QPA event spotlights sustainability in quarrying

The quarrying industry's efforts to minimise and eradicate impacts on the environment were highlighted yesterday (Wednesday) at the Quarry Products Association (QPA) Showcase 2004, held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.

The QPA Showcase awards excellence and sustainability across seven categories: health and safety; restoration; biodiversity and geodiversity; community; heritage; operational best practice and resource  conservation.

QPA's premier restoration award, the Cooper-Heyman Cup, went to Canterbury-based Robert Brett & Sons in partnership with the Ministry of Defence for their work in creating a new water-based military training facility at Lydd Ranges.

The site is part of the Dungeness Site of Special Scientific Interest and home to some internationally important shingle vegetation, which required careful monitoring throughout the quarrying process in case of any changes in the water table.

Hanson Aggregates in partnership with the RSPB, received the runner-up award for the former Lydd Quarry, which is now a nature reserve consisting of four separate areas, each worked and restored at different times and with its own unique attraction to bird life.

Simon van der Byl, director general of the QPA, said: "We have been both impressed and delighted by the response we have received from our members to the concept of showcasing good practice. The challenge of sustainability is a major one for an industry like quarrying, but the showcase demonstrates evidence of genuine action at grass roots level."