30 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Waitomo: Graymont NZ Leader in lime, limestone solutions T Richard Loader Canada-based Graymont started operating in New Zealand in 2015. Graymont is proud to play an important part in the local Waitomo region and wider New Zealand economy. It is not only a significant employer but its products also play a vital supporting role in helping the country to deliver on some of its key challenges including housing, infrastructure and sustainability, says Graymont Director of Operations Mark Silcock. In Waitomo, Graymont supplies products important to the rural industry such as providing ground limestone to condition pasture and a calcium supplement used in dairy, beef and swine process industries. This saw Graymont designated as an essential service during the Covid-19 lockdowns and Mark says that the Graymont team demonstrated a real commitment during a time of considerable uncertainty, reflecting the strong company culture. Graymont has been in operation for over 70 years and is a global leader in lime and limestone solutions. Headquartered in Canada, Graymont started operating in New Zealand in 2015 and has since expanded into Australia, Malaysia and the Philippines. In New Zealand, Graymont employs around 80 staff across four sites. It operates processing plants in Otorohanga, Te Kuiti and Makareao in the South Island and a quarry in Oparure where limestone is extracted, crushed, screened and milled. Mark says that Graymont aims to create good local employment opportunities and career pathways. This has seen people progress up the ranks and move into leadership positions with the company. Graymont takes a long-term view with everything it does including investing in the latest technology to ensure its business operates sustainably. Recognising the impacts of CO2 on the climate, Mark says Graymont considers its products play a part in the solution and it has adopted decarbonisation as part of its business strategy. Lime is used in the extraction of what are often called ‘green minerals’ (like lithium, cobalt and nickel) that are needed in electric vehicles. Mark says that as the EV industry grows so will the need for lime to support this market. He says the fact that Graymont product uses include the purification of air, water and land, including remediation of contaminated sites and treatment of water from agricultural processing sites so it can be irrigated onto land, further contributes to Graymont’s environmental stewardship. Lime treats acid mine drainage, and Graymont is developing additional ways to help the mining industry improve its environmental impact. Its long-term view has also led Graymont to partner with local stakeholders, such as schools, sports groups and iwi, to support the communities in which it operates. This has included a long-term scholarship offered through the Maniapoto Maori Trust Board, donating product to Oparure marae and being involved in providing sponsorship for the Te Kuiti Community Sports Centre. It is giving access to land at the Te Kuiti site for the Te Araroa walkway. Another unique partnership with local community is supporting tourist venture Spellbound Caves to operate its business partially on Graymont land. Mark considers this is a good example of the extractive industries working cooperatively with locals for a positive outcome. “With roots stretching back almost seven decades and operations which, in some instances, have been lynchpins of their local communities for well over a century, Graymont is proud to continue to strive to be an industry leader and the preferred supplier, employer and partner of choice wherever we operate.” Charlie Timmins Engineering Ltd. General Engineering Services • Precision Machining & Fitting Specialists 07 878 6670 / 027 220 9455 ctel@xtra.co.nz 10-14 Ward St, Te Kuiti Proudly supporting Graymont NZ Action Electrical are proud to support Graymont NZ
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