REVIEW OF THE GSTT QUARRY SEMINAR Held on 21st August, 1982
The G.S.T.T. hosted a seminar on 'Quarrying and the Earth Extractive Industry' on Saturday August 21st, 1982, at
the Hilton Hotel. There were over One-Hundred and Fifteen registered participants and, for the first time at a
G.S.T.T. seminar, the 'familiar faces' from within the petroleum sector were drowned by an influx of new friends
- Quarry owners, Operators, Soil and Rock Engineers, Mechanists, Transporters and Financiers. Professor Phelps
(Professor, Civil Engineering Dept., U.W.I., St. Augustine), in his opening address, called it a 'long needed bringing
together of the key persons involved in the Earth Extractive Industry in Trinidad and Tobago'.
The morning session was chaired by T. Rajpaulsingh Consulting Geologist, who was instrumental in developing the
programme for the seminar. The four topics discussed were:
A Review of the Stone Resources of Trinidad and Tobago - by K. Marshall.
Manufactured Sand Preparation and Classification - by 0.Novak.
-The local Quarry Industry and Its Impact on the Construction Sector - by W. Suite and L. Mc Sween.
The Role of National Quarries Company in the Quarrying Industry - by K. Rowley.
Dr. Marshall of Geodata Consultants Ltd, who has carried out extensive geological field studies in Trinidad and
Tobago, gave a rundown on the rock material which are available, with emphasis on limestones, sands, gravels and
porcellanite, and the locations of these deposits. He further dealt with the geological factors which influence
development of some of these deposits and the environmental and social impact of their exploitation.
Mr. D. Novak of the Rexnord Norberg Machinery Group spoke on manufactured sand preparation and classification and
on some of the equipment available for these processes.
The last speaker before the intermission was Dr. Rowley, General Manager of National Quarries Co. He outlined the
role of this organisation, the scope of its operations and the future trends which he envisaged for the company
and industry as a whole. This session generated lively questioning and discussion among participants, many of whom
wished to clarify aspects of the operations of NQC. and the competition which the quality and quantity of materials
and services provided by NQC, presents to private operators.
Operators related their experiences with 'backhoe' quarrying and discussed the outlook for small transporters and
operators in an uncertain financial climate.
The afternoon session was chaired by Mr. J. Scott, former Chief Geologist Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources
and presently Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Public Utilities. Five (5) papers were presented;
-Optimum Development of a Quarry in the limestones of the Central Range. by L Rampersad.
-Revegetation of Quarried Sites by E. Heesterman.
Regulatory Aspects of the Quarrying Industry -by C. Alexander.
Financing a Quarry Project. by M. Chambers.
Mr. Rampersad, Quarry Manager for Trinidad Cement Limited, detailed his company's experience with the Guaracara
Limestone which is being used to make cement. He elaborated on equipment utilized and methods employed to maximise
efficiency. Mr. J. Heesterman of Erosion Control Caribbean Limited spoke on the Revegetation of Quarry Sites.
The methodical and systematic evaluation of the quantity and quality of quarry deposits was then discussed by Dr.
D. Morgan of the U.W.I Seismic Research Unit, who emphasised the comparative precision and costs incurred using
seismic and borehole methods. Mr. Alexander, geologist at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, presented
details of the legal considerations involved in opening and operating a quarry.
In the final paper of the day, Mr. Chambers of M.A.T. Securities advised participants of the issues considered
by the financial sector in evaluating requests for quarry financing. He stressed the need for cooperation, trust
and flexibility between Financiers and Operators to encourage further investment in this sector.
The seminar continued until 5:15 p.m., long after scheduled, despite voluntary cuts in the time allotted for refreshment
breaks. The participants engaged in keen and informed discussions with members of the panel and the speakers strove
to have every query aired and answered.
The text of the days proceedings will be printed shortly and extra copies will be made available to members. In
the short term, the significance of this seminar can be measured by the quality of the participation and the depth
and scope of the issues raised. It is in the long term however, that real impact of the seminar will be felt, as
persons involved either directly or indirectly in the earth extractive industry begin to make concerted efforts
to regularise the industry and optimise the exploitation of this irreplaceable resource.
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