LONGCLIFFE QUARRIES LTD – SITE VISIT 23rd MAY 2023
The MHEA were delighted to be able offer to their Members a site visit to Longcliffe Quarries Ltd in Derbyshire. This is the first MHEA site visit for 3 years following an extended break caused by the Covid pandemic, and it proved the ideal venue to restart the programme.
Established in 1927, Longcliffe Quarries Ltd. situated in the heart of the Peak District National Park, near the village of Brassington has a long history in the production of limestone for various industries.
The limestone they extract is known for its high quality and used in a wide range of applications. They supply over one million tonnes of high-purity calcium carbonate products every year which is used in a range of products including limestone powder, granules, aggregates and agricultural lime.
Twelve MHEA members were given a walk-around tour, organised and guided by Jake Ramshaw, Longcliffe’s Fixed Plant Maintenance Manager and Matt Hollands their Mechanical Supervisor, showing them the quarry in its fully operational mode of extracting and processing the limestone to various grades. Andy Meadows, Longcliffe’s Group Engineering Manager kindly joined the tour to answer any questions from the interested members. The visit offered a rare insight into the whole end-to-end manufacturing process, from quarrying and crushing through to final powder production.
Due to its location within the Peak District National Park, Longcliffe Quarries operates with consideration for environmental sustainability and this was plain for all the visitors to see. The company takes measures to mitigate environmental impacts, including reclamation and restoration of quarried areas, habitat management, and sustainable water management practices. The visit at Longcliffe lasted nearly 2 hours and was enjoyed by all who went.
After the site visit the party moved onto the National Stone Centre (NSC) close by. The NSC offers a range of activities and exhibits related to geology, quarrying, and the uses of stone. Anthony Elgey, the Sector Standards Manager for Minerals Matter and the CEO of the Institute of Quarrying, James Thorne outlined their £6.5 million future plans of expanding the centre.
James Thorne quoted ‘We firmly believe that our plans represent an exciting moment in the history of the National Stone Centre, delivering a unique building that is both fit for purpose and inspiring for generations to come. It’s the home that such a significant collection deserves, as well as proudly representing what is now the largest manufacturing sector in the UK.”
After a welcome lunch, Anthony Elgey then took the group on an informative tour of Dale Quarry which had in the past provided the resources to build the M1 motorway and ever since has been known as the M1 Quarry, which was very well received.
If you would like to know more regarding Longcliffe Quarries Ltd / National Stone Centre, please see links below :
