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April - May 2015
MODERN QUARRYING
17
AT THE QUARRY FACE
WITH MIDMAR
Close-up view of the admin
buildings with the plant in the
foreground and the stockpiles.
following stringent environmental and safety
audits.
Fourie is modest about the accolades, and is
concerned that, “it is Showplace for the day, but is
it Showplace every day?”He attributes the recent
award to his newly-appointed quarry manager
Bronwyn Moore, who has taken the initiative to
manage the operation through difficult times, with
Deon Bosman coming in as acting manager for a
while. “Deon has helped us tremendously and his
experienced recommendations have set us on the
right track; but Bronwyn, who took the initiative to
carry the operation and the team through some very
tough times, has been the solid person amongst the
various management changes we have had.
“When I removed myself operationally from
Midmar Crushers to focus on growing the group,
this resulted in reduced quarry efficiencies. She has
been the liaison for the teams on the floor and has
pulled the quarry through some tough times. We
have appointed her as quarry manager fromMarch
1, this year, and believe that she really is the best
person for the job.”
Chatting to Bronwyn Moore about her appoint-
ment, she says she is still waiting for the reality to
settle in.“I am ecstatic, excited to be in this position
and to work through the challenges. I am passion-
ate about what I do; I enjoy the people and couldn’t
be happier in this position. I want to learn each day,
and look forward to every day on the quarry.
“In our weekly meeting with the entire team I
emphasise our values and our vision,” she says.
MQ
experienced this personally when walking into the
office at the quarry (notwithstanding the lovely
orange marigolds and neat stonework around
the building). I immediately felt welcomed and at
home on the premises.
Moore recently attended the Examiner Make
Safe course in Johannesburg, run by Monty and
Lynne Montgomery of Xtract Training. She came
third in her class, achieving a well-earned 87% and
this amongst experienced quarrymen.
Asked how the quarry has grown over the
last few years, she says the quarry on its own has
allowed the directors to grow the Midmar Group.
“We have upgraded some of our machinery and
plant, which includes a new Sandvik CH430 crusher
and a vast increase in utilisation efficiencies.
“Our team is very motivated and we work well
together. I have a real open-door policy and believe
in sorting out problems as they arise.”
The quarry has certainly equipped itself with
better equipment. It has recently invested in Bell
ADTs, a Volvo L120 front end loader and a Volvo
480 excavator as the primary loaders. The Cat 996
front end loaders are being utilised, with one being
moved to Canton, and the new Sandvik is proving
its worth. Plant 1 built by Louis, is still very much
involved in daily activites. Plant 2, which was also
built by Louis, consists of a 25 x 36 jaw with a scalp-
ing screen, Sandvik CH430 into the 16 x 6 triple
deck, and through the HP 200 shorthead, which
goes to the VSI and onto a 16 x 4 double deck
screen.
“In terms of human capital, we haven’t had
much turnaround, and aside from the manage-
ment changes, we still have guys who have been
here for pretty much the 20 years the quarry has
been in operation,” she says.
The staff complement at Midmar Crushers is
49 with contractors and 44 without. The quarry
produces a range of products, which include 9,5
mm, 13,2 mm and 19 mm concrete stone; 9,5 mm,
13,2 mm and 19 mm road stone; slurry seals and