IQ Connect – launching a new global initiative

13 March, 2020

First published in the March 2020 issue of Quarry Management

The Institute of Quarrying's first worldwide project to bring together it's global quarrying community to share common standards and practices

Global aggregates production is estimated at around 50 billion tonnes per annum, produced in around 500,000 quarries and pits, employing up to four million people1. Now a new initiative from the Institute of Quarrying’s (IQ) international affiliates is being launched to bring together this global quarrying community to share common standards and practices.

The Institute of Quarrying ‘IQ Connect’ is IQ’s first worldwide project, delivered through its international affiliate offices in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand and South Africa. The project’s overarching objective is to improve access to common standards and best-practice guides, sharing experiences and enabling the wider international community of quarrying professionals to connect with each other.

The aggregates sector is by far the largest extractive industry globally, in terms of its number of sites, production tonnages and people employed. Aggregates are the most consumed bulk product on the planet – more than 6 tonnes per person per year2.

Phil Redmond is Institute of Quarrying UK president and current chair of the International Presidents’ Committee. He says: ‘Connecting the global extractive industry community with the established Institute of Quarrying learning materials and best-practice guidance is all about opening up pathways to professional development and access to IQ products, services and members.

‘IQ is committed to raising professional standards and delivering high-value qualifications. Now we are extending our reach, making our services and standards available in new territories. Quarrying professionals who don’t have access to a local IQ country and member network will now be able to access professional development programmes and content via this new app.’

IQ Connect is an initiative of the International Presidents’ Committee. The committee is made up of the presidents from each of the international IQs, including Phil Redmond (chairperson) – The Institute of Quarrying (UK); Shane Braddy – The Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA); Ng Heong-Chen – Hong Kong Branch; Lee Kam Fatt – The Institute of Quarrying Malaysia; Dean Torstonson – The Institute of Quarrying New Zealand; and Lazarus Meko – The Institute of Quarrying Southern Africa.

Clayton Hill FIQA, director of Groundwork Plus Pty Ltd, is the immediate past-president of IQA and chair of the project team leading the implementation of IQ Connect. He explains: ‘This is the first time that our international team has collaborated on such a scale. The IQ Connect app is part of a vision of our international quarrying community to create truly global standards of excellence for operators and suppliers.

‘Plus, for current IQ members in an existing IQ country (UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong and Malaysia) the IQ Connect app will become a valuable tool to enhance their membership experience.’

IQ Connect draws on global content collated and reviewed by an international team of experts. The content also aligns to the existing IQ Skills Wheel structure, providing users with a personal development tool to expand their expertise and knowledge in areas key for today’s extractives professionals.

Users will also be able to access introductory learning materials covering site operational topics such as mineral planning, geotechnics, crushing, blasting and excavation.

To access IQ Connect, individuals in countries where there is no direct IQ affiliate office will take out a US$50 subscription before downloading the app to their mobile device. IQ members will be able to access the content as part of their existing member benefits.

Testing of the beta site is already taking place with an initial launch planned before spring 2020. Once launched, IQ Connect will build an international community of quarrying professionals able to engage and share knowledge and experience regardless of their location. It will also support growth in membership globally for the Institute and support the dissemination of best practice in key areas such as health and safety, operational performance and leadership.

For further information visit: www.quarrying.org/iq-connect

References

1&2. Global Aggregates Information Network (GAIN)