The event gave families the opportunity to see the site?s plant and equipment in action and to educate them about the operation.
The open day had live loading demonstrations comprising a Komatsu HD785 dump truck, a Komatsu PC1250 excavator and a Komatsu WA900 front end loader. Visitors and children were able to climb aboard a Komatsu WA600 front end loader, Atlas Copco drill rig and another Komatsu HD785 dump truck.
Bus tours around the pit shell perimeter allowed visitors to look at three different crushers in action. This gave visitors a chance to better understand the final products that are produced and the markets that will buy them.
Penrice?s mine production manager James Rowe was very pleased with the outcome of the open day. ?The day far exceeded our expectations,? he said. ?In 2011, we had 500 visitors to the site. This year we marketed the event wider to gain another 100 to 200 people. To get over 1000 people to the event was unbelievable. We were definitely stretched for logistics in parking and personnel helping on the day.?
{{image2-a:r-w:200}}Rowe said that Penrice wanted the opening day to be as entertaining for the children as the adults. ?The demonstrations were a hit and also the ability for the kids to sit in some of our largest machines on-site put a smile on their faces,? he added. ?We had a lot of smiles and positive feedback from the ?big kids? too!?
He paid tribute to the quarry?s staff and employees on-site for the tireless hours they devoted to making the open day a huge success. ?We have a great committed crew on-site at the quarry and they are always dedicated to pitching in to ensure the local community, including family and friends, have an enjoyable day.?
Penrice called on Komatsu, Coates Hire, Impact Drill & Blast, Orica Quarry Products, Atlas Copco, Donavan?s Earthcare, United Cranes, Blackwoods, Barossa Toyota, Mr Scaff, Chi Chi Creations, Barossa Nursery, Chris Caust and the Barossa Valley Girl Guides to help put the show on the road.
Sources: Penrice Quarry & Mineral