Quarry April 2023

CRUSHING IT IN THE HIRE BUSINESS

Crusher Screen Sales and Hire provides quality e quipment to help achieve maximum productivity.

MORE THAN JUST A SUPPLIER

Lincom Group uses its broad network and industry knowhow to provide around-theclock customers care.

crusherscreen.com

Material Processing Solutions

SUPERIOR DUST SUPPRESSION

Superior Industries has developed a modular skirting system designed to limit the hazardous effects of dust and mitigate waste.

The

FEATURES

28 BUILT TOUGH

888 Crushing and Screening Equipment is on the frontlines of the quarrying industry.

30 MORE THAN A SUPPLIER

Lincom Group uses its network and know-how to provide around-the-clock customer care.

32 CURVED ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE

XMOR buckets are redefining productivity and efficiency.

34 FROM FEEDER TO FILTERPRESS

When a customer needed an end-toend excavation wash recycling system, Terex Washing Systems was there.

40 LOADING UP ON EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS

Liebherr catering to operators’ needs with its wheel loaders.

42 KNOWING WHAT’S IN THE GROUND

Understanding quantity and quality is vital to maximising value.

46 CRUSHING AHEAD

AusDecom is known for demolition, but crushing and recycling is where the company comes into its own.

48 NEW FACILITY ALL PUMPED UP

Xylem has invested $6 million into its Sydney production facility.

50 ANYTHING BUT BASIC

Superior

ToThink Equipment is providing highquality bases from Oscillating Systems Technology.

52 A LEASE EXTENSION SET IN STONE

One SA quarry was recently given a lease extension of up to 140 years.

EMBRACE THE CRUSH

Crushing and screening is not only the heart and soul of the quarrying business; it’s fundamental to more industries than most people might know.

Breaking the whole thing down into to its simplest terms, the crushing process involves taking big pieces of material and using considerable force to turn them into smaller pieces, while screening involves using machinery that acts like a filter or sieve that separates similarly sized materials.

But, to be honest, that really is putting it far too simply.

Crushing and screening is a wide-ranging and nuanced area of the extractives sector, with all kinds of machinery, processes and methods at play in creating value for companies across the resources industry.

Billions of tonnes of quarried material is crushed in Australia every year, and all of that material has to be used for something.

It’s most commonly used for material used in the construction of things like roads, buildings and bridges, all of which are pretty important to a properly functioning society.

Without crushing and screening, construction on all of those things would likely come to a halt.

So while it might be a stretch to suggest crushing and screening (not to mention the extractive industry at large) is underpinning society, it does give something of an indication of just how important it is.

And that’s one of the reasons why this month’s issue of Quarry is focusing on crushing and screening, looking at some of the products, innovations and services

that are involved in keeping such a vital aspect of the industry running smoothly.

As with any industry task, there are different machines for many different jobs when it comes to crushing and screening.

The choice of crushing and screening equipment depends on the characteristics of the project and the needs of the team.

But regardless of the scope and scale of the job, using the right crushing equipment is vital because it is then associated with screening processes and everything must work together effectively.

However, this issue is not limited to crushing and screening.

We also shine our usual light on lots of all kinds of different gear from across the quarrying industry, as well as a few different services and events from the Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA).

Speaking of the IQA, we were also fortunate enough to sit down for a one-on-one chat with the institute’s new Deputy President, Sarah Bellman.

With a broad range of experience in the extractive and mining industries, Sarah comes to the role with some excellent insights, not to mention some great ideas of the future of the IQA and the entire business of quarrying.

Sarah has a “passion for extractives”, and can’t wait to build on the strong history of the IQA and help to develop a strategic plan to ensure people are at the forefront of quarrying megatrends and challenges now and into the future.

Paul Hayes Managing Editor

CRUSHING AND SCREENING IS A WIDE-RANGING AND NUANCED AREA OF THE EXTRACTIVES SECTOR, WITH ALL KINDS OF MACHINERY, PROCESSES AND METHODS AT PLAY IN CREATING VALUE FOR COMPANIES ACROSS THE RESOURCES INDUSTRY.

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Managing Editor Paul Hayes paul.hayes@primecreative.com.au

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Lewis Cross lewis.cross@primecreative.com.au

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Art Director Blake Storey

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Kerry Pert, Tom Anderson, Louis Romero

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EDUCATION ACROSS THE SECTOR

What has been an exciting start to the year keeps going with the appointment of Sarah Bellman as Deputy President of the IQA.

The second female Deputy President for the organisation, Sarah’s inclusion will allow the managerial team to better service the association. And not only is Sarah our new Deputy President, but she is also a director on the board, allowing her to build on the IQA’s strong history.

Sarah currently works for Hanson Construction Materials, overseeing 40 operations across regional Victoria and Tasmania, including eight quarries of sand and hard rock. With degrees in mechanical engineering and management, she has great experience that will help her to lead the IQA to new heights.

Sarah also has a passion for training that is tailored, relevant and progressive, and enjoys building diversity within the quarrying industry, something the IQA is proud to support.

Our annual diversity and inclusion day is once again set for September 1 and presents an opportunity to encourage broad involvement in our industry. The diversity and inclusion days are an invaluable tool for our industry to spread awareness, provoke discussion and facilitate the inclusion of all across quarrying.

The IQA has seen significant change over the last three years, accelerating pivotal developments in the technology space and ensuring we are always working hard to guarantee we are several steps ahead of these developments.

We do this so our members have the relevant training available to them, as well as the ability to maximise the opportunities with which they are presented.

By maximising the use of new technology, we can ensure training is seamlessly accessed and customised to members’ learning needs.

Getting back to Sarah, she is a fantastic addition to senior management team and the broader training team, completing her first IQA course, Introduction to Quarrying, in 2008. Completing the course inspired her to learn more about the industry, and this inspiration will be utilised to motivate the future attendees.

The IQA works closely with regulators to translate any changes into our training packages, linking the framework to members by their role and skill level.

The implementation of the learning and development framework is essential for the IQA to continue to function as the leading provider of education for the extractive industry.

We want to make it as easy as possible for our members to progress through the relevant training and, to this end, we provide courses on safety, productivity, regulation, community and more.

Staying at the forefront of industry in terms of competency is important to the IQA.

With workforce shortages remaining one of the biggest challenges as we get further into 2023, the IQA wants to increase diversity, attraction and awareness to draw in those who may not have worked in the quarrying sector before. We need to create more pathways for entry such as traineeships, and this will continue to be a focus for us moving forward.

As always, sustainability, community engagement, circular products, alternate fuels, rehabilitation, psychosocial hazards and geotechnical stability will remain at the forefront of our conversations, and training in these areas will be essential.

We extend our warmest welcomes to Sarah as she begins her new role, and look forward to seeing her shine.

Duncan Harris President Institute of Quarrying Australia

www.quarry.com.au

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: e and sustainable environment.

• Diversity and inclusion.

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

• Networking, connection, trust and communication.

Strategic Priorities:

• Maximise outcomes for industry through education and sustainable practise.

• Increase our relevance.

• A high performing and sustainable organisation.

IQA Contacts:

Phone: 02 9484 0577

Email: admin@quarry.com.au

Chief Executive Officer

Kylie Fahey

Deputy President Sarah Bellman

Company Secretary

Rod Lester

For all education, member and branch enquires please email: admin@quarry.com.au.

PIVOTAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TECHNOLOGY SPACE AND ENSURING WE ARE ALWAYS WORKING HARD TO GUARANTEE WE ARE SEVERAL STEPS AHEAD OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS.

The Institute of Quarrying Australia

Educating and connecting our extractive industry

Drone survey services

An effective drone program is a fundamental part of modern quarry operations. We can work with you to identify your needs and provide an end-to-end solution consisting of the right drone for your business, all the accessories and software and training needed to support you every step of the way. Talk to us about how we can help you build your drone program and get you in the air.

HIGH LABOUR TURNOVER CONTRIBUTING TO SKILLS SHORTAGE: REPORT

Employers in the resources and energy industries continue to face record labour turnover and skills shortages, according to a new labour trends report.

Detailing the employees market and the correlation between wage increases, labour turnover and skill shortages, the ‘Resources and Energy Workforce Insights and Remuneration’ report was released in partnership between REMSMART and AREEA.

Providing data on pay, incentives, rosters, leave, training and development, and turnover in the resources, energy and related industries, the report aimed to provides participating companies with detail on labour market trends and forecasts.

Discussing the report and its relevance for related industries, AREEA deputy chief executive officer Tara Diamond said businesses within Australia are dealing with a variety of different issues.

“As we commence 2023, it is clear Australia still faces crippling skills shortages. On top of this, employers are dealing with the triple impact of increased inflation, minimal unemployment and salaries which have increased significantly over the past six months,” Diamond said.

“We are still very much in an ‘employees’ market’ in the resources,

energy and servicing sectors.”

The survey results showed a number of key data points with regards to employee turnover.

The report states that the industry has an average of 27 per cent average total employee turnover and 20 per cent average voluntary turnover, determined from 80 per cent response rate across those represented.

When considering the survey data, the report writes states “turnover continues to be a significant issue for the resources and energy industry”.

The written feedback indicates that resources and energy companies are having some success in reducing turnover in cases where they are willing to invest in their overall employee value proposition.

Additionally, actions that include reviewing fixed and variable remuneration, investing in training and development (ie opening up career paths), offering flexibility and identifying and rectifying ineffective management have all seen employers record higher retention of employees.

The recognition of workforce issues as a primary business priority is contributing to the development of teams that are focused on employee management, satisfaction and wellbeing within resources and energy sector businesses.

“AS WE COMMENCE 2023, IT IS CLEAR AUSTRALIA STILL FACES CRIPPLING SKILLS SHORTAGES. ON TOP OF THIS, EMPLOYERS ARE DEALING WITH THE TRIPLE IMPACT OF INCREASED INFLATION, MINIMAL UNEMPLOYMENT AND SALARIES WHICH HAVE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS”

The report adds that the industries covered, have seen an average increase of almost 20 per cent within the human resources (HR) and related functions of industry participants.

“Recruitment and training are the strongest drivers of growth within the industry’s ‘people teams’. This speaks to the urgency in the market around both attracting and retaining skills and capability,” REMSMART managing director Allan Feinberg said.

“Employers are building on depth of knowledge of existing people through training and development, while looking to gain new skills and capabilities through targeted recruitment.”

The importance of employers continuing to focus on non-wage related issues, such as “workplace flexibility, training and upskilling; and ensuring safe and appropriate workplace behaviours including workplace sexual harassment” as Diamond suggests, is crucial at the critical juncture the resources industry finds itself at.

The ‘Resources and Energy Workforce Insights and Remuneration’ report draws upon remuneration data inputted by over 115 participating companies.

In addition, its covers a range of workforce trends including incentives, bonuses and other benefits. •

TARA DIAMOND

Labor shortages are a result of a wide variety of issues.

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QMEA BRINGS RESOURCES EDUCATION TO YOUNG WOMEN

The next generation of female technicians, tradies and engineers in Rockhampton have been given the tools to start a future career in the resources sector through the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA).

Part of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), the QMEA has begun its 2023 program with a series of breakfasts and workshops.

On 21 February, a total of 40 women, comprised of 20 Year 10 students from Rockhampton and Gladstone schools and 20 women from the Rockhampton school community, including teachers and mothers, attended the inaugural Girls Exploring Trades & Technologies (GETT) in resources event.

QRC director of skills, education and diversity Katrina-Lee Jones said the GETT in Resources program focuses

on encouraging young women to look into traditionally male-dominated fields of study and employment.

“Six events across Brisbane, Rockhampton and Townsville are being delivered for the first time by the QMEA, allowing young women who may be undecided on a career pathway as well as mature women wanting to re-enter the workforce to learn about the fantastic career opportunities on offer in the industry,” Jones said.

“This initiative supports the QRC’s efforts to create a more diversified and inclusive workforce that attracts more females into non-traditional roles, including our ambitious diversity target of 30 per cent female participation by 2026.

“Comprising a breakfast event and industry panel, followed by an engaging, hands-on, half-day

$2 BILLION EPPING QUARRY REDEVELOPMENT PLANS APPROVED

A former quarry site at New Epping in Melbourne’s north has been green-lit for redevelopment for mixed use plans by the Whittlesea council.

The quarry redevelopment to transform the site into a community 18km north of Melbourne’s CBD will change the Epping quarry into a five-neighbourhood community comprising residential, commercial, healthcare and retail, centred around a green spine. The project will create 622 construction jobs over its 15year build program, and once completed will contribute more than $3.4 billion to the economy, with high requirements for involvements with local quarries and construction materials suppliers.

Riverlee development director David Lee said the New Epping quarry

redevelopment would set a benchmark in how an integrated mixed-use development can meet the demands of a rapidly growing population.

“We want New Epping to set a new standard in urban renewal, with a more thoughtful approach to how we regenerate infill sites and integrate mixed-use communities,” Lee said.

“Diversity is key to the success in a mixed-use precinct – that is what makes for a resilient community.”

The work is projected to create about 2000 homes with a focus on liveability and a diverse mix of housing typologies, including townhomes, apartments, affordable housing, retirement residences and aged care. Residential and commercial precincts will be connected

workshop in each city, GETT in Resources is showcasing activities and technical disciplines that correlate with the enduring skill shortages in trades and technologies.”

Throughout the event, attendees are given the chance to hear about personal experiences, challenges, and career opportunities available in the resources and energy sectors, in addition to advice that attendees may not hear elsewhere.

Working in the resources industry in rural and remote areas has provided Glencore Coal human resources manager Cayla Jurd with various opportunities to grow as an individual, as she said to attendees of the event.

“Although my areas of study are in law and human resources, I have been afforded opportunities to work across multiple disciplines including in the role of operations supervisor,” Jurd said.

“When things are getting tough, whether that be with school, an apprenticeship, university, or work, remind yourself – I didn’t come this far, to only come this far.”

Participants are also given the opportunity to take part in an interactive workshop focusing on skills and roles in high demand in the industry, showcasing the resources sector’s use and development of cutting-edge technologies now and in the future. •

by a civic heart, complete with parks, cafes and recreation facilities.

“Across five neighbourhoods, the development will deliver a range of commercial, healthcare, residential and civic spaces that will cement Epping as the CBD of Melbourne’s north,” Lee said.

“In doing so, we want to bring all the character you find in the inner-north of Melbourne to Epping and, in that sense, this project is ahead of its time and will redefine the suburbs of the future.”

Approval of the first stage of New Epping was fast-tracked by the Victorian Government’s Building Victoria’s Recovery Taskforce in December 2020. Further permits for additional stages are expected to be lodged this year. •

The Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy has begun its 2023 recruitment program.

THIS INITIATIVE SUPPORTS

THE QRC’S EFFORTS TO CREATE A MORE DIVERSIFIED AND INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE THAT ATTRACTS MORE FEMALES INTO NONTRADITIONAL ROLES

KATRINA-LEE JONES

The Australian Government is investing $565 million to support common user port upgrades in the Pilbara, promoting local employment opportunities for major construction works.

Work is now underway on a major project that will expand the export and import capacity at the Port of Port Hedland, helping to unlock trade and investment opportunities, creating hundreds of new jobs and helping drive Australia’s Net Zero future.

Chief among the news is the announcement that Pilbara-based businesses will benefit from the first seawall contract, with 90 per cent of materials and suppliers to be sourced locally within the region, and additional sub-contracting and labour opportunities on offer.

This will include partnerships with First Nations businesses and economic opportunities for communities across the north-west.

WA Premier Mark McGowan discussed the benefits to the local

economy and employment opportunities the grant will create.

“The Pilbara has been at the heart of our nation’s economic strength for decades, generating wealth for the entire country and supporting thousands of jobs across Western Australia,” McGowan said

“This port expansion will help to position Port Hedland at the forefront of the future green industries that will drive our state’s economy for decades to come.

“We’re investing in projects to diversify our economy and create local jobs right across the state.”

The project aims to deliver new multiuser facilities and berths that will help diversify trade within the Pilbara region and support the growth of renewable industries in Australia and overseas.

This includes increasing the capacity to export battery metals such as lithium and copper concentrates, and to import renewable energy infrastructure including wind turbines and blades. It will also support the rapid growth of direct shipping services to the Pilbara.

“Investment in good infrastructure opens doors and opportunities for businesses and communities, and that’s exactly what this project is all about,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said.

“By making use of local expertise and materials for the first seawall, this project will drive a real short-term employment and economic boost while delivering lasting infrastructure that will continue to benefit the region well into the future.”

Growing the capacity of Pilbara ports has been identified by Infrastructure Australia as a national infrastructure priority.

The first stage of works on the project will construct two seawalls and a new causeway, which will connect the wharf to the proposed logistics hub, with MGN Civil awarded the contract to complete the first of the seawalls. A tender will soon be released for the delivery of the second seawall. •

The Australian Government is investing $565 million to expand exports and imports at the Port of Port Hedland.

THE PILBARA HAS BEEN AT THE HEART OF OUR NATION’S ECONOMIC STRENGTH FOR DECADES, GENERATING WEALTH FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AND SUPPORTING THOUSANDS OF JOBS ACROSS WESTERN AUSTRALIA.”

MARK MCGOWAN

MARTINS CREEK QUARRY PROJECT EXPANSION HALTED

The expansion of the Martins Creek gravel quarry has been prevented by the New South Wales Independent Planning Commission (IPC).

The original proposal involved the extraction of 1.1 million tonnes of material per annum from the site, comprising of andesite hard rock, expansion into new extraction areas and the consolidation of existing operations and approvals, according to the NSW Government State Significant Development portal.

“Obviously we are disappointed, given the project had been recommended for approval from the Department of Planning,” business development director for Daracon, Adam Kelly said, “and after that, we further reduced the truck movements following feedback.”

“However, we accept the decision, and our focus is on what’s next.”

Martins Creek Quarry is one of few quarries able to supply the quality of quarry product suitable for the large infrastructure projects

commencing in the region, including the John Hunter Hospital and Inner-City Bypass.

Daracon has previously accepted the community and the department’s suggestions in revising its proposal from 1.5 million tonnes to 1.1 million tonnes and reducing road transport volumes, refining operational hours and reducing disturbance footprint, with a shorter approval term.

The IPC decision was made due to the impacts of road haulage, with the proposed expansion resulting in the operation extracting 450,000 tonnes of gravel a year, generating up to 160 truck movements a day from the site.

The commission’s decision to refuse the project was influenced by the run-on effects on the community, due to the necessary work of the quarry.

“The project would result in ‘significant and adverse impacts on the communities in the affected areas’,” the IPC stated.

The commission acknowledged that the project had strategic value and economic benefits, although additional on-site impacts were found. Water, air quality, noise and biodiversity impacts could have been appropriately managed, “if not for the significant off-site impacts along the road haulage route”.

The commission concluded that the impacts of the project, were not in the public interest when consideration was given to the 25-year period over which the impacts would be experienced.

The commission concluded these effects could not be sufficiently managed through the imposition of conditions, which resulted in the expansion being halted.

During the project’s period of public consultation, over 900 objection letters and notices were lodged, with concern around the road haulage being a recurring complaint. More than 500 letters of support for the project expansion were also received. •

RECYCLED GLASS INCORPORATED INTO CONCRETE

The Lismore City Council has partnered with the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to trial the use of recycled glass in concrete.

Also working with Graham’s Concrete and Southern Cross University, the initial trial is set to use crushed glass blended concrete to lay a new floor in a shed at the Lismore Recycling and Recovery Centre, with the facility then planned to be used by Southern Cross University as a dedicated location to pilot further waste treatment and resource recovery technologies.

Finding alternate uses for traditionally recycled products is a direction the community wants to head in, as Lismore City Council general manager John Walker said.

“We are hopeful that this trial will demonstrate another successful use of glass sand,” Walker said. “This is a product that we can produce locally and is our preferred option over the associated cost and challenges that comes with recycling glass in the traditional way.

“By reusing material locally, this trial demonstrates council’s transition to

circular economy principles, a focus of our Resource Recovery and Residual Waste Strategy.”

The project is a NSW EPA ‘Waste Less Recycle More’ initiative funded from the state waste levy, with the grant allocation intending to support innovation in infrastructure, according to EPA Director Circular Economy Programs Kathy Giunta.

“More than $240,000 has been awarded to Lismore City Council to use glass from kerbside recycling in concrete,” Giunta said. “This will create a clever circular solution for local infrastructure needs like footpaths, kerbs, drains and roadways.

“Glass is a great option for reuse as sand as it won’t degrade over time and this project will help reduce emissions contributing to a more sustainable Lismore.”

The use of recycled sand in concrete provides an alternative for sand and other aggregates, with strong sustainability benefits for businesses and projects utilising recycled materials.

The shed will be used by Southern Cross University for several pilot projects as

part of the ReCirculator program, which is funded by the Federal Government’s Strategic University Reform Fund.

The Lismore Council’s vision for the creation and facilitation of a regional circular economy that diverts valuable materials away from landfill and back into new products which aligns strongly with the views of Southern Cross University as Professor Andrew Rose, Academic Director of Southern Cross University’s ReCirculator Program said.

“We’re grateful to council for the opportunity to jointly establish a pilot facility at the Lismore Recycling and Recovery Centre,” Rose said. “This will allow us to showcase innovative solutions to waste issues, and we look forward to working together with council, local industry and the wider community to help create a circular Northern Rivers economy.”

Future trials are planned test the use of recycled crushed glass in precast concrete products, with the outcomes of the trials set to be published by the NSW EPA in 2024. •

The New South Wales Independent Planning Commission has prevented the Martins Creek quarry expansion.

PRODUCT FOCUS

E-PLAS TIPS THE SCALES WITH QUICKSILVER

E-Plas’ QuickSilver truck lining system is the ultimate industrial-strength continuous liner. QuickSilver is super slick, so no additional release agents are required. It also means there is no sticking or carry-backs, which eliminates the risk of a tip-over.

The continuous lining ensures that the truck stays tough, safe, and productive by reducing the turnaround time, allowing more loads per day. QuickSilver is a much lighter alternative to steel and aluminium, outwearing both, according to E-Plas. It features strong abrasion-, impact- and corrosion-resistance to protect the integrity and life of the truck.

A particularly helpful feature of QuickSilver is that it can be fitted in less than a day and, once fitted, requires no ongoing maintenance. The QuickSilver truck lining system has been proven to perform in multiple industries, including bulk handling, mining and minerals, and grain handling/transport. Designed specifically for intense applications, QuickSilver is designed to be an ideal choice for harsh Australian climates.

For more information, visit eplas.com.au/quicksilver-truck-lining

INTRODUCING THE NEW VIVA ENERGY ONLINE LUBRICANTS SHOP

Viva Energy is pleased to announce the launch of its new online store for Shell lubricants in Australia. The store features a wide range of Shell and Viva Energy lubricants, including oils, coolants and greases used for earthmoving equipment. These can now easily be purchased in selected pack sizes online and shipped directly to your door.

To celebrate the launch, Viva Energy is giving Quarry readers an exclusive offer. Use the promo code ‘QAPRMAY15OFF’ at the checkout to receive 15 per cent off your lubricants order*.

*Offer available on selected products and one order only. Offer expires 11:59pm 31 May, 2023. Please see full terms and conditions at: www.vivaenergy.com.au/shoptandc.

For more information, visit vivaenergy.com.au/shoplubricants

HIGH REDUCTION RATIO CRUSHER AND SCREEN

The Lokotrack LT1213S mobile horizontal impact crusher (HSI) combines mobility, high capacity and versatility. It is suitable for a various applications such as limestone processing and recycled materials crushing, and includes high-capacity dual-slope screen and return conveyor for additional calibrated end-products.

The Lokotrack LT1213S features a hydraulically foldable hopper with wear-resistant curved sides and a patented locking mechanism, along with a quick-to-set-up rotating H5-4 side conveyor and a fuel-efficient CAT C9.3B power transmitter.

It works in applications ranging from concrete and demolition waste, recycled asphalt and soft and medium-hard rock.

For more information, visit mogroup.com

RED STAR HIGH-QUALITY HAMMERS

Widely used in the quarrying and recycling industries, high-strength hammers are essential to ensure high-grade products. The team from Anping Red Star is able to supply high-quality manganese hammers, as well as alloy carbon steel hammers, for different applications. With the impact work regularly experienced during quarrying applications, manganese steel hammers are more commonly used due to the unique hardening property they exhibit during the work. In the recycling industry, carbon alloy steel hammers are more popular, especially for the scrap shredders. Through a steel-refining process and special heat-treatment, the hammer is able to obtain a superior level of durability. The lifetime for the hammers from Anping Red Star is on the higher end, resulting in lower total cost for the hammers.

For more information, visit yinghuiinternational.com or call 0401 459 289.

BOLLÉ SAFETY GLASSES PROVIDE COMFORT AND PERFORMANCE

Bollé Tryon range of glasses are available in three versions: safety spectacles, OTG, and prescription. The glasses are ultra-wrap-around with a sporty design and are non-slip, providing a safer experience. Like many Bollé products, the Tryon range is available in clear, smoke, copper, cobalt flash and polarised lenses, making them ideal to use throughout a range of industries. The cobalt flash lenses are suitable to use outdoors and indoors, as they protect the wearer from heat, while the copper lenses are ideal for activities that require exposure to alternating high and low light. Like all of Bollé’s products, the Tryon range of classes combine style, innovation and protection to provide the wearer with the maximum comfort and safety.

For more information, visit bolle-safety.com/au/industrial/ glasses/safety-glasses/tryon-TRYON_INDUSTRIAL.html

INNOVATIVE HOSE REELING SYSTEM FROM CRUSADER HOSE

Crusader Hose has developed an innovative hose reeling system to manage large-diameter flexible layflat hose.

The Bayswater Mobile Hose Crate 1600 reeling system is ready to assist in handling temporary, flexible pipelines, making it ideal for progressive mining companies eager to embrace the many benefits of layflat hose technology.

Fabricated for the rapid deployment and retrieval of layflat hose, this reeling system has two off 1600mm-diameter reels mounted within a crate, with each independent reel able to handle up to 100m of 8in hose and accommodate 200m capacity per crate.

The power-pack-equipped trailer-mounted Bayswater 1600 has quickconnect couplers and free-spool capability.

Crusader Hose has been manufacturing layflat hose for over 36 years and, in consultation with industry, knows reliable reeling systems reduce the required workforce and assist in supporting occupational health and safety obligations.

CRUSHING IT IN THE HIRE BUSINESS

Crusher Screen Sales and Hire (CSSH) has a simple message for potential customers in the extractive industry.

“If your company, quarry or mine needs new equipment, then come to Crusher Screen Sales and Hire and see what we can offer,” the company states on its website.

An Australian company operating out of Yatala in Queensland, CSSH facilitates the sale and hire of a variety of equipment.

Operating as the Australian manufacturer and distributor for Irish Manufacturing Services (IMS) crushing equipment from Northern Ireland, CSSH manufactures a range of plant, including track and modular electric pugmills, mobile silos and blenders.

CSSH manager John Andersen spoke with Quarry about the company’s offerings and its key role in providing customers with fit-forpurpose crushing solutions.

“At CSSH we offer a turn-key solution with our pugmills and blenders that come with the support of Australian-designed and serviced computer programming,” he said. “Our attention to detail in the machines we offer, and their internal programming, ensures that the automation design is meeting Australian standards and conditions.”

Operating crushers and pugmills in Australia comes with a suite of challenges, as all local quarry operators would know. The combination of the often-harsh environmental conditions and regularly changing legislative

requirements can serve to complicate the process of crushing and screening.

To that end, the knowledge and experience of Andersen and the team at CSSH is what comes to forefront, with boots-on-the-ground experience combining with a variety of machines that are designed to handle work in Australian conditions.

“As the industry continues to develop and incorporate much-needed changes, some quarries have difficulties with fulfilling more demanding specifications,” Andersen said.

“Additionally, some quarries have difficulty meeting specifications without blending material and some states specifically have requirements for more recycled product to be added to virgin material to reduce waste and landfill demands.

“That’s where we come in. We can direct customers to the right equipment for their needs, giving them the best tools for success.”

ON TRACK

One of the highlights of the CSSH product range is the IMS track-mounted pugmill, PM1050-16TB, which Andersen describes as “the biggest selling pugmill in Australia”. This popular machine has a role in operating on major infrastructure projects around the country.

“The PM1050-16TB is heavily responsible in supplying main roads specific products

from numerous quarries,” Andersen said. “These machines are essential in supporting the major infrastructure development the country is going through, with numerous large public and private projects happening nationwide.”

The PM1050-16TB also has a function in the treatment of contaminated soils. Through a combination with chemical compounds, the machine can create a blended material that can then be reused on-site, saving money on dumping fees and associated transport costs.

Introducing a mix between manual and automatic operation, the lPM1050-16TB has the option to be operated as a manual unit. It is also capable of producing up to 500 tonnes per hour by adding water or a fully automated programmable logic controller (PLC).

“With the new PLC program and touchscreen, the PM1050-16TB can be controlled by a smart device from a loader up to 100m from the machine,” Andersen said.

“This allows operators a degree of total flexibility to adjust the mix requirement, volume and client details, and to manage multiple trucks and trailers stopping automatically between each load.”

The reporting system included with this PLC functionality not only allows operators to record each batch into projects, but also provides additional daily reports.

With a wealth of experience in Australian extractive industries, Crusher Screen Sales and Hire provides tried and tested quality equipment to help businesses achieve maximum productivity.

CSSH offers a turn-key solution with its pugmills.

“The reports generated from the lPM105016TB PLC functionality include the totals of each product used, allowing for accurate management of stock control in relation to use of cement, raw material and water,” Andersen said.

A BREADTH OF PRODUCT LINES

Going beyond the flagship product of the PM1050-16TB, CSSH also manages the manufacture of an IMS electric modular pugmill blender.

Offering feed hoppers in 2m, 4m or 5m, the electric pugmill blender has a front-ofhopper adjustable flow gate and electric gear drive variable speed conveyors all fitted with belt scales.

The modularity and versatility of the pugmill blender mean it can be used in a variety of quarrying applications, with additional functionality through the ability to connect to the same PLC and recording system as on the PM1050-16TB, but upgraded to control multiple feed hoppers simultaneously.

“As with the PM1050-16TB, the operator can control the program with a smart device by entering in the project name, batch size, production and mix percentages of each feed hopper, cement and water,” Andersen said.

“The program we have incorporated also has the option to control multiple powders and liquids, and can be customised to meet most clients’ requirements in terms of feed and output.”

Once blended material passes through the pugmill blender, it enters onto a 24m radial conveyor, with auto radial return functionality and auto lift.

The conveyor works in conjunction with the pugmill blender to automatically adjust as

the output stockpile of the blended material increases in height, ultimately reducing any separation of the material.

DIFFERENCE IN SERVICE

Providing extensive care to customers and being a recognised name in sales and hire for crushing equipment, CSSH is committed to operating with the needs of the quarrying industry as a key driver for business.

“Through our own production process, we spend a lot of time and money automating the IMS pugmills and blenders, improving the product to ensure it remains a market leader in this field,” Andersen said.

move towards automation is a significant contributor to the usability and

accessibility of crushing and screening equipment for the end user.

In addition to all of its crushing and screening options, CSSH offers a range of plant for soil remediation, including mobile scalpers for screening of bricks, concrete, wood, stone and other materials prior to any blending process.

But more importantly than anything else, CSSH remains a customer-centric equipment supplier, with a “tell us what you need today” attitude towards providing the best solutions for crushing and screening applications for the Australian quarrying industry. •

For more information, visit crusherscreen.com

The

CSSH manufactures a range of plant, including crushers, electric pugmills, mobile silos and blenders.

CSSH is the Australian manufacturer and distributor for Irish Manufacturing Services.

A TEASER FOR THE IQA’S COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK

At the forefront developing skills within the extractive industry, the IQA is strengthening its commitment to education with its competency framework and development of an online platform.

The Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA) says it all with its vision, ‘Educating and connecting our extractive and associated industries’.

As a leading provider of education for the extractive industry, the IQA is continuing to evolve access to courses and the quality of content available.

The IQA is aligning course delivery through updated competency framework, that integrates with the IQA’s existing Quarry Manager Certification Scheme and the requirements across each state.

IQA chief executive officer Kylie Fahey spoke to Quarry about the competency framework and how it will support IQA’s education to best serve people throughout the quarrying industry.

“The IQA is in a period of transformational change and education is at the heart of this change,” Fahey said.

“The IQA will be the centralised location to which quarries and quarry workers from all levels come to for training and professional development.”

The competency framework is divided up into five key areas that examine and expand upon the competencies and necessary skills for working within the extractive sector.

The areas comprise safety and risk management, leadership and management,

emergency management, operations, and personal effectiveness.

“The competency framework is designed to ensure course content aligns to the level of learning required for the role and is flexible enough to work in any state ,” Fahey said.

“Quarry Managers need a different level of competency to say a Quarry Supervisor.

“That is why the competency framework aligns courses to the levels in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). “

“For example, courses targeting Quarry Supervisors will be delivered at a level three to four and courses targeting Quarry Managers will be delivered at a level four to five,” she said.

Referencing roles against the AQF levels, this means the IQA has aligned workshops to appropriately qualified individuals.

The competency framework plays an important role in helping sites plan workforce development, consider the skills required in succession planning and help sites evaluate the competencies of their workforce as required

under the various state legislations.

“We see a clear requirement in all states for a mine site operator to employ and ensure the workforce remains competent,” Fahey said.

“There are differences in each state. For example Quarry Mangers are required to undertake mandatory professional development (CPD) in NSW and CPD is currently being introduced in Queensland for SSEs.”

The framework is divided into five key areas that build on the skills necessary for working in the extractive sector.

The updated framework is designed for people at all organisational levels.

The competency framework aligns to these mandatory requirements,” Fahey said.

“As present and future state regulations differ between states and territories, the areas of competencies chosen represent flexible and broad areas to ensure that all individuals can demonstrate required skills regardless of work or location.”

The IQA will make available a rolling 12-month calendar of courses to ensure sites and individuals can plan training.

Later in 2023 the IQA will be launching a full online offering via a personal learning cloud (PLC) where individuals and organisations can undertake a range of on demand online training.

Delivering learning across a range of modes, the IQA offers workshops through face-toface sessions or virtually and the PLC will compliment existing delivery.

Workshops are delivered by IQA facilitators who are “experienced industry professionals who have working knowledge of the industry

topic or understand the quarry industry and are practiced by nature”, Fahey said.

Further supporting and guiding the industry towards solutions, the IQA can provide advice in meeting categories and the type of learning requirements in NSQ and planning to meet the NSW Maintenance of Competency scheme requirements.

Not only is the IQA capable of supporting

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The framework has been updated in the context of the fact quarrying regulations differ between states and territories.

individuals with education and plans, the association has the tools to support companies with corporate training.

All IQA content can be delivered in via the scheduled courses or contextualised to meet an organisations needs.

Having recently delivered in-house training for Boral, Hanson, Delta Group and Wagners, among others, the IQA can help plan and deliver training for teams of all kinds.

These types of corporate training sessions are beneficial due to the fact the course of contextualised to the specific needs of an operation.

They can be run directly for staff to increase engagement, and at a time and place best suited to the needs of the business.

The frequently updated IQA website features a detailed calendar of events.

“We want to be available and accessible to the industry,” Fahey said.

“If any members or prospective members are looking for something that isn’t visible, we strongly advise they to pick up the phone or send us an email.

“We are here to support our members and the wider industry and will make ourselves available to do so however necessary.”

To supply the industry with its accredited training needs, the IQA has partnered with

Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) around Australia.

These partnerships provide the training required for formal qualifications and helps to ensure they are in line with the requirements of state and national requirements.

Integrating the development of so-called soft skills and technical training is a key focus of the competency framework, with its inception owing to the critical role soft skills play in improving safety outcomes.

Soft skills are identifiable as the personal traits, behaviours, and interpersonal skills that are crucial in interactions with other people.

“Our research and review of previous training recognised that the historical training offered by the IQA had a lot of very good technical content, but we were not integrating soft skills to work along-side the technical content,” Fahey said.

“The competency framework considers soft skills and technical skills and incorporates those soft skills, particularly around safety, into the training itself.

“We’re trying to make sure that the industry is exposed to the soft skills in all aspects of its training, with a key focus on improving safety outcomes.”

These soft skills are not tied to a specific job role or function, but are rather general

characteristics that each individual is likely to exhibit in the way they work.

“A large part of identifiable soft skills are leadership, communication and resilience, which have been incorporated into training across the the key competencies areas,” Fahey said.

“A good safety culture where people feel able and encouraged to report Evidence clearly supports a positive safety culture will held decrease incidents and injuries.

“You don’t learn soft skills just by attending a course. Developing leadership requires constant attention, ongoing development and the opportunity to reflect.

“These skills are not simply an output of a single course and that is why we are trying to reinforce them in all training and give people multiple exposures to the content to help them build necessary skills.”

Investing into the improved skills of individuals, supporting the industry to improve health and safety and providing access to innovation and better practices are the key reasons behind the IQA updating the competency framework. Watch this space for more detailed information as the IQA moves closer to formally launching the framework and the PLC through all branches later in 2023. •

For more information, visit quarry.com.au

Sallehudin Ahmad / Shutterstock.com

The IQA is trying to ensure the industry is exposed to skills in all aspects of its training.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PRIMARY CRUSHER

Primary crushers reduce large run-ofmine material, such as rocks and ore lumps, into smaller sizes for further processing downstream, whether that be transport to additional crushers or to a wet processing plant.

It is the first stage in the crushing process that can sometimes include secondary, tertiary and even quaternary crushing stages, depending on the material and the end product requirements.

There are several different types of primary crushers. The right one for an application depends on the material to be crushed, feed size, desired product size, and the capacity required.

There are four types of primary crushers that are typically found in aggregates applications: jaw crushers, gyratory crushers, horizontal shaft impact crushers, and cone crushers.

JAW CRUSHERS

These are a strong choice for primary crushing applications because they can accept the toughest, hardest and most abrasive materials. They can handle dry-toslightly-wet material that is not sticky.

These types of compression crushers are best suited for heavy mining, quarried materials, sand and gravel, and recycling applications. They provide a reduction ratio of 3:1 to 6:1.

Jaw crushers feature a moving piece of steel – the pitman – and a stationary piece of

steel that form a V-shaped chamber. Material that enters the chamber is crushed to size between the moving and stationary pieces of steel. Most of the crushing action occurs in the bottom third of the chamber.

In a cycle of the rotating pitman, the material in the chamber is first squeezed to crush the material. The chamber then opens, which allows the material to fall farther down before the next squeezing cycle comes around. Sized material discharges out of the bottom of the crusher on the open stroke. The product size can be adjusted by moving the pitman closer to or further from the stationary piece of steel.

The closer the pitman to the stationary piece of steel, the smaller the product size. The tighter the setting between the two pieces of steel, the lower the throughput of the machine. This adjustment can be made either hydraulically or manually by adding and removing shims.

GYRATORY CRUSHERS

These are a good choice as they can handle very hard and abrasive material. They are ideal for dry-to-slightly-wet material, but not sticky material.

Gyratories are compression crushers primarily used for heavy mining and quarried materials in extremely high-tonnage applications. They provide a reduction ratio of 4:1 to 7:1.

The main features of a gyratory crusher

include a tall crushing chamber lined with replaceable manganese wear plates, a main shaft with head and mantle, and a spider to anchor the top of the main shaft bearing. They have an adjustable main shaft positioning system and drive assembly, and they are available in a single-cylinder or multiple-cylinder design.

Material to be crushed is fed into the top of the chamber and compressed between the wobbling mantle in the centre and the stationary concave liners covering the inner walls of the chamber. When the material is crushed to the desired product size, it is discharged out the bottom of the crusher.

An additional benefit of a gyratory crusher is that there is no need for pre-screening or scalping of fines in the feed. The crusher can handle the all-in feed.

The gradation is controlled by adjusting the spacing between the mantle and the concaves at their closest point. For a smaller product size, the main shaft can be raised to create a smaller space between the mantle and the liners. To create a larger product size, the main shaft can be lowered to create a larger space between the mantle and the liners.

As the machine is set tighter for a finer product, the volumetric throughput of the machine is also lowered. A larger opening equals greater throughput.

Gyratories typically have a higher capital cost and require a large housing structure that can become a significant investment.

The right crusher depends on many factors. McLanahan helps break down the important requirements.

Horizontal impact crushers produce highly cubical product.

HORIZONTAL SHAFT IMPACT CRUSHERS

Horizontal shaft impact crushers, such as the New Holland, Andreas and MaxCap (which is a hybrid of the two) styles, are typically used for the primary size reduction of soft-tomedium hard materials.

These types of impact crushers can handle slightly abrasive, dry or wet material that is not sticky. They provide a reduction ratio of 10:1 to 25:1 and are typically used in quarried materials, sand and gravel, and recycling applications.

Horizontal shaft impactors feature a large expansion chamber, inside of which is a spinning rotor shaft covered with blow bars or hammers. Material that enters the crushing chamber connects with the spinning rotor, which flings the material at the breaker plates lining walls of the chamber.

Much of the breaking of the material occurs upon the initial contact of the material with the rotor and its subsequent impact with the breaker plates. Some additional breakage occurs by the inter-particle collisions as the material is tossed around in the chamber.

Horizontal shaft impactor crushers produce a highly cubical product with enhanced soundness. The gradation is more uniform and can be adjusted by changing the RPM (revolutions per minute) of the rotor.

Additional gradation control is provided by adjusting the grates or aprons within the machine. A tighter setting yields a smaller output and lowers throughput.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that while horizontal shaft impact crushers produce more fines than any other type of primary crusher in that stage, they may allow for less fines production in the entire circuit.

The more stages of reduction a particle must go through before it is properly sized, the more fines will be produced. Since the primary impactor has a higher reduction ratio, it creates more finished product. This results in less reduction needed down the process and thus may result in fines being produced by the entire circuit.

CONE CRUSHERS

These are compression-type crushers that are typically found in secondary crushing stages but can be used as the primary in certain applications. They handle mediumhard-to-very-hard abrasive materials that can be dry or wet but not sticky. Cone crushers are usually found in quarried materials, and in sand and gravel applications, and provide a reduction ratio of 3:1 to 5:1.

Material that enters a cone crusher is compressed between a wobbling mantle and the concaves inside the crushing chamber. The gradation is controlled by adjusting the spacing between the mantle and the concave at their closest point. This is accomplished by raising and lowering the top or bowl of the crusher. A finer setting will create a finer product but at a lower throughput.

Speed can also help to determine the final output gradation. Faster speed, for finer feed, is used to produce a finer output.

CASE STUDY

A McLanahan customer was looking to increase their production and had a challenge of dealing with clays on the products they were mining. They wanted something that would deal with the heavy clays while also allowing them to follow the veins throughout the quarry until they could get to a more stationary location.

After a material analysis from McLanahan’s in-house lab and working closely with the local dealer, this customer decided to install a McLanahan Pit Portable MaxCap 600 primary impact crusher for their primary crushing plant.

To feed the MaxCap and round out the

portable primary plant, they installed a unique configuration of an apron feeder –referred to as a Texas-style apron – and a wobbler feeder. The apron feeder accepts bucketloads of quarry shot material and conveys it to a wobbler feeder, which is able to scalp out some of the clay before it enters the MaxCap impact crusher.

The MaxCap and wobbler feeder were installed on a five-axle chassis and the apron feeder was installed on a separate quad-axle chassis for ease of movement around the site.

For their secondary crushing plant, the customer installed two McLanahan Universal NGS secondary impact crushers. Both impactors were optioned with a third curtain to provide additional material size reduction and to eliminate the need for a tertiary crushing circuit.

Since start-up, the McLanahan crushers and feeders have been an asset to this customer and their overall production at their quarry. They have seen an increase in production by being able to deal with the clay covered material and process more with these new crushers. •

For more information, visit mclanahan.com

Impact crushers handle dry or wet material.

Cone crushers are typically found in quarried materials and sand and gravel applications

BUILT TOUGH FOR THE HARD STUFF

With its range of sturdy and fuel-efficient Lippmann crushers, 888 Crushing and Screening Equipment has positioned itself on the frontlines of the quarrying industry.

When a resources company is deciding on its next crusher, screen or conveyor, they should think carefully about the outfit from which they are purchasing it.

That’s the philosophy of 888 Crushing and Screening Equipment (888CSE), a heavy-duty equipment supplier to the quarrying, mining and recycling industries.

As its name would suggest, the company’s product range includes crushers and screeners, but it also features conveyors, radial and track-mounted stackers, aggregate and ore washing equipment, and more, all from a variety of different brands.

888CSE is a partnered supplier of the Lippmann line, boasting some of the toughest machinery on the market. The company offers heavy-duty Lippmann crushers and screens, including a full line of track-mounted crushing,

screening and stacking equipment.

The partnership combines the reach of 888CSE’s Australian network with the legendary 100-year history of the Lippmann name.

Together, the companies have been delivering and supporting countless Lippmann jaw crushers and feeders across Australia for the last decade, processing millions of tonnes of rock and ore in some of the harshest climates in the country.

“Lippmann crushers are hard at work throughout Australia,” 888CSE sales manager Paul O’Neill told Quarry “On one particular site, there are two large jaw crushers working in tandem, each one crushing over 1000 tonnes per hour of iron ore.”

O’Neill believes it is Lippmann’s dedication to producing the highest quality crushing

equipment that sets it apart on the market.

“It’s built to handle the toughest and heaviest applications,” he said.

Lippmann equipment is also some of the most reliable on the market.

“Lippmann crushing equipment has been engineered for years of reliable performance,” O’Neill said.

“The robust frame, high-quality components and maintenance-friendly design means that the Lippmann range is built to ensure maximum uptime of the machine.”

But as governments enact more carbonconscious legislation, the way the quarrying industry conducts its business is changing.

It’s not always enough just to be tough. The industry needs an intelligent, sustainable solution – without a compromise in quality.

That’s why 888CSE is proud to introduce a line of Lippmann’s toughest and most fuel-

The L1300j-E track jaw crusher is one of the largest mobile crushers on the market.

efficient mobile crushers and screeners for sale or hire in WA, SA and the NT.

“We have fully electric and dual powered crushers and screens coming into stock over the coming months,” O’Neill said.

Starting with the impressive L1300j-E, this 125te track mounted jaw plant is one of the largest mobile crushers in the market offering professional operators the highest production and performance efficiency in mining and large quarry operations.

Capable of processing over 1000tph in some iron ore applications, the electric powered jaw crusher features a CAT genset to provide self-contained on-board power.

The L1300j-E can also be plugged into a mains power supply for the lowest cost of operation. Alternatively, the plant can run off a single larger genset, which can be used to power a complete Lippmann Crushing Circuit, for the most fuel efficient and cost saving operation.

Additional dual power electric-diesel Lippmann machines set to arrive soon to for

sale or hire from 888CSE.

Available in WA, SA and NT, the new machines include a 400c cone crusher with a well proven 400HP hydraulic adjust cone, a Lippmann 1200j-E, 75te class Jaw Crusher capable of processing up to 600tph and a L620R Heavy Duty Scalper Screen with apron feeder and an L622-3 Triple deck sizing screen with class leading 22ft x 6ft triple deck side tension screening system for the highest efficiency.

“Dual power boosts operational fuel efficiency and reduces costs,” O’Neill said.

“Electrification also helps operators lower carbon emissions. It plays an increasingly greater role in the mining and quarrying as the world shifts towards renewable energy.”

Customers of 888CSE can expect what O’Neill describes as market-leading after-sale support.

“We stock over $6 million worth of spare parts and components in Australia, and have factory-trained service technicians to offer the best support possible,” he said.

“We have many clients from over the last 13 years that can vouch for our product support, in the way of service and spare parts back-up.

“We’re proud of our customer service.”

Customers who choose to invest in more than one Lippmann crusher with 888CSE can receive the benefit of 365SiteConnex, a complex communication technology that provides highly accurate monitoring of multiple Lippmann products at once.

365SiteConnex provides data ranging from crushing run time, fuel burn and production. This affords customers invaluable insight into the cost per tonne of production, ensuring the highest quality product while minimising downtime.

Power and innovation are at the forefront of the 888CSE–Lippmann partnership. The duo’s intelligent, hardy solutions can crush almost any problem in the quarrying industry. •

For more information, visit 888cse.com.au

MORE THAN JUST A SUPPLIER

It should be no great shock to hear that heavy-duty industrial machinery comes with a significant price tag – and a considerable level of complexity.

Operators want more than just an openand-shut sale. The quarrying industry needs a supplier of premium-quality products with the customer support to match.

And this is where Lincom Group comes in.

If you ask the multi-national company the key to its success, it won’t tell you it’s the high-performance equipment range it offers – though that certainly helps.

The key is its customer service.

For the last 25 years, Lincom Group has built its business on customer and end-user satisfaction.

A parent company for a specialised range of businesses, Lincom Group supplies the quarry, mining, recycling, and forestry industries with a range of heavy-duty products like screening, crushing, bulk handling and shredding equipment.

“We’re more than just a supplier,” Lincom Group technical sales manager, David McDermott, told Quarry. “Our relationship with our customers begins at the initial sales stage and continues to grow over the years, as we support our products with after-sales and spare parts.

“We are dedicated to providing continued customer support long after the equipment has been delivered, installed and commissioned.”

Lincom Group offers customers 24–7 service support, conducted by original equipment manufacturer (OEM)-trained technicians. This means the repairers know the product they’re fixing.

Support services are suited to each customer’s needs, including preventive maintenance, emergency breakdown repairs, and diagnostic services that provide customers with recommendations and action plans to ensure optimal performance.

The company also provides scheduled refurbishment and overhaul of its products.

In other words, full machine disassembly, replacement of components, repainting, reassembly and custom modifications, as required.

Key to Lincom Group’s service capabilities is its extensive branch network.

“We have a vast parts warehouse in Queensland and sub-branch depots located in key regions throughout Australia,” McDermott said.

“We pride ourselves on having the best after-sales team in the business, backing our customers 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.”

The service network allows Lincom Group to provide day-and-night, fully mobile service teams that can deliver preventive maintenance, electrical and hydraulic faultfinding and diagnoses, welding, and general breakdown repairs.

Lincom Group uses its broad network and industry know-how to provide around-the-clock care to its customers throughout Australia.

The Premiertrak 760 jaw crusher features a vibrating pan feeder which is linked to an independent pre-screen.

The service team is backed by an enormous spare parts supply.

With depots all over the country, and a spare parts stockholding of over $15 million, Lincom Group can offer a reliable turnaround.

“We offer a rapid response in the spare parts supply,” McDermott said. “This includes original equipment manufacturer stock, as well as locally sourced parts.

“We understand the need for equipment reliability and peak performance capacity every single day.”

Being such a customer-focused business means Lincom Group has its ear to the ground when it comes to market demands.

Shipping delays and rising operational costs are a given as the world continues its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. To

help adjust to this new normal, Lincom Group has a large fleet of hireable equipment all around the country.

“With the evolving markets, we understand that purchasing heavy-duty equipment does not always fall into everyone’s cash flow or capital expenditure budget,” McDermott said.

“We have a large and growing range of high-quality equipment for hire. Our hireable range of equipment comes in a variety of sizes and types, and includes short-term, long-term and dry hire.”

Being so large has its benefits, with the company recently acquiring two new pieces of equipment from Powerscreen to add to its already stacked portfolio.

First is the Premiertrak 760 jaw crusher. This machine features a single toggle jaw with a feed opening of 1415x820mm. The crusher can process an impressive 750 tonnes per hour, depending on material and application. The large hopper has hydraulically folding sides and a wedge clamp system, ensuring faster set-up times.

The 760 also features a vibrating pan feeder that is linked to an independent pre-screen,

ensuring the removal of fine material before it reaches the crushing chamber.

Also joining the team is the Powerscreen 1400 Maxtrak, a large track mobile cone crusher that is ideally suited for secondary applications, such as taking an all-in feed from a primary crusher.

A Terex MVP450X cone chamber means the Maxtrak excels in sub-base and aggregate production, providing excellent cubicity, throughput and reduction ratios.

Lincom Group’s ever-expanding range of quality equipment supplied across a vast Australian network makes it an obvious choice for operators in the resources industries. But the company’s thorough after-sale service is what helps to truly sets it apart.

“We put a lot of effort into building these long-lasting friendships,” McDermott said. “Customers can come to us for anything machine-related – sale, hire, spare parts, service, and more. It’s much easier than dealing with multiple supplies.

“We’re a one-stop-shop.” •

For more information, visit lincom.com.au

Lincom Group’s has acquired two new pieces of equipment from Powerscreen.

CURVED ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE

XMOR buckets are redefining productivity and efficiency within the extractive industry. Quarry spoke to the brains behind their development to gain an insight into their unique design.

Something as simple as changing the shape and design of an excavator bucket from the ground up might seem to have little relevance on broader levels of productivity. But this is far from the case with XMOR® buckets.

Featuring a curved design and unique patented keel and Heel segments, the XMOR buckets have been designed with the express intention of reducing the total number of passes needed to fill a truck, while simultaneously keeping suspended load at manageable levels for the excavators to which the buckets are attached.

Brian Coulson, lead engineer of the XMOR buckets, spoke to Quarry about the design process and out-of-the box thinking that went into designing these buckets.

“We wanted it to be possible for operations to skip a weight class when it came to their buckets,” Coulson said.

“As in, moving the same amount of product each pass as you would with a 90-tonne machine, but using an 80-tonne machine instead.”

The core mission behind XMOR is the ability to excavate more material per bucket scoop, moving material more quickly onsite, either through increased production from an existing excavator or similar levels of production with a smaller excavator.

To that end, because XMOR is made out of HARDOX® Wear Steel and STRENX® Performance Steel, the overall weight of the bucket was decreased giving flexibility where flexibility is needed in certain areas, whilst compromising nothing from a wear standpoint.

BENEFITS OF THE DESIGN

The main benefit of the XMOR design is the ability to fill more trucks with fewer passes.

“It would be easy to look at the design for the XMOR and say that the steel is less thick, therefore it will wear more quickly,” Coulson said. “But that’s not the case at all.

“The bucket might have a shorter life between refurbishments than a heavy duty bucket, however this is outweighed by the extra production figures.”

“Even when the buckets do wear, because of the design of the Heel segment - in that they are mechanically fitted plates - they are easier to replace in the field than traditional cast heel corners.”

The lower corners of the XMOR bucket comes with replaceable mechanical heel segments, which significantly reduces change out times.

Additionally, the curved cutting edge and the curved tops on the bucket help spread stress over a larger area, providing a resilient bucket that also has an improved digging perfomance.

The curved shape serves to spread the stressors of the bucket around rather than focus them in one point, which, when applied in conjunction with the STRENX steel, allows for a resilient bucket that can be lighter than traditional excavator buckets.

This works to give the XMOR buckets the ability to lower the total cost of ownership of not just the bucket itself but also other equipment on-site by reducing the number of excavators needed to perform the same

XMOR buckets feature a curved design and unique patented keel.

achieve the same productivity outcome.

“Some sites have five machines loading trucks all feeding into the same crusher for their project they want,” Coulson said.

“If they fit the XMOR bucket, they could run the same job, with the same production with less excavators.

“Customers have come to us and described the extra material they can move as ‘free material’. Everything still has a cost; they are simply reducing the cost of fuel per tonne of material excavated.”

DEVELOPMENT OF THE XMOR

Having been involved with excavators for a large portion of his career, Coulson had the experience and knowledge to recognise the opportunity to reinvent the traditional design.

“Through my previous work, I was using HARDOX material in repairs and I thought to myself, ‘We could make a bigger pocket with the same suspended load, so we’re not over pressurising the excavator’,” Coulson said.

The production of the XMOR bucket uses some unique and complex design elements, but does so to accommodate for a lowerweight and increased capacity bucket. Ensuring the low weight and the distribution of material within the bucket was essential for the design, as it ensured the suspended load of the bucket when compared to the excavator was appropriate, while allowing the

keel design, which takes the bottom of the bucket away from the materials that you are digging, and adds strength back into the bucket.”

EXCLUSIVE PARTNERS

Owing to the unique design of the bucket, only a select number of global partners have been chosen to manufacture the XMOR bucket.

Ontrac Group is one of those businesses, having built a strong reputation due to the company’s attention to detail and overall production of the XMOR design.

“We are a global concept, but we’re not looking to add numerous partners,” Coulson said.

“We are very selective in which partners we choose to collaborate with. By extension, the partners or manufacturers that would be associated with us are high quality as well.

“The battle that our partners take on is that they have a unique design that is more complicated to manufacture and requires specific skill sets.”

The XMOR buckets are designed for optimal efficiency, while taking into consideration the constraints of working within the safe-working-load of the excavator..

“At the end of the day, we want one less pass when loading trucks,” Coulson said.

“If it’s taking five passes to fill a truck, we can get it done in four with the XMOR.” •

For more information, visit ontracgroup.com.au

If it’s taking five or six passes to fill a loader, we can get it done in four with the XMOR.

“ ”

The main idea behind XMOR is the ability to fit more material per bucket.

FROM FEEDER TO FILTERPRESS

When a Swiss customer needed an end-to-end excavation wash recycling system, Terex Washing Systems answered the call.

With thosands of tonnes of construction and demolition (C&D) and excavation waste stockpiled each year, a system that can recycle this waste into a saleable product and offer aggregates producers environmental and financial benefits is especially valuable.

And this is exactly the kind of solution Albin Borer AG, a Swiss group in construction, infrastructure and material treatment, was seeking when it began to investigate recycling the waste they were sending to landfill.

Terex Washing Systems, alongside Avesco, was then tasked with finding such a solution, which resulted in the design, manufacture and installation of a complete end-to-end excavation wash recycling system.

Everything from the feeder to the filterpress was included in the installation, which manages throughputs of 250 tonnes per hour of C&D and excavation waste while producing nine saleable products.

FAMILY BUSINESS

Albin Borer AG is an independent familyowned company that has been in business since 1932, providing quality products for infrastructure and roads, as well as a wide

range of services in the construction industry.

Albin Borer AG wanted to process its own waste material accumulating from infrastructure work in its local region in Switzerland. Ultimately, it wanted to generate a saleable product and open up a new revenue stream for the business.

One key aspect of the plant design was based around high capacity on a small footprint, due to site space restrictions. In addition, limited water available on the site, coupled with environmental legislation around the use of that water, demanded additional design expertise.

This washing solution was achieved by the engineers at Terex Washing Systems in partnership with its dealer, Avesco, who designed a bespoke solution suited to specific needs.

This full ‘feeder to filterpress’ solution also incorporated crushing capability from Terex MPS, as well as Terex Washing Systems’ AquaClear full water treatment solution, incorporating a Terex designed and manufactured filterpress with the ability to process 250 tonnes per hour (tph) of feed material, and 25 tonnes of sludge/final waste per hour.

The project was managed by Terex

Washing Systems and Avesco, including the complete delivery, installation and commissioning of the plant. And that service continued, with Terex and Avesco provide 24–7 after-sale support as and when required.

C&D AND EXCAVATION WASTE

The plant combines the processes of material feeding, rinsing, crushing , aggregate scrubbing and sizing, and sand production with a full Terex Washing Systems water treatment offering, ensuring that 95 per cent of the water is recycled and reused within the wash plant.

This was all achieved on a relatively compact footprint, made possible with unique and innovative design choices.

The feed material is made up of excavation from Albin Borer’s other businesses.

An AggreScalp 125 receives feed material from the loading shovel and removes oversized stones (larger than 150mm) from the material, which is achieved by the 150mm gaps in the fingers bars installed. These oversized stones are stockpiled for later use.

Medium-size stones (80–150mm) are sent via a side chute into a feed hopper,

feeding the Terex MPS crusher, a horizontal shaft impactor, HIS 3434. Since occasional pieces of metal were present within the feed material, an over-band magnet was been installed after each of the feed hoppers.

The crushed stones are either passed to a dedicated stockpile, a dry 0–40 mm, or onto the main conveyor sending the raw material to the washing plant.

After oversized stones and any metals are removed from the feed material, it makes its way up the main conveyor and enters into a Terex 6x1.8m three-deck rinsing screen.

This PreScreen rinser gives the material an initial wash before the various fractions are split with different apertures on the screen mats.

The sand (0–4mm) and water from the rinsing screen passes to the PreWash tank, which has a unique design feature that allows the operator to process difficult or dirty material and ensures production of sand products that confirm to strict specifications.

The four aggregate fractions pass into the new patented Terex HydroScrub log washer, which is a unique design for aggregate scrubbing, patented by Terex, which allows operators to hydraulically adjust the hull angle from 9° to 16°, depending on which raw material has to be treated. This gives the operator the ability to process a wider range of feed materials and is ideally suited for recycling applications.

If the raw material contains a lot of lightdensity contaminants like wood, roots and plastics, the angle is set up ‘high’, and floating elements are easily removed.

Similarly, if the raw material contains more clay conglomerates, the angle is set ‘low’, which results in a better stone-on-stone scrubbing. This gives better throughputs and a cleaner aggregate product, and eliminates the need for secondary scrubbing on high clay-bound or dirty material.

The post-screen of the HydroScrub classifies the material into two different sizes: 4–40mm and 40–80mm.

The 40–80mm material can be sent back to the crusher or to the dry classifying screen, while the 4–40mm material is also conveyed to the set of dry screens.

FINE SAND CLEANING

The water that has washed the aggregates up until this point, along with the sand, is collected in the Terex PreWash tank. This unique solution receives all of the process water from the upstream process, with the

The filterpress forces water out of sludge, resulting a reusable product.

sand, extrafines, clay, contaminants, and light-density particles.

The PreWash tank allows the ability to produce sand products to specification from materials with a high silt content. The principal is to pump less volume out than is entering the tank. It is designed to ‘overflow’, gently separating out extrafines and the light-density contaminants, keeping only the 0–4mm sand, which will be sent by a centrifugal pump to the sand washing Hydrocyclones module.

The Terex FM200 Sand Plant is part of the wider solution. It is fitted with separators and high-performance cyclones, which are also specially design for recycling applications.

The use of separators means the plant can handle the variability of material that is often the case with C&D material. This results in a reduction in losses of valuable sand product, and the production of an inspecification material.

The FM200 also features the Terex doublewash process to maximum recovery of sand through the removal of silt, slimes and clays below 63μm.

The sand slurry (0–4mm and water) is pumped to the primary separator for an initial wash, and the underflow discharges onto the dewatering screen where it receives a further rinse. Any fine sand that passes through the screen is collected in the sump and pumped

to the secondary separator for a final wash.

It was necessary to double wash the material at the Albin Borer site due to the high percentage passing 63μm in the feed, which was identified in the initial laboratory testing.

After this double-wash process, the two grades of sand are dewatered onto the high-frequency dewatering screen, which reduces residual water content in the final product to 10–15 per cent.

The water from both separators containing the –63μm material is collected in a ground sump and pumped into the thickener tank, where the water management process begins.

AQUACLEAR WATER MANAGEMENT

The waste water is pumped into a low-level thickener with flocculent added, from the central control room housing unit.

Within the low-level thickener, the waste particles of silt (–63μm) and clay combine with the ‘co-polymer’, or flocculent, to create a larger, heavier particle that sinks towards the base of the cone. The flocculent dramatically speeds up this process and allows the clean water to weir over the top weir of the thickener into a collection tank, where it is recycled back into the wash plant.

The sludge that has been collected at the bottom of the deep cone thickener is pumped into a buffer tank, where it is stored until

enough volume is gathered, at which point it is transferred into a filterpress.

The Filterpress on the Albin Borer site is the Terex 165 plate press. The press plates are 2x2m, and the function of the press is to recover the last remaining water within the thickened sludge.

The filterpress has a working pressure of 16bar (232 psi). Each plate is covered in a nylon filter cloth which, when filled with sludge under pressure, force the remaining water to be removed from the sludge. This water is then recycled back into the wash plant to be used for washing aggregates and sand.

After the water has been removed from the sludge, bomb doors below the filterpress open and the hydraulic ram begins to decompress. The slurry cakes are rapidly discharged into the bay below the filterpress. Particularly sticky cakes are removed with a pneumatic plate shaker that ensures all the plates are ready for the next cycle. The cakes below can then be re-used for several applications.

Albin Borer opted for an automatic cloth wash system on its filterpress, so the lifespan of the filter cloths could be extended while optimum performance was ensured. This system cleans each cloth individually using a high-pressure water jet.

“This water management system recycles 95 per cent of the water used for this application,” Terex Washing Systems product and applications manager Johnston Patterson said.

“Albin Borer only needs a small tank of water to top up the system every so often. This has a hugely positive impact on the environment and also has financial benefits.”

The result for Albin Borer is the sustainable production of usable and saleable sand and aggregate product from C&D and excavation waste. This also has the environmental benefit of being diverted from landfill. Additionally, the water management products recycle dirty water from the process and returns a clean water back to the process again for use.

“The customer is very pleased to have a solution in place to recycle their C&D and excavation waste,” Patterson said.

“The working relationship between Terex Washing Systems, Avesco and Albin Borer has played a huge part in achieving a high level of performance for this plant.” •

Formoreinformation,visitterex.com/washing

The HydroScrub logwasher allows operators to adjust the angle of the machine for different sized feed material.

SUPERIOR DUST SUPPRESSION

Superior Industries has developed a modular skirting system designed to suppress the hazardous effects of dust and mitigate waste from conveyor systems.

Superior Industries has grown into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of bulk material processing and handling equipment.

In addition to its crushers, screens and washing equipment, the US-based company has a reputation for manufacturing innovative, robust and safe conveyors to feed, transfer and stockpile dry bulk materials.

As part of an ongoing commitment to continuously improve the reliability and efficiency of its products, Superior has turned its attention to suppressing the effects of dust emissions and mitigating material wastage in the transfer of bulk materials in the quarrying industry.

The company recently developed a new modular skirting system designed to significantly improve the performance of various types of bulk handling conveyor systems.

“In the process of transferring aggregates from one piece of equipment to another piece of equipment, there is often a release of trapped air,” Superior Industries chief engineer of portable conveyors Travis Thooft told Quarry

“This air displacement is unavoidable and directly results in dust emissions and material wastage.”

If dust escapes during the bulk handling process, it can lead to costly product wastage and create a health and safety issue for nearby staff members, as well as for the environment.

“Any time you can help prevent the external movement of air accessing your material, you’re going to have success with mitigating dust emissions and reducing wastage,” Thooft said.

Dust emissions pose health risks that can potentially lead to respiratory issues, while fine dust can also cause irritation, burning and damage if it gets into the eyes.

In areas where dust is poorly contained, lower visibility due to dust pollution can also pose a safety hazard for workers.

Conveyor skirting creates and maintains a seal between a chute structure and a conveyor belt, stopping dust and small particles from being able to escape the conveyor system.

“We have developed a new sealed load zone, effectively an all-in-one skirting and dust containment solution, to mitigate the effects of dust and spillage,” Thooft said.

“The modular skirting system is capable of being retrofitted to most existing conveyor structures with little or no field fabrication.

“It’s generally meant to be attached to the frame that’s going to be supporting the idlers of the other components across the conveyor structure, with plenty of adjustability to match the existing infrastructure.”

The conveyor skirting has the potential to significantly reduce the amount of material lost by preventing airborne material wastage and spillage.

“It’s generally created with the intention of using it around bulk aggregates; however, it is also going to work with finer materials such as more granular products like fertilisers or soda ash,” Thooft said.

Two sets of adjustable legs aid in this universal installation, while easy-to-adjust clamping mechanisms are used in place of nuts and bolts to hold skirtboard rubber tight against the belt.

An optional stilling zone is available to accelerate the settling of dust while material is moving inside the system.

GOING WITHOUT

Without a conveyor skirting system, material can spill over and become lodged underneath the belt. Material caught between the belt and rollers will cause the belt to mis-track and become damaged.

Long overland conveyor feature transfer points that need to be maintained.

damage caused by material build-up. Reduced conveyor belt damage, belt tracking issues and material build-up means less downtime is spent on unplanned repairs and maintenance.

“The Superior skirting system is highly flexible and can be configured to account for many different types of material,” Thooft said.

“Our skirting solution will effectively reduce dust emissions and wastage from the bulkier materials such as unrefined mineral ores.

“When it comes to aggregates, it’s one thing to seal the belt and seal that transfer zone; however, you’re also introducing a wear surface, so we do offer different liner configurations.

as a coating surface.”

Superior’s modular skirting system is sold in 1.5m sections for conveyor belt widths up to 1.728m.

Dust pollution, material spillage and build-up require ongoing cleaning and maintenance to ensure conveyor systems run safely and smoothly.

Without conveyor skirting, a conveyor system will require more maintenance, which can be expensive due to cleaning labour costs and downtime from system shutdowns.

“Effective conveyor skirting has the potential to increase a system’s overall efficiency and productivity,” Thooft said.

Superior’s modular skirting system helps to ensure health and safety incidents are minimised and material loss prevented,

Another of the key benefits of partnering with Superior Industries is the access the company provides to a plethora of aggregate processing equipment solutions, “If you’re looking at a new plant design, companies that can provide a full turn-key

“We can design a complete operation solution tailored to the customer’s requirements.”

Superior Industries is always cognizant of providing the most effective solution for customers that require either portable or pre-engineered plant to process dry bulk material efficiently, safely and at the lowest cost per tonne.

“Superior works closely with its equipment distributors throughout the Oceania region,” Thooft said. “And the new modular skirting system is available to our Australian and New Zealand customers.” •

To learn more, visit superior-ind.com

Superior has focused suppressing dust emissions and mitigating material wastage in the transfer of bulk materials.

LOADING UP ON EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS

Catering to operators’ needs in demanding Australian environments, Liebherr delivers with its wheel loaders.

Wheel loaders are essential when it comes to one of the most fundamental aspects of the quarrying industry: the bulk movement of material.

And when Princess Royal Station needed to undertake an evaluation of available wheel loader options to work in an agricultural

premier feedlot turned to Liebherr for the equipment that suited its needs.

Princess Royal Station director Simon Rowe highlighted the benefits the station’s operation team observed while using Liebherr’s L 550 XPower® and L 546 wheel loaders.

“The fuel economy we find in the Liebherr

experience with is very good,” Rowe told Quarry. “In some cases, and applications the fuel usage could be half of some other brands.

“I’d say the team finds them very good to operate For a full day’s work, my team finds the loaders to be really safe and ergonomic, which is important for quarry operators and others who might be in our field of work.

“Overall, our team finds them comfortable and easy to use, and the fuel economy is excellent when using the wheel loaders to maintain our roadways and move bulk material.”

The L 550 XPower wheel loader is an innovative machine that combines high performance, fuel efficiency, robustness, and comfort.

Featuring a power split driveline, the L 550 XPower, along with others in the XPower category, work with high levels of efficiency in a range of different applications.

Incorporating the use of a hydrostatic drive, the XPower series lends itself to short loading cycles and, in conjunction with the mechanical drive, these machines provide operators with greater efficiency regardless of application.

And as Liebherr area sales manager for the earthmoving and material handling division in the SA and NT regions Cameron Tanner noted, the XPower series also offers

Liebherr L 550 in operation at Princess Royal Station, Booborowie SA 5417..

significant levels of productivity and lower maintenance costs.

“The Liebherr XPower driveline works with the Liebherr Power Efficiency (LPE) system to achieve a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 30 per cent,” he said.

“LPE optimises the interaction between diesel engine, gearbox and working hydraulics for maximum fuel efficiency, which translates to maximum productivity for the end user.”

The high-performance L 546 is a versatile all-rounder that is designed to impress in every field of application due to its great productivity and efficiency.

With high tipping loads at low operating weight that permit a high handling capacity, the wheel loaders also feature Liebherr drivelines that enable continuous regulation of acceleration in all speed ranges, without noticeable gear shifting or interruption in tractive force.

A combination of the Liebherr travel drive and a wide selection of large standard buckets means these wheel loaders can manoeuvre quickly and efficiently, and enhance performance even under the toughest of operating conditions.

Working closely with the team from Princess Royal Station and other customers in SA, Tanner has a keen interest in ensuring the company’s machines are in the best possible condition for operation.

“Part of the increased accessibility that makes the Liebherr wheel loaders so appealing is that the most important points for daily maintenance can be seen at a glance through the access area,” Tanner said.

“The entire engine compartment is accessible via just one enclosure, which gives operators a quick and safe control that saves on both time and money.”

The modern, ergonomic cab design allows the operators high levels of concentration without fatigue, which can increase safety and productivity.

Liebherr wheel loaders feature exceptional all-round visibility, simple and intuitive controls, and a reverse camera built into the touchscreen display. They are designed to optimally adapt to the operator’s day-to-day requirements.

Furthermore, when buying Liebherr equipment, the customer not only looks to durable and powerful machines but also a reliable long-term relationship.

Liebherr–Australia places strong focus on customer service activities. Its qualified technical specialists receive factory- and field-based training, and are in daily contact with the manufacturing plants.

“Liebherr customers can reply on a comprehensive support from next-day spare parts supply to on-site repairs or major overhauls in our workshops,” Tanner said. “We want to continually deliver the best possible solutions to our customers and enhance their satisfaction.”

Those customers appreciate the effort –and the honesty.

“The Liebherr team that we work with in Adelaide are very fair and reasonable to deal with,” Rowe said.

“The best part about them is that they will openly tell us whether they can or can’t come to site on the day that we speak to them.

“It’s a massive plus when considering some other experiences we’ve had to deal with. A company that are very upfront and tell you what they can and can’t do straightaway and provide very clear timelines is a great benefit to us.” • For

The L 546 wheel loader combines power, speed, fuel efficiency and durability.

KNOWING WHAT’S IN THE GROUND

For a quarry company, two things are imperative: knowing what you have in the ground and what your market is.

You can have the best people, equipment and processes, but a quarry that doesn’t understand these two factors can struggle.

WHY IS GEOLOGY IMPORTANT?

Some quarry deposits are simple; however, increasingly, they are not.

Part of the reason for this is that many of the less complicated deposits have already been extracted, and we increasingly find sites needing to extract areas that were previously considered too difficult.

This is coupled with regulatory access to deposits; sometimes the easiest deposits are not viable to extract due to social, legal or environmental considerations, thereby potentially making the trickier deposits more viable.

The thing that probably causes most angst is variability. If you have a deposit that is consistent quality everywhere you go, then life is simple. But if you have a deposit that continually provides surprises in terms of waste quantity and quality, life gets more complicated.

This is the point where understanding your resource can be useful.

DETERMINING WHAT’S IN THE GROUND — DRILLING

The only way you know for sure what’s in the ground is to sample it (or to extract it entirely, but by then you’ve absorbed all the risk).

This can be done in many ways, from using a blast hole rig to punch some quick holes down and checking the rock chips, to using a dedicated exploration rig to drill reverse circulation (RC) or diamond core holes.

Each of these three methods has its place in any operation, but there is no going past a good, detailed diamond core program (coupled with RC holes to fill in the detail) to give a good sense of the overburden thickness, the quality and material properties of the rock, and geotechnical characteristics.

BLAST RIG HOLES

A blast rig is a useful tool to help mitigate short-term risk and understand what is immediately in front of you (ie the next bench down).

The primary limitation, however, is that it can only drill approximately 25m deep and the cuttings are blown up the inside the hole, potentially causing contamination of the sample. Additionally, the blast rig tends to produce very fine chips and lots of dust, so it can be challenging to get a real sense of the material quality.

Lastly, it is not customary for blast hole rigs to have people working in close proximity to collect samples, making safety a key consideration.

RC HOLES

This type of drilling is called ‘reverse circulation’ because it has a path through the drill pipe (it has two walls inside) for the air to go to the bottom of the hole and one for the cuttings to return to the surface, eliminating sample contamination.

RC drill rigs are set up for sampling and can drill much deeper than a blast hole rig.

Like the blast hole rig, however, the rock is pulverised, and it can be difficult to interpret the rock type and properties. There is also limited test work that can be undertaken on rock chips obtained from RC drilling.

DIAMOND CORE HOLES

This is ultimately the best way to get a sense of what is in the ground.

As the name suggests, using a diamondimpregnated drill bit with a hollow drill pipe, a core of rock can be obtained as a sample. If the orientation is recorded, the core can also help a geotechnical engineer better understand the faults and fractures in the rock and provide advice on how best to design the pit.

Diamond core gives a geologist by far the best understanding of what is under the surface and provides samples large enough for more comprehensive testing.

GEOLOGICAL MODELLING

We see a lot of historical drilling program data in the course of our work. A few things often stand out.

Firstly, the collar positions of the drill holes were either not surveyed or, at best, picked up with a handheld GPS device. Of most importance is the collar RL (reduced level), and this is routinely the position with the least accuracy.

Secondly, we see situations where the holes were not logged. As in, a geologist didn’t take the time to review the samples, categorise the materials and create a visual, down-thehole record of the drill hole. Logging is vital and can be created on the fly using tabletbased solutions and augmented with visual logs of each sample interval and key results once the geologist is back in the office.

Thirdly, even where samples have been taken, the test results are not recorded or not assigned to the drilling records. Experience has shown that the use of company-wide systems to record the validated location, log data, sample results and visual data of all

Having a clear idea about the quantity and quality of the rock, or sand, on your site is fundamental to maximising value and reducing risk, Eltirus founder Steve Franklin writes.

holes is an invaluable asset that can then be built on over time and improved as new information comes to hand.

Lastly, holes may have been surveyed and logged, but the results were not then used to create or update a 3D geological model. It is not uncommon to find cross-sections in reports without any actual model that can be interrogated to better understand the data.

With all the above, it can be immensely valuable to have data recorded digitally. Paper or PDF logs are great but are of limited use when collating into a computerbased 3D model without needing to laboriously digitise the data.

Geological cross-sections and wire-frame models are also great for stakeholder engagement but are of little use when undertaking downstream studies such as pit design, scheduling or resource optimisation. Regardless of who does core logging or geological modelling, always insist on a digital copy of log data, as well as industry format copies of the resultant geological model.

INVENTORY THE DEPOSIT

Once you have an accurate geological model, you can move on to getting a better understanding of how much of each material type can be extracted.

People will often talk of resource and reserve tonnes, using the terms interchangeably; this is not correct and it’s worth clarifying what they mean.

In short, resource tonnes give a sense of which portions of a deposit might economically and legally be extractable. For example, within the extraction boundary and constrained by a feasible (legal and safe) maximum pit design, the quarry may have 10 million tonnes of basalt resource available. When discussing reserve tonnes, we are talking about material the site has a feasible plan to economically extract. As in, an appropriate mining methodology has

Diamond core drilling is considered the best way to get a sense of what is in the ground.

been identified, the resource has been scheduled, and quality considerations have been considered to allow for mining and processing losses.

Reserves are always a sub-set of resource and are modified by factors like those mentioned above. Using the same example, a quarry may have 10 million tonnes of basalt, but operational considerations (eg haul roads, ramps, catch benches) within the maximum pit may reduce the reserves. Furthermore, not all 10 million tonnes of basalt may be saleable as the primary quarry product, with further losses during processing.

Thus, the reserves may be five million tonnes premium aggregate and four million tonnes road base products, for a total reserve of nine million tonnes (and one million tonnes held up in operational ramps/roads or lost during processing).

It should also be noted that for resource to be converted to reserves, a known market must exist (ie it must be saleable).

To determine the resource, a viable pit design that enables economical extraction to take place is needed. Determining a viable design is not always as simple as it sounds because it is a function of the material, its sale value, and extraction cost.

Once we have this, we can then apply it against our geological model to help understand not only how many tonnes of material we have in total, but also the quantity of each of the different types of material in the geological model.

To calculate reserves, the resource needs to be appropriately scheduled considering extraction methodology, material quality and processing, and market considerations.

UNPACKING THE DEPOSIT

Have you ever been asked how much stripping needs to be done this year or whether you can produce enough asphalt aggregate to satisfy a large project, only to be unsure as to the answer?

The solution is a scheduling model.

A scheduling model allows you to understand how to “unpack” a deposit –what needs to be moved and when. With a sound geological model and an optimised pit design, scheduling models allow you to play “what if?” to answer the sort of questions noted above.

MAKING THE MOST OF TECHNOLOGY

Technology is changing many facets of quarrying, and geology is one of them.

exploration rig in real-time, in a standardised way and without the need to transcribe paper to computer.

The logging system can help the project manager understand what has been drilled and where each day, and act as a central database of all test results and their status at the lab.

This same database can then provide the information that a resource geologist needs to create or update the model they are working on. New-generation software allows these models to be kept up-to-date relatively easily. Drilling results and models can then be fed to any stakeholder that needs it through a web-based platform.

Finally, the creation of a good computerbased geological model forms the foundation for further risk-reducing studies such as resource optimisation and scheduling.

New-generation software tools have fast and efficient algorithms allowing for rapid scenario testing to really explore how best to add value to your operations.

Simply put, it all starts with understanding your resource. An investment in geology, done well, is an investment in the future of your quarry, one that will pay significant dividends in helping you make better plans,

RC drill rigs are set up for sampling and can drill much deeper than a blast hole rig.

HIGH REDUCTION RATIO CRUSHER AND SCREEN

Lokotrack LT1213S mobile horizontal impact crushers (HSI) combines mobility, high capacity and versatility. It is suitable for a various applications such as limestone processing and recycled materials crushing. LT1213S includes an integrated screen, hydraulically adjustable magnet separator and wind shifter for separating lightweight materials from screened aggregates. High capacity dual-slope screen and return conveyor provide optimized material handling through out the Lokotrack crushing process. This makes it a reliable partner for contracting jobs.

For more information, contact metso@tuttbryant.com.au Follow

CRUSHING AHEAD

Ausdecom is mostly known for demolition, but its crushing and recycling services are where the company truly comes into its own.

Ausdecom has been making a name for itself as a reliable industrial demolisher for a decade, dismantling just about anything the petrochemical, oil, gas, and power generation sectors can put up.

But squint through the dust kicked up in the wake of falling structures, and you’ll see a deep philosophy at work.

Just as important as demolishing the old, the company believes, is creating the new.

That’s where Ausdecom’s lesser known but equally important recycling service comes into action.

“The circular economy is in Ausdecom’s DNA,” Ausdecom recycling general manager Brent Alford told Quarry

“Our business has always been based on re-using, re-directing or recycling as much of the materials we extract from our projects as possible.”

Located all around Australia, Ausdecom offers contract crushing at its own depots, as well as mobile services for large and remote sites.

“We’re more than happy to go out to a

customer’s sites to crush and recycle concrete, brick, rock or any other recyclable materials,” Alford said.

“We offer a full or modular plant set up as part of the service.”

The company’s large mobile modular crushing plant is one of the few in Australia with a capacity of up to 600 tonnes per hour, with smaller crushing units available accordingly.

Ausdecom recycles 99.5 per cent of its inbound materials, tracking the remaining 0.5 per cent as part of its Green Star certification – an internationally recognised Australian sustainability rating system.

The company’s crushing services are bolstered by a $30 million arsenal of plant equipment, including two standout crushers from Kleemann, a Wirtgen Group brand.

The first is the Kleemann Mobicat MC 120 Pro, a new-model jaw crusher suitable for pre-crushing almost all types of natural stone.

The machine is extremely robust and impresses with its low-maintenance operation.

The Pro model also claims a diesel–electric power system, meaning a reduction in carbon emissions and in operating costs, resulting in a lower total cost of ownership.

These features make it a crushing beast that can guarantee high production outputs, even when faced with challenging material.

“Excavation stone is some of the hardest material you can get through a crusher,” Alford said. “It’s knocking out 3000 tonnes of this stuff every day. That’s really hard crushing.”

The other Kleeman machine is the Kleemann Mobicat MC 120 jaw crusher, the first Wirtgen machine that Ausdecom purchased.

Despite its age, this 2008 model primary Kleemann crusher is still going strong and working every day on Ausdecom projects, a testament to the quality of Wirtgen’s products and its after sales service.

“Wirtgen Australia’s service and spare parts availability has been excellent in keeping the crusher operating,” Alford said.

“The after-sale care Wirtgen Australia provides with the older model is really what sealed the deal for us in deciding to purchase the Kleemann MC 120 Pro.

“Wirtgen Australia has depots all over the country, including WA, Queensland, New South Wales, SA and Victoria, and is looking to expand its warehousing facilities on the east side of the country, which will be a great help.”

Working with Wirtgen Australia means Ausdecom’s machines have many years of service ahead of them to benefit customers in the quarrying industry.

In addition to their toughness and reliability, fuel burn for these Kleeman models is also quite low – an important feature given crushers operate for hours at a time when the cost of diesel is so high.

Beyond the Kleeman models, Ausdecom offers a variety of other fixed and mobile waste shredders and crushers, as well as mobile pugmills and soil recycling equipment.

“We’re set up to crush multiple products in all scenarios,” Alford said.

Ausdecom can handle almost any task the quarrying and waste industries can throw its way, from demolition to crushing and recycling to mark the beginning of something new. •

Formoreinformation,visitwirtgen-group.com/en-au

AusDecom processes 3000 tonnes of excavation stone daily using an on-site MC 120 Pro.

Wirtgen’s Kleemann MC 120 Pro is one of the most robust and efficient jaw crushers on the market.

NEW FACILITY ALL PUMPED UP

Quarrying operations are almost synonymous with pump systems. From washing to screening to dewatering, quality pumps are essential in keeping quarries functioning by ensuring work can continue right across an operation.

Understanding that need for a consistent and quality supply of water, Xylem has invested significantly into the Sydney production facility. The move is designed to allow for shorter lead times on products, as well as greater visibility into how the highquality pump equipment is manufactured.

Jordan Thomson-Larkins, product manager for the Godwin range at Xylem, told Quarry that the further development of this manufacturing facility has far-reaching effects for those in the extractive industry.

“The new facility is 10,000m2 and is more than capable of handling the 15 tonnes of air freight and 150 tonnes of sea freight the warehouse and Xylem facility receive monthly,” Thomson-Larkins said.

“There’s been a massive investment in in the production and assembly side of things. We’ve now got three 10-tonne overhead gantries and seven three-tonne jibs, all of which are to support assembly and production locally of various brands like our Flygt and Godwin range.

“All this has been done to really support our customers, enabling them to get the highest quality water solutions locally from a trusted OEM (original equipment manufacturer) – in the least amount of time possible.

“This facility allows Xylem to combine ample storage for frequently required product and spare parts, as well as the ability to assemble the more unique product needs to meet our customers’ demand. It is this

combination which allows Xylem to standout and help drive a continuously improving water management environment.

“This facility has the capacity to grow well into the future highlighting the commitment Xylem has to this industry.”

Demonstrating the care that is taken to customers in the extractive industries, Xylem has also invested in complete testing facilities for products.

This added functionality – in the form of tanks allows for staff to test the products –are up to task and serve as an opportunity for customers to see the pump’s effectiveness

prior to making a commitment.

“We have three test tanks, with one specifically for Godwin and Lowara pumps, that can test up to 20-inch-diameter pumps in addition to a borehole testing tank for Lowara borehole pumps and a separate tank for Flygt testing,” Thomson-Larkins said.

“Customers want to know that the product they purchase is as per the published performance as they have been advised by the OEM, and with these test tanks we can demonstrate that.

“Being able to see an asset perform as expected is really important, especially if

Xylem’s new facility is designed to allow for shorter lead times on products

Doubling down on a commitment to customers, Xylem has invested $6 million into its Sydney production facility.

you’re spending a large amount on a couple assets or even just one asset. You want to be able to come and see it do what has been promised.”

With a push towards ever-more sustainable practices, Xylem’s updated facility also features an array of solar panels to provide renewable energy and a charger for full electric and hybrid vehicles used at the facility.

Additional investments have been made with safety firmly in mind. All equipment in the warehouse is constantly monitored with cameras, and spacings in the warehouse are accommodated to help increase the health and wellbeing of workers in the facility.

The changes implemented into Xylem’s updated Sydney facility are ultimately focused around providing the best possible service to customers and delivering equipment and support with the shortest possible lead time.

In short, Xylem wants to give its customers the best products without making them wait.

“We have placed a huge focus emphasis on shortening the time from purchase order to delivery to the customer,” ThomsonLarkins said.

“Even though Xylem is a big company, there’s still a high level of personalisation that we can offer customers.

“With production being in-house and the improvements we’ve made to this facility, we can offer not just the product as specified, but can also do whatever is necessary to get it to the customer’s final requirements.”•

Formoreinformation,visitxylem.com/en-au

The facility supports customers in getting the highest quality water solutions.

BASES THAT ARE ANYTHING BUT BASIC

So many moving parts go into the creation of vibrating screens and equipment, and ensuring that all machines are fitted with quality and appropriately sized parts is something on which ToThink Engineering prides itself. Motor bases have an important place in many quarrying applications where the equipment is belt driven. This can apply to vibrating screens and feeders but can also play a part in the drive systems of crushers and pumps. These bases help to maintain constant tension on drive belts but also, through their ability to oscillate, ensure that shock loading of key components is minimised. ToThink Equipment founder Darren Toth has a long history in the field of vibrating equipment.

When he was looking for high-quality bases, Toth turned to the team at Oscillating Systems Technology (OST) Africa, finding the company’s motor bases the most fit-forpurpose for quarrying applications within Australia.

“We have a deep history with the team at OST Africa, being the sales point within Australia for the motor bases and also incorporating the bases into the vibrating screens that we manufacture as part of ToThink Equipment,” Toth told Quarry

The bases were previously being manufactured entirely overseas. Whilst the key components are still manufactured by OST in South Africa, a number of larger components are manufactured within Australia. This means shorter lead times and more flexibility in the size of the bases on account of the work the team from ToThink Equipment can put in during the manufacturing process.

Through ToThink Engineering, the Australian industry now has access to lower a greater range of high quality motor bases at competitive prices.

Working hard to keep pace with the continuous improvements and innovation within the industry in terms of vibrating screens, OST Africa prides itself on extensively testing and increasing the quality of its product offerings.

“Over the years, OST Africa have invested heavily into improving the key componentry which goes into the vibrating bases,” Toth said. “To stay on top of the game and stay competitive, you need to have equipment that offers great value for customers, and these bases provide exactly that.”

ToThink’s strong partnership with OST

Africa also affords the opportunity to supply motor bases that are suitable to accommodate other machines, such as crushers and pumps.

With a team that understands the nature of the industry and which has extensive hands-on experience with the equipment to which the motor bases are fitted, Toth said the company can adjust and incorporate the bases to suit customer needs.

“Working with customers, we can ensure that they receive an appropriately sized motor base, regardless of whether or not they have previously had one installed,” Toth said.

“The availability we have with these bases really allows us to have reduced lead time by having the bases assembled within Australia.”

In addition, ToThink Engineering supplies the quarrying sector with tension arms used in some vibrating screens, which are essential to maintain the appropriate tensions in belt driven systems.

The combination of the OST Africa bases and ToThink Engineering’s own offerings really shines through the dedication to the Australian extractive industry.

“We aim to be the best supplier when it comes to all things vibrating equipment,” Toth said.

“To that end, we have the best availability of vibrator bases in the eastern states, with both a high level of stock and a high standard of technical support and knowhow to help people get the best out of their vibrating equipment.”

“We don’t just sell the product and walk away. We’re committed to supporting our customers to ensure these products are installed, adjusted and running as intended for the long term. •

For more information, visit tothink.com.au

ToThink Engineering supplies the industry with drive belt tensioning systems used in vibrating screens.

ToThink Engineering gives the local industry access to a range of high quality motor bases.

BUY. SELL. HIRE. QUARRY MARKETPLACE

A LEASE EXTENSION SET IN STONE

In an industry where the maximum life of a quarry is usually 50 years, one SA site was recently given a lease extension of up to 140 years. Why is this such a special event?

The Linwood Quarry has already been around a long time – 141 years, to be exact.

And it’s been on quite a journey in that time.

Located in the southern suburbs of Adelaide, between Marino, Seacliff Park and Hallett Cove, Linwood was first opened in 1882 to provide limestone to the nearby Brighton Cement Works.

A decade later, the operation had become the South Australian Portland Cement Company.

Opened by the former Adelaide Brighton Cement, now known as Adbri, Linwood Quarry produced product that would go on to be used in asphalt, road-sealing aggregates, concrete aggregates and road base materials.

Adelaide Brighton Cement conducted drilling and blasting, crushing and screening, and product sales at the site for 74 years before turning the quarry over to Quarry Industries in 1956.

Quarry Industries was purchased by Boral in 1994 and the Linwood Quarry changed hands for the third – and final – time.

Before the Linwood Quarry made headlines at the start of 2023 for its longer-than-average 140-year lease extension, it was already a unique site given its “cheek by jowl” location with suburban development.

While having the quarry sit so snugly near residential areas has posed challenges in the form of dust and air pollution complaints, Boral worked closely with the 5049 Coastal Community Association (CCA) to mitigate the risks.

The 5049 CCA works closely with residents in over 2300 homes in South Australia’s 5049 postcode and represents their concerns to local, state and federal governments.

“There has been ongoing monitoring and campaigning about the impacts of blasting and dust within the community led by the association over 40-plus years,” 5049 CCA said on its website.

“Whilst there have been significant improvements as a result of community pressures, led by the association over the years, it is still important to continue to input into the long-term operations and development of the quarry. Boral have received awards for their site management and innovation.”

Indeed, Boral has received two Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA) recognitions in 2015, and one from Cement Concrete Aggregates Australia (CCAA) in 2012 for its work on the Linwood quarry.

“The Linwood Quarry’s approach to daily operational management is influenced by feedback proactively gathered from residents about their experience of the site’s performance,” CCAA said on its website.

“Using a broad approach, this feedback has allowed the site’s management to become more responsive to community concern through higher awareness, better use of the quarry’s mitigation measures, and a reinvigoration of the site’s community relations efforts.”

The current mine operations plan (MOP) for the Linwood Quarry was approved by the Department for Energy and Mining in 2008 but, 10 years on, Boral began the process of trying to get the operation’s lease extended.

And although the extension was ultimately granted, it wasn’t an easy process, with Boral campaigning for over six years.

The application was made available for public comment in 2019, receiving 11 submissions and prompting the Department of Energy and Mining to push Boral for additional information and responses. Boral submitted its response in 2020 and waited three years for the answer that it was after.

“After six years of hard work and dedication, the Boral team in South Australia has successfully secured a lease extension of up to 140 years for their operations at Linwood Quarry,” Boral said in a social media announcement.

Image credit: Benjamin Crone / Shutterstock.com

ISN’T THAT A LONG LEASE EXTENSION?

The extension length for Linwood was, in a word, unprecedented. Most quarries deplete resources within five years of starting.

Some sites can stay open for upwards of 35 years, but that’s more the exception than the rule. Take another of Boral’s sites, Karkarook Park in Victoria, for example, which closed down just three years after first sand was extracted.

According to Canada’s Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, pits and quarries are, by nature, “self-consuming”.

“Once a quarry’s stone, sand and gravel have been fully extracted, it’s no longer necessary to keep it open,” the organisation explained on its website.

“Unlike most other industrial uses, the sand and gravel operation is a temporary use that is not only making an important contribution to the economy but is simultaneously in the process of developing lands (and waters) for other uses.

“These uses can be anything from parks with fish and wildlife habitat to new residential subdivisions.”

But for the Linwood Quarry, it will be a long time before it is rehabilitated into a park or subdivision.

The extension was considered a feather in the cap of Boral chief executive officer Vik Bansal, who’s company has recorded strong financial results off the back of the Linwood Quarry.

Bansal said the company is also well positioned to continue successful operations into the future.

“We now have in place a flatter and broader organisational structure that positions the business closer to the frontline and the customer,” he said. “Under this model, the regional concrete and quarry business units will have responsibility for day-today execution, ensuring proximity to the

customer while driving greater alignment and accountability. Importantly, though, they will manage their assets, the operation, the work,

“I believe that re-carbonation of concrete is not discussed enough, and we intend to bring it to the table as part of the Boral decarbonisation journey.

“We also continue to assess opportunities to transition to renewable electricity sources, with Boral entering into a renewable power purchase agreement during 1H FY23 (the first half of the 2023 financial year) and remain focused on accelerating penetration of our market leading lower-carbon concretes.

“The extension is a major achievement that ensures a continued supply of raw materials to the South Australian building and construction industry.”

The unprecedented extension is considered a feather in Boral’s business cap.

Linwood Quarry is unique in that it operates “cheek by jowl” with residential development.

Image credit: Boral

Image credit: Boral

OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE IQA BRANCHES

NSW ILLAWARRA SUB-BRANCH SITE TOUR AND DINNER MEETING

Illawarra sub-branch events returned in 2023 with a site tour and networking dinner meeting in Goulburn on February 15.

Attendees met at Divall’s Earthmoving and Bulk Haulage for a guided tour of the facility and operations. They also had the chance to view the dozer restoration and museum, and see a demonstration of the new Komatsu WA480-8 yard loader in operation.

The tour was followed by a great networking dinner at Goulburn Soldiers Club, which included a two-course meal and presentations by event sponsor Komatsu and a guest speaker from the Wind Farm Project.

FNQ SUB-BRANCH SITE TOUR AND DINNER MEETING

The FNQ sub-branch invited attendees to join them for a site tour of Mt Carbine quarry, followed by networking and refreshment in the Tablelands, on Friday March 3.

Located 130km by sealed highway north of the Port of Cairns, the Mt Carbine quarry is one of the largest and most northern hard rock quarries in Far North Queensland. Fully permitted and successfully in operation for over 20 years, Mt Carbine responsibly and sustainably produces more than 30 quarry products, from roadbases and aggregates to armour rock, drainage stone and manufactured sand.

VICTORIAN SUB-BRANCH DINNER

The Victorian sub-branch kicked of the year with a dinner meeting at Bendigo’s National Hotel on Thursday February 24. The evening was a get together for an industry update, networking drinks and, of course, dinner.

Attendees heard from major sponsor Gordyn Palmer, with presentations including ‘electronic advancement upgrades’ and, continuing the theme around electrical awareness, an overview on ‘switch room safety’.

These presentations highlighted some of the day-to-day issues operators face, with key emphasis on safe practices in this area.

NORTH QLD BRANCH HEARS CHANGES TO REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

The North QLD Branch gathered in Townsville in February to find out about changes that will affect Certificate of Competency Holders and Notice Holders in Queensland.

Trevor Brown, Deputy Chief Inspector of Mines for Resources Safety and Health Queensland, provided information on the Practising Certificate Scheme that is being established in Queensland to manage risk.

IQA’s Head of Events & Engagement, Ned Worboys, presented details on education and training that the IQA can provide to help Holders meet duty of care and competency requirements.

The NQLD Branch would like to thank Soil Aggregates & Concrete Testing for their support of the event.

Attendees met at Divall’s Earthmoving and Bulk Haulage saw a Komatsu WA480-8 yard loader in operation.

The Victorian sub-branch held a dinner at the National Hotel in Bendigo in February.

equipment Verification of Competency (VoC) workshop, was held on Friday March 24.

The workshop provided a risk-based approach to establish a VoC program that not only meets legal requirements but enables effective risk controls and a highperformance culture.

There were opportunities to engage in an open forum with the NSW Resources Regulator, a virtual visit from IQA Education Representatives, and a presentation by the event sponsor, Komatsu.

Attendees were issued with a certificate on completion of the workshop.

NORTHERN NSW SUB-BRANCH

The Northern NSW sub-branch hosted two events on the north coast in February to mark the start of a positive 2023.

Holcim Quarry at Boambee held a plant and equipment safety, compliance and best

north coast in the coming weeks.

On the same evening, a networking dinner held in Coffs Harbour attracted attendees from Helensvale (Queensland), Newcastle and the south coast. Industry Capability Network (ICN) and the Oven Mountain Project provided presentations on the latest projects underway in northern NSW – the Coffs Harbour Bypass Project, Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Project, and the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation.

The night provided a great opportunity to connect with regional businesses and celebrate local skill and experience.

A big thanks goes out to the event sponsors Komatsu, Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Storage, ICN and Pewag Australia, and to our NSW premium sponsors CDE, XCMG, Vanadium and Lincom Group.

UPCOMING COURSES AND EVENTS

EDUCATION

RESPIRABLE CRYSTALLINE SILICA WORKSHOP

The IQA delivered a respirable crystalline silica workshop at Holcim Quarry in Teven, New South Wales, on November 24 2022.

This important event provides a comprehensive understanding of silica and current compliance requirements, covering topics from workplace exposure standards to principal hazard management plans. The workshop contributed 5.5 continuing professional development (CPD) hours under the Mining of Competence Scheme.

The workshop was delivered in collaboration with the NSW Northern Region sub-branch by a qualified hygienist to a group of 16 attendees, including quarry managers and operators, safety and health staff and general management.

The IQA thanks Holcim Teven Quarry for welcoming members and associates and providing the training room.

CORPORATE TRAINING FOR WAGNERS, WELLCAMP

The IQA delivered a quarry product materials and quality management workshop as a corporate training program for Wagners in Toowoomba. The workshop was delivered to a group of Wagners employees with roles that ranged from sales to lab staff to quarry managers and supervisors.

Wagners nominated to have a corporate program to ensure staff attending the workshop were given the same training at the same time. In particular, Wagners wanted the workshop to cover a specification that related to a quarry output, while corporate training provided the group with the opportunity to discuss the workshop topic with other people in the business.

Thinking about corporate training?

The IQA can deliver this workshop and others on-site or in training facilities. To book your corporate training, contact the IQA on 02 9484 0577 or via email at education@quarry.com.au

Holcim Quarry at Boambee held a plant and equipment safety, compliance and best practice workshop.

IQA NEWS

A NEW DEPUTY IN TOWN

New IQA Deputy President Sarah Bellman sat down with Quarry to discuss her new role and what she sees in the industry’s future.

Having grown up on a farm near a bluestone quarry in South Australia, Sarah Bellman has long been familiar with the extractive industry.

As the new IQA Deputy President, she is well positioned to see it continue to thrive into the future.

What does your role consist of?

The Deputy President acts as President when the President is absent, and may exercise and perform all the powers, authorities, duties and functions of the President.

The exciting part of being both a director on the board and Deputy President is being able to build upon the IQA’s strong history through setting a dynamic strategic plan with the leadership group that will ensure our members will be at the forefront of megatrends and challenges, so they are enabled to achieve their ultimate goals.

What skills and experiences do you bring to this role?

I work for Hanson Construction Materials and oversee over 40 operations across regional Victoria and Tasmania, including eight quarries comprising of both sand and hard rock.

and a degree in management; however, the most common skills drawn upon throughout

my career have been problem-solving, thinking critically, setting and delivering sound progressive strategy, building solutions to unique needs, and developing high-performing teams.

I have worked across different industries, including the defence sector, but found my passion in extractives. That passion has led me to extractives advocacy, including being chair for the Cement, Concretes and Aggregates Association (CCAA) and coordinator of Women in Quarrying, and being on the Mining, Energy Advisory Committee to the South Australian Minister for Mining and Energy.

I am very passionate about employees being the best that they can be through tailored, relevant and progressive training, and building diversity within our industry such that it reflects the communities that we operate within.

I am also very passionate about transforming sites to achieve leading best practice and ensuring operations and teams are striving for sustainable solutions.

From driving a 777 dump truck to designing shots to leading large teams – there are so many experiences that all drive my collective passion to think outside the box and contribute to the future of the IQA.

How long have you worked in the industry?

I have worked in the quarrying and mining industry across three states since 2008. I grew up on a farm that was located near a small bluestone quarry in South Australia, so from an early age I developed an appreciation for the importance of working well and consistently with your neighbours and community.

I remember riding my pony out past the quarry, and without mobiles phones back then we could set our watch to the blast time.

What direction do you see the IQA taking in the near future?

We have seen significant change over the past three years across the world, which has accelerated pivotal developments in technology – connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things

Bellman is excited to build on the IQA’s strong history.

Bellman has worked in the quarrying and mining Industry across three states since 2008.

The IQA will be several steps ahead of these developments to ensure our members have the relevant training available at the right time to maximise the opportunities and challenges that they present.

The IQA will be maximising the use of new technology to ensure training can be seamlessly accessed and customised to members learning needs.

How has the IQA helped you previously?

I remember completing my first IQA training course in 2008, ‘Introduction to quarrying’. I was so inspired and motivated to learn more about the industry.

Being new to the industry, I loved attending the site tours and networking; I have met people who are lifelong connections and friends.

I have always felt supported within the IQA network; we all share the same passion for quarrying and we are excited to see our peers develop and grow.

How beneficial are the education programs offered by the IQA?

The training has always been available and suited to my needs as I have grown within the industry.

As an employer, I now get great pleasure in aligning my employees’ development plans with the training scale from the IQA. I have absolute trust that my employees will be trained to the highest standard and will walk away with the skills and support necessary to achieve their goals.

The IQA works closely with the regulators to translate any changes into the training packages.

How is the Learning Education Framework going to benefit outcomes in the quarrying industry?

The education framework links training needs to members by their role type and skill level. It highlights all of the courses available at each stage of their career or area of interest,

REDUCE DOWNTIME. INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY.

including safety, productivity, regulation, community and more.

It will make it easy for members to ensure they are progressing through the relevant training and staying at the forefront of industry in terms of competency.

What difficulties facing the quarrying industry would like to see improved?

One of the biggest challenges in 2023 across most industries is workforce shortages. This highlights the need to increase the diversity within our workforce, which will require increasing attraction and awareness to those who have never been in the quarrying sector. We will need to look at creating more pathways for entry such as traineeships.

Areas that are at the forefront of conversation are sustainability, community engagement, circular products, alternate fuels, rehabilitation, psychosocial hazards and geotechnical stability. Training in these areas will be essential.

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.

Our service and support team are on hand to keep your operation running at peak efficiency.

A GLIMPSE INTO THE CREATION OF STONE TECHNOLOGY

toolkit. Without them, cores and flakes couldn’t be made.

Cores would typically have an oval shape and would be struck at an angle with the hammerstone to split off a piece called a flake which would be used for cutting or scraping.

“With these tools you can crush better than an elephant’s molar can and cut better than a lion’s canine can,” Potts said. “Oldowan technology was like suddenly evolving a brand-new set of teeth outside your body, and it opened up a new variety of foods on the African savannah to our ancestors.”

Excavations at Nyayanga began in 2015 and returned more than 300 artefacts and 1000 animal bones, as well as two hominin molars.

The team at the site found the bones of at least three individual hippos, with some bones showing signs of butchery and cuts, and antelope bones that showed evidence of flesh being sliced away with flakes.

Even 2.9 million years ago, early human ancestors needed to eat. And without the equipment afforded to the butchers of today, they had to use what was on hand to prepare their food.

New research from scientists at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and Queens College, along with the National Museum of Kenya, Liverpool John Moores University and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, has found stone tools that the researchers believe our ancestors used to butcher hippos and pound plant material.

The stone-age innovation, known to scientists as the Oldowan toolkit, provides a window into what life was like almost three million years ago.

The stone tools were found along the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya, at a site called Nyayanga, and were discovered alongside molar teeth belonging to the close human evolutionary species, Paranthropus

“The teeth are the oldest fossilised Paranthropus remains yet found, and their

presence at a site loaded with stone tools raises intriguing questions about which human ancestor made those tools,” Rick Potts, senior author of the study and the National Museum of Natural History Peter Buck chair of human origins, said.

“The assumption among researchers has long been that only the genus Homo, to which humans belong, was capable of making stone tools.

“But finding Paranthropus alongside these stone tools opens up a fascinating whodunnit.”

The tools were found over 800 miles (1287km) from the previously known oldest examples of Oldowan stone tools, which were found in Ledi-Geraru, Ethiopia.

Analysis of the wear patterns on the tools and the animal bones uncovered nearby has shown that the tools were used to produce a wide variety of food from plants to bone marrow.

Oldowan toolkits encompass three types of tools: hammerstones, cores and flakes.

Used for hitting other rocks to create tools, hammerstones were the backbone of the

The tools found were a significant upgrade to those previously found in Ethiopia.

As our hominin ancestors migrated across Africa and into other parts of the world, the tools went with them, reaching as far as modern-day Georgia and China. These tools stood the test of time and were not meaningfully replaced until 1.7 million years ago, when hand-axes first appeared.

Fire had yet to be harnessed at the time the toolmakers were using the stone tools, so all food was eaten raw, perhaps after pounding the meat into easier-tochew pieces with the hammerstone.

“This is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, examples of Oldowan technology,” researcher Thomas Plummer said. “This shows the toolkit was more widely distributed at an earlier date than people realised, and that it was used to process a wide variety of plant and animal tissues.

“We don’t know for sure what the adaptive significance was, but the variety of uses suggests it was important to these hominins.” •

The stone tools were found on the shores of Kenya’s Lake Victoria.

The shores of Kenya’s Lake Victoria have provided researchers with a glimpse into the past, uncovering some of the oldest butchery tools ever found.

Providing end-to-end real estate solutions

InSitu Real Estate is a boutique agency providing real estate services to the extractive industry, mining, concrete & asphalt, waste & resource management, industrial and infrastructure markets. Our experienced team provide complete real estate transactional services across the country, priding ourselves on our deep industry knowledge and an understanding of our clients needs.

InSitu Real Estate provides a full range of real estate services including sales, leasing and royalty negotiation, transactional management and occupier advisory.

If you’d like to chat further about how InSitu Real Estate can assist you with your requirements, or to discuss our current offerings, reach out today.

Todd Clark Director Licensee in Charge

+61 (0) 424 165 077

todd@insiturealestate.com

Suite 303, 17 Wurrook Circuit Caringbah, NSW 2229

linkedin.com/company/insitu-real-estate www.insiturealestate.com

InSitu Real Estate is an affiliated company of