Marais Laying NZ featured in Q&M Magazine for a surface mining technology breakthrough

A landmark project showcasing surface mining innovation.

In its October–November 2025 issue, Quarrying & Mining Magazine (Q&M) highlights a remarkable success story from Penong, South Australia, where Tesmec’s 1150 EVO Rock Hawg, supported by Marais Laying NZ, transformed a complex gypsum extraction challenge into a model of efficiency and sustainability.

The challenge: Extracting gypsum near the water table without blasting.

Balancing productivity, safety, and environmental care.

The Penong gypsum mine faced a familiar dilemma: how to extract high-quality material just above the water table without blasting or compromising product quality. Beneath a soft gypsum layer lay a harder crystalline selenite formation, difficult to excavate cleanly and costly to process.

Traditional excavators produced uneven results and irregular lumps, while blasting posed environmental and safety risks. The site needed a smarter, cleaner solution.

Precision and efficiency with Tesmec’s 1150 EVO surface miner.

Smart automation and data-driven control with TrenchIntel and TrenchTronic 5.0.

That’s where Tesmec’s 1150 EVO Rock Hawg came in. As Adrien Merceron, CEO of Marais Laying NZ and General Manager for Tesmec Australia, explained in the article:

“The 1150 EVO is ideal when you need accuracy and efficiency. In Penong, it allowed the team to remove exactly the layer they needed. No more, no less.”

By integrating GPS-guided TrenchIntel technology and TrenchTronic 5.0 automation, the mine reduced its process from seven steps to six, cut saltwater exposure, and shortened leach time by 50%. An impressive 95% of extracted material met specification, minimizing reprocessing and boosting output.

Kiwi expertise, global impact.

The collaboration between Tesmec Australia and Marais Laying NZ.

Although the project was based in South Australia, it relied heavily on the shared expertise between Tesmec Australia and Marais Laying NZ, Tesmec’s New Zealand subsidiary known for mastering trenching and surface mining in complex environments.

From wind farms to airport runways, Marais Laying NZ has built a strong reputation for precision and innovation.

“What we achieved in Penong echoes what we’ve been doing in New Zealand,” says Adrien Merceron.“Whether it’s wind, quarry, or infrastructure projects, the 1150 EVO shines where precision matters most.”

A proven track record in New Zealand.

Across New Zealand, the same technology has been deployed successfully:

• Harapaki Wind Farm (Hawke’s Bay): Tesmec surface miners prepared platforms and extracted limestone for turbine foundations, performing reliably in variable conditions.

• Palmer Resources (Canterbury): The TRS975 EVO variant replaced traditional excavators and breakers, cutting fuel use and primary crushing needs while improving precision.

In each case, operators reported fewer machines on site, reduced emissions, and a cleaner, faster workflow.

Smart extraction: The future of sustainable surface mining.

From gypsum to quarries: Redefining productivity with precision.

From Australia’s gypsum mines to New Zealand’s quarries, one truth stands out: selective surface mining is redefining productivity. With Tesmec’s advanced technology and Marais Laying NZ’s field expertise, operators can now dig with intent, faster, cleaner, and safer.

“These machines are built for control,” concludes Merceron.“And that makes all the difference when you’re operating near sensitive layers or close to groundwater.”

Read the full feature in Q&M Magazine (October–November 2025) or discover how Marais Laying NZ can support your next trenching or surface mining project.

Read the feature