A commercial pdf that includes some nice detail on 3 case studies of quarry restoration that give a breadth of post quarrying uses. Very useful for Geography GCSE rocks and landscape

1. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
What happens to quarries
after the mineral extraction has ended?
One of the key sustainability issues relating to quarries is what happens to them
at the end of their working life as part of the changing landscape

2. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
nabilit
Definitions of Sustainability
There is abundant evidence that humanity is using up the earth’s resources at a rate
that will deplete them much too quickly, and in the process is causing unacceptable
levels of pollution which destroys natural habitats and eco systems. ‘Sustainability’ is
a very broad term and is very difficult to satisfactorily define. The most widely
accepted definition was proposed by the United Nations in 1987, “Sustainable
development is development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” This is
developed further to cover environmental, social and economic demands, “the 3
pillars” of sustainability.
Since 1987, the issue has gained momentum as evidence of the effects of global
warming and climate change has come to be seen as an urgent threat to life on earth.
In response, governments are seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to
increase recycling, biodiversity, and the generation of renewable energy by wind,
solar and other means.

3. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
Sustainability policy
Most companies have a Sustainability Policy. Here is a typical example
We are committed to operating sustainability. To achieve this, we have developed a sustainability policy covering our UK operations.
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As a minimum, we will:
comply with all legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to our operations
implement effective management systems that will aid the achievement of our objectives.
We also aim to achieve the core goals within the cornerstones of sustainability, environmental improvement, employee welfare, thriving
communities and economic development.
To achieve environmental improvement we will:
reduce consumption of fossil fuels and emissions of carbon dioxide per unit of production throughout the extraction, manufacturing and delivery of
our products
protect and enhance biodiversity and geo-diversity through site selection, site management and restoration
increase the recovery and recycling of construction, demolition and other waste products
develop products that contribute to sustainable development
reduce adverse impacts on land, air and water, and where possible seek positive benefits and opportunities for the environment.
To ensure employee welfare and development we will:
minimise the risks of injuries and work-related ill health to employees through effective health and safety management
ensure all employees are treated equally and with respect
engage proactively with employees to fully develop their potential
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To promote thriving communities we will:
liaise with local communities throughout our business activities
support local communities through provision of employment and other initiatives
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To facilitate sustainable economic development we will:
continue to be committed to delivering a quality product, efficiently and profitably
manage our supply chain to ensure that through proactive engagement it will promote sustainability and ethical procurement.
In support of our policy we will engage with our investors, customers, business partners and other stakeholders in promoting
sustainable development.

4. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
Restoration of land that has been quarried is one of the great skills of the modern
quarrying industry. Extraction of minerals is a temporary land use that may last no
longer than ten years for sand and gravel. Restoration is usually phased through the
life of a site and may involve a return to agriculture. It may alternatively offer a one-off
opportunity for change to a new use that benefits wildlife and the community.

5. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
• natural revegetation
• nature conservation
• land fill
• leisure and recreation (water sports, rock climbing, marinas, caravan parks)
• agriculture
• residential and other buildings
• other industrial uses
Modern planning applications for quarries must include detailed proposals
for the after–use of the quarry if planning permission is granted.
This can be changed later, but the original proposals must be achievable and
any change would need a new planning application.
However, policy that seeks to preserve forever particular habitats and
landform is likely to fail in response to climate change and changing land
management practices.

6. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
Examples of some exhausted sand and gravel quarries restored as wetland sites
for nature conservation and recreational purposes e.g. bird watching
Families with children visiting a
wetland site and exploring flora and
fauna

7. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
Further examples of restoration
Nosterfield Nature Reserve, North Yorkshire was
formerly a sand and gravel quarry.
Now it is a habitat for over 200 species of bird,
including 32 different types of wader, 200 species of
plants and insects and 20 different types of butterfly.
Left picture shows Nosterfield Quarry in the process
of restoration with recent planting of trees on site.
Tiddenfoot Waterside Park - Leighton Buzzard is
situated on a former sand quarry that now forms an
eight-acre lake. A mosaic of habitats including acid
grassland to the north, wild flower meadow to the
south and a perimeter woodland belt surrounds the
lake

8. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
Restoration to Nature Conservation
A chalk pit restored to a nature reserve,
with rare and endangered calcareous
grassland
Butterflies return to a
restored chalk site

9. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
The landscape and its biodiversity is not natural - it is the product of human
management over thousands of years (ever since we started cutting down the
forests 10,000 years ago). Even the forest that remains has probably been
replanted relatively recently and there are only tiny fragments of original
unmanaged forest or landscape remaining. An example of a managed landscape is
that of the Norfolk Broads National Park. This is a beautiful area of lakes and
waterways - all the result of peat extraction!
700+ Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s) are due to quarrying
A co-ordinated approach to ecological recording, management and restoration is what
is required to ensure maximum biodiversity value

10. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
Examples of Best Practice
Stone quarry – Stoney Cove, Leicestershire
Sand and gravel pits – Cotswold Water Park
Clay pit – Eden Project, Cornwall
These are among the best examples in the world of how quarries can be put to good
use when the mineral reserves are exhausted.
They all include nature conservation and leisure uses and are explored in detail on
the following slides.

11. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
Stoney Cove, Leicestershire
Is now used by 50,000 visitors per year

12. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
Stoney Cove – a Restored Granite Quarry
One of the finest examples of restoration to leisure use of an old quarry is Stoney Cove.
Extraction of granite ended in 1958 and the quarry rapidly filled up with spring water. By
1963 it had become the National Diving Centre and is now the largest inland dive site in
the UK attracting more than 50,000 visitors per year.
The site is used as a scuba diving training centre where people can learn to dive safely
and experienced divers can practice. To make it more interesting some unusual under
water attractions have been brought in such as such as a sunken helicopter,
galleon, old army vehicles and even an aeroplane.
Pictures show very old photos of the quarry workings and an aerial shot of the site now.

13. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
Stoney Cove was once a working granite quarry and now is the largest
inland dive site in the UK attracting more than 50,000 people every
year

14. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
The photos show
people working the
quarry many years ago
...
...and making use of the site
now.

15. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
The quarry many
years ago
The quarry today
from the same
view

16. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
Cotswold Water Park – Restored and Gravel Pits
Sand and gravel often occurs in river flood plains, so the workings quickly fill with water
when extraction is finished. Because of this connection with the natural water table these
pits are not suitable for landfill as the groundwater would be quickly polluted. They are,
however, ideal for recreational facilities for fishing, boating and picnicking. Soft sands
replace sharp sides with steep edges and beaches can be created. An excellent example is
the Cotswold Water Park near Gloucester.
Sand and gravel has been worked for over 50 years and still continues today. The old pits
have flooded naturally as they lie on the river Thames flood plain, and have been put to
many different uses within the 40 sq. Mile park and its 140 lakes.
The park includes nature reserves, restaurants, health clubs, and waterside homes and the
facilities include everything from fishing, walking and bird watching to water skiing, wind
surfing, kayaking and paintballing. None of this would have been possible if the sand and
gravel had not been extracted to create all the lakes.

17. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
Cotswold Water Park
(the site of old sand and gravel workings)
A lakeside beach
Boat jetty
Canada Geese
A new lakeside home

18. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
The Eden Project – a Restored Clay Pit
Clay is impermeable, which means that water cannot
flow through it as it can through sand and gravel. This
means that following extraction of clay for the
manufacture of bricks, pottery etc. The clay pits are
very useful for waste disposal as the clay prevents
pollution of the ground water. Even household waste
can be land filled in clay pits. As the waste rots it
produces methane gas, and if the site is properly
engineered this can be collected and used either to
power kilns at an adjacent brick works or to generate
electricity for as long as 40 or 50 years. Once filled in,
the site may be landscaped and restored to agriculture
with topsoil or even used to build houses.
An example of an alternative use of a clay pit is the Eden Project in Cornwall.
The clay was used to make pottery and this clay pit has now been used to
create giant greenhouses called Biomes, in which several habitats from around
the world have been recreated including Mediterranean climates and a Rain Forest.

19. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
The Eden Project, Cornwall
Photos by Ben Foster
The Eden Project in Cornwall shows the transformation of an old china clay pit into a scientific and tourist attraction of
international fame. There are even new plans to create a geothermal power plant, to generate natural renewable energy
from rocks deep below ground. This could replace a conventional nuclear power plant for at least 50 years.

20. Sustainability
Quarry Restoration, Reclamation & Re-use
Websites for research
www.stoneycove.com
www.waterpark.org
www.edenproject.com
www.aggregate.com
www.virtualquarry.co.uk
www.bgs.ac.uk
www.heidelbergcement.com
www.afterminerals.com