The Institute of Quarrying Australia

Meet Karen Normanton... Karen works for Orica Quarry Services as a Technical Services Engineer - Quarries and Construction. Based in Brisbane, Karen talks of her career to date, shares some thoughts on the industry and admits “….what could be better than getting paid to blow stuff up? It’s still a buzz!”
As Technical Services Engineer for Queensland Karen’s responsibilities cover from Northern NSW right through to the North East Region of Queensland. In her role Karen has primary responsibility for the provision of advice on drill and blast design and the subsequent safe and efficient use of explosives to Quarry Services blast surveyors and shotfirers. In addition she also provides customers with advice and recommendations for the safe use of Orica products.
Karen obtained a Bachelor Degree of Engineering (Mining Engineering) from the Western Australian School of Mines in Kalgoorlie. Prior to her current role within the quarrying industry Karen gained experience in both open cut and underground mining in WA. “I gained my practical experience in both these domains and worked as a Production Engineer for open cut and underground, a Drill and Blast Engineer and a Team Leader. All challenging but rewarding roles.”
Karen explains that moving from the mining industry to the extractive industries was challenging as there are different consideration to be taken into account, “..there are restrictions on the type and level of work you can do in the quarry mostly because of environmental constraints. Although smaller that the mining industry blasting can be “…more complex, requiring precision with regards to environmental constraints and issues involving neighbours and nearby structures. It is an industry that has strict regulations surrounding its operations not only with respect to legislation but also, product specifications and applications.”
In her current role Karen enjoys the job satisfaction of providing a customer with a great result particularly, “When you support the shotfirers and give them confidence and an increased level of understanding for what they do.” And in term of what she enjoys most “…what could be better than getting paid to blow stuff up. It’s still a buzz!”

Karen is passionate about future optimisation when it comes to blasting within the extractive industry. “Blasting has been widely accepted and the willingness to embrace technological advancements has been great. I would love the industry to gain a better understanding of optimisation of blasting to improve downstream performance. A small increase in blasting costs (involving pattern variations, charge design, timing variation, product selection etc) can save you much more down the track in things like GET, screens, rockbreaking, road development, power draw etc etc.” . “It seems that the benefits blasting can provide downstream in the crushing process are yet to be fully appreciated.”

Karen has accepted the role as a YMN representative for Queensland supporting the IQA in its mission to provide young people and future industry leaders with the support and training they require. Karen believes that currently companies such as her own are giving young people great opportunities to advance within the quarry industry. She believes that the IQA can further assist by providing networking opportunities and workshops to provide young and up coming leaders to gain a good appreciation and understanding of all quarry aspects from blasting all the way through to marketing.

Sixty Seconds with Karen

Q. Any nicknames we should know about?
A. Only uni nicknames and I think they are best left undiscovered!

Q. Favourite pass time
A. My new jet ski on the Brisbane River

Q. Footy Preference (code and team)
A. AFL and the West Coast Eagles

Q. Favourite Food
A. Chocolate.... :)

Q. Music Preference
A. The Fray, Pink, Kings of Leon... John Farnham

Q. Last movie you saw
A. He's Just Not That Into You

Q. Person you would most like to meet and why (dead or alive)?
A. John Farnham - cause he is a legend of Aussie music

Q. If you could drop everything now and be somewhere else where would you be?

A. On a cruise in the Caribbean

Managing Management and Dust at Hall Quarry

Blake Ardrey, Quarry Supervisor for Boral Hall Quarry in the ACT, writes of how the site has dealt with the demanding pressure of water shortages.

Water is a big issue at Hall Quarry, especially during recent times of drought and climate change. Rainy days are far and few between and our bore has been known to run dry, resulting in water being trucked in by road. Dust suppression is a concern for us and the neighbouring community, thus a water management plan was put together to ensure correct utilisation of water on site.

We started off by digging an extra dam and then deepening two others to allow for a higher water storage capacity, utilising a mobile diesel pump between them to fill the tanks in the plant. Next we cut back the use of bore water, using it to fill the tanks only as a back up if needed, to ensure we did not deplete the areas watertable supply running the bore dry. Throughout the plant, we placed extra mist sprays over conveyors, feeders, discharge points and crushers, strategically positioning them to allow maximum dust suppression without clogging up screens and chutes. We then installed a new pressure pump to keep up with the extra sprays, which are programmed in the plant control computer to automatically run when material is feeding through the plant. A very noticeable improvement with very little, if any, visible dust whilst the plant is running.

The dust from roads and stockpile areas is kept to a minimum with the water cart recently fitted with a new diesel water pump. We are saving on unnecessary water usage by operating the water cart less often, only spraying when required, and using water on designated roads only, rather than spaying complete stockpile areas.

Although we have not had any solid rain for months and welcome any we do get, putting the water management plan to action is working well, with our pit sump dry, we still have plenty of accessible water.

Blake has accepted the role as YMN representative for ACT.

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Above: YMN ACT Representative Blake Ardrey

Below: YMN Qld Representative Karen Normanton

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A major benefit of being an IQA member is having access to a wide range of training courses. A current list of upcoming courses (known as the PDP or Professional Development Program) can be viewed here. This schedule is regularly updated, so check back there often! By the way, you can now register and pay for these securely online (Visa/MasterCard)

Message from Greg Bondar

The IQA National Conference in Perth is coming up! Included in the program will be an official YMN launch function, look out for further details! The registration form can be downloaded using the link below.

Click here for more info, or enter our competition to win a conference registration pack!

Training courses (PDP) that may be just what you are looking for

IQA Forum

Enter our inaugural competition and you could win yourself a delegate registration pack at the IQA National Conference in Perth on 14-17 October this year! This great prize is worth over $1000.

You can enter by completing the following sentence, to a maximum of 50 words:

"The best thing about being a member of the IQA is......... "

The "FINE PRINT" - Competition rules (strictly "non-legalese" version)