Is Your Quarry Compliant?
A quarry is a place where mineral extraction is done without a roof. Mining is different because it’s fully underground. It’s important to ensure your quarry
is compliant with local regulations. This can be difficult if you don’t know what they are.
What Natural Products Can a Quarry Produce?
Quarries are used to remove minerals from the earth and this can be everything from regular minerals to stone. You’ll find the following in quarries,
though each one has a speciality:
● Clay
● Limestone
● Silica
● Potash
● Coal
● Gypsum
● Salt
These are often used in construction, so it’s an essential process. However, removing the minerals can be loud and a complex process. This means there are quite a few rules and regulations around the industry of quarries.
Who Oversees Quarrying?
Throughout the UK, there are different organisations in charge of quarrying in their area. This includes mineral planning. These depend on the area you’re
in. In each area, the Mineral Planning Authorities are responsible for overseeing this type of mineral extraction.
MPAs need to manage things such as planning for future developments and safeguarding minerals. They’re also responsible for deciding which planning applications will be approved and which developments can move forward. They also monitor any existing planning permissions that are being used.
Protecting People
Since a quarry does have blasting and drilling occurring, it’s reasonable to expect some regulations. These vary depending on the area, but they often include how far a quarry must be from residential areas, as well as the size.
There will also need to be a plan in place, which will determine how the land is quarried and what will be done with it after the quarrying is done. Since a quarry is not permanent, there must be a plan in place to ensure the land is properly reused once it’s finished. This may be turning the area into a park, a riding or hiking trail, etc. The plan will be submitted to the MPA and then followed over time to ensure the plan is adhered to.
As long as you are working on extracting minerals from the ground, you need to consider the impact of what you’re doing. How will it affect the people around you and those who live and work in the area? What will the land look like once you’ve exhausted the minerals?
Are you looking for quarry products that have been sourced responsibly and in compliance with regulations? William Thompson & Son is a reliable
supplier of a range of quarry products that are not only of excellent quality but are suitable for an enormous range of projects. Contact us today for more information about our products or to discuss your requirements with an experienced member of our team.
