2008 Gough Cat Travel Award

HG Leach & Co Dean Torstonson with Gough Group CEO, Andrew Green.

Dean Torstonson is Quarry Operations Manager for HG Leach & Company responsible for the daily management and operations of the company’s four hard rock quarries (Tirohia Quarry Paeroa; Waitawheta Quarry, Waihi; Matatoki Quarry Thames; Tahuna Quarry, Tahuna) together with portable plant in the Thames Valle.

Dean manages 22 staff, 3 fixed crushing plants, 2 portable crushing plants, 30 items of mobile plant, and is involved with in-house training of staff.

The operations remove approx 100,000m3 stripping and produce in excess of 350,000 m3 processed aggregate per year.
Dean’s success in managing the quarrying operations is the result of two main factors ? right plant and equipment, good staff recruitment selection and training. He understands that the plant must be regularly maintained and serviced in order to ensure that the company gets maximum productivity from its fleet at all times.

Development of the Tirohia Landfill requires significant planning management and cooperation between quarry operations and landfill construction. Currently under Dean’s management is the fixed and mobile crushing plant moving 130,000 BCM of rock to create more landfill space. A deadline set for October 2008 must be achieved and Dean credits the fleet of predominantly CAT prime movers getting the job done on time.

Dean plans to use the Gough CAT Travel Award to travel abroad Ipossibly Australia) to view various quarrying operations, plant and equipment with the aim of improving his knowledge and skill base and to implement the experiences back in New Zealand within his areas of operation.