Publication: The Mining Chronicle
Date: August 2011

Queensland-based mining solutions company Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST) is expected to double 2011 gross turnover in excess of $9 million following rapid company expansion and an aggressive growth strategy.

The Australian-owned dust solution provider is capitalising on the mining and resources boom and expanding export markets for its innovative range of dust suppression, soil stabilisation and broad acre erosion control products together with comprehensive data collection and reporting systems.

RST currently operates throughout Australia and internationally in South America, Asia, South Africa and New Caledonia. Its most recent international success has seen the company win a contract in the Philippines to build road systems and a lucrative South American contact as sole dust suppressant provider to the Pascua Lama mine on the border of Chile and Argentina.

RST director David Handel attributed the result to the expansion into overseas markets in the last 12 to 18 months and an injection of new services while building strategic alliances.
“We took the aggressive approach to expanding out business,” said Mr Handel.

“In these uncertain times, we had the choice to wind down our expansion plans and go the safe route or be aggressive and go for it. We chose to go the aggressive route. We targeted the right areas and fortunately we’ve had a fair bit of luck thrown in there as well.”

The company’s commitment to continued reseach and development has lead to a recent upgrade of products and an extension of services to now include innovative mechanical and advanced dust management technologies through the complete materials supply chain.

Using new and innovative turn-key technology, RST’s road stabilisation validation systems now feature new mechanical devices and improved engineering for on-site analysis.

“We are continually improving our product range and growing our services and the move into mechanical markets has taken a huge lift with our new ‘Teksmart’ divison,” said Mr Handel.

“The move to automotive systems is also a massive growth area of our business. Together with our strategic alliance with Proof Engineers, we are now able to offer better systems and services that have proven results, which is a major benefit for our clients.

“We are currently working on a static monitoring system that collects data from on-site readers to the computers and mobile phones of site managers. We are building this technology alongside the expertise of Proof Engineers, to be able to monitor and control dust, before it reaches a problem point.

”RST is now showing we can take on projects outside the sphere with proven results and the biggest value to clients is the on-the-ground support, with men, equipment, vehicles as well as continual testing, improvment and monitoring.

”In a nutshell, we’re getting into the dynamic data gathering and running of sites. Mining companies love the fact that we’re capable of taking action first, rather than waiting until problems occur. We’re fixing it before it’s broken.”

The addition of new products and services has also seen the company double its employees, with the RST team expanding from 20 staff in 2010 to a team of more than 40 staff worldwide this year.

“In 18 months we have doubled our income and we now have twice as many people,” said Mr Handel.
RST co-director Peter Parkinson said the company would look to double its profits again in the next 12 months as well as increase international business by a further 25 per cent.

“Despite rapid international growth, international exports currently make up only 12 per cent of our major income producing business, with the majority of our current projects operating on Australian soil,” said Mr Parkinson.

“We estimate in order to reach this goal within 12 months, 75 per cent of our focus will again be within Australia, with further 25 per cent focused on building international opportunities.”

Publication: The Mining Chronicle
Date: August 2011

David Handel is the technical and development director for Reynolds Soil Technologies.

Born in Sydney, Mr Handel started dabbling in chemical soil stablisation for construction and roads, which lead him into dust control chemistry.

Following three years of working on his won, Mr Handel co-founded RST in 1994 and has developed all of RST’s products over a 20-year period.

Mr Handel is now also a shareholder in RST Brazil and RST Colombia. Mr Handel possesses a Clerk of Works and Building Certificate, Associate Diploma of Applied Science, University of Colombia Air Quality Certificate and a QLD Builders Licence.  He is a professional member of the Mining and Energy Services Council of Australia (MESCA), Civil Contractors Federation and Australian Latin American Business Council.

MC: What time does your day start?
4.4am. Its not as easy in winter, but I like to be in the office around 8am.

MC: What is the first thing you do in the mornings?
I exercise six days a week. Starting the day getting the oxygen flowing has always been part of my life. I like to run but have started road cycling as well. I normally reply to overseas emails before hitting the office.

MC: What is the best part of your daily routine?
Being creative. I love coming up with an idea, turning it into something real and then commercialising them.

MC: What piece of technology could you not do without?
Anything that has an ‘i’ in front of it.

MC: How do you spend your lunch break? What do you normally eat?
When I’m in the office at my desk and when travelling on the run. I have a weakness for Subway.

MC: Who would you most like to share a working lunch with?
One of the big mining house’s CEOs so I can explain why a strategic alliance with RST will lift their share price significantly.

MC: What is your management style?
I like to lead by example. I’m a bit too hands on so everyone has to hang on for the ride.

MC: How would your colleagues describe you?
A very different mind with lots of energy.

MC: What time does your day end?
Office around 6pm and home when the batteries shut down.

MC: What’s the best way of finishing the day at work?
I love hearing positive results that have been achieved for a happy client.

MC: What is your most significant professional achievement to date?
Turning something that I believe in into a multimillion dollar business that has real legs. I never gave up no matter how hard it got.

MC: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
We are employing a lot of university graduates and developing some amazing leading edge technology so maybe helping more kids with more ideas to carve futures for themselves.

Publication: The Mining Chronicle
Date: 15 May 2011

Queensland-based mining solutions provider Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST) is ramping up its dominance of South American markets following the appointment as sole dust suppressant provider to the Pascua Lama mine on the Chilean and Argentinean border.

RST is using its RT9 product on the open-pit mine which produces more than 300,000 tonnes of gold, silver, copper and other minerals and now exports more than 120,000 litres into the region each month.

Located in the Frontera District in Chile’s Atacama Region and spreading across to Argentina’s San Juan Province, the Pascua Lama mine is up to 5,200m above sea level and began operation in 2009.

The Gold Coast company’s rapid expansion has seen it establish an on the ground agent in the region and the directors are now investigating the possibility of manufacturing product directly out of Chile and Colombia to support the fast expanding market.

Technical and development director David Handel said RST is exporting the product as quickly as it’s producing it.

“They want the product quickly – we can get it to them in 32 days, but we would like to better that,” said Mr Handel.

“If we could set up to manufacture product in the region, it would obviously prove more logistically efficient, but would also open us up to more market opportunity.”

With m ore than 20 years’ experience in total dust control and soil erosion solutions, RST has been operating across mines in Australia and overseas for several years, designing innovative and holistic dust suppression solutions.

This latest South American success story follows the launch of an additional manufacturing arm set up in the mining rich region of Brazil less than 12 months ago.

As part of its South American business development strategy, Mr Handel said RST is positioning to continue growth in what is the company’s biggest market outside of Australia.

“We have been introducing our technology and solutions to this market for the past three years, with initial trials proving very successful. They have problems we have the solutions for,” said Mr Handel.

The launch of off-shore manufacturing and distribution centres for the company also comes with logical and environmental benefits for RST and its clients – reducing their carbon footprint b reducing exports, thereby minimising carbon emissions.

RST director Peter Parkinson said it remains a top priority to ensure RST and its clients commit to environmentally-friendly solutions to dust control.

“Our clients already have strict environmental guidelines in place and we assist by helping them to meet these guidelines. We as a company also consciously choose to operate in the best interests of the environment and we are always looking for ways to reduce product levels and minimise export costs,” he said.

“All of our products are solutions are tailor-made and project specific to match the individual job requirements.”

Publication: The Mining Chronicle
Date: 13 May 2011

Mining dust busters Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST) have saddled up with the 2011 Jupiters National Finals Rodea, managing the event’s dust solutions at the Gold Coast Convention Centre arena in April.

RST came on board as official sponsors of the Australian Professional Rodeo Association event which see Australia’s top 120 rodeo stars compete for the top award.

The Gold Coast based company was the first dust management expert to be involved in the event, which is the largest rodeo staged in Australia.

Event organiser Mick Ellison said RST had been recommended to the NFR by Raw Courts, the company behind the clay tennis courts for the David Cup.

“We have over 700 tonnes of river clay in here, supplied from a quarry in Burleigh,” said Mr Ellison.

“It’s all about customer comfort. In previous years, we haven’t had any assistance managing the dust coming off the arena. Now the clay dries out even better. We have identified RST as a company to help us do that.”

RST technical and development director David Handel said the project involved the usage of their product Heavy Water to keep the clay dust at bay.

“The NFR have put a whole dust managmenet program together this year and we’re here in total support of this important program,” said Mr Handel.

“We’re dust suppressing all gravel that was imported for the event.”

With more than 20 years experience in total dust control and soil erosion solutions, RST has been operating across mines in Australia and overseas for several years, designing innocative and holistic dust suppression solutions.

The company aslo design, construct and maintain solutions for the agricultural, civil and construction industries and roadways.

“All of our products and solutions are tailor-made and project specific to match the individual job requirements,” said Mr Handel.

The company is headquartered in Burleigh Heads, Queensland and Welshpool, Western Australia and designs, constructs and maintains all systems. With qualified site technicians managing each program, RST implements continual improvement programs to ensure that all products and systems are supplying clients with optimum results.

Publication: Media Release
Date: 13 April 2011

LOCAL dust busters Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST) saddled up with the 2011 Jupiters National Finals Rodeo, managing the event’s dust solutions at the Gold Coast Convention Centre arena last weekend.

RST came on board as official sponsors of the Australian Professional Rodeo Association event which saw Australia’s top 120 rodeo stars compete for the top award.

The Gold Coast based company were the first dust management experts to be involved in the event, which is the largest rodeo staged in Australia.

Event organiser Mick Ellison said RST had been recommended to the NFR by Raw Courts, the company behind the clay tennis courts for the Davis Cup.

“We have over 700 tonne of river clay in here, supplied from a quarry in Burleigh,” said Mr Ellison.

“It’s all about customer comfort. In previous years we haven’t had any assistance managing the dust coming off the arena. Now the clay dries out even better. We identified RST as a company to help us to do that.”

RST technical and development director David Handel said the project involved the usage of their product Heavy Water to keep the clay dust at bay.

“The NFR have put a whole dust management program together this year and we’re here in total support of this important program,” said Mr Handel.

“We’re dust suppressing all gravel that was imported for the event.”

With more than 20 years experience in total dust control and soil erosion solutions, RST has been operating across mines in Australia and overseas for several years, designing innovative and holistic dust suppression solutions.

The company also design, construct and maintain solutions for the agricultural, civil and construction industries and roadways.

“All of our products and solutions are tailor-made and project specific to match the individual job requirements,” said Mr Handel.

The company is headquartered in Burleigh Heads, Queensland and Welshpool, Western Australia and designs, constructs and maintains all systems. With qualified site technicians managing each program, RST implements continual improvement programs to ensure that all products and systems are supplying clients with optimum results.

For more information please contact Reynolds Soil Technologies on (07) 5522-0244 or visit www.rstsolutions.com.au

Publication: Gold Coast Business News
Date: 3 April 2011

Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST) is furthering its dominance in South American markets following its appointment as sole dust suppressant provider to the Pascua Lama mine on the Chilean and Argentinean border.

The Burleigh Heads company is using its RT9 product on the open-pit mine which produces more than 300,000 tonnes of gold, solver, copper and other minerals.

It now exports more than 120,000 litres into the region each month.

Located in the Frontera District in Chile’s Atacama Region and spreading across to Argentin’a San Juan Province, the Pascua Lama mine is up to 5200m above sea level and began operation in 2009.

The Gold Coast company’s rapid expansion has seen it establish an on-the-ground agent in the region and the directors are now investigating the possibility of manufacturing product directly out of Chile and Colombia to support the fast expanding market.

Technical and development director David Handel says RST is exporting the product as quickly as it’s producing it.

“They want the product quickly – we can get it to them in 32 days, but we would like to better that,” he says.

“if we could set up to manufacture product in the region, it would obviously prove more logistically efficient, but would also open us up to more market opportunity.”

The latest deal follows the launch of an additional manufacturing arm set up in the mining-rich Brazil less than 12 months ago.

As part of its South American strategy, Handel says RST is positioning to continue growth in what is the company’s biggest market outside of Australia.

“We have been introducing our technology and solutions to this market for the past three years, with initial trials proving very successful. They have problems we have the solutions for,” he says.

RST director Peter Parkinson says it remains a top priority to ensure RST and its clients commit to environmentally-friendly solutions to dust control.

“Our clients already have strict environmental guidelines in place and we assist by helping them to meet these guidelines.

“We as a company also consciously choose to operate in the best interests of the environment and we are always looking for ways to reduce product levels and minimise export costs,” he says.

RST specialise in total dust managmenet, soil stabilisation and erosion, water and agricultural solutions.

Publication: The Australian Mining Review
Date: 21 March 2011

Mining services provider Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST) proven research and continued growth has led to its coveted reputation as the preferred dust, earth and water solution provider to major mining houses across Australia and overseas.

Specialising in soil stabilisation, erosion, water and agricultural solutions, and with more than 20 years of experience in total dust management, RST provides the most cost-effective, technologically advanced dust management services available, with proven results.

The Australian-owned company’s commitment to continued research and development has led to a recent upgrade of products and an extension of RST’s range of services to now include innovative mechanical dust management technologies through complete materials supply chain.

Technical and development director David Handel said the company had stepped up its product range and market share in the past 12 months, and its next focus would be value adding to its products using cutting-edge mechanical systems.

“We are continually improving our product range and growing our services, and the move into mechanical markets has taken a huge lift with our new “Teksmart” division,” Mr Handel said.

“Using new and innovative turnkey technology, our road stabilisation validation systems now feature new mechanical devices and improved engineering for on-site analysis.”

With a guaranteed product turnaround of 48 hours and proven systems in dust suppression and management, RST is considered one of the most economical and reliable providers in the industry.

“RST is now showing we can take on projects outside the sphere with proven results and the biggest value to clients is the on-the-ground support – with men, equipment, vehicles as well as continual testing, improvement and monitoring,” Mr Handel said.

“What we promise our clients in terms of products and service is exactly what we deliver, and we are actively seeking to improve our product and service technology.”

Publication: The Mining Chronicle
Date: 1 April 2011

Mining services company Reynolds Soil Technologies’ (RST) proven research and continued growth has lead to its coveted reputation as the preferred dust, earth and water solution providers to major mining houses across Australia.

This commitment to research and development has lead to a recent upgrade of products and an extension of RST’s range of services to now include innovative mechanical dust management technologies through the complete materials supply chain.

Having spent more than 15 years operating in Mt Isa, RST is now looking to expand into the region’s mechanical dust suppression markets.

“We started out in Mount Isa in the early 90′s building roads, and we’re still up there with the expanded dust management programs,” said technical and development director David Handel.

Using new and innovative turnkey technology, RST’s road stabilisation validation systems now feature new mechanical devices and improved engineering for on-site analysis.

“We are continually improving our product range and growing our services and the move into mechanical markets has taken a huge lift with out new ‘Teksmart’ division.”

“RST is now showing we can take on projects outside the sphere with proven results,” he said.

“The biggest value to clients is the on-the-ground support; with men, equipment and vehicles, as well as continual testing, improvement and monitoring.”

For more information please contact Reynolds Soil Technologies on (07) 5522 0244.

Publication: The Mining Chronicle
Date: 1 April 2011

Mining services company Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST) is adapting its innovative technologies to answer demand for regulated sediment control in the global civil and construction industries.

Further growth and expansion globally, particularly into regions that experience high rainfall periods, saw RST begin to see client looking for material handling solutions relating to wet and sticky sediment.

Having built a strong reputation specialising in dust suppression and erosion control solutions for the mining industry, RST has developed a specialised range of products to prevent sediment and turbid (or dirty) water from entering drains and waterways.

RST’s strong industry experience is now seeing their products being used across large scale construction, road maintenance and engineering projects, providing solutions for the management of environmentally regulated sediment control, including areas recently effected by floods.

Strict nationwide environmental regulations set out by the national Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local councils stipulate that no residue or waste can be flushed  down storm water drains or into waterways, and any liquid run-off from construction, mines or civil sites must be clear, not grey or coloured. Failure to comply can result in hefty fines.

The Queensland-based innovator originally developed a range of products designed to manage sediment for the mining industry, but contractors across the civil and construction industry are now taking advantage of the technology while controlling run-off.

Wayne Van Valkenburg, owner of concrete cutting and core drilling company Cut and Core, has enlisted the services of RST for more than 13 years.

As a contractor for three Councils in Sydney, Mr Van Valkenburg sought RST’s services after searching for a product that would suit requirements for run off management of concrete residue and asphalt.

“I came across the product in a trade show,” he said.

“I was looking for a remedy for my problem. They gave me a presentation on how the product works and how they use it in the mining industry, and showed me how it could work for my problem.

“RST gave me a sample to try, it worked perfectly and I’ve used it ever since. It’s very economical, it greatly reduces the amount of slurry that goes down the road and it’s easily contained.

“If there is any run-off, it’s only clear water.

“Using this product, it allows me to contain the waste a thte site of the cutting and it attaches to the cuttings in the water before going down the street. It thickens up straight away, so you can actually pick it up with a shovel.”

RST director Peter Parkinson said the products have been designed to control dust and sediment in some of the most volatile mining environments in Australia and the civil and construction sector is another huge growth area.

He said the diverse nature of the products meant they are now being used across all sorts of industries, which is a testament to the high quality and versatility of RST’s innovations.

“The control of dust and sediment is a huge industry, and one that spans many sectors,” said Mr Parkinson.

“Our products were designed for specific use in the mining industry, in coal transport and on haul roads. But realistically, the control of dust and sediment is applicable to many different industries. Sediment and dust are the same – rather than dust being blown away, sediment is dust being clogged up in water.”

RST has developed a full sediment control package which includes environmentally friendly binding products that prevent the sediment being washed into water courses and that cures and treats turbid water, removing the sediment to levels acceptable for release by environmental bodies.

“These technologies are available in liquid, powder or block form and can be used as a preventative or a treatment,” said Mr Parkinson.

“The binding agents hold the fines in place on the exposed ground. This stops them from washing away and polluting the water. We can also tailor the specific treatment or products to each project. With RST, each job is as individual as the solution.:

RST has more than 20 years experience in total dust management and soil erosion management.

The Burleigh Heads-based company designs, constructs and maintains all systems. With qualified site technicians managing each program, RST will implement continual improvement programs to ensure that all products and systems are supplying clients with optimum results.

For more information, please contact Reynolds Soil Technologies on (07) 5522 0244.

Publication: The Mining Chronicle
Date: 25 March 2011

Gold Coast-based mining solutions provider Reynolds Soil Technologies has scored a major contract in South America, pushing the company closer to establishing a new manufacturing plant in Chile or Colombia to cope with rising demand.

Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST) has been appointed sole dust suppressant provider to the Pascua Lama gold, silver and copper mine on the Chilean and Argentinean border.

RST, which is using its RT9 product on the open-put mine which produces more than 300,00 tonnes of ore a year, exports more than 120,000 litres of its dust-suppression product into the region each month. The Burleigh Heads company’s rapid expansion has seen it establish an on-the-ground agent in the region and RST said it was investigating the possibility of manufacturing product directly out of Chile and Colombia to support the fast-expanding market.

Technical and development director David Handel said RST was exporting the product as quickly as it was producing it.

“They want the product quickly – we can get it to them in 32 days but we would like to better that,” Mr Handel said.

“If we could set up to manufacture product in the region, it would obviously prove more logistically efficient but would also open us up to ore market opportunity.”

RST’s latest South American deal comes on the heels of the company establishing a new manufacturing arm in Brazil less than a year ago.

As part of its South American business development strategy, Mr Handel said RST was positioning to continue growth in what was the company’s biggest market outside of Australia.

“We have been introducing our technology and solutions to this market for the past three years, with initial trials proving very successful,” Mr Handel said.

He said the offshore manufacturing and distribution centres enabled the company to reduce its carbon footprint.

RST director Peter Parkinson said it was a “top priority to ensure RST and their clients commit to environmentally friendly solutions to dust control”.

“Our clients already have strict environmental guidelines in place and we assist by helping them to meet these guidelines.

“We also consciously choose to operate in the best interests of the environment and we are always looking for ways to reduce product livels and minimise export costs.”

RST specialises in dust management, soil stabilisation and erosion, water and and agricultural solutions.

The company is headquartered at Burleigh Heads and also has a presence in Western Australia.