work for this and future customers, Quinn said. “Previously, they’d used a jaw crusher and there was a lot of oversize they couldn’t use on the roads, plus the throughput was also very slow,” he said. “They’ve now got better quality control because of the screen box, which they can change out to suit whatever size material they want to produce.” The transportable nature of the Trakpactor also suits this mobile contractor. While competing models with secondary conveyors
can be too bulky or low to the ground, the 290SR is designed for mobility. “They’ve got several pits and they’ll travel around each pit on a campaign of up to 30Ktpa overall,” Quinn said. “The 290SR suited this kind of application because it’s very transportable and easy to pack up and set up. The recirculation conveyor is a good height for this as it’s not too close to the ground, making it easier to float around the region.” As the Australian quarry industry has come to expect, the 290SR is a capable crusher for most materials such as aggregate for roadbase, concrete, asphalt and the hardest limestones going around. To ensure the machine is keeping up pace, operators can monitor a range of metrics. “The 290SR has telemetric functionality which allows satellite information like fuel usage, hours crushed, hours idle, tracking hours and more to be sent to mobile devices,” Quinn said.
Quarry April 2022
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“This is supported by Powerscreen and comes standard on all crusher models Lincom supplies.” The recirculation conveyor can be controlled remotely and rotates up to 90 degrees away from the crusher for stockpiling, if necessary, improving the customer’s safety and ease of operation. But for those not in need of a secondary screenbox and recirculating conveyor, there is the Trakpactor 290 – an equally capable yet simplified machine. Quinn said these two machines fill a gap in Lincom’s range in both capacity and price. “The model below this one is sometimes too small and the one above it can be too expensive for certain customers,” he said. “So the 290SR fills an important gap in the market for Lincom and its customers.” With the success of the first Australian example of the Trakpactor 290 range, time will only tell how the rest of the country will take to the model.
The Trakpactor is an important cog in any mobile crushing operation.
But for his part, Quinn said he expects it to become a big hit for like-minded customers. “I expect plenty more orders in Australia as people take this customer as a good reference point,” he explained.
“It’s got a bigger chamber and a smaller footprint which suits it better to Australian conditions.”• To learn more about Lincom’s range, visit lincom.com.au
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CRUSHING
SOFTENING THE SHARP EDGES
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ith decades of experience creating value for customers through manufacturing and technology innovation, Komatsu was able to provide an integrated solution to help a mine in Africa address a major processing issue. Industries Chimiques du Senegal (ICS) is a mine located 100km outside of Dakar, in Senegal. Sitting on the north-west coast of the African continent and bordered by Mauritania, Mali, Guinea. and Guinea Bissau, ICS is the largest producer of phosphate fertiliser products in sub-Saharan Africa. The mine has been owned by Indonesia’ Indorama since 2014. Commencing business in 1960, ICS has mining concessions based across three sites in Senegal (an area of over 300 square
kilometres) and is home to integrated logistics, including access to a railway system. ICS has its own fleet of locomotives and wagons, with a dedicated berth at Dakar port. Its fertiliser products are sold to West Africa and to various international markets. The mineral is excavated via an open-cast mining method, initially removing overburden using bucket wheel excavators, hydraulic shovels and draglines. The phosphate layer (ROM) is then extracted with draglines and loaded onto 100t and 150t dump trucks for transportation to a scalping screen station. Previously, flint stones in the ROM would pass through the vibrating scalping screen, with impact of the sharp stones damaging the downstream 7km steel cord conveyor belt. This created a major inherent risk within the
The DRX 800-2500 Primary Sizer installed at the ICS mine.
The dump station at the Industries Chimiques du Senegal mine.
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The DRX 800-2500 Primary Sizer crushed primary feed down to -200mm all year round at the ICS mine.
plant that often resulted in belt rippage. This meant belts frequently had to be re-spliced or replaced, often at a significant time and financial cost. Komatsu was able to visit ICS in 2017 to assess the issue and provide an integrated solution within the customer’s existing operational footprint. It was then able to determine a specific pick design to match the customer’s flint-contaminated phosphate application. Komatsu recommended the use of their DRX 800-2500 Primary Sizer. This product utilises wear-resistant pick technology developed from shearers, continuous miners and the experience garnered from more than 3500 Komatsu feeder breakers operating in the field. The DRX’s low-profile crushing envelope could be integrated inside the scalping screen, enabling the customer to maintain the 1500Mtph belt feeding capacity despite the mineral showing a rock hardness of up to 200MPa. The sizer was able to crush the primary feed down to a -200mm product size all year round. This has proven especially useful during Senegal’s wet season, which turned the feed material into an extremely sticky compound. Komatsu sizers are able to handle the wet and sticky mineral, which made the DRX perfectly suited to the environmental changes of the application, which may have been problematic with a compression crushing methodology. ICS has been using the Komatsu DRX 800-2500 in a 24–7 operation since 2019 and, with over 11,320 hours of use, it is now well and truly proven within this demanding application. • For more information about Komatsu’s range, visit komatsu.com.au
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CRUSHING
RRC CRUSHERS USE RELIABLE ROADMASTA
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he Precisionscreen Roadmasta is a fully contained screening and crushing machine perfectly suited for on-the-go applications like the Rockhampton Regional Council (RRC). Measuring hundreds of kilometres across, the RRC is a big task for any team, but crushing team leader Wally Flynn said the Roadmasta is up to the task. “We’ve been running with Roadmastas since I’ve been with the Council and I’ve been here about 15 years. We’ve had three separate machines over the journey and it does what we need with no dramas. It’s a brilliant machine,” he told Quarry. There are roughly 20 gravel pits across the RRC and Flynn and his team can be seen moving about each day with their bright blue and yellow Roadmasta hooked up to their prime mover. Once set up, the Roadmasta is usually tasked with crushing about four thousand tonnes per day, but Flynn has doubled this on occasion when his ducks are in a row. This is thanks in part to the superior service provided by Precisionscreen, according to Flynn. “We’ve never had a drama with their support, They’re easy to get on with and the best thing about them is, over the years, they’ve been happy to modify our
Roadmastas to suit our requirements,” he said. “My team up here isn’t getting any younger, so we made some changes to the second machine to make it more mobile and Precisionscreen was happy to accommodate. “Now, our third one is even better after we made a couple more tweaks. We just worked with their engineers, they came up with a plan and now I can’t fault them.” As standard, the Roadmasta comes with a 7.5-cubic metre hopper, a 6-cylinder Deutz engine and both conveyors measuring 1000mm wide. Flynn’s modifications included a change to the conveyor which better suited his team’s applications. “We just changed the tail conveyor setup. It originally had a slew conveyor but we found that if we had a folding one, it was easier and quicker to pack up which is important in our job moving from site to site,” he said. “Me and my workmate can now have it up and running in 15 minutes.” Even with such modifications, the Roadmasta remains an economical option for the RRC where value is the key objective. Not only does the Roadmasta combine a crusher and a 30mm screen, saving on multiple machines, it’s also reliable and fuel-efficient, according to Flynn. “This is the only feasible, cost-effective
The Precisionscreen Roadmasta is manufactured in Brisbane, allowing for accessible support.
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choice for us. We couldn’t afford to have a bigger multi-machine sort of crushing set up with extra screens, so this is simple and effective,” he said. “We might get up to three days out of a 150-litre tank and that’s running hard all day.” And while the Roadmasta gives next to no trouble for Flynn and his crew, Precisionscreen is only a stone’s throw from Rockhampton to lend a hand if required. “We have very little dramas crushing some thousands of tonnes a day. We’ve put the usual preventative maintenance into it and it’s given us very little trouble,” he said. “For anything major like the odd hydraulic pump or motor needing replacement, Precisionscreen can ship it up overnight and have us back to work the next day.” Safety is as big a priority as any at RRC, as in any good crushing team, and the Roadmasta caters to this with multiple key features. Flynn said the machine made it easy to be safe while still getting the job done. “There are numerous great safety features. It’s got emergency stops all over it and we also have a remote control, so you can start and stop the crusher from the cab of the loader without going near it,” he said.• To learn more about Precisionscreen, visit precisionscreen.com.au
ENGINEERED FOR
OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE
Unlock the potential of your quarry materials with our advanced wet processing and water management technology. We deliver proven wet processing solutions to maximise your natural resources sustainably – with greater efficiency and less waste than ever before.
Visit cdegroup.com
SAND PROCESSING
SAND PLANT MORE THAN SATISFIES BURDETT’S
The 250tph dredge and dry-fed wash plant has exceeded the sand and gravel supplier’s operational efficiency goals.
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ased in Victoria, Burdett’s has invested in a new, dredge and dry-fed wash plant from industry experts CDE after acquiring a new greenfield site in Lang Lang, about 75km south-east of Melbourne. With more than 40 years’ experience in the industry, Burdett’s supplies a range of highquality products including landscaping gear and ready-mixed concrete, with over 70% of product output from its quarrying operations going to the garden and turf industry. At its existing Langwarrin site, Burdett’s operates a wash plant that accepts material from a range of sites to be blended; however, the 15-year-old plant is unable to meet current market demands. Having acquired its new site in Lang Lang, which also has its own resource, Burdett’s sought to commission a robust and reliable solution that could process material extracted on-site and from local quarries. The goal was to relieve pressures on its existing operations, maximise operational efficiency and add value to existing products.
CO-CREATED SOLUTION Using its unique co-creation approach, CDE worked closely with Burdett’s to fully understand what the business wanted to achieve from the plant and soon developed a turnkey solution to meet the company’s objectives. Burdett’s director Andrew Burdett said his
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company chose CDE because of its deep understanding of their requirements and proximity. “While this is our first time partnering with CDE, we were familiar with its technology and recognised early on the potential for it to underscore the success of our new Lang Lang operation,’ he said. “We explored other suppliers in the market, but it was CDE’s understanding of our needs and the direct relationship with its expert team that sealed the deal. “We were confident the project would be treated as a partnership from the outset.” CDE business development manager for Australasia Riccardo Wong said the company was “able to demonstrate our professionalism and industry expertise throughout the process”. “From the beginning, we listened and identified what they were looking for and engineered a solution that responded directly to their immediate needs for improved operational efficiency and maximum product quality,” he said.
DEWATERED AND DYNAMICALLY HANDLED Lang Lang is a site with a high water table, so Burdett’s required a plant that had the flexibility to take a dry excavated feed as well as a dredge feed. The conventional mining process of extracting material from water and leaving it to dry out and dewater is extremely labour-
intensive and increases operational costs. In response, CDE commissioned a dredge feed system, meaning that once Burdett’s reaches the water table it can dredge wet slurry feed to the plant. This removed the intermediatory step of having to dewater material first, which in turn reduced operational and labour costs. As Burdett’s specialises in the supply of various products, the integration of CDE’s dual sliding conveyors to create blended products removed the requirement for manually blending material with a loader, which also contributed to maximising operational efficiency. “Our existing plant at Langwarrin can only process so much material,” Burdett said. “With CDE’s expertise and technology, we are now equipped to process higher volumes at a faster rate, rather than relying on a single site for washing.”
ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE CDE designed and installed an advanced 250tph wet processing solution to produce high-quality washed sands, incorporating a dual EvoWash sand wash plant, dredge sump, Infinity design ProGrade screen, feed hopper and dual sliding blending conveyors. A compact, modular sand washing system, CDE’s EvoWash screens and separates the smaller sand and gravel fractions through an integrated high-frequency dewatering screen. The hydrocyclone technology provides
impressive control of silt cut points and eliminates the loss of quality fines. CDE’s ProGrade screen separates out the 15mm and +5mm fractions, delivering a high power-to-weight ratio and reducing power consumption. The screens are built to last, with an independent spray bar assembly protected from vibration, ensuring durability and allowing Burdett’s to meet production targets. CDE’s advanced classification and dewatering technology increases the accuracy of separation and delivers high-quality product with less than 15% moisture content straight off the belt, eliminating the need for drying.
RESULTS With the support of CDE wet processing technology, Burdett’s is now producing fine sand for the turf industry and a blend of coarse sand to make concrete sand and filter grades for the drying plant. Its turf, brick and foundry sands are currently being supplied to the garden, turf and construction industries.
The plant from CDE has performed above its nameplate capacity for Burdett’s.
Burdett said the plant was now exceeding expectations. “We’re able to produce the same products as on the old plant, but with CDE’s technology our products are of superior quality and we’ve been able to improve overall efficiency,” he said. “The plant was specified to meet 250tph; however, we’ve established that it’s actually processing up to 300tph, which is beyond our expectations and allows us to increase the capacity of our operations even further.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with CDE. The commissioning process went very smoothly and the local team in Victoria has been close at hand to support us through the journey.” Wong also couldn’t be happier with the partnership and its strong results. “We’re pleased to be partnering with Burdett’s on this venture and proud that our equipment is already producing beyond the immediate requirements,” he said. • To learn more about CDE, visit cdegroup.com
BUILT TO CONNECT
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TECHNOLOGY Groundwork underway for Komatsu’s Wacol Distribution Centre near Brisbane.
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF TECHNOLOGY ON NEW WACOL SITE
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hen Queensland contractor Gunne Civil Constructions was engaged to carry out site preparation earthworks for Komatsu’s new Wacol Distribution Centre and technology hub in Queensland, it was an opportunity for the company to take advantage of the latest technology in managing its side of the project. Gunne Civil has a substantial fleet of Komatsu equipment, many fitted with “bolton” Topcon machine control systems. But for the Wacol site’s earthworks, Gunne Civil also hired in Komatsu intelligent Machine Control (iMC) dozers and excavators, while also using its SmartConstruction offering for enhanced site surveying and management. Construction on the 3.8ha site began in March 2020 and was completed in early 2021. Komatsu’s Wacol Distribution Centre was officially opened in March 2022. Gunne Civil’s fleet includes 11 Komatsu excavators, from a PC18MR03 to a PC600LC8EO, with a number fitted with Topcon GPS-based excavator indicate systems, plus a D65EX-17, fitted with a Topcon machine control system. According to company co-owner Leon Gibb, Gunne Civil has been using machine control systems since 2008, switching to Topcon systems and its dealer Position Partners around 2012. “We carry out a lot of major infrastructure works throughout south-east Queensland: schools, defense works, local government services and with the major builders,” Gibb said. “We do all the civil works from scratch up to final completion, and these days we find the machine control systems are essential for all our detail trimming, whether it’s long
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batters and trenches with the excavators, or gravel spreading, bulk earthworks trimming or subgrade work with the dozer.” When Gunne was awarded the contract for the Wacol site, it was an opportunity to see first-hand the capabilities of Komatsu’s iMC technology, with the company hiring in a D61EXi-24 dozer and PC210LCi-10 excavator from Komatsu Rental. “We were very impressed with the capabilities of these machines,” Gibb said. “We had the dozer basically doing all our final trimming, with the iMC excavator doing a lot of the batter work, as well as detail and trimming in the tighter spots. “The iMC dozer’s capabilities, in particular its ability to carry out everything from the bulk earthworks right through to final trim with a very high degree of accuracy, were very impressive.” In addition, Gunne Civil purchased a new PC138US-11 short-tail excavator, fitted with a Topcon GPS-based machine guidance system to work on this project. Gunne Civil’s surveyor Shane Gregory worked in with Komatsu’s Queensland project solutions consultant Brent Parker, who introduced the company to the suite of SmartConstruction solutions. “We have our own drone survey system, but for this project Brent and Shane worked closely together, so that we were able to compare Brent’s SmartConstruction results with what we were getting,” Gibb said. “Brent has been extremely helpful to us in learning about this technology, plus he can even assist us with our Topcon gear as he’s ex-Position Partners. “SmartConstruction is a very impressive tool and it’s excellent for the client, as they
can see exactly what’s going on. And because it’s generating real-time data, there’s no hiding; it’s all right there on the table so you can see exactly what you’ve done each day, the volumes of material moved, and the accuracies you are achieving.” Gunne Civil’s history goes back to 1989, when Leon dad Noel Gibb teamed up with Michael Dunne to form Gunne Constructions. In 2008, Leon teamed up with business partner and long-time mate Adam Stafford to buy out Michael Dunne, then in 2014 renamed the company Gunne Civil Constructions, buying Noel out of the business in 2016. The company initially ran a lot of equipment from another supplier, as a result of a longterm relationship with Alec Harries who worked there. When Harries joined Komatsu in 2011 as Major Account Manager – Civil & Quarry in Queensland, Leon and Adam followed him. “It’s very much the relationship we both have with Alec that brought us to Komatsu,” Gibb said. “We’ve known and worked with him for many years; he was my and Adam’s rugby union coach when we were kids from about 25 years ago, so we go back a long way. “And we’ve found Komatsu’s an excellent brand, and our definite preference when their products are within the range we are after. I’d have to say we are more than impressed, so we buy it whenever we can. “We did recently purchase another company that primarily runs another product line, but we’ll pretty much swap that over for Komatsu equipment when its time is up.” • For more information about Komatsu’s range, visit komatsu.com.au
TECHNOLOGY
USING DATA
TO IMPROVE INSIGHTS Matt Stone has been in the quarry and material processing sector since he was 15 years old. Now Trimble’s Aggregates Industry Specialist, he explains how the company is leveraging data to help quarries manage their site more holistically.
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ggregates production data is often late, unreliable or requires a manual process to gather. Quarry managers typically rely on manual tally sheets, which can be ruined in any number of ways – lost, covered in mud, not filed properly, you name it. This makes it difficult for quarry managers, fleet managers and plant managers to make informed decisions that positively influence
Trimble aggregates industry specialist Matt Stone.
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production. To counteract this issue, sites around Australia are now moving to digitise their processes. Matt Stone, aggregates industry specialist at Trimble, has worked in the quarry and material processing space for 21 years. His role at the company is to translate the needs of the quarrying industry to help solve operational problems. One of the key trends he has seen is the frequent use of data, and how it’s becoming more meaningful to quarry managers looking to connect workflows. “From a quarry manager’s perspective, knowing what the production is doing at all times is crucial,” he said. “Being able to marry up production and the haul and even the loadout is important, and with our new products like Insight you can actually have multiple dashboards and see the operations workflows throughout the quarry.” Trimble Insight draws data from LOADRITE scales on loaders, excavators, haul trucks and conveyor belts into a centralised cloud storage. Administrators can customise product data, machine names, geofence load/dump and stockpile locations to help calculate production metrics in real-time.
A scheduler aligns this production data according to shifts and modes, with notifications that identify issues and dashboards that present actionable insights. Stone said the real-time notifications were vital for quarry managers. “Notifications are seen when the process goes off track, which is great because you can’t get lost production back. It’s pointless finding out about it the next day when it has already happened,” he said. Trimble’s goal is to make life easier for operators, particularly when it comes to performing error-prone tasks. One of the new tools it has developed is the LOADRITE 360 Loadout Management System. The system connects the loader and scale house to share data about loadout jobs, which results in greater efficiency, improved visibility, and higher product sales. The system has a focus on productivity, turnaround times, accuracy and safety. “With LOADRITE 360, you can make sure the right product is loaded on the right truck with the right weight every time, as the details are sent directly to the loader, straight from the gatehouse, with no noisy radio chatter. It’s all clear and concise information,” Stone said. “With that, tickets can be printed digitally or
at the gatehouse, so the driver doesn’t need to exit the cab, reinforcing safety on-site. “LOADRITE 360 takes care of all of that human error – the details entered by the truck at the gatehouse are being sent to the loader, so the loader has all those right details there and then.”
Stone said sites across Australia wanted to connect their sensors and scales to go beyond fleet management. One Trimble customer was able to connect 17 of their scales to the Insight system, which gave them the visibility to make changes that lead to a 20 per cent increase in production. SmartTech is the Australian distributor of Trimble Loadrite products in Australia, led by Dan Barry. They provide local experience, support and stock for Australian quarries. The company has significant experience when it comes to Australia’s Chain of Responsibility obligations and can provide solutions if there is a specific need. Machine and staff shortages are also an Australian-wide issue, which Trimble aims to help solve. Its technology allows customers to lift productivity while keeping downtime to a minimum. Stone said several TAFEs and training colleges in Australia will have LOADRITE
REDUCE DOWNTIME. INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY. Our service and support team are on hand to keep your operation running at peak efficiency.
products, which means students are already familiar with the systems by the time they get their qualifications. “New operators get in the cab and ask, ‘how come I’ve got no data in front of me?’” he said. “Operators who use these tools will be more productive. If you give someone a scale, it’ll give them some help to be a better operator, and even if they’ve been in the industry for a long time, it’ll help them to achieve their goals and support them.” At the recent IQA Conference Trimble and Smart Tech offered working demonstrations for several of its systems, letting quarry managers experience tools like Insight for themselves. The company can also provide existing LOADRITE customers with data from their site to help operators get an understanding of how to make more informed business decisions.• For more information, visit s marttechaustralia.com.au or call 1800 655 860
RAPIDMIX 400CW Fitted with a self-erecting onboard 40T silo using hydraulics, the Continuous Weight Mobile Pugmill can change from travel mode to fully operational within a few hours. Available with outputs of up to 400 tonnes per hour, the Rapidmix provides feed rates that are fully adjustable for the aggregate, cement and water systems. Offering full weighing of all materials, the Rapidmix provides accuracy and accountability you can depend on.
SA L E S | H I R E | S E RV I C E | PA RTS
1800 182 888 | www.lincom.com.au | sales@lincom.com.au | OFFICE LOCATIONS | QLD | N QLD | HUNTER REGION | NSW | VIC | WA | NZ
EQUIPMENT
Ritchie Bros. offers customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks and other assets.
AUSTRALIAN QUARRYING SECTOR TURNS TO USED EQUIPMENT MARKET
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s delays in global original equipment manufacturer (OEM) production and international freight disruptions create headaches for the quarrying sector, the industry is turning to the second-hand equipment market. Australia’s 2020–21 budgets had a focus on an infrastructure-led recovery, boosting demand for quarry materials. This, combined with superheated consumer spending in 2021 and the Federal Government’s Instant Asset Write Off Scheme, is keeping used equipment pricing unusually high. Ritchie Bros. regional sales manager Dale Spedding said national online auctions filled a much-needed gap in the quarrying sector. “This year continues to be a seller’s market for quarrying equipment, with positive price trends across nearly every single asset category,” he said. “Demand for quarrying equipment is the highest we’ve seen it.” Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. is a global asset management and disposition company that offers customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks and other assets. The company operates in a number of sectors, including construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, oil and gas, mining, and forestry. According to Spedding, the effects of major disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic are still being felt.
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“At the beginning of 2020, the pandemic caused the OEMs to stop manufacturing for several months and we are still experiencing the impact of that,” he said. “While used quarry equipment sales volumes fell in 2021, high price performance was achieved. Median pricing of jaw crushers is up 125 per cent in 2021 compared to 2020, and median pricing of screen plants is up 14 per cent in 2021 compared to 2020, but on average we’ve seen a median price rise of eight per cent for quarrying equipment. “We observed falling volumes in almost all quarrying asset categories in 2021, while prices sharply increased.” Spedding said Ritchie Bros. has been able to provide a level of certainty amid what has been a time of limited industry security. “As the OEMs have suffered, there is a global supply chain gap for equipment, particularly in the quarrying industry. Ritchie Bros.’ global connections in sourcing equipment, coupled with our ability to procure equipment across borders and territories, has filled the gap in the past year,” he said. “Our customers can sell equipment from their yard or one of our dedicated sites in Brisbane, Geelong, Perth, and Adelaide, Mittagong or Dubbo and participate in our national online auctions. In this way, Ritchie Bros. can attract a much larger buying audience and achieve strong price performance for consignors, while driving
record buyer demand through national marketing campaigns. For those unsure about buying equipment – the heart and soul of their quarrying operations – online, Ritchie Bros. does everything it can to package peace-of-mind with quality equipment. “We have adapted to ensure our customers are confident they source the equipment they need easily and efficiently. We offer inspection reports, photos, and service records so our buyers feel comfortable prior to bidding online.” Ritchie Bros.’ diverse selling channels span the globe, including Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world’s largest industrial auctioneer that offers live events with online bidding; IronPlanet, an online marketplace with featured weekly auctions (which also provides the exclusive IronClad Assurance equipment condition certification); Marketplace-E, a controlled marketplace offering multiple price and timing options; Mascus, a leading European online equipment listing service; and Ritchie Bros, Private Treaty, which privately negotiates sales. The company’s suite of multichannel sales solutions also includes Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions, a complete end-to-end asset management and disposition system. • For more information, visit rbauction.com
CRUSHING
EARTHMOVING BUSINESS PRIORITISES SUPPORT
Making the leap to new Porter equipment has vastly improved Oberon Earthmoving.
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beron Earthmoving has been serving central west New South Wales for several years, building a reliable reputation for all kinds of earthworks – civil, commercial, residential and rural. This includes a wide network of demand for road base in one of Australia’s fastest growing regions. To cater to such demand, Oberon calls on its relationship with Porter Group for the service and support needed to keep a small business running day in and day out. Porter Group supplies Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the US with some of the world’s leading brands in excavation, load and haul, crushing, screening and forestry. Since its establishment in 1945, the company has moved to supply new, used and hire equipment for these industries, to become one of the largest privately-owned industry identities in Australia and New Zealand. Off the back of this reputation, Porter supplied Oberon with a brand new Sandvik QI341HS impact crusher and a QE442 scalping screen, which were well suited for a mobile contract crushing business. Oberon Earthmoving director Zac Rowlandson said these machines could
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capably chew through Oberon’s tough aggregate “Our material is quite high-wear, particularly near our quarry, so we’re able to produce about 100,000 to 120,000 tonnes a year using the QI341HS and a QE442,” he told Quarry. With up to 300km between some jobs, the Oberon team can ill afford wasted time in transporting and setting up equipment. So these machines were selected for their mobility and quick set-up, which can be done by two people in about two hours. But what’s more important to Rowlandson is the know-how behind the machine provided by the team at Porter Group. “We basically chose Sandvik because of the relationship with Porter,” he said. “They’ve got the technical support and backup parts, plus my workshop guys get on particularly well with the Porter team. They wanted to work with them, so that was the main thing that steered us in that direction.” This became especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when supply chains were in chaos and a relationship with local suppliers became a key to success. “It doesn’t matter how good your machine is when there’s no parts available,” Rowlandson said.
“Having backup service and parts in stock became even more important over the last 12 or 18 months while supplies were tight, but even prior to that we placed a lot of importance of the service behind the machine.” Not only does Porter’s support benefit Oberon itself, but it provides certainty for Oberon’s customers in turn. Oberon has developed a strong network of clients over the last few years, which Rowlandson said was thanks in part to Porter. “We’re mostly servicing our existing clients in civil and roadworks. The QI341HS certainly helped to gain their trust and gave us the confidence to get these jobs done right, now that we know we can be efficient and competitive,” he said. Adding to that confidence is the conditionmonitoring features of the QI341HS that ensure maximum uptime for Oberon. “The machine’s usability is good and we’ve also put scales on it with remote monitoring, so that gives us another element to control throughput and to check on production and serviceability,” Rowlandson said. • For more information, visit porterce.com.au
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TECHNOLOGY
A SIMPLE RADAR
FORMULA FOR BETTER PROCESSES VEGA ushers in a new era with the radar sensor VEGAPULS 6X.
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also have to make the right selection. Customers have to choose from the large variety of radar sensors that are currently on offer. Because the areas of application are becoming more multi-faceted and processes more complex, the buyer needs a good understanding and overview of what’s on offer on the market. It takes the right knowhow, experience and time to avoid making costly bad investments and get a reliable measuring system.
ow do you optimise a level sensor that already has everything? What sounds like an obvious question has led VEGA to create much more than just an even better sensor. When using the new VEGAPULS 6X, it’s not just the sensor that counts, but what can be achieved with it in the application: better processes. The search for a suitable radar sensor traditionally begins with the question: which frequency would work best for this particular application, 26 GHz or 80 GHz? Or perhaps 6 GHz would be better? This is followed by thoughts about the properties of the media and how it could influence the measurement, as well as the specific installation environment. Furthermore, the temperature range or the presence of aggressive chemicals may give cause for concern. Will a standard process fitting be sufficient, or will special materials that meet the highest requirements be the right choice, if only because the user is not completely sure and wants to be on the safe side? And what else should be considered if the sensor is to measure great distances or be exposed to wind and weather all year round? These and countless other questions make one thing clear: with such a wide choice, you
A NEW CERTAINTY: “ONE FOR EVERYTHING” Until now, choosing an instrument was a laborious process and often involved a lot of questions and product research. VEGA is working to turn this process inside out with its new VEGAPULS 6X. “Ultimately, it’s not the sensor that counts, but what the users can achieve with it in their individual applications”, VEGA product manager Florian Burgert said. “Just knowing that they’ve chosen the best possible instrument solution, and that they’ll reach their goal faster with it, makes a big difference in their everyday operations.” she said. VEGA now offers one sensor for all applications, VEGAPULS 6X, and selecting the
The VEGAPULS 6X is designed to deliver perfect measured values under all process conditions.
VEGAPULS 6X was developed according to IT security for protection against cyberattacks.
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right frequency or determining the Dk value of the medium is no longer an obstacle. The new configurator asks the type of application and then quickly determines the sensor version is required. The entire procedure now consists of a few mouse clicks. Of course, an advisory discussion with a radar specialist is still a good alternative if necessary. The result is improved simplicity for users and a measurement solution that delivers results independent of media properties, process conditions, vessel shapes and internal installations. VEGA’s story began 30 years ago and includes milestones such as the world’s first two-wire radar instrument and the first 80 GHz radar sensor for liquids. There are now more than one million VEGA radar instruments in use worldwide – in industries such as chemical, energy, food, oil and gas, and many others. With each new instrument generation, the focus is always on high sensor quality.
FOUR-STAGE ALL-ROUND PROTECTION VEGAPULS 6X offers a number of technical innovations. It is equipped with a comprehensive safety concept that conforms with all the requirements of Safety Integrity Level (SIL). The certified sensor has strong SIL characteristics and provides the necessary operational safety to minimise risks in safety-related applications. Cybersecurity is another increasingly important focus and VEGAPULS 6X conforms to IEC 61511, which fulfils the strictest requirements for security of system access and communication control. It thus ensures comprehensive process security right through to the control system. An important third aspect of the radar sensor’s safety features is its selfdiagnosis system. It continuously monitors the function of the sensor and recognises if it has been impaired in any way, contributing significantly to higher plant availability and sensor performance. Central to these features is a new secondgeneration radar chip from VEGA. With no chip
available that would have met all requirements, the company’s research and development team set to designing one themselves. “The result pretty much consolidates our entire radar experience from three decades”, VEGA product manager Jürgen Skowaisa said. “In its scope and functionality, the chip is unique in the whole world.” The chip is characterised by low energy consumption, high sensitivity, scalable architecture and universal applicability. The radar antenna system and chip are directly connected (no cable) maximum performance.
NEW IN A DIFFERENT WAY In addition to the technical aspects, the VEGA radar team addressed questions that went beyond product design: What will be the longterm impact of this technology on the people who use it? How can their work be simplified? What future goals of industry can be realised? This new approach gave rise to the impulses that make VEGAPULS 6X different. By
considering users and process conditions of their applications, other points came into focus. These include challenges in using measuring instruments, such as adjustment procedures, constant pressure to increase efficiency, and time constraints in general. The task of level sensors is to make it easier for users to monitor industrial processes. Sensors often make processes more controllable and efficient, but even if they are easy to use the process of selecting the right one can still be difficult. Skowaisa sums up the strategy in pursuing VEGAPULS 6X as “maximum simplification”. “Until now, there were many different sensors that could be used for an application, but with VEGAPULS 6X there is one sensor for all applications,” he said” Set-up and commissioning have been reduced to a minimum, requiring just a few clicks and the input of basic data. “Our customers can even order a sensor that has been factory-calibrated, customer-
specific down to the last detail, that only has to be installed and connected. It doesn’t get any easier than that,” Skowaisa said. With VEGAPULS 6X, VEGA has rounded out its radar measurement technology with four innovations: more safety and self-diagnosis, new radar chip technology, new application possibilities, and simpler adjustment. “Our technology has reached such a high level that reliable function is no longer the issue,” Skowaisa said. “The only risk now is choosing the wrong sensor.” Thanks to the new approach, VEGA provides the tools to get the right sensor version for the application in 99% of cases, the company said, with experienced application engineers on standby to help with more difficult applications. “In the future, the user will no longer have to worry about the technology, frequency or instrument version; the measurement will simply work,” Skowaisa said. • For more information on the VEGAPULS range, visit vega.com/en-au
CONVEYING
TAKING THE WEIGHT
OFF QUARRYING SHOULDERS
Tecweigh, a Melbourne-based manufacturer of weighing solutions, is providing accuracy and reassurance to its quarrying customers with a range of weigh belt feeders.
Belt weigh feeders can be fitted to a range of silos in the conveying process to facilitate easier, more efficient filling of trucks en route to the weighbridge.
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onveyor systems are an integral part of industrial mass production, enabling multiple items to be dispensed in the supply chain. But the system can become as useless as the dirt it delivers if it isn’t calibrated accordingly. The repercussions of incorrect material weights or qualities have increased for the Australian quarrying industry of late with the introduction of Chain of Responsibility/gross vehicle mass obligations. Indeed, quarries can be held accountable for incorrect weights on a tipper truck, even if that truck is not part of its own fleet and being managed by a third party. Further, accurate readings are important for quarries that need to provide the right grades and formulae for cement production and road construction materials, as dictated by roads and transport authorities around the country. Recognising this situation, Tecweigh has custom-engineered a range of solutions to provide quarries peace of mind so they can get on with improving the efficiency of the many
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other processes that quarrying involves. Conveyor belt scales and weigh belt feeders play an important role in minimising the risks for quarries of producing “bad batches” of end product. Tecweigh business development manager Barry Gamble said that the two devices were quite similar – except one is designed for existing conveyor infrastructure while the other is custom-designed by Tecweigh. “Say the customer has their own infrastructure running,” Gamble said, explaining the conveyor belt scales. “Each scale has plus or minus three idlers which are shimmed level with the scale to ensure a smooth transition of the product over the weighing area. The centre idler is removed and remounted on the belt scale on a spreader bar connecting the two load cells and this becomes the weigh idler. We combine that weight information with belt speed data from the speed sensor which shows us the tonnes per hour.
“If you’re installing a weigh belt feeder, that’s when we provide both the conveyor infrastructure and drive mechanism.” Gamble said weigh belt feeders are best-suited to meet a customer’s specific formula by blending aggregate products at exact percentages. The weigh belt feeder’s shorter and more flexible nature – compared to a traditional conveyor – also allows it to be adapted to suit purposes such as truck-filling. For example, weigh belt feeders can be fitted to a range of silos at the end of the conveying process to facilitate easier and more efficient filling of trucks en route to the weighbridge. “You could have a silo of 5mm product, a silo of 10mm and a silo of 15mm, and then you can dispense a certain amount of each one as per the quarry customer’s requirements,” Gamble said. “The benefit of the truck-filling is it guarantees one trip to the weighbridge. Normally, people will fill up a truck, the truck goes to the weighbridge, there’s not enough or too much material aboard, and the truck has to make another pass. With our products, we can fill to within a plus/minus percentage and the truck can go on its way.” Tecweigh’s weigh belt feeders are custom-designed. The belt widths vary from 900–1600mm and lengths from 3–10m. For what the industry calls “the live load”, there are two load cells per weigh belt feeder and, depending on the throughput, the load cells can range from 30–300kg each. Gamble added the average quarry would incorporate weigh belt feeders of about 3.2m in length. “The longest weigh belt feeder we’ve manufactured is about 10m,” he said. “It depends on what the customer requires to fill their battery limits and the delivery speed required. So going back to the silo application, if you’re just storing aggregate, you would want to fill trucks as quickly as possible and stop when you get to the right figure. However,
if you’re overseeing the recipe blending application, you would want to control the blend as accurately as possible.” The weigh belt feeders also use stainless steel, hermetically sealed IP66 load cells and utilise self-storing calibration weights.
AUSTRALIAN MADE Tecweigh reassures customers in more ways than one. Not only does it supply accurate and reliable weigh belt feeders, but it manufactures them in Australia at its Carrum Downs factory, in outer-suburban Melbourne. This Australian Made certification has become increasingly important with supply chains tightening domestically and globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to its Australian Made credentials, Tecweigh can also provide a certificate from the Victorian Chamber of Commerce that shows its powdered steel and stainless-steel scales have been manufactured locally. Gamble said there would not be a major
The belt scale is utilised midway through the conveying process after the feed is first delivered to the belt.
quarry producer around Australia that doesn’t use Tecweigh’s conveyor weighing products on its sites, and the business caters to mediumand small-sized quarries alike. Tecweigh is also exporting its Australian-made steel products to China, Indonesia, the Philippines and other parts of south-east Asia. Gamble also predicted that as the extractive industries wrestle with the dual
challenges of skilled labour and automation, the need to improve product information and real time data would increase. To that end, Tecweigh is working on nextgeneration iterations of its weighing solutions, promising some more reassurance for quarries in a period of uncertainty. • For more information on Tecweigh’s weight belt feeders, visit tecweigh.com.au
SALES | HIRE | PARTS | SERVICE
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MOBILE CRUSHING SOLUTIONS
PRECISIONSCREEN TRACKCRUSH PV350 VSI
High capacity machine with production up to 350TPH
PRECISIONSCREEN ROADMASTA 48X10
48×10 granulator crusher with output up to 200TPH
CRUSHING
ASTEC EXPANDING
QUARRY CAPACITY IN QUEENSLAND Astec Australia is supporting one of Rockhampton’s major suppliers of hard-rock quarry products to expand its operations.
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lready a leading supplier of materials and equipment to Central Queensland’s infrastructure construction industry, Hopkins Brothers has initiated a significant upgrade of its quarry operations at Midgee, 10km south of Rockhampton. Driven by an uplift in major development projects planned for the region, the expansion will more than double capacity at the Hopkins Brothers quarry. And with almost $2 billion in road infrastructure projects alone planned for the Rockhampton region over the next few years, the upgrade is well-timed. Infrastructure at the Midgee site is now up to 15 years old and, with the new plant, the company is looking to modernise the site and raise its throughput capability. Working closely with Hopkins Brothers, Astec Australia has custom-designed the new fixed plant to ensure it meets their customer’s specific needs. Astec Australia’s senior account manager Shaun Quinn said the project required a plant that was not only fit-for-purpose and user-
Astec 3500EVT Vertical Shaft Impactor.
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Two Astec Kodiak K350+ Cone Crushers will boost the site’s crushing power.
friendly, but one that delivered a high degree of automation with limited operator interaction. According to Quinn, the new plant will integrate with the existing operation. “Much of the existing fixed crushing circuit is made up of Astec Australia equipment, including the Kodiak K300+ Cone Crusher and 6203-32LP Horizontal Screen,” he said. “The performance and reliability of that equipment is part of the reason Hopkins Brothers approached us to put in the new fixed crushing and screening plant.” Another reason is the strong partnership between the two companies. “Our relationship with Astec goes back almost a decade,” Hopkins Brothers’ general manager James Hoseason-Smith said. “Over those years, Shaun and his team have provided us with really good advice. We’ve had the benefit of their knowledge and experience and it’s served us well.” Scoping the new plant included a review of tonnage and capacity targets. The current Midgee pit produces a million tonnes of hard rock quarry products a year, with the existing fixed plant averaging 200–250 tonnes per hour. Additional production is generated through an Astec tracked train. With the new fixed plant online, the company is looking to
produce more than four times that amount. “We’ll continue to use the existing fixed plant once the new plant is running,” Hoseason-Smith said. “That means our total site throughput could be as high as 800 tonnes per hour.” The new plant circuit includes a comprehensive mix of Astec equipment – vibrating grizzly feeder, Horizontal heavy-duty scalping screen, two Kodiak K350+ Cone Crushers, four 6203-32LP Horizontal Screens and a 3500EVT Vertical Shaft Impactor. Primary jaw crushing at the face will be done by the Astec 3055 mobile jaw crusher that Hopkins Brothers purchased in 2020. Material will be transported overland via a grasshopper conveyor system to the fixed plant for final processing. “Hopkins Brothers already had good experience with the Kodiak K300+ Cone Crusher. Now the Kodiak K350+ will give them the extra crushing power they’re looking for,” said Quinn. “Similarly, to match the production requirements of the site, we’ve upgraded from the existing mobile 2500 VSI to the larger 3500 VSI. “The increased crushing capacity will make sure Hopkins Brothers can fulfil the needs of
the local market, and that ability to reliably service their customers is essential.” Over the past decade, Hopkins Brothers has contributed to a range of high-profile projects in the Rockhampton region, including suppling materials and products to the Rocklands to Stanwell Rail Duplication Project, bridge construction on the Yeppen South Project, and sections of the Bruce Highway reconstruction. “Through all our operations, Hopkins Brothers has been able to create local jobs and support the region’s continued growth and development,” Hoseason-Smith said. “That’s a role we take seriously, and this expansion at Midgee represents another significant investment by our company into the local community.” Plans are in place to have the new plant up and running in December. Conveyors and stackers are already on-site, as are the horizontal screens and cone crushers. Like so many, Astec is navigating delays and
Hopkins Brothers’ Midgee Quarry.
disruption in the shipping industry. But Quinn is confident they’ll meet the delivery schedule. “We’ve taken into account potential manufacturing delays through shortages of steel and other supplies, as well as possible shipping issues, and we’re still on track to turn on the new plant at the back end of this year,” he said.
Commissioning of the new plant at Midgee will be a significant event for Hopkins Brothers and Astec, and also for the delivery of infrastructure construction projects across the Rockhampton region. • For more information on Astec’s range, visit astecaustralia.com.au
C U S TOM E NG I N E E R E D W E I G H TO M E TE R S & W E I G H I NG S O LU TI O N S
, t i y e v n o c If you . t i h g i e w n we ca Enclosed weighing system Standard weigh belt feeder Conveyor belt scales
CONTACT OUR FRIENDLY STAFF FOR A QUOTE Head office: (03) 9775 0266 | QLD: (07) 3184 0980 | WA: (08) 6558 1936 VIC: (03) 9775 0266 | NSW: (02) 9159 9160 | tecweigh.com.au
LEADERSHIP
HELPING LEADERS HEAR MORE BAD NEWS
Jodi Goodall of Brady Heywood gives some advice on what is a very necessary part of being a senior leader.
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ne of the most unnerving things a senior leader can face is when a significant event happens that feels totally out of the blue. This could be anything from finding out too late about a major project in financial trouble to a serious accident that claims lives. You ask yourself things like, “Weren’t there warning signs that this was going to happen?” or “Why did the systems that we have in place not pick this up?” Frustratingly, most of the time there were lots of warning signs of the drift towards failure, and the information was already known within the organisation. But these warning signs can be uncomfortable to raise – they feel like bad news. However, receiving bad news early is like getting a head start in a race – it’s exactly what senior leaders need to hear in order to run their business reliably and safely. Receiving bad news keeps you in touch with the real performance of your business,
and learning about that real performance helps you make informed decisions, which means you can innovate fast – without a major failure. Bad news could be anything from a project missing a key milestone, near misses, repeat incidents, or unexplained anomalies in data. It could also be gaps in people’s risk knowledge, communication silos in your organisation, or even reports of bullying. Individually, each of these things may seem insignificant, but together you begin to see patterns in your culture, issues with your systems, and weaknesses in your risk controls that you couldn’t see before. As a senior leader, here are the top three things you can do to get more bad news flowing in your organisation: 1. Clarify the specific types of bad news you want to hear 2. Encourage bad news in your messaging 3. Design your reporting system to raise the bad news
Receiving bad news early is like “getting a head start in a race” and is what senior leaders need to hear to run their business reliably and safely.
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Jodi Goodall is head of organisational reliability at Brady Heywood.
CLARIFY THE SPECIFIC TYPES OF BAD NEWS YOU WANT TO HEAR In my experience, most leaders haven’t considered the types of bad news they need to hear. If you want to hear more bad news about your high-consequence risks, then you must have a clear idea in your own head of the early warning signs of failure so they become vivid to you. This is often described as having chronic unease. Being specific about the types of bad news you want to hear helps your organisation reframe its view of “bad” news to “helpful” news, which also means you naturally respond more positively when it is raised. How can you start to define the specific types of bad news you want to hear? Here are three ways: • Understand your major hazards, their controls and the effectiveness of those controls. Engage with technical experts, those doing the work, and the data to get a deep understanding of the high-potential risks, their causes, how each one is controlled, and what it looks like when each of those controls is performing effectively. A good risk register or set of bowties will hold the framework for this. This will help you identify the early warning signs of failure.
• Socialise the question with other leaders in the business. Ask, “What bad news do we need to hear about in order to manage our business better?” Encourage the group to consider a major failure scenario, and then consider what the early warning signs of failure could be across systems, risk controls, leadership, culture, etc. Display these lists in rooms and locations where you commonly make decisions or might hear bad news. • Consider previous events and others’ stories of failures and accidents. Appreciatively enquire, “What early warning signs would have helped prevent this?”
ENCOURAGE BAD NEWS IN YOUR MESSAGING If you walk into a restaurant dreaming of oysters, a rare eye fillet and a glass of red, but only ask the waiter for “food”, don’t be surprised if you get soup and a beer. It’s the same with your own messaging. If you leave your communication to generic statements like “safety is our priority” then people won’t really know what you want to hear. Being specific removes the ambiguity. Messaging is everything you say, give your attention to, measure and do. Here are some ways you can encourage people to give you their bad news: • Carve out regular time to visit technical groups, planners, workers in the field and contractors. Specifically, ask about
the risk controls and their relevance to your people’s work. • Thank those who tell you openly about bad news. Remember how uncomfortable this can be. Where appropriate, reward such action. • Consider what you reward. Do your people have bonuses and KPIs that inadvertently reward for not reporting near misses and high-potential issues upwards? This sends a message to your organisation about what is important to you. • Reflect and seek feedback from your peers around your messaging. Ask, “Where do my actions, words or focus seem to be in conflict with seeking bad news?”
DESIGN YOUR REPORTING SYSTEM TO RAISE THE BAD NEWS High-consequence events happen rarely, so your reporting system needs to be sensitive to the early warning signs. Interestingly, these often have no immediate impact and can easily go unnoticed. Careful design of your system is key. Here are some common issues I see in reporting systems that you can check in yours: • Is your event significance determined by “actual outcome” instead of “potential outcome”? If you are prioritising events based on what actually happened, rather than what could have happened, your system could be burying a rich source
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of failure data amid slip-trip type events. What types of events are getting the most attention, being reported to the CEO or given a full investigation? Are these injuries that couldn’t have been much worse, or are they related to your major hazards? If they are the former, reconsider your definition of what is significant. • Is your reporting limited to incidents only? This is often because the system is seen as a “safety incident reporting system”. Beware of this situation. There are many more sources of bad news to learn from than incidents, such as hazard reports, monitoring systems detecting exceedances of performance criteria, assurance checks, or even general cultural issues raised by teams. Separating failures into different reporting systems can mean that you miss patterns. Use one system to report all control failures, cultural and system gaps to increase your learning. • Do your systems fail to categorise information in ways that allow it to be analysed? Being able to sort, trend and analyse your data can help you see patterns you couldn’t see before. Can your data be separated by the major hazard type? By potential risk? By control failure mode? Beware – improving these things will get you more bad news. But bad news gives you rich opportunities for learning. And those organisations who learn fastest reap the rewards. •
FREEHOLD LAND PLANNING PERMIT WORK AUTHORITY
Comment “Fully approved extractive industry site located approximately 14 km west of Kerang, Victoria. The land comprises 40 hectares cleared for cropping purposes adjoining the council landfill.”
RESOURCE INVESTIGATION WATER RIGHT
The quarry is offered for sale by Expressions of Interest. All enquiries should be directed to Michael Hocking - C.J.Ham and Murray Pty. Ltd. 27 Station Street, Malvern 3144. Licensed Real Estate Agent and Valuer. Phone 03 9500 8633, 0400 248 099, admin@handm.com.au
CEMENT
The KEE Group has so far purchased three pugmills and has plans to buy more.
PROVIDING A KEE TO SUCCESS When WA civil support services provider KEE Group needed a new pugmill for a difficult job, it turned to Crusher Screens Sales & Hire.
K
EE Group group director Damon Spiers knows what he’s looking for when he needs new equipment – and he doesn’t make the decision to engage a supplier lightly. “My peer group reputation is of the highest calibre: if I put my name into it, I stake my reputation on it,” he said. KEE Group is a multi-faceted business with four divisions: KEE Hire, KEE Transport, KEE Surfacing and KEE Fuel. “KEE Group is a synergistic powerhouse, with genesis in transport, then diversified into surfacing, starting with asphalt and then the other part of my business is rental hire,” Spiers said. “From a quarry point of view, our surfacing side of things has built up a reputation and is on every single road project. We are using our pugmills to condition sub-base and base course and pavers to lay that.” When Spiers came across a job that required treatment of contaminated soil that had to be neutralised with lime, he looked at equipment in the market and the longevity of the job meant it didn’t make sense to hire. “Everyone seemed to be using a particular pugmill. I looked into it, and I came across the IMS (Irish Manufacturing Services) and I liked it better,” Spiers said. And that’s where Crusher Screens Sales & Hire came in. As the IMS Australia distributor, Crusher Screens Sales & Hire builds a high-quality range of plant equipment including the track-mounted pugmill and blender, mobile cement silos, high-production track, link and radial conveyors, and feed hoppers from 12–45m long. “I’ve only bought pugmills from (Crusher Screens Sales & Hire),” Spiers said. “What’s hard is when things break down – can they
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supply spare parts and repairs? – and they’re is good at it all. “Anyone can buy a machine and lay asphalt, it’s the sincerity of purpose – you’re there to give your clients and your community an end result that is quality. (Crusher Screens Sales & Hire) is definitely on the quality side.” Relatively uncomplicated machines, pugmills are ruggedly built and easy to manoeuvre. “I made a name doing my own fit and analysis and the IMS pugmill has been fantastic,” Spiers said. “One has turned into three and I’ll be buying more. We’re doing amazing things with them. They’re easy to transport – you can get 500 tonnes per hour coming out of them.” A pugmill can go from treating contaminated materials to conditioning materials for a road or barriers. The applications are largely dependent on what the client needs. Crusher Screens Sales & Hire’s IMS Track Mounted Pugmill is fitted with a twin shaft for anti-surging high-production material blending. Each shaft is fitted with replaceable 500-grade paddle tips that are rotatable through 180 degrees to equalise wear. The pugmill is fully hydraulic from transport to operational mode without removing any items of plant. The standard machine is manual controlled for adding water and can be upgraded to a fully automated programmable logic controller (PLC) and recording system for adding cement, lime, chemicals and emulsified asphalt mixing IMS has mobile 40-tonne cement silo options that refill the pugmill cement hopper with attached load cells automatically controlled by the pugmill PLC. The pugmills are highly accurate, a major advantage of which is the ease of making
sure things are always working as they are meant to be. The machine is set to its tolerances and everything else is run like clockwork. “They can meet any specific requirements in conditioning material, whether that be in base coarse material or pavement material,” Spiers said. “We can provide real-time reporting on the percentages of water, lime, cement at any part of the work. “You can even activate it via an iPad sitting in a car.” John Andersen is one of the co-owners of Crusher Screens Sales & Hire, and he is highly focused on customer service. “He’s just a pleasure to deal with. He’s thankful for the custom, he actively gets involved, he asks if he can do anything else,” Spiers said. “From a manufacturing and dealership point of view, I love dealing with John. “We do a lot of our own customisation, but John has provided levels of support when we’ve wanted to do certain things.” The machines and strong levels of support means Spiers is able to use the pugmills exactly as he chooses. “Kee Group has taken a fantastic product and customised it to meet our expectations,” he said “Our model is not to hire these pugmills out. I come up with the methodology to deal with contaminated soils, adding various compounds to lay in a road. The pugmill is part of the full chain of a division that can provide a full turnkey solution. “I can control the quality of each part of that supply chain.” • For more information on Crusher Screen Sales & Hire’s range, visit crusherscreen.com
CRUSHING Wirtgen’s range of Kleemann equipment helps to crush high-wear material.
CRUSHING DIFFICULT DIRT WITH SUPPORT A STONE’S THROW AWAY
W
alker Quarries has used Wirtgen mobile equipment to turn a mountainous quartzite resource into a growing operation, 150km west of Sydney. Originally touted as a gold mine, then a silica sands mine, the site was eventually given a life producing hard rock for Western Sydney’s construction industry from mid-2015. With approval to produce up to 500,000 tonnes per annum (tpa), the namesake operator of Walker Quarry has been growing year-on-year with the help of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Wirtgen’s range and support. With a workshop just a stone’s throw from Walker Quarry, Wirtgen was the easy choice for operations manager Trevor Hoffmann. “The Kleemann decision was brought about by a couple of things. Kleemann is well-designed and manufactured with a background in German engineering,” he told Quarry. “The other factor was that Kleemann’s parent company, Wirtgen, have a location about an hour and a half away in Emu Plains. So it was a good decision for us based on quality and proximity.” Walker Quarries has a wide range of Kleemann gear, including screens and crushers. On the crushing side, the operation uses three MC110R jaw crushers, two MR130Z impact crushers, and one MCO9S closed circuit cone crushers. These units were chosen for their hard-
wearing and mobile design, as is typical for Kleemann equipment. Hoffmann said these units were a no-brainer given the site’s mountainous nature and the lack of utilities. “It was originally a greenfields site with no plans or accommodation to install a fixed plant,” he said. “There was no fixed power to the site, so it had to be quarried with mobile gear, and it
“You can’t really go past German engineering in your own backyard.” remains this way as we continue to expand.” When Hoffmann began work at Walker four and a half years ago, the operation was only producing about 90Ktpa. The team is now pushing 300Ktpa, with the Kleemann equipment not hurting its chances of increasing towards 500Ktpa over the coming years. But it will be no easy feat – the Walker resource holds some of the tougher material found across the Australian quarrying industry, according to Hoffmann. “The quartzite we mine is extremely abrasive. We use ground-engaging tools with significant wear components and we’re constantly speaking with Wirtgen to understand how we can better utilise our equipment to manage this kind of material,” he said.
“The rock is not only very abrasive, but it’s got its own mind in terms of how it wants to break. We’re very particular about the shape of our aggregate and the impact crushers we use put us in a good position to supply specific products to the market.” And while Wirtgen is always happy to recommend textbook methods of using the crushing equipment – running aggflows and maintenance plans with all its customers – the machines’ versatility allows Hoffmann to find new and exciting ways to get the best out of his operation. “Knowing our material best, we prefer to use it in slightly different ways, but we’re always working to learn from one another,” Hoffmann said. “Wirtgen have brought their own potential clients to Walker Quarry to show how we use the equipment in our own way compared to the textbook fashion.” Wirtgen will be heavily involved in the future at Walker, according to Hoffmann, with plans to add various products to its output, including river pebbles. “Part of our future is to install a new sandwashing plant by the end of this year, which will be used to wash all the tailings off of our quartzite,” he said. “Wirtgen will continue to play a big part in our expansion and we expect to be partners with the them for a long time.” • For more information on the Kleemann range of crushers, visit wirtgen-group.com/en-au
Quarry April 2022 45
IQA NEWS
The Institute of Quarrying Australia
OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE IQA BRANCHES IQA JOB NOTICE BOARD The IQA Jobs Board is a great way to reach people in the industry who may be looking for a new opportunity. IQA members can advertise vacancies for free. The advertisement will be published for three weeks and, if the role is not filled in that time, you will be able to request the advertisement stay live for a further three weeks. Email admin@quarry.com.au to advertise a job and follow the IQA on LinkedIn for industry updates. L–R: Bradley Brown, AIQ, Graymont; Damien Gramola, AIQ, Delta Rent; Paul Chenery, AIQ, Komatsu Australia.
HUNTER SUB-BRANCH MEETING The Hunter sub-branch dinner on February 17 was fantastic opportunity to finally bring together the greater Hunter Region quarry family again. The Newcastle foreshore and Marina Views conference centre was the perfect spot for a warm afternoon, with 40 participants coming together to network while watching the boats come and go. A lovely dinner was followed by Dan Bolton, Principal Inspector for Small Mines and Quarries at the NSW Resources Regulator, explaining recent changes to the certification qualifications. Dan’s engaging and informative presentation also went through the regulator’s focus areas in the coming year for Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 operations.
networking opportunity for our members and are a great way to make new connections. The IQA will provide a brief presentation on education and professional development opportunities available to members and associated industries.
NQLD BRANCH NEW YEAR WELCOME DINNER AND PANEL The NQld branch welcomed 70 attendees to the Townsville RSL for its Welcome to the New Year and Panel event on February 18. This much anticipated occasion included a twocourse dinner and entertainment from a local comedian, but the highlight of the night was a panel featuring four highly regarded industry professionals and IQA Fellows with more than 130 years of combined industry experience.
Gavin Markwell (Markwell Group), John Fahey (BQC Quarries), Greg Rains (Nordev Contractors) and Bob Ware (quarry manager) answered questions about what quarrying was like in the ’70 and ’80s, including challenges compared to now, and what lessons can be applied within the industry today. The evening included a special presentation by the NQld Branch Committee Chairperson, Lawrence Fahey, to long-time IQA member and current NQld Committee member and former Chairperson, Greg Rains, who was upgraded to a Fellow of the Institute. A great night was had by all and provided an opportunity for learning and networking, which all attendees readily embraced. A special thank you must go to our event sponsors Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers and Georgiou Group.
NSW POST-REGULATOR CATCH-UPS The NSW Resources Regulator held its annual Health and Safety Roadshow for small mines and quarries across the state during February, March and April 2022. These roadshows provide valuable information and resources to the small mines and quarry sectors and help our industry to maintain safe practices while providing faceto-face engagement with the regulator.
UPCOMING POST-REGULATOR CATCH-UPS The IQA Central West and Northern Region branches are hosting informal networking meetings immediately after the conclusion of the roadshows in Orange, Dubbo and Port Macquarie. These meetings provide a 46
Quarry April 2022
The NQld Welcome to the New Year Panel event. L–R: John Fahey, Gavin Markwell, Bob Ware and Greg Rains.
IQA NEWS
The Institute of Quarrying Australia
EDUCATION AND TRAINING Face-to-face training is back. Following a very disrupted schedule, the IQA has scheduled a number of new courses that are being offered in-person, including: • Supervising for Safety • Plant and Equipment: Safety, Compliance and Best Practice • Slope Stability • Respirable Crystaline Silica • and more. Visit www.quarry.com.au for up-to-date scheduling of courses in your state. If a course is not listed, please contact the IQA admin@quarry.com.au and we can discuss your training needs. During the dinner, Gordyn & Palmer, one of the Victorian sub-branch major sponsors, gave two presentations. As an electrical and automation solutions specialist, Gordyn & Palmer is well placed to deliver an informative insight on the electronic advancements in the quarrying The return of face-to-face events has proved very welcome in 2022.
VICTORIA SUB-BRANCH DINNER MEETING When 57 guests gathered at the National Hotel in Bendigo on February 24, it was the first Victorian event to kick off 2022.
Guests embraced the opportunity to reconnect. Some arrived earlier in the day for the four-hour electrical awareness workshop, while others travelled from as far as South Australia and Queensland to attend the event.
MEMBERSHIP REVIEW COMMITTEE NOMINATION The IQA is seeking an EOI for up to five additional representatives from industry, branches and sub-branches, and suppliers to join the Membership Review Committee (MRC). The
industry. Later in the evening, the audience enjoyed an interactive and valuable discussion around switch room safety. The momentum of Victorian events continued with the Autumn Breakfast on 10 March at William Adams in Clayton, where an ANZ economist delivered an Australian economic update and guests enjoyed barista made coffee from an icon restored 1969 Citroen HY Van. For more details on IQA events, visit quarry. com.au/events
MRC’s role will be to: • determine applications for member status, where applicants do not have a formal or exempting qualification • determine applications for membership that are referred to it by the National Office staff or Chair of the Committee • determine applications for membership that are referred to it by applicants that are not happy with the decision of the National Office staff or Chair of the Committee • review and provide recommendations to the Board via the Chief Executive Officer on all nominations for Fellowship • review and provide recommendations to the Board via the CEO on all nominations for Honorary Fellowship
VICTORIA SUB-BRANCH ELECTRICAL AWARENESS WORKSHOP The IQA was thrilled to partner with the Victorian sub-branch to deliver the face-to-face electrical awareness workshop on February 24. This half-day workshop was held before the first subbranch networking dinner meeting for 2022. While online learning and virtual workshops
• review and provide advice to the CEO on all membership matters
have been incredibly successful since the onset
• review and provide advice to the CEO on strategies to sustain and grow membership
of COVID restrictions, we are encouraged to see
• refer matters of Committee composition, membership guideline amendments,
face-to-face learning back on the IQA calendar.
membership grades and annual membership fees to the Board via the CEO. For more information, download the EOI form from www.quarry.com.au
For more information on virtual and face-to-face professional development opportunities, visit www.quarry.com.au/education Quarry April 2022 47
WOMEN IN QUARRYING
AN ACTION-PACKED
FUTURE FOR WOMEN IN QUARRYING Following International Women’s Day in March and the success of another IQA Conference in Newcastle, the IQA continues to recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion in the success of any business or organisation.
A
s anyone who attended the conference will tell you, getting among our industry colleagues is one of the best decisions we can make to improve personally and professionally. But this experience can be significantly diminished without a diverse crowd with which to mingle. That’s why Groundwork Plus principal Tegan Smith initiated the Women in Quarrying (WIQ) network in 2014 to encourage a more diverse crowd at IQA events, so everyone can reap the benefits of networking and development. As WIQ national coordinator, Smith has worked with state coordinators from around Australia, as well as IQA chief executive officer Kylie Fahey, to develop a nationally coordinated strategic plan resulting in a busy 18-month calendar for the enrichment of their beloved extractive industry. “Each state tries to hold the specific WIQ events at different times so we can support each other,” Smith told Quarry. “We can share our knowledge and we can share speakers and programs to make sure that each state is not alone, and it is not all on one person to drive that initiative.” The strategic plan has a strong focus on education, with the IQA developing partnerships with providers in the diversity and inclusion space, including at in-person conferences and online workshops. Branches will continue to promote and support new people attend events and the WIQ network will be encouraging more women to join existing branch activities. By coordinating a national schedule, the IQA can ensure a consistent vision for the organisation and its members. Smith’s vision is that one day the WIQ initiative will no longer be necessary. “The purpose of the WIQ initiative is to provide a platform for women to connect, share experiences, focus on personal and professional development and enjoy the benefits of the IQA network,” she said.
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Groundwork Plus principal and WIQ national coordinator, Tegan Smith.
“Hopefully soon when you walk into an IQA event, the women already in our industry will be better represented because they will be in the room. “We all have a responsibility to make sure that happens, not just one person.” This shared responsibility is another reason for having various state coordinators, but the responsibility stretches far wider than that, according to Smith. “Everyone in the industry has a role to ensure that we are a competitive, attractive and progressive sector,” she said. “If we are serious about managing skills shortages in our industry and ensuring employee retention, we have to start to acknowledge and promote the importance of not only women in our industry, but all who remain underrepresented, including our younger generation.” The IQA is supporting a diversity and inclusion initiative that is not just about women. “It’s about all people,” Smith continued. “Inequity can be far reaching, affecting anyone”.
Increasing awareness of diversity and inclusion can start by having a conversation and being more open to different views. According to Smith, the influence of men in quarrying is critical and men are helping shape change through the WIQ cause, with incredible support being shown by many male leaders in the quarrying sector. “Our industry is great at networking and I have to say, the men in our industry, they do it extremely well,” she said. “The quarrying industry is filled with loyal people who have been part of this sector for many years. While some may move from company to company, their relationships run deep with each other. “Things like the IQA Conference are opportunities for people to come together that haven’t met for a while but have had long and enduring relationships. “This is why events like the IQA Conference are so effective and so well represented – because relationships mean a lot to people in our industry. It’s just one of the reasons that I’m still a part of it.
“I was so encouraged by the kindness and nature of the people in our industry. Particularly, as a woman, my experience in the industry has been extremely good.” Including all demographics in the fight for inclusion and equality is a vital part of the issue. When WIQ was started in 2014, it was made very clear the initiative was not an “us versus them” situation, but a group effort to promote the industry more broadly and simply make it more inclusive. “It’s about love for the industry and a want to make sure it remains sustainable, progressive, inclusive and competitive,” Smith said. “If our industry is going to survive in today’s world it must be attractive and relevant. By attending WIQ events you are not just
supporting women. You are supporting our industry and as a whole. “We have to make sure the people we are encouraging to join our industry, including young people, have access to it in order to appreciate how great it is.” None of this is to say women don’t already form a strong part of the IQA, but the difference between their ability to come to work and attend events remains a work in progress. This has inspired the WIQ network to improve its longer term planning to ensure the next 18 months of events are accessible for anyone who wants to network and develop themselves professionally in the extractive industry. “A lot of the time, people like weighbridge operators, for example, are so critical to the
running of a quarry that the chances of them going to a day conference is very limited. But when you think about it, if they’re sick that day, we would manage,” Smith said. To show just how engrained women are in the industry, the IQA has been profiling various stalwarts and how they’re changing the game. By highlighting the valuable contribution that women are making across the industry and encouraging people to get immersed in it all, everyone can benefit. “Through my involvement with WIQ, I have learned the incredible diversity of roles women occupy in our industry,” Smith said. “That’s something that’s been really lovely to see, the diversity of women across the industry and the different roles that they occupy.” •
YOU CAN’T BE WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE Bev Bracken General Manager, Business Improvement for Boral Australia What’s does your job involve? Working with business leaders to identify ways to standardise and improve their business – for example, removing duplication, increasing plant efficiency, throughput, increased uptime, automating processes, etc – and then working with them to validate and capture benefits and share best practice to standardise across many sites. How long have you been in the industry? I’ve been in the construction materials industry for 20-plus years, with the past seven years being focused on quarries and recycling. What do you enjoy about your role? Every day is different. I get to work with some fantastic people across all reaches of the organisation. The variation in my day-to-day keeps things exciting. One day I may be focused on how we identify the root cause of a specific crusher failure, another on national standardisation of purchasing, and the next working with a team on how best to
improve maintenance planning across a product line or region. How do you balance the demands of your home life/hobbies/social time and your role? It sounds very boring, but planning using my calendar, for both home and work commitments, is fundamental to making sure I don’t miss the important stuff. I sometimes travel and work odd hours, but by planning in one calendar I can feel confident I’m covering the critical things. I’ve got a couple of non-negotiable personal commitments for my family that I never miss. I’m also fortunate I work with an organisation that believes in flexible working, so I can plan to work closer to home when important family events are occurring. Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give yourself in your first week in the industry? Link up with the Women in Quarrying team. We’re a friendly lot and willing to help you find your path, especially if you’re new to the industry Don’t be afraid to ask questions; it may seem intimidating in a typically maledominated environment, but I’ve always found the teams to be open and happy to share their quarrying knowledge. Also, it’s okay to be new to quarrying –
Bev Bracken enjoys the daily variety of a career in quarrying.
and not have grown up driving loaders. Remember that what makes you different is what adds to the team. Your different way of thinking will help the team see and think about problems from a fresh perspective. Any regrets? None I can think of. What advice would you give women who may never have thought about the extractive industry? There are so many roles and career paths you can choose. It’s an industry where you’re easily able to switch from production to maintenance to labs and elsewhere as you develop. It’s an exciting industry to be in, where the rock you process today can be part of a road, highway, building or bridge you use tomorrow. •
Quarry April 2022 49
GEOLOGY TALK
ULURU JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG
Uluru, in the Northern Territory, is merely the very tip of a rock sequence that extends kilometres beneath the surface.
Layers of sandstone can reveal a lot about Earth’s history.
Researchers from Monash University have explored the 550-million-year-old formation of an Indigenous sacred site Uluru in the NT. Their findings uncovered a history of mountain ranges, tectonic movement, an inland ocean and a supercontinent.
O
riginally published in The Conversation, lecturers Melanie Finch and Andrew Giles discussed what scientists have learned about the world’s largest monolith over the past 30 years. “Around 550 million years ago, continents collided as part of the assembly of the supercontinent Gondwana, one of several times in Earth’s history where most of the continents were stuck together in one continuous piece of land,” Giles and Finch began. This supercontinent saw significant stresses reverberate across Australia, as India rubbed shoulders with Western Australia, pushing tectonic plates together and forcing rock upon rock to rise above the landscape. These earthquakes and movements caused what became known as the
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Petermann mountains which – at the height of their powers – would have stood hundreds of kilometres long and five kilometres high. These mountains were mostly granite, according to the researchers, and had no vegetation to protect them from the elements as land plants hadn’t yet evolved. “Bare mountains weather quickly because they are more exposed to rain and wind,” the researchers continued. “Big cracks formed in the granite, splitting away rocks and boulders, which fell into rivers gushing down deep valleys carved into the mountain. The sand from eroded mountains formed layers and layers of sandstone, which weighed upon the ground beneath to form a basin and the perfect storm for an inland ocean.
“Sediment continued to deposit into the ocean until about 300 million years ago when the ancient faults began to reawaken during a new mountain-building event called the Alice Springs orogeny,” Finch and Giles wrote. This next cycle of mountains birthed what would become known as Uluru, as the summit of one tectonic movement peaked above the landscape. “If we could dig underneath Uluru, we would see it is only the very tip of a rock sequence that extends kilometres down under the surface, like a rock iceberg,” the researchers concluded. “But even if we could, why would we want to? Uluru’s magic is most evident when you stand at its base, look up, and picture in your mind the enormous forces that conspired to form it.” •
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