Chris Gray

IOQ President

Chris Gray has over three decades of experience in the quarrying industry and has been an active member of the Institute of Quarrying (IOQ) throughout his career.
Starting his career in the UK in 1988, he progressed from a laboratory technician role to various management positions, including General Manager roles in New Zealand and Australia.
Chris has been involved with the IOQ, serving in multiple capacities, including Chairman of the Auckland Branch and Treasurer of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Branch. Chris assumed the role of IOQ NZ (Inc.) President in July 2024.
In 2023, he became a shareholder in Tracks, a civil construction company in Whakatane, New Zealand.

Welcome by IOQ President - Thursday 23 July, 8:00am

Wayne Scott

AQA CEO

AQA’s Chief Executive is Wayne Scott who took on the role in October 2018. Wayne also jointly acts as CEO of MinEx, which oversees health and safety for mining/extractive industries.

Welcome by AQA CEO - Thursday 23 July, 8:10am

Shamubeel Eaqub

Simplicity

Shamubeel Eaqub makes economics easy and fun. Shamubeel is the Chief Economist at Simplicity. He is also an author, media commentator and a thought leading public speaker. He graduated with Honours in Economics from Lincoln University and is also a CFA Charterholder.He has over two decades of experience as an economist in Wellington, Melbourne and Auckland in leading international banks and consultancy (ANZ Bank, Goldman Sachs JBWere, NZIER, Sense Partners and Simplicity).He balances a portfolio of economics, consulting, public speaking, governance and family duties. He lives in Auckland with his wife and two sons.

Thursday 23 July, 9:00am

Mary-Jane Thomas

PR Law

Mary-Jane is a litigation director who leads the firm’s employment practice. She is also the Crown Solicitor for Invercargill and has been prosecuting serious matters for more than 25 years. She is known for her frank advice and is someone who enjoys the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life.
Mary-Jane is tenacious in her advocacy of her clients’ interests. This sees her regularly pursue matters before the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court. But she also knows the value of early resolutions and is a skilled negotiator. Mary-Jane is often called upon to provide advice to both employers and employees in times of great stress. She has been involved in a number of significant cases, including acting for litigation groups in large scale matters.
Away from the office Mary-Jane is an avid harness racing enthusiast, something she inherited from her father Curly.

Employment Law – Thursday 23 July, 10:30am

Charlene Donald

SLR Consulting

Charlene is an experienced and employee-focused Senior Health and Safety professional with over 15 years of expertise in the mining and quarrying sectors, spanning both regulatory and commercial environments.
Charlene invites collaboration and her key strength is the ability to proactively connect with people at all levels to deliver initiatives. Charlene is adept at interpreting and applying WHS legislation, managing complex risk profiles, and leading with a calm, solutions-oriented approach.
Skilled in developing and implementing proactive safety strategies that are centred on employee needs, achieve compliance, and deliver continuous improvement. Known for her hands-on leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and delivery of practical, high-impact safety outcomes.

The impact of literacy and numeracy on health and safety outcomes – Thursday 23 July, 1:30pm

Paul Hunt

WorkSafe

Paul Hunt is the Chief Inspector Extractives in the High Hazards Unit based in Hamilton. Paul is a vastly experienced extractives executive. He was most recently Solid Energy’s North Island Operations General Manager, and he has held the roles of Mine Manager and General Manager at the Huntly East mine. Paul holds Senior Site Executive and First Class Coal Mine Manager qualifications, along with others covering incident management and analysis, risk management and occupational health and safety management.

Chief Inspectors address – Thursday 23 July 2pm

Dr Bryan Pidwerbesky

Fulton Hogan

Dr Bryan Pidwerbesky is Technical Director – Pavements and Laboratories at Fulton Hogan. He is a widely recognized expert in aggregates and roading across Australia and New Zealand. He’s the chair of the National Technical Pavements Group, guiding best practice in roading including aggregates and other materials used in pavements. At Fulton Hogan, he leads strategy, research and training in pavement and surfacing engineering, materials, construction and maintenance. He’s a Chartered Professional Engineer and a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering NZ.

40 Years of Lessons, innovation & progress – Thursday 23 July, 4pm

Max Sun

Sanland

Max Sun holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Auckland and a Master of Manufacturing Engineering from UNSW. He completed the respected Management Development Program with Heidelberg Materials (Hanson) in Australia and has visited over 100 quarry sites across New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and Asia.
Max is now the General Manager of Sanland Equipment, an engineering-led crushing and screening equipment specialist founded by his father, who previously commissioned hundreds of crushers throughout the Asia–Pacific region, with many of them still operational.
His knowledge draws from practical field experience, training with multiple crusher manufacturers, global aggregates programmes at Heidelberg Materials, and ongoing education through NSSGA’s AGG1 Academy and CONEXPO education sessions.
This paper was developed from Max’s industry experience and a clear gap in the sector: most discussions on crushers focus on promoting a brand rather than explaining the underlying science and options in rock processing. Even major reference texts dedicate minimal space to crushing. This presentation aims to provide a simple, unbiased foundation for quarry professionals, especially managers and decision makers new to the technical side of rock processing.

Crushing 101 – From Big Rock to Good Rock Friday 24 July, 8am – 8:30am

Mark Spinks

GridVision

Mark has over 20 years experience in the Australian mining and power distribution sectors and founded Gridvision in 2018. He is passionate about safety in the industry and is a committee member of Engineers Australia’s Queensland Electrical Branch, as well as the Mine Electrical Safety Association (MESA).

Technological tools empowering quarries to manage electrical networks - Friday 24 July, 8:30am

Ian Dressler

GridVision

Ian Dressler is the Operations Manager at Gridvision, bringing extensive experience in the LiDAR and remote sensing industry. Ian has worked across business development, project coordination, geospatial data production, quality assurance, and business improvement, with a strong focus on safety and quality outcomes. In his current role, Ian oversees daily operations, supports ISO aligned operational frameworks, and contributes to commercial strategy including key account management and sales pipeline development. Ian is known for his collaborative approach, stakeholder engagement, and passion for building high performing teams that deliver reliable, high quality results

Technological tools empowering quarries to manage electrical networks - Friday 24 July, 8:30am

Rob Domotor

Orica

Senior Specialist Engineer – Technical Services
Diploma of Mining – Federation University, Ballarat
Diploma of Business – BSB51004 Frontline Management
Diploma of Mechanical Engineering – Fitting, Turning, and Machining
25 years of experience in blasting for construction and extractive industries. Extensive experience with Quarries, Open Cut Metal Mines, Surface and Underground Construction blasting. Specialising in Close Proximity Blasting, Vibration management, and High Risk blasting management.

Marica Shaft - Snowy 2.0 Pumped Hydro Project - Friday 24 July, 9:30am

Kyle Lang

RedBull Powder Co

I started as Jnr. Blast Technician, moving through the ranks of, Blast Technician, Snr. Blast Technician with the capabilities of a Shot Firer, until my current position where an unexpected vacancy came available, I jumped at the opportunity,
I’m also a qualified commercial pilot and flight instructor – at first glance there wouldn’t appear to be a lot of crossover between aviation and explosives, however, the need for attention to detail and assimilation of data required for flying are fundamental essential qualities I hold and utilise for blast design and management.

Advances in blasting Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm - Friday 24 July, 11:00am

Ryan Burgess

Hydro Geochem Group

Ryan is a Principal Hydrogeologist with 14 years’ consulting experience, focused on hydrogeological aspects of mining, including mine waste facilities and cover systems. He has undertaken various roles, from project manager to technical specialist, on multidisciplinary teams responsible for the development, operation and/or closure of mines in Australia, New Zealand, and North and South America.
Ryan advises on multiple aspects of mine water management including hydrogeology and surface water hydrology, mine dewatering and pit slope management, mine water supply, environmental assessments, groundwater contamination, and closure aspects. Through his varied experience, he is able to blend expert knowledge gained through field investigations with his accomplished modelling skills to support decision making for strategic and operational mine planning.

Nitrate dynamics at quarries - Friday 24 July, 11:30am

Ian Boothroyd

Boffa Miskell

I have well over three decades’ experience in ecology: assessing and reviewing the environmental effects of small to large developments ranging from energy generation activities, extractive mining, roading, stormwater and sediment effects in urban and peri-urban subdivisions, and the effects of the discharge of treated wastewater to water. I have carried out extensive ecological surveys and provided resource management advice to national, regional and local governments, SOEs, private businesses and community groups.
I have extensive knowledge of environmental practice in New Zealand and am familiar with environmental protocols, criteria and performance standards, as well as legislative frameworks for applications for resource consents. I have prepared applications for consents under both the COVID and the more recent Fast Track Approvals Act legislation, and applicable National Policy Statements. Through my work, I maintain a focus on project purpose and attaining acceptable environmental outcomes and consent conditions.
My background is in freshwater and terrestrial biodiversity management. I have over 60 published scientific papers as well as several book chapters and popular articles; and have also presented at many national and international conferences.
As an accredited and experienced environmental commissioner, with substantial experience as an expert witness, I’ve appeared at many resource consent hearings and in the Environment Court. I am also appointed as Freshwater Commissioner for the NZ Government.

From careful to compensation: gaining ecological outcome efficiencies for the extractive sector - Friday 24 July, 12:00pm

Adam Willetts

Boffa Miskell

Adam has 20+ years’ experience in biosecurity/biodiversity management for both government and NGOs. Prior to joining Boffa Miskell Adam developed and directed his own ecological restoration consulting company. With a strong background in applied conservation/restoration Adam advises a wide range of clients, including community groups, private clients and councils.
Adam has specialist experience and expertise in several fields of ecological management such as biosecurity, species protection/reintroduction, emerging technologies and research and development, with extensive project management capability. Adam advises on the science and technical advisory group for Bream Head Conservation Trust and was project lead on the highly successful, award winning community ecological restoration programme at Bream Head for eight years.
During his time with Boffa Miskell Adam has developed key strategic and operational management plans for Predator Free NZ, regional and local council projects, national infrastructure projects, and for the extractive and renewable industry sectors. Adam has most recently been involved with regionally important consent mitigation projects specialising in biosecurity and ecology management planning (RMA/FTAA). Adam has also led field trials of new product development tools for predator control and ecological restoration as well as supported teams in ecological monitoring of native species as part of development mitigation and offsetting opportunities.

From careful to compensation: gaining ecological outcome efficiencies for the extractive sector - Friday 24 July, 12:00pm

Clayton Hill

SLR Consulting

Clayton is a Technical Director and has over 23 years of experience in the quarry and mining
industry in both the public and private sectors.
As a Technical Director within the business, Clayton provides industry relevant assistance to
clients in Australia and overseas focusing on quarry optimisation, efficiency improvement,
acquisition and divestment, market assessments, materials testing, safety and health and
operational advice. This advice guides clients in the creation and implementation of effective business strategies allowing for improved operational efficiencies, cost reductions and growth whilst reducing risk profiles.
Clayton’s knowledge and practical industry experience within the quarry and mining industry both in operational and technical roles provides him with a unique set of skills to advise clients on a wide range of matters relating to the industry whilst providing a practical and commercial perspective to achieve the best possible outcome.
Clayton has been involved in projects across Australia including as an expert witness (quarry
operations and extractive industry) in the NSW Land and Environment Court and the
Queensland Planning and Environment Court.
Clayton has been a member of the Institute of Quarrying Australia (IQA) since 2003. Clayton
has held the positions of National President of the IQA between 2017 and 2019, International President between 2018 and 2019 and is an active member of the Queensland Branch, having been a Past Chairman (2011-2014) and is currently a branch committee member.

Lights, camera, action, safety! - Friday 24 July, 2:45pm

Steve Davis

MC

Steve Davis has been MC for the Quarry NZ Conference for the last 20 years. He is in fact the Industry’s personal MC, as this Conference, along with the bi annual Conference held in Australia, is the only time Steve works as an MC! Steve Davis’s main job is that of an International Bloodstock Auctioneer. Selling for over 20 years, until the impact of Covid, in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.