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April - May 2015
MODERN QUARRYING
19
AT THE QUARRY FACE
WITH MIDMAR
concrete dust which is mostly used for making con-
crete blocks as well as sub-base and base coarse,
G7, G5 and G2.
Blasting is carried out on a monthly basis by
Eire Contractors, and it was good to see the neat
stockpiles on our drive through. “In July through
to August, we always have a larger demand for
roadstone, so in May we need to do a production
blast, which is the bluestone,” Moore says. “At the
moment we have a lot of base course on the stock-
pile due to all the new tenders which are beginning
to come in.”
Monthly production averages between 15 000
and 35 000 t.
There is a significant improvement in the
benches, which she says, have been somewhat of
a problem. “Reserves are competent and we esti-
mate another 15 years of life, or longer. We are cur-
rently busy with expanding our mining footprint to
secure future reserves.”
We drove past the plant and the main base
course stockpile, which is looking impressive. “This
has grown into a mini-mountain since January in
spite of me cutting overtime,”she says proudly.“We
are not where I want to be and so there is still a lot
of work to be done. With planning and organisa-
tion, the quarry should be neat and organised, and
this is one of my focus points.”
Asked about her philosophy as quarry man-
ager she says: “My philosophy is to take one step
at a time, and to make that step count. It’s a huge
learning curve for me, and I am learning with each
Above:
Midmar Crushers’
Plant 2.
Left:
Most of the plant at
Midmar Crushers has been built
by Midmar Crushers founder
Louis Fourie. He opened the
quarry in 1992 using a mobile
crushing plant built entirely by
himself. Now, he has a workshop
of his own on the 4,0 ha site to
refurbish old quarry equipment
which will be utilised at the new
Canton quarry.
The company’s first offices are
on the far left with the workshop
behind the offices. This is now
being turned in the Malleo
offices to house the Sangdo
hydraulic hammer business.