Modern Quarrying April May 2015

AT THE QUARRY FACE WITH MIDMAR

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

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.

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MODERN QUARRYING

April - May 2015