Our vision, history and structure

IQs Creating Future Leaders vision clearly defines our focus to build member growth.

Be the global leader in standards for the mineral extractives profession

That IQ standards in education and membership are recognised by all employers and the IQ Skills Wheel is established as the benchmark for competence for industry professionals. 

Promote the positive impact of the industry and its profession

By promoting and celebrating the innovative work of members, we are promoting the industry and its career potential with a view to attracting new talent into the industry.

Supporting the industry in driving healthy sustainable workplaces

We work across the industry to support priority industry initiatives as well as support members in developing core competencies in health, safety and the environment.

Drive innovation and operational best practice

To share leading technical and process innovation with members, support members with relevant CPD opportunities and collaborate with partners in developing research projects.

IQ History

The Institute of Quarrying originated in Caernarvon in 1917 with a common purpose to advance the science and practice of quarrying internationally in the interests of the public at large.

Today it has approximately 5,200 members working around the world. To support these members the Institute has a network of affiliate offices in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand and South Africa.

IQ Structure

The Institute of Quarrying is a company limited by guarantee and registered as a charity.

Members and Fellows of the Institute have a ‘corporate membership’ status similar to that of shareholders. As a result they collectively ‘own’ the Institute and have the right to vote in annual general meetings.

Governance of the Institute is managed through a Board of Trustees and the Council of Members. Both are made up of active members and voted into positions through a democratic process involving all members.

The senior officers are the President, who is the figurehead of the organisation, and the Chairman of Council, whose responsibilities are more akin to that of a business manager. Both offices are held on an honorary basis.

Regional Branches

In the UK a regional branch structure exists to provide members with local networking and event opportunities. There are 13 branches who are run with their own Chairperson and committee structure.

International Offices

There are 5 Affiliated National Institute’s with parallel constitutions to that of the UK. The mechanism for liaison at international level is through the Presidents' Committee which comprises the Presidents, or Chairmen, of all the national bodies.

Institute of Quarrying Benevolent Fund (IQBF)

The benevolent fund was established as a separate registered charity in 1925. The IQBF is operated according to its Constitution, the requirements of which include a Committee of Management reporting to the Trustees of the Fund.