The 2018 QuarryNZ conference was especially significant as it also marked the 50th anniversary of the Institute of Quarrying NZ.
Held at Hamilton’s Claudelands Events Centre from 18-20 July and attracting over 400 attendees the conference was titled ‘50 Years and Beyond – Embracing Future Technology in our Industry’ to explore the direction the industry might be heading, says Aggregate and Quarry Association of New Zealand (AQA) past chair and current board member Brian Roche.
The conference offered a range of twohour Continuing Professional Development workshops, which Roche says proved popular.
Attendees also received CPD hours for attending the conference and the AGMs of the AQA and IOQNZ.
By attending all CPD opportunities delegates could obtain up to 12 CPD hours allowing attendees to clock up a large portion of their CPD hours required each year.
This year Todd Peate Orica vice president of Australia/Pacific and EWP Services spoke on safety and provided an insight into the learnings to date by Orica and the future direction of continually improving and providing employees a safe and engaging environment.
CEO of MINEX Wayne Scott and director and principal of Groundwork Plus Clayton Hill took a CPD workshop operating and safety session about where sites should be with regards to health and safety and the future.
There was also an emergency management CPS where Waikato District Emergency Management Coordinator, Senior Sergeant Rupert Friend and Waikato District Search and Rescue Coordinator Sergeant Vince Ranger offered an overview on CIMS structures and how an IMT is formed during an emergency, with an emphasis on hand over to emergency services.
The general speaker programme also offered good opportunities for delegates to get up to date on the latest in the industry.
In particular the conference hosted the IQ International Presidents Meeting comprising IQUK, IQ Southern Africa, IQ Australia, IQ Malaysia, IQ Hong Kong. A panel of the presidents resulted in a lively discussion.
With the conference themed around future technology other speakers included Peter McGeary, sales manager for Keestrack, a European manufacturer of tracked mounted crushers and screeners, who shared his extensive knowledge of the mobile crushing and screening industry and spoke about the move towards electric machines in quarries.
Craig Nicholson, key account manager for Liebherr New Zealand for the earthmoving division, presented information on the latest advancements in Liebherr engineering, focused around the Liebherr range of wheel loaders. He also covered the latest in emission control technology requirements.
The conference also included social events and a partners’ day, which saw participants visit the zoo and vineyard Vilagrad Winery for a wine tasting and lunch.
There was also a field trip to J Swap Contractors quarry at Taotaoroa near Lake Karapiro, then a visit to C+R Developments Ltd to view some of their equipment as well as the muscle car museum established by the Ross brothers who own the company. There was a sizeable trade show with over 80 exhibitors this year.
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Conference gets industry into gear
QuarryNZ conference delegates enjoyed a visit to the muscle car museum established by the Ross brothers who own C + R Developments.
