Modern Quarrying October-November 2017

SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT POTLIGHT ON BRICKMAKING FACE TO FACE WITH ASPASA

Aspasa substantially broadens membership umbrella

or if part of a larger group, still a small operation scattered across the country. On the aggregate side, these members are the ones who are leaders in the indus- try, producing the majority of the miner- als required for infrastructure. On the dimension stone side, we have the largest company as a member. Again in the salt mining sector we have the country’s biggest operation; and this is also the case with the silica mining and lime producers. The clay brick producers are starting to join Aspasa, as their needs are very similar to those of mining. Then we have various contractors who deal with borrow pits and contract mining. Aspasa has been around for 27 years, and I took on the directorship in January 1999. Since then we successfully managed the concrete readymix industry for a number of years. This has now been incorporated into the broader concrete industry. We now deal far more exclusively with min- ing-related issues with the full support of all industry role players. As the needs change, so do our services and we con- stantly strive to study our members’ changing requirements to adapt our ser- vice offering. We play a very important role in assist- ing with the development of legislation. For many years now, Aspasa has been involved in important issues pertaining to employers and employees. We serve on the Mine Health & Safety Council, the Mine Regulation Authority and support this through various sub-committees. We have had a seat on the Chamber of Mines for many years, and have also developed a close relationship with concrete bitumen, How has Aspasa served the industry? What is your role as far as legislation is concerned?

Modern Quarrying recently caught up with Aspasa director Nico Pienaar in Langebaan, en route to a meeting he was attending in the area. We spent quite a bit of time in a question and answer session, dealing with the future of Aspasa, and the reasons behind dropping the Aspasa acronym. The Association has been extremely busy this past year, and the future promises even more benefits for its members. First and foremost, why retain the Aspasa acronym only?

their industry. Since then it has elevated the quarrying industry to become a lead- ing figure within the local mining frame- work, attracting an increasing number of non-aggregate and sand-producing companies seeking the services of the Association. The decision to include other surface mine types under the Aspasa umbrella now gives those who have not previously been represented on formal mining stuctures, a strong and unequivo- cal voice. It also allows those with limited manpower access to an array of admin- istrative, technical, compliance and skills development services. We have our Producer Members which include quarries, rock dumps, mobile and rubble crushing, ash and coal and borrow pits. Then we have Affiliate Members, which comprise aggregate companies, clay brick, salt and mem- bership is open to any other companies needing our assistance. Aspasa’s Associate Members include companies such as Coal Ash Resources, NOSA, Sabita, Much Asphalt and Prisma Training Solutions, among others.

Aspasa is a well-known brand name and one that is synonymous with action on behalf of its members. However, our work in representing the industry to create a safe, sustainable, fair and level playing field has led to organisations outside of the quarrying industry requesting assis- tance and membership. As a result, we have taken the decision to act broadly for the entire opencast and related mining industries, wherever operations are simi- lar and face similar challenges. We are therefore retaining the acro- nym only and will no longer be known as the Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of Southern Africa. Your membership has grown exponentially. Can you explain the reasons behind this? Aspasa was founded in August 1990 by the country’s aggregate and sand pro- ducers with the sole purpose of self-reg- ulating and representing the interests of

Let’s talk a little more about your membership The members we rep- resent are in all prov- inces of South Africa and the operations are either small operations

As an industry association representing Southern Africa’s quarries, Aspasa has gained the recognition of local and international stakeholders in the surface mining sector. Our operations are among the best in the world. The photograph taken by ISHE auditor Marius van Deventer is AfriSam’s Showplace operation, AfriSam Newcastle.

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MODERN QUARRYING

October - November 2017