Modern Quarrying

MODERN QUARRYING

January - February 2016

REGULAR UPDATE

ASPASA

AIN (the Global Aggregates

Information Network) was

founded by UEPG (European

Aggregates Association) in

2010, driven by the convic-

tion that international sharing of experi-

ence and best practice promotes a more

efficient and sustainable aggregates

industry globally. It is impressive to note

that GAIN members currently represent

60% of the global aggregates production

estimated at 37,5-billion t, and therefore

has a major lobbying strength on behalf

of the industry.

GAIN meetings were held in Brussels

in October 2014 attended by representa-

tives from aggregate associations across

Europe, North America, South America,

Australia, China and South Africa.

Many valuable insights and experi-

ences were shared on common health

and safety, environmental, economic, as

well as technical and public relations chal-

lenges. The discussions revealed that the

industry faces similar challenges across

the globe with the various regions devis-

ing different approaches and solutions.

There is ongoing contact between these

associations providing value support on

specific industry challenges as they arise.

It has been decided to hold these

meetings at two-year intervals, with the

next one being hosted by Aspasa, in Cape

Town.

At this stage, it looks as if there will be

attendees from the USA, Australia, China

and South America, together with the sec-

retary-general of UEPG Dirk Fincke, and

Proactive Aspasa

– a tough campaigner

The Aggregate & Sand Producers Association of Southern Africa (Aspasa) has sent out an invitation to its

members to attend the prestigious GAIN meeting, which is being held at The Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset

West, from April 11-13.

chats to Aspasa director Nico Pienaar about GAIN and the Association’s

activities over the last quarter.

Jim O’Brien, who is the honorary presi-

dent of UEPG and the GAIN coordinator.

The agenda promises to be excellent

with discussions on developments in

the various regions, followed by round-

table reviews. Presentations include

safety, occupational health, environmen-

tal aspects and illegal quarrying. Other

papers will look at global machinery inno-

vations, the pros and cons of aggregate

production taxation, best practice experi-

ences for optimal cost efficiency, the chal-

lenges of representing SMEs, and dealing

with a future vision for the industry.

The executives coming to South Africa

are captains of the global aggregate

industry, and the networking opportuni-

ties will certainly prove to be invaluable.

The GAIN meeting is being held prior

to the Institute of Quarrying Southern

Africa’s (IQSA) annual conference and

exhibition, which is held in conjunction

with Aspasa, at The Lord Charles from

April 14-15.

Discussing aggregates as a strategic

resource, Pienaar says our law makers

need to take a leaf from the book of a

recently passed Bill by the USA House of

Representatives defining aggregates as

strategic and critical. The House acknowl-

edges that aggregates play an essential

role in the national security and economic

viability of the country, and are vital for

infrastructure and transportation infra-

structure. In South Africa, the aggregates

industry is under increasing pressure from

a number of fronts. Among others, the

industry faces severe threats from illegal

quarry operations undercutting prices,

as well as legal borrow pits set up by

municipalities and contractors as a tem-

porary source of sand and stone, often

in non-compliance with basic rules and

legislation.

“Additionally, our quarries are gov-

erned by the same legislation as mines

and have to comply with stringent and