Modern Quarrying April-May 2017

AT THE QUARRY FACE WITH MOREGROVE

continues to this day, a case in point being its achievement in the 2014 Lafarge Global Awards where the award-winning project executed under the then team leader and quarry manager Peter Willemse, was chosen as one of the six worldwide winners out of 170 top project submissions from 35 countries. This project addressed the problemof the high fines content of its stone which was limiting sales of asphalt sand. After investigation, it was found that the quarry’s air separator had the ability to move much of the fine sand particles. The asphalt sand’s quality was improved and a profitable out- let for the recovered fines in the manufacture of bricks, blocks and other precast concrete products was determined. The project’s benefits were enor- mous and included: • Successful reduction in fines -0,075 mm from 16% to 10%. • The fines were separated and can be blended with another product (-4,75 mm) to produce a blend which is in high demand for brick and block precast producers. • The improvement in fines quality was cost effective. • Low maintenance solution. At that time, this proactive thinking resulted in R8-million revenue/year and an increase in asphalt sales. Clearly the Moregrove people now under the leadership of Peter Willemse and Neo Bepswa (who made a considerable input as quarry

foreman), continue the respected tradi- tions which have taken the Moregrove operation into what it is today. The people of Moregrove have always been forward thinkers and are leaders in quality and customer service, continuing to plan the successes which will take it well into the future. MQ wishes Sidwell Rafefume who has taken up the new position at Moregrove much success in his career.

Report and photos by Dale Kelly

The original quarry pit has become a haven for bird life.

Lafarge prides itself on quality products. Photograph shows some of the product on the floor.

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MODERN QUARRYING April - May 2017