and screening plant. Wear rates on liners, crusher components and screen media are naturally higher than at operations processing softer rock types, requir- ing ongoing maintenance attention and disciplined shutdown planning. Clayton says that recent plant upgrades have focused on main- taining throughput reliability while improving maintenance efficiency. The quarry recently replaced sec- tions of its wash plant and continues evaluating additional crushing circuit improvements aimed at increasing throughput and product flexibility. Feed consistency remains partic- ularly important because irregular feed sizes from oversized blasted rock can destabilise crusher perfor- mance and reduce plant efficiency. The peckers therefore play a major role not only in reducing oversize but also in maintaining more consistent crusher feed gradation. Production growth supported by operational discipline While Rheebok has experienced significant production growth, Clayton emphasises that opera- tional discipline and safety man- agement remain non-negotiable priorities. Daily toolbox talks, production meetings, shift handovers and continuous supervisory engagement form part of the quarry’s operational culture. Camera systems installed on equipment and within operational areas have also improved operator awareness and machine monitoring, contributing to both production effi- ciency and safety management. As Rheebok Quarry continues expanding its mining areas and refining its production systems, the operation remains a strong exam- ple of how technical adaptation and disciplined quarry management can overcome difficult geological conditions. At Rheebok, productivity is not achieved through easy mining conditions, but through engineering solutions that allow a highly compe- tent granite resource to be mined, processed and supplied efficiently into one of South Africa’s busiest construction markets. l
Integrated camera technology at Rheebok Quarry assists with monitoring operational areas, enhancing both safety management and production visibility.
Strong operational discipline, continuous supervisory engagement and a safety-focused culture underpin daily activities at Rheebok Quarry.
oversized granite blocks must first be reduced by peckers before material can even be removed from the active mining zone. The operation is also strategically pushing back selected pit sections in order to create improved access to deeper reserves and establish more efficient long-term mining layouts. These pushbacks are important not only for reserve access but also for improving operational flexibility and reducing congestion in active mining areas. Drone-assisted survey technology has become increasingly important in this process. Rheebok uses drone mapping and photogrammetry software to conduct volumetric surveys, monitor pit progression and improve stockpile management accuracy. Compared with conventional survey techniques, drone technology has sig- nificantly reduced the time required for volume calculations and mine planning updates while improving data accuracy. Crushing circuit under pressure The granite’s abrasive nature places continuous pressure on the crushing
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MODERN QUARRYING Quarter 2 | 2026
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