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2015 – ongoing
The day-to-day operation of the quarry is overseen by our experienced A-Grade Quarry Manager, who is responsible for coordinating blasting, rock extraction, grading, sizing, and stockpiling of materials. Ongoing maintenance and improvements of the site are carried out which includes the establishment and upkeep of bunding and edge protection, reducing bench heights in compliance with regulations, developing haul roads around the quarry site and to the loadout areas, managing the overburden and coordinating the removal of waste material to designated dumpsites as well as annual re-vegetation and rehabilitation to restore disturbed areas to their pre-quarried condition.
Since 2015, MBD has managed and operated the Whataroa Quarry under various agreements. Initially, the quarry was managed under a contract with the West Coast Regional Council. In 2016, we purchased the property and mining permit from Sicon, followed by an additional mining permit from the West Coast Regional Council in 2019. During this time, we have dedicated substantial time, effort, and resources to transforming both quarries from outdated, unsafe sites with significant safety concerns into one of the largest, most developed, and compliant quarries in the South Island. Key improvements have included upgrading site facilities, reducing bench heights, constructing haul roads, and enhancing vehicle access to ensure safe movement in and out of the quarry. The site is also fully WorkSafe compliant, and in early 2023, it underwent a thorough inspection by WorkSafe, receiving excellent feedback for its setup and operation. These previous efforts have allowed us to focus on optimizing operational efficiency while maintaining a strong commitment to environmental responsibility. The quarry is operated in line with industry best practices and all relevant regulatory requirements.
The quarry is very well set up to supply large volumes of rock at short notice for any river protection projects throughout the wider South Westland area. Our team works to meet monthly production targets to ensure a steady rock supply for ongoing projects while also maintaining an adequate stockpile.
Re-establishing a reliable rock supply for South Westland has been vital, as this region is frequently impacted by extreme weather events that disrupt infrastructure and isolate the area from the rest of the West Coast. The quarry is projected to have a resource lifespan of approximately 10 million tonnes, ensuring a stable supply of materials for many decades to come.
