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Live demos, test drives a hit at Q-Pit

More than 100 members of the quarrying industry converged on Hanson’s Brandy Hill Quarry in Seaham, New South Wales for the inaugural Q-Pit event on Friday, 4 September.

As per its name, the event was located within the quarry pit, giving attendees the opportunity to watch the latest equipment in action as well as operate the machinery first-hand in a live quarry environment.

“The event aims to bring people from across the industry together to see, discuss and test drive new equipment,” Scott Tipping, Hanson’s NSW aggregates operations manager, explained. “Industry events like Q-Pit allow us to continually evaluate and improve our practices using new technologies.”

Q-Pit was organised by the IQA’s Hunter sub-branch as an evolution of the successful Hunter Marquee Open Day it held at Boral’s Seaham Quarry in November 2014. Branch chairman Dayne Steggles said the 2015 event featured a number of improvements on the previous year, including an expanded static display area.

More than 30 exhibitors showcased their products and services at the event, including Hitachi, Liebherr, Environmental Control Systems and Sky Land Management. In addition to heavy machinery, some of the new equipment on display included the Yamaha RMAX unmanned helicopter, which can be used for rehabilitation, weed management and seeding, and SITECH’s smartphone application.

Q-Pit 2015 also attracted a number of international attendees, including supplier presenters, senior managers and delegates from Japan, America, Scandinavia and New Zealand.

Positive industry reception

Steggles said he had received “very positive” feedback on the event and that the international visitors had been impressed by the “personal” experience of being in the quarry pit.

“Suppliers were as equally satisfied as the attendees but perhaps the standout was the extraordinary feedback on the wonderful efforts of the Hanson employees,” he added. “They demonstrated a great professional and personal pride in showcasing their Brandy Hill operation.”

Steggles said there was “clear momentum” for the event to continue and that the IQA Hunter sub-branch was currently seeking a new venue for Q-Pit 2016.

“Q-Pit is designed to allow operators and suppliers to see how the other half lives, so to speak. That is why we look to a different hosting quarry each year,” he explained.

“The event has already grown significantly from last year and we are hoping to make next year’s event even bigger.”

Quarry operators that would like to be involved in Q-Pit 2016 may send expressions of interest to Dayne Steggles.
 

Q-Pit 2015

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