Under the theme Building the Future Today, the conference brought together quarry operators, equipment suppliers and industry leaders from across Australia and overseas to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.

Our team spent three days speaking with attendees, attending presentations and visiting Heidelberg Materials’ Wolffdene Quarry.

Several themes stood out: a strong pipeline of infrastructure work, the need to improve productivity, the growing value of operational data, and the importance of safety and workforce development.

Here are our five key takeaways and what they mean for quarrying operations across Australia.

1. Infrastructure Investment Is Creating Opportunities for Australian Quarries

Australia’s infrastructure pipeline remains substantial, with continued investment in transport, housing, energy and major construction projects.

During her economic outlook presentation, William Buck Chief Economist Besa Deda highlighted the importance of improving productivity as the industry responds to growing investment and workforce constraints.

Queensland’s four-year capital program alone represents more than $119 billion in planned expenditure. Nationally, Infrastructure Australia’s 2025 Market Capacity Report identified a record $242 billion major public infrastructure pipeline over five years.

The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will also create opportunities for the construction materials sector.

For quarry operators, the challenge is preparing for demand while maintaining efficient, reliable operations.

Our takeaway: Quarry productivity depends on more than the capacity of crushing and screening plants. Efficient rock breaking, reliable equipment and minimising unplanned stoppages all contribute to keeping material moving.

An appropriately sized Epiroc hydraulic breaker can assist with secondary breaking of oversized material, helping prepare rock for crushing and further processing.

For short-term projects or periods of increased demand, hydraulic breaker and attachment hire also offers operators flexibility without committing to additional equipment purchases.

2. Improving Quarry Productivity Starts With the Equipment Already on Site

One of the strongest messages from IQA 2026 was the opportunity to lift productivity using existing resources more effectively.

Across the quarrying industry, this means looking closely at how labour, mobile equipment and fixed plant are being utilised.

In hard rock quarrying, secondary breaking is an important part of that process.

Oversized rock can interrupt material handling, delay crusher feed and create additional work for operators. Selecting the right hydraulic breaker for the application, excavator and material can help reduce these interruptions.

Our takeaway: Quarry operators should regularly review whether their rock breaking equipment is correctly matched to the work being performed.

BA Equipment Group supplies hydraulic hammers and rock breakers for quarrying applications, including Epiroc’s premium SB, MB and HB ranges.

Choosing the right equipment, keeping it properly serviced and ensuring it is available when required can make a meaningful difference to day-to-day productivity.

3. Quarry Data Is Only Valuable When It Leads to Better Decisions

Digital technology, automation and equipment monitoring featured prominently throughout the conference.

Presentations from Metso’s Toni Peltomäki and Sodex’s Ralf Pfefferkorn explored how better information can help operators improve plant performance and material management.

Pfefferkorn shared an example from a US operation where inaccurate stockpile information was contributing to costs of up to $100,000 per month.

The lesson was clear: collecting more information is useful when it helps operators make better decisions.

For hydraulic attachments, the same principle applies.

Our takeaway: Understanding how often equipment is being used, where it is operating and when it requires servicing can help quarry operators plan work and reduce avoidable downtime.

Epiroc’s HATCON (Hydraulic Attachment Tools Connectivity) technology provides access to hydraulic attachment operating hours, location and service information.

 

 

By monitoring equipment utilisation, operators can make more informed decisions about maintenance planning, fleet allocation and equipment availability.

For quarries running multiple breakers or attachments, better visibility can also help identify underutilised equipment and opportunities to improve scheduling.

4. Fixed Rockbreaker Boom Systems Have an Important Role in Quarry Safety

Safety and operational leadership were central themes at IQA 2026.

Research presented by the University of Queensland highlighted the importance of competent frontline supervisors, particularly their ability to remain approachable, visible and effective under pressure.

Clayton Hill of SLR Consulting reinforced the importance of maintaining standards with a familiar message:

“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.”

For our team, the Wolffdene Quarry site tour provided a practical example of how equipment design can support safer operating procedures.

At the Heidelberg Materials operation, a fixed rockbreaker was positioned at the crusher to deal with oversized material and blockages.

It demonstrated the value of being able to clear rock from a controlled operating position, reducing the need for personnel to enter hazardous areas around crushing equipment.

Our takeaway: Fixed rockbreaker boom systems are an important consideration for quarries seeking to improve crusher availability and manage the risks associated with clearing blockages.

Pedestal-mounted hydraulic boom systems can be used to break oversized rock at crusher inlets and reduce interruptions caused by bridging or material blockages.

BA Equipment Group supplies and supports Transmin Boomer hydraulic boom systems, engineered for applications including quarrying, construction and waste management.

When correctly specified and integrated into a crushing plant, a fixed boom system can contribute to safer material handling and more consistent throughput.

5. Addressing the Quarrying Skills Shortage Is an Industry-Wide Responsibility

Equipment and technology are only part of the productivity equation. Australia’s quarrying industry also needs skilled people to operate, maintain and manage increasingly sophisticated equipment.

The IQA’s That’s Solid campaign was a major focus of the conference.

The initiative aims to introduce young Australians to career opportunities in quarrying and essential construction materials, highlighting the technology, skills and career pathways available throughout the sector.

IQA CEO Jane Schmitt encouraged industry participants to support the campaign and help showcase the opportunities quarrying offers.

The conference also hosted That’s Solid Careers Day, connecting school students with employers and industry representatives.

Our takeaway: Attracting new people into quarrying requires the support of the entire industry, including equipment suppliers, contractors and quarry operators.

At BA Equipment Group, we see firsthand the technical expertise required to keep hydraulic equipment operating reliably. Experienced operators, service technicians and maintenance teams remain essential to productive quarry operations.

We encourage other businesses across the sector to get behind the IQA’s That’s Solid initiative.

Looking Ahead: Supporting a More Productive Quarrying Industry

Reflecting on the conference, BA Equipment Group CEO Rob Guerin said:

“The message this year was clear: the pipeline of work is strong, productivity is the big opportunity and the industry is tackling the skills shortage head on with the IQA’s ‘That’s Solid’ campaign. Our job at BA is to deliver sustainable, productivity-boosting solutions to the quarry industry and the broader range of industries we service.”

Rob Guerin, CEO, BA Equipment Group

The 2026 IQA National Conference reinforced the importance of industry collaboration, practical innovation and getting the most from the people and equipment working across Australian quarries.

As a supporter of the Institute of Quarrying Australia across Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria, BA Equipment Group values the opportunity to contribute to these conversations and learn from the operators working at the coalface.

Thank you to everyone who visited our stand, shared their experiences or took the time to speak with our team on the Gold Coast.

Need Advice on Hydraulic Breakers or Rockbreaker Boom Systems for Your Quarry?

BA Equipment Group supplies, hires and services hydraulic breakers, rock hammers and attachments for quarrying operations across Australia.

Whether you’re looking to improve secondary breaking productivity, arrange equipment hire or explore a fixed boom system for your crushing plant, our team can help you identify an appropriate solution.

Contact BA Equipment Group to discuss your quarrying equipment requirements.