Quarry Southern Africa September 2018 | Page 26

FACE TO FACE

CRUSHING IT

SINCE THE 1990s

By Ntsako Khosa
Located in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands , independent dolerite quarry Midmar Crushers prides itself in providing real solutions to clients . This is embedded in its business philosophy , which has seen it winning consecutive awards from Aspasa .

Producing a variety of concrete and road stone , dust , subbase , and gabion stone for more than two decades , the quarry holds its employees in high esteem . Founded by the Fourie family , “ The business aims to provide customers and the community with high-quality aggregates at affordable rates ,” says Midmar Group marketing head , Cassy Fourie . Fourie goes on to describe how the aggregates they sell are more than just stone . The stone sold is used to build roads , schools , and houses , which uplifts and improves the community . Aggregates produced on the quarry supply the Department of Transport , local municipalities , local contractors , and agricultural businesses and they make sure that the aggregate is top-shelf .

The drive to produce quality aggregates is seen in the testing of it , which is done biweekly at local laboratories . This testing is done to ensure that the material meets Committee of Land Transport Officials ( COLTO ) specifications . These are specifications for the exclusive use by state road authorities for road and bridge works . Some of the projects that they have supplied include upgrading the national N3 highway , assisting in the construction of Spring Grove Dam , upgrading of the Midmar Dam , and the majority of interleading infrastructure in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands .
Their special focus on attention to detail has led them to win the same Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of South Africa ( Aspasa ) award three times in less than five years . “ Midmar Crushers was recently awarded the Aspasa About
Midmar Crushers
Midmar Crushers achieves great heights by sustaining their safety and environmental impact focus .
Face Top Independent Performer Award for Environmental , and the Initiating Safety , Health and Education ’ s ( ISHE ) Top Independent Performer Award for Health and Safety . These awards have been received by the company in 2014 , 2016 , and 2017 ,” shares Fourie .
She elaborates , “ Aspasa awards are given on completion of two on-site theory and practical full-day audits . The About Face award for environmental recognises that the company maintains outstanding environmental business practices and acknowledges the measures used to control and minimise environmental impact . The ISHE award acknowledges the importance that Midmar Crushers places on health and safety for its employees and their working environment . The company carries out stringent controls and checks to ensure the highest level is maintained in its daily work . Once the audits have been completed throughout South Africa , the rankings are then distributed to over a hundred mines where acknowledgement of the top achievers are made .”
For Midmar Crushers , the award is an honour , as it is one of the highest accolades in the quarrying industry . Fourie says that being recognised as the top independent quarry in South Africa and being rated third overall , reflects the hard work and dedication of their staff to ensure their safety and earn the respect for Midmar Crushers ’ impact on the environment .
Looking at the industry
Business has its challenges , whether internal or external . Fourie shares some of the external forces affecting the industry :
24 _ QUARRY SA | SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2018