20 December 2010
DARD Countryside Management staff from County Londonderry and County Antrim visited Whitemountain Quarries office at Macosquin and Cam Quarry as part of their Winter Training Day recently.
The DARD staff used the opportunity to gain working knowledge of the quarrying industry, the local geology and management of the environment. As a rural industry, this was of particular interest to them as they carryout environmental audits in the area, working with the farming community.
Russell Drew (Environmental & Planning Coordinator, Whitemountain Quarries) explained the company’s ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and the Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme, describinging how it is put into practice, and all the necessary controls and best practice that goes into maintaining air and water quality, preventing pollution, increasing biodiversity, maintaining good relations with neighbours, and many other environmental issues.
Laverne Bell of Quarry Products Association detailed how QPANI deals with matters concerning the environment, planning and sustainability working with and on behalf of member companies, government departments, the Northern Ireland Assembly and various groups and NGOs.
The morning was concluded with a visit to Cam Quarry. Martin Nutt (Area Manager) and Stanley McFaul (Quarry Manager) led the visit explaining the quarrying processes, site management, restoration objectives and future planning proposals.