Quarries

Quarries and the supply of rock and a range of other products form the cornerstone of our business. We manage and operate a network of quarries located across the entire West Coast region. These quarries are strategically placed in high-risk areas and are critical in supplying high-quality granite rock renowned for its strength and durability for a wide range of State Highways, local road networks, and rail infrastructure projects for the entire West Coast region.

By having quarries spread over multiple locations, it optimizes logistics, reduces transportation costs and ensures the timely delivery of rock to its destination throughout the West Coast. Each quarry is supported by a nearby permanent depot, further positioning us at a strategic advantage for prompt response and mobilization of resources.  This logistical advantage not only boosts our operational efficiency but also strengthens our commitment to delivering a high-quality service in a timely manner.

Rock and Gravel Supply 

We maintain an organized inventory of graded rock and various other products in designated stockpiles, carefully sorted to meet a wide range of customer requirements. This meticulous organization ensures that various grades of rock and gravel are readily available for immediate loadout. Our proactive supply chain management enables swift responses and reliable delivery to both large-scale projects and individual clients. By systematically managing our stockpiles, we ensure that every order is fulfilled accurately and promptly, supporting the successful execution of construction and development projects.

Drill and Blast Procedures

Drilling and blasting are critical components of our quarry operations, demanding precise planning and execution. Each quarry’s unique rock type and intended use dictate the approach to drilling and blasting. Our team evaluates the quarry site to determine rock characteristics and devise an optimal blast design.

Drill rigs are used to create the holes which are then loaded with the necessary explosives and initiated as per the blast design, ensuring the safe and effective fragmentation. The resulting rock is extracted, graded, and stockpiled for subsequent use.

We understand the importance of efficiently and safety blasting and extracting usable sized and quality rock and operate all our quarries in a way that maximize the yield from each blast whilst minimizing any waste produced and ensures that each quarry site can continue to be efficiently and safely operated for many more years to come.

Market Presence and Strategic Advantage

Our extensive operations and strategic investments have established us as the leading rock supplier on the West Coast. We proudly serve major clients including Fulton Hogan, NZTA, KiwiRail, and various local councils. Our competitive edge stems from our substantial investment in quarry infrastructure and our ability to meet the high demand and diverse needs of our clients through a well-managed supply chain. Our prominent market position reflects our industry leadership and our commitment to delivering premium materials that set market standards.

Regulatory Compliance and Environmental Stewardship

We have earned the respect of local supervising authorities such as WorkSafe, the West Coast Regional Council, Environment Canterbury Regional Council, and the Department of Conservation. We rigorously adhere to all relevant conditions, including health and safety regulations, permits, licenses, consents, and mining plans. Our operations are conducted with meticulous attention to environmental impact, ensuring that we comply with all regulations while extracting rock and managing quarry activities ensuring we balance resource extraction with minimizing environmental and social impacts. We employ cutting-edge technology and best practices to enhance both efficiency and sustainability. Our commitment to environmental stewardship includes land rehabilitation and restoration post-extraction. Safety and regulatory compliance are paramount; we implement robust safety measures such as proper bunding, adherence to maximum bench height requirements, and the construction of appropriate haul roads.

Quarry Operations and Management

The day-to-day operations of our quarries are managed by our team of highly skilled professionals, including seven A-Grade Quarry Managers, all holding current Certificates of Competences, Certified Handlers for explosives and Shotfirers qualifications. Each manager has extensive expertise in blasting and rock extraction, fundamental to the safe and efficient operations and crucial to our success in this area.

Regular maintenance is integral to our operations, designed to ensure ongoing safety, efficiency and regulatory compliance. This includes maintaining existing bunds and compliant bench heights, the upkeep of access tracks and haul roads, managing overburden, transporting waste to designated dumpsites, leveling waste, topsoiling and grassing dumpsite batters. In addition, our sediment control ponds are regularly cleaned to maintain compliance with environmental regulations and to support sustainable quarrying practices.

Each of our quarries are equipped with a full suite of specialised plant and machinery necessary to operate a functional quarry and meet production demands. Our fleet includes Tamrock Drill Rigs well suited to drilling the granite rock, 40-tonne excavators for efficient material extraction and 30-tonne Volvo dumpers for transporting materials around the site. Furthermore, we ensure full compliance with safety standards through the use of compliant location-approved explosive magazines, providing a safe and secure environment for the storage of explosives.