Modern Quarrying July-August 2016

MODERN QUARRYING

July - August 2016

some 7,0 t/capita, despite recent setbacks

in the mining sector. CCAA sets out to dif-

ferentiate itself from the mining sector,

using extensive communication media

emphasising the strong environmental

stewardship of the aggregates industry. It

is notable that in Australia, the aggregates

sector now has a strong position in the

marketplace due to growing off-shoring

of the cement sector due to carbon taxes.

China

Jixian Han, secretary-general of the China

Sand and Stone Association (CAA), says

the ‘new normal’ of only 7,0% pa eco-

nomic growth in China, the level of 2015

output of aggregates remaining at about

15-billion t, even though those of cement

and concrete had declined about 5,0%

and 12%, compared to 2014. Driven by

the 13

five-year economic develop-

ment programme requiring major further

investment in infrastructure, the outlook

for the aggregates sector looks bright

for the next 15-20 years. The Silk Road

project, linking China to Europe, will link

4,4-billion people on its route.

The continued growth of the aggre-

gates industry has driven huge technical

innovation in machinery suppliers and

increases in the output of the 100 major

national producers, who are now required

to meet world-class operational standard.

In parallel, older smaller operators were

being closed down, despite the fact that

they comprise 63% of the market.

There is increased focus on high-

er-quality aggregates for use in high-

strength concretes, as well as in

manufactured sand replacing natural

sand. Recycling of demolition materials

is also being strongly promoted with the

objective of recycling 30% of those mate-

rials in urban areas by 2020.

The CCA is confident of a good future

for aggregates in China.

Latin America

Jaume Puig i Canal, treasurer of FIPA

(Federacion Iberoamericana de Produc-

tores de Aridos) outlined the strong

bonds that exist between Spain, Portugal,

Mexico, Central and South America. There

GLOBAL

AGGREGATES

FOCUS

ttended by representa-

tives from Austria, China,

the United States, Latin

America and Europe, with

input from Canada and

New Zealand, the aggregates industry

was under the spotlight. Many issues

common to various global regions were

identified – with some regions having dif-

ferent approaches and solutions – mak-

ing the exchange of experience and best

practices extremely valuable.

Several areas were identified for

follow-up, all of which will assist in

strengthening the industry globally. In

all countries represented, aggregate pro-

duction tonnages are now either stable

or increasing, which bodes well for the

industry as a whole.

The purpose of GAIN is to openly

share experienced and industry best in

the interests of promoting the greater

good of the aggregates industry glob-

ally. Interestingly, on a global scale, GAIN

members represent 60% of the global

aggregates production of 40-billion t,

from around 400 000 quarries and pits

worldwide, estimated to employ in the

region of 3-million people.

South Africa

According to Aspasa director Nico Pienaar,

post the decline after the Rugby World

Cup in 2010, the SA aggregates sector is

now growing with a production of some

130-million t, equivalent to 2,5 t/capita,

driven by ongoing needs for housing,

road, rail, electricity and water infrastruc-

tural development.

The quarrying industry falls under

mining legislation and is heavily regu-

lated. A large issue is illegal mining and

quarrying, which negatively affects both

industries. Other challenges include

electricity, water and skills shortages,

the latter despite 30% unemployment.

Despite these challenges, the future pros-

pects for the economy and the aggregate

industry in SA look bright, and Aspasa is

optimistic for the future.

United States

Mike Johnson, president and CEO of the

National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association

(NSSGA), says his organisation represents

90% of crushed stone and 70% of sand and

gravel produced in the US. The US market

declined from3,1-billion t in2006 to1,96-bil-

lion t in 2010, and in 2015 had risen again

to 2,28-billion t, equivalent to 6,7 t/capita,

drivenmainly by private construction.

NSSGA is focused on advocacy

through communications with all stake-

holders, particularly the politicians. The

recent success in promoting the FAST

(Fixing America’s Surface Transportation)

Act, should provide a further industry

boost up to 2020.

NSSGA’s top priorities are advocacy,

both legislative and regulatory; commu-

nications with all stakeholders; and mem-

bership education and events. Its core

message is to highlight what the industry

does and its importance. Johnson says

America’s future is tied directly to the suc-

cess of the aggregates industry.

Australia

Ken Slattery, CE of Cement, Concrete &

Aggregates Australia (CCAA), says the

CCAA, which notably represents 90%

of the combined cement, concrete and

aggregates industries, aligns itself with

the construction industry in Australia.

CCAA’s strategic priorities include the

industry licence to operate; market devel-

opment; technical leadership; and mem-

ber engagement.

Uniquely, the country has enjoyed 23

years of continuous growth, now using

GAIN (the Global Aggregates Information Network) is a coalition of the

major international aggregates associations across the world. Founded

in 2010, the organisation held its first meeting in Brussels; the second took

place in Charlotte, NC in 2012; the third in Brussels in 2014; with the last

meeting hosted by Aspasa in Somerset West in April this year.

Global aggregates industry under