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YOUR NEEDS,OUR FOCUSSandvik ConstructionThe Complete SolutionSANDVIK CONSTRUCTIONUK CONTACT: HEARTHCOTE ROAD, SWADLINCOTE, DERBYSHIRE, DE11 9DUT: 0044 (0) 1283 818400 F: 0044 (0) 1283 818360IRL CONTACT: TULLYVANNON, BALLYGAWLEY, CO.TYRONE, NORTHERN IRELAND, BT70 2HWT: 0044 (0) 28 8556 7799 F: 0044 (0) 28 8556 7007info.smcuk@sandvik.com www.construction.sandvik.comsandvik_A4 UK 2.indd 1 17/06/2013 16:56Sandvik Construction fp ad.indd 1 01/04/2014 09:52

Special thanks to our Ministerialcontributors, our partner organisations,members and industry suppliers, withoutwhose support the publication of thisjournal would not have been possible.Gordon BestRegional Director QPANIQUARRY ‘14 3QPA Intro Page.indd 3 28/03/2014 15:27

The Instituteof QuarryingThe international professional body for quarrying, construction materials and the related extractiveand processing industries, the Institute of Quarrying is comprised of over 6,000 members in some50 countries of the world. Membership is open to individuals sharing our commitment to improvingstandards and lifelong learning. The long-term objective of the Institute is to promote progressiveimprovements in all aspects of operational performance through the medium of education andtraining.TMIQ - the new membership grade from IQ & PRIMEA new membership grade to the Institute of Quarrying which came into effect 1st January 2014. Technicalades and enables a number ofindividuals who currently fall into the existing Associate category to enhance their membership level, whilst alsoentitling them to use the designation ‘TMIQ’.The creation of the new TMIQ member grade ties in with the Professional Recognition In Mineral Extraction(PRIME) project which focuses on upskilling and developing operatives within the industry with a view to workingtowards a fully competent workforce and achieving ‘Target Zero’ in the industry.in addition to other highly skilled individuals.Working in partnership with the British Aggregates Association (BAA), the Institute of Quarrying is proud toelvaluable accredited CPD, jointly badged by the British Aggregates Association & The Institute of Quarrying.For further information on the Institute of Quarrying or any of the items covered aboveplease visit our website at www.quarrying.org or contact us the team on0115 972 9995 / mail@quarrying.orgInstitute of QuarryingMcPherson House, Chetwynd Business Park,Chilwell, Nottingham NG9 6RZTel: +44 (0)115 972 9995Email: mail@quarrying.orgWeb: www.quarrying.orgInstitute of Quarrying fp ad.indd 1 25/03/2014 12:15

contentsNorthern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsPublished by:PLANT & CIVILNorthern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsJustin CarriganBusiness Development ManagerBrian McCrum Art DirectorNick Stokes DesignerEleanor Blane Accounts ManagerHelen Beggs, Garfield HarrisonPublishersThis journal is published by ‘Plant & CivilEngineer’, at The Old Coach House, 12 MainStreet, Hillsborough, N. Ireland BT26 6AE. Thepublishers cannot be held responsible for anyinaccuracies supplied by the contributors. Allrights reserved. The contents of this publicationmay not be reproduced or transmitted inany form, either in part or in full, includingphotocopying and recording, without the writtenconsent of the owner. Nor may any part of thispublication be stored in a retrieval system of anynature without prior written consent of Plant &Civil Engineer.Quarry 2014 is Published by:Plant & Civil Engineer, The Old Coach House12 Main Street, Hillsborough BT26 6AETEL: 028 9268 8888 FAX: 028 9268 8866Email: info@4squaremedia.net7 Ministers Forewordby Simon Hamilton MLA Minister ofFinance & Personnel9 Chairman’s Reportby John Shannon QPANI Chairman11 Immediate PastChairman ReportClive Grudgings12 Irish Concrete Federation Viewfrom the Southby Gerry Farrell, Chief Executive, IrishConcrete Federation14 View from ourMinisterial Partners17 View from the Partners22 Residential Renaissanceby David Little, NHBC Regional Director,Northern Ireland and Isle of Man26 Assembly All-Party WorkingGroup on Constructionby Patsy McGlone MLA27 Helping to improve skills andtraining in the constructionsector28 UEPG The European AggregatesAssociation30 Regional Directors Reportby Gordon Best QPANI33 Irish Mining and QuarryingSociety Review - ConstructionRecoveryby Sean Finlay Professional Geologistand Chartered Engineer and formerPresident of the IMQS35 Health & Safety - Managementis Key38 Supporting schools tostrengthen the economyby Marie Cowan,Geological Survey of Northern Ireland52 Woodland for Quarriesby the Woodland Trust54 Whitemountain Resurfacing ofthe Main Belfast InternationalAirport Runway56 The Dutch ConnectionConexpo (NI) Ltd are helping the Dutchto extend Europe’s busiest highway90 Lagan ConstructionGuernsey Airport officially opens aheadof time and under budget!92 FP McCannPowering the public realm94 QuarryplanEconomic Recovery & Mineral PlanningCatalyst or Constraint?100 RMV Quality Assurance101 SubcommitteesThe Engine Room104 QPANI Membership List106 Advertisers Index - Diary DatesENVIRONMENT40 County Tyrone QuarryProducers help save a globallyendangeredspecies from extinction42 Quarries, Wildlife and Peregrinesurveys in Northern Ireland44 New project aims to restoremineral sites46 Biodiversity and integratedrestoration of quarriesby Golder Associates (UK) Ltd48 Butterflies and moths ofquarries and their associatedhabitatsby Catherine Bertrand, Senior RegionalOfficer, Butterfly Conservation NorthernIreland50 About NIRIG and wind inNorthern Irelandby Meabh Cormacain, Policy andCommunications Coordinator,NI Renewables Industry GroupCOMMUNITY60 QPANI members doing their bitfor charity61 QPANI Working for youPRODUCTIONINNOVATION64 The importance of calculatingthe material trajectory atconveyor design stageby Conveyortek66 Smiley Monroe’s King RollersReduce Workplace Noise atIrish Salt Mines68 New Volvo FMX Tipper70 CDE Case Study:GS Materials74 Terex Finlayintroduce New 893 Tracked MobileHeavy Duty Screener75 RapidConcrete Mixer solves productionbottleneck for Lafarge Tarmac76 PowerscreenMcCabe Earthworks Power ahead withthe Powerscreen Chieftain 2100x threedeck screen from Powerscreen78 Terex WashingTerex Washing Systems rolls out the redcarpet for Aggresand System Premierein USA80 RidgewayNew innovative thinking on scour byEDF82 CDE Case Study:Pehofer84 SandvikMorris & Perry Raises Output withSandvik RigPRECAST86 NorthstoneCauseway Slate Effect Tiles88 Acheson & GloverMonaghan Education Campus, IrelandQUARRY ‘14 5Contents.indd 5 01/04/2014 16:45

‘With original quarryingoperations dating backover 50 years, ourcompany offering hasevolved in order to meetcustomer demand andmarket opportunities.’CONTRACTING• Airports• Civil Engineering• Road Surfacing &Highway Maintenance• Inert LandfillMATERIALS• Aggregates• Asphalt• Special Products• BitumenWhitemountain is a market leading Lagan Company. The Lagan Group companies rankamong the most successful and diverse engineering, contracting and quarry materialscompanies in the UK and Ireland.Our customer base includes leading airport operators, principal contractors in thehighways, civil engineering and construction sectors, and public sector roads authorities.We aim to consistently deliver for all our customers, building positive and sustainablerelationships based on quality of service, expertise, successful project delivery and aprofessional approach.T: 028 9250 1000 E: info@whitemountain.co.uk W: www.whitemountain.co.ukWhitemountain Quarries Ltd, 11 Sheepwalk Road, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, BT28 3RDWhitemountain fp ad.indd 1 27/03/2014 10:08

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsForewordBy Simon Hamilton MLAMinister of Finance& PersonnelThe importance of the construction sectorto our local economy is very clear andwe can all see that it has suffered deeplyduring the downturn.As Finance Minister with responsibility for Government procurementI cannot promise that everything will suddenly be rosy again forthe construction industry just because there are positive signsthat we are entering an economic recovery. All that I can promiseis that I will be a champion for the construction industry.I am committed to helping the industry try to build a biggerpipeline of capital projects; I will ensure that opportunities for localfirms are optimised; and I will try to unlock the finance neededto invest in developing our infrastructure and to review how ourprocurement processes for major capital projects can be sped up.I have been impressed by the great versatility and resilienceshown by the local construction industry, with many firmswinning major projects in GB and beyond. A number of largerlocal construction firms have indicated that over 50% of theirturnover comes from projects located outside Northern Ireland.I firmly believe that we must all work together to revive the localeconomy and to drive reforms that will underpin a sustainableconstruction industry. In this regard the contribution by QPANIto the Construction Industry Forum for Northern Ireland hasproved invaluable. The partnership between industry andGovernment has helped the construction industry to becomemore efficient, more safety-aware and has led to its success ingaining substantial volumes of work outside Northern Ireland.Through QPANI the quarry products industry has made considerableprogress on a number of important issues including the verypositive way in which it has engaged with my Department andthe Department of the Environment following the suspension ofAggregate Levy Credit Scheme (ALCS). I can assure you that myDepartment will continue to press for this issue to be resolvedas soon as possible. Our top priority at this stage is gettingretrospective approval for the previous scheme, and then toexplore what form of replacement scheme might be possible.I appreciate the contribution that QPANI makes to theconstruction industry providing high quality aggregate materialsand helping to shape policy and best practice via its work withthe Construction Industry Forum for Northern Ireland.I look forward to meeting with members of the industry as I visitvarious construction businesses during the coming monthsand I would like to take this opportunity to wish QPANI everysuccess in its continuing endeavours in the years ahead.QUARRY ‘14 7Foreword - Simon Hamilton 1pg.indd 7 27/03/2014 10:38

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Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsQuarry Products Association (NI)Chairman’s ReportBy John ShannonQPANI ChairmanThe Quarry Products Association ofNorthern Ireland is the recognised TradeAssociation of our industry and as itscurrent Chairman, it is my privilege tointroduce our biennial journal of 2014.QPANI is the voice of our industry, it hasbeen since its inception in late 1998 andcurrently represents approximately 95% ofcompanies involved in the supply of quarryproducts locally.Our collective voice is now well articulated, well heard and wellreceived. It is important that this position is maintained and utilisedto maximum effect for our industry. Gordon has worked tirelesslyto ensure that we are in such standing. It is important that he andFiona continue to have the full support of all our membership.There will always be issues that need to be addressed. AggregatesLevy, ALCS, Road Worker Safety, Planning Reform, PublicProcurement, Government Expenditure, Energy Costs, ROMPS,and the Review of Public Administration are among a numberof the current matters. When our issues are aligned with thealmost imperceptible change in the current economic climate,the need for a strong, united Association is clearly reinforced.Behind all of these issues is the goal of improving our industry,hence improving our companies through growth and profitability.The outcome of achieving this goal impacts on people be itthrough employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction, increasedemployee numbers, less injuries at work or improved shareholderdividend. Ultimately the success of the QPANI impacts on people.I was at a funeral last week, the funeral of a long retired foremanwho had worked with us for forty five years. When I joined theindustry many years ago it was from this foreman and his peersthat I learned so much. Risk assessments, quality submissions,tool box talks and environmental impact studies were of alanguage yet to be invented. However Andy had the patienceand foresight to show me how to approach an excavator fromthe proper side, he could explain how joints were to be angledon a carriageway depending on road profile, he understoodcoverage, depths, lines or levels, he could reuse and recyclewhen greens were only vegetables and he could comfortablycommunicate with his crew, client and customer alike.By the efforts of such people, and we all still have them, therehave been great strides within our industry and we are amuch better, safer, cleaner and more efficient sector today.With that has come a greater level of bureaucracy, perhapsoccasionally at the expense of forgetting the person: - customer,client, employee, shareholder or member of the public.Through QPANI, issues raised by our members will continue tobe championed across every forum that is available to us and wewill work impartially and unrelentingly for the benefit of all ourcompanies. I shall endeavour throughout my term of office to workfor the aims of the Association, dealing with all members equitablyin the promotion of a vibrant, efficient and professional industry.Finally I would like to thank all those who have contributed to ourjournal: - politicians; partners; industry suppliers; advertisers; andmembers. The publication is a showpiece for our industry andshould sit proudly in our reception areas and lobbies for all to read.John ShannonQUARRY ‘14 9QPA Chairman John Shannon 1pg.indd 9 31/03/2014 14:43

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Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsQuarry Products Association (NI)Immediate PastChairman’s ReportBy Clive GrudgingsQPANI Past ChairmanIt is truly remarkable how quickly timepasses and as I come to the end of my twoyear term as Chairman of QPANI it givesme time to reflect on the many changesour Industry has gone through in what is arelatively short period of time.Without doubt Northern Ireland in general and the Construction/Quarry Industry specifically has endured the worst contraction interms of demand and output in my living memory with many if notmost of QPANI members having to close, or reduce significantly,capacity and realise the heady days of the Celtic Tiger are wellin the past and the future is to be a much leaner affair.The All Ireland paper on capacity delivered through IntertradeIreland was an important and land mark document in termsof setting the scene for a sustainable and long term future forour industry and it is fitting that we are once again revisitingthe actions set out in this report and looking for ways todeliver a better and stronger Quarry Products Industry.My time as Chair has in many respects been focused on helpingto bring together the various aspects of our industry – generatinga passion for what our aims and objectives are and delivering alasting association that can and will be the cornerstone of ourIndustry for many years to come. The development of the AllParty Working Group on Construction is significant and has seencross party support at Stormont for our Industry with significantinteraction from Ministers of all parties. We are without doubt themost vocal of all Trade Associations when it comes to having ourvoice heard by the right people and generating positive answers toserious and business critical situations. It is not only about havingaccess to decision makers – one of my first meetings as Chairwas with our First Minister at Stormont Castle - but being listenedto and seeing the work of Gordon our various committees andExecutive producing significant results – the extension to permitteddevelopment rights being only one of many successes to mention.If I have one regret during my term it is the pace or moretruthfully the lack of pace at which European Bureaucracyworks. The issues affecting both Aggregates Levy and moreimportantly from a local perspective – ALCS, remains inabeyance and seem a long way from a successful conclusion,but that said, I am confident the eventual outcome will be thevery best possible that can be achieved for our members.It would be remiss of me if I were not to mention Gordon Bestwho is without doubt the most effective lobbyist of all TradeAssociations here in the Northern Ireland. His work rate andenthusiasm for the job are second to none with a keen eye fordetail and an ear for everyone. I can honestly say that withoutGordon the undoubted success of QPANI as a Trade Body wouldbe called into question as he works tirelessly for each and everymember individually and collectively and most importantly“delivers”. In the same breath I must not forget Fiona who inconjunction with Gordon quietly and effectively manages the dayto day operation of the association and my thanks go to her forthe help she provides in running a very effective organisation.One of my final tasks as your Chairman was meeting with ourFinance Minister Simon Hamilton. He joined us at our offices atNutt’s Corner to discuss a variety of Industry related issues andreflects I believe the importance of QPANI in the eyes of theStormont Executive to take time to meet us on our “home ground”.In closing, many challenges continue to face our Industryin the coming years but it is with a much greater degreeof confidence in terms of our improving economy that Ipass the reins of QPANI to John Shannon who will withoutdoubt continue to work with Gordon in delivering the aimsand objectives of a strong and focused Industry Body.Clive GrudgingsQUARRY ‘14 11QPA Past Chairman Clive Grudgings 1pg.indd 11 31/03/2014 14:43

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsIrish Concrete FederationView from the SouthBy Gerry Farrell, Chief Executive, Irish Concrete FederationAs ever it gives me great pleasure tocontribute to the 2014 Quarry IndustryJournal. In particular I would like to thankGordon Best in the Quarry ProductsAssociation (NI) for an opportunity toinform readers of this highly regardedpublication of the issues facing the ICF andits members at the current time.12I recall a discussion which took place at the highly enjoyable StonecrushersBall in Belfast in October of last year when I was reminded that I wassomewhat more pessimistic than most on the outlook for our industry.However I have similarly been frequently reminded that employeesof industry representative bodies are rarely in the position of hearinggood news from their members so perhaps both perspectives shouldbe considered when interpreting and considering my views!There is little doubt that 2013 eventually proved to be a slightly better yearthan anticipated, particularly given its very slow start. There is little doubtthat in the first 5 months of last year, serious declines in sales volumes onyear earlier levels were experienced by our members. However, equallyso there was a marked improvement in the second half of the year whichsaw most, if not all, of the decline experienced up to May regained, withthe overall year showing a small decline on 2012 levels. Undoubtedly thegood weather of last summer and autumn helped lift spirits and certainlyprolonged the season for ICF members with some benefitting from thesale of ground limestone to farmers into the month of December.Unfortunately the first 3 months of 2014 have proven extremely difficultfor members throughout the country. It is clear that while the overalldecline in the economy in the Republic of Ireland may have bottomed out,the limited recovery to date is varied and regional. There has clearly beena pick up in activity in the greater Dublin area. The housing shortage inDublin has been well documented at this stage and it has been encouragingto see the Government finally stating in their recent pronouncementsthat a vibrant construction sector is a vital component of all moderneconomies. Hence ICF members with the ability to supply the Dublinmarket are largely more optimistic for the year ahead than their ruralcounterparts. Unfortunately, many parts of rural Ireland remain extremelyquiet for members with little sign of improvement in the year to date.Notwithstanding the market conditions, the ICF continued its busy agendaon behalf of our members throughout 2013 and into the current year. Whilethis article will not cover all of the activities of the Federation, I would liketo highlight some which may be of interest to readers north of the border.ICF is in the final stages of introducing its certification scheme for aggregateand concrete products. Legacies of the “Celtic Tiger” include a number ofhigh profile quality issues which have not portrayed a positive image ofour industry. With this in mind, and based on the experience of supplyingthe Farm Waste Management Scheme in the latter part of the last decade,ICF will soon introduce a quality and traceability certification scheme withthe assistance of the professional bodies representative organisations.We are convinced that this will help both the quality and traceabilityof aggregates and concrete products which will further reinforce theconfidence of the end consumer in the products our industry supplies.Recently the ICF reformed its Transport Committee. The key reasonfor this was the need for members to be familiar with the raft of newtransport regulatory requirements and also to highlight the issueof the massive increases in the cost of transporting our productsin recent times. We recently held a seminar for members on theregulatory requirements and the attendance level clearly showedthat members are realising that they are no longer simply concreteand aggregate suppliers, they are also transport companies.Section 261A of the Planning and Development Act 2000 is runningits course with mixed results for ICF members. As ever, the lack ofQUARRY ‘14consistency in the application of legislation with regard to quarryplanning as well as delays in its implementation has added uncertaintyto the entire issue. ICF is awaiting further legislation which hopefully willshorten the process through which members must progress in orderto fully regularise the planning status of their quarries. One can onlyhope that once this entire process has been completed, enforcementof planning legislation across the industry will contribute to a levelplaying field for all operators. However this remains to be seen.Our Health and Safety Committee continues to work with the relevantauthorities, including FAS and the Health and Safety Authority on awide variety of safety issues, particularly in quarries. We look forwardto assisting in the organisation of the All Island Quarry Safety Seminarin October, which I am sure many readers will attend. In additionour safety committee continues to produce safety bulletins formembers on topical issues highlighted as risks by our members.The Federation’s Technical Committee continues to work with theNational Standards Authority of Ireland on an ongoing basis on thestandards applying to the products in our industry. Standards foraggregates and the revision to I.S. EN206 have proven to be themajor agenda item for our Technical Committee in recent times.If there is one area which the industry will need to refocus our efforts upon,it is the promotion and marketing of sustainable concrete as the buildingmaterial of choice for specifiers and clients. There is little doubt that withthe decline in the industry in recent years, our focus was rightly on survival.However when recovery eventually does take hold, there will be need toreinforce the position of concrete as the premium building material it isundoubtedly is and ICF looks forward to taking up this role for our industry.In conclusion, I would like to thank Gordon and the team in QPANIfor their ongoing assistance and cooperation over the past 12months. There is little doubt that much can be achieved by forgingand building the relationship between our two organisations andour respective members. We in the ICF look forward to seeing theQPANI well represented at our annual dinner in April and I wouldlike to wish all QPANI members best wishes for the year ahead.Gerry Farrel ICF 1pg.indd 12 27/03/2014 10:29

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Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsView from ourMinisterial PartnersMark H DurkanMLAMinister of EnvironmentQuarries, when properlymanaged, can provide awonderful opportunity to seesome of Northern Ireland’sunique and diverse geologicalhistory, with my Departmenthaving designated some sitesas Areas of Special ScientificInterest. QPANI and officialsfrom my Department workin a co-ordinated manner onnumerous projects to helpsustain and grow the quarryindustry, whilst safe guardingthe wider environment.I would like to take this opportunity to commend QPANI for theirforesight in recognising the value of a clean and well protectedenvironment and their commitment to improving environmentalcompliance and performance across the quarrying sector. I amvery grateful for the very active role QPANI has played in shapingmy Department’s Better Regulation Programme, which has helpedbuild a strong relationship with the sector on environmentalissues. QPANI collaborated in the development of NIEA regulatorypositions on asphalt road planings and greenfield soil.QPANI are working with the Department and the extractive industryin NI to aid the delivery of full compliance with the EuropeanMine Waste Directive which sets out specific requirements onoperators for the management of waste material arising fromthe on-shore prospecting, extraction, treatment and storage ofmineral resources and the working of quarries for the purposesof preventing harm to the environment and human health. QPANIhas regular contact with the Department’s Minerals Planning Teamwith regard to applications, enforcement and also topical issues.QPANI have also developed training for DOE staff to improve theunderstanding of the operations undertaken on mineral extractionsites. In 2013, my Staff delivered a presentation to members ofQPANI on the requirements of Control of Pollution (Oil Storage)Regulations. QPANI and DOE also collaborated on a joint guidancedocument, “Wise Use of Water for the Quarry Products Industry”,to provide advice and guidance to the industry on the importanceand how best to manage water related issues on site.Quarries often have high biodiversity value and I welcome thecommitment of the QPANI to work with others such as theRSPB and the Woodland Trust to support quarry operators todevelop and manage habitats on site and to restore mineralsites for biodiversity, people and the economy. I acknowledgethe good progress that quarry owners have made in relation tosupporting biodiversity and I look forward to the Departmentstrengthening its existing partnership with the industry to build uponsuccesses and to deliver further long-term biodiversity gains.The issue of public safety around disused quarries is high on myagenda and I am well aware of the complexities surrounding thisissue. My predecessor, Alex Attwood MLA, asked district councils toundertake an audit of all disused quarries to assess the scale andnature of the risks posed at some quarries. I will be reviewing thisinformation in detail, before considering all the options available.I am hopeful that I will have the support of all interested parties,including the QPANI and other Departments in developing astrategy with a view to minimising the risk of future loss of life.In my role as Minister of the Environment I lookforward to the continuation of a productive andprosperous working relationship with the QPANI.14QUARRY ‘14Arlene Foster MLAMinister of Enterprise,Trade and InvestmentThe quarrying industry playsan important role in manyaspects of everyday lifehere in Northern Ireland.From high quality aggregate foruse in road surfaces, to stonefor concrete pipes, kerbs andpaving slabs, quarrying not onlyunderpins the constructionindustry, it is the startingpoint for many of the thingswe all take for granted.My Department, throughInvest NI, works closelywith the Quarry ProductsAssociation Northern (QPANI) and provides valuable supportto the quarry supplies industry here, in particular thosecompanies that have secured work outside Northern Ireland.It is estimated that in 2012 the Mining and Quarrying sectorcontributed almost £100 million to the value of economicactivity generated by businesses in Northern Ireland andthat this sector employed almost 2,000 people.The QPANI, in partnership with the Health and Safety Executivefor Northern Ireland (HSENI), plays a crucial role in encouraging aresponsible attitude to health and safety matters in the industry.I commend the association for the support it gives to the inspectionpriorities set by HSENI and for the work it carries out in providing itsmembers with all the necessary guidance and support to achievecompliance with the law. The various joint initiatives, for example inrelation to prestressed concrete, machinery guarding, workplacetransport, occupational health and geotechnical matters, make a realcontribution to maintaining and raising standards in the industry.QPANI’s excellent messaging to the public on the dangers ofquarries, whether disused or operational, again shows theircommitment to partnership working on safety issues.The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) continues itsprogramme of geological mapping, modelling and researchwhich underpins the development of Northern Ireland’s naturalresources. In 2013, GSNI and its cross-border partners completedthe Tellus Border mapping project which has greatly improved ourunderstanding of the geology and resources of the border area.GSNI’s most recent production for the quarry industry, theMineral Resources Map of Northern Ireland, published in sixsheets with associated database, provides the spatial basis forstrategic planning of mineral development in Northern Ireland.I commend the work of QPANI in its support of the industry,and look forward to the continued engagement of theassociation with my Department and its associated bodies.View from our Ministerial Partners 3pgs.indd 14 27/03/2014 11:20

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsJohn O’Dowd MLAMinister for EducationStrong Business,Education Links are VitalTá lúcháir orm gur iarradh ormcur le Quarry Products IndustryJournal na bliana seo. Mar aireoideachais, tá sé d’aidhm agamcóras oideachais a bheith annina bhfaigheann gach daltaardchaighdeán oideachaisa shaibhríonn a saol agus athugann na scileanna dóibh atáde dhíth le bheith gníomhachagus freagrach sa tsochaí seo.I am delighted to havebeen asked to contributeto this year’s QuarryProducts Industry Journal. As Education Minister, my goal is tohave an education system where all pupils receive a high-qualityeducation that enriches their lives and equips them with the skillsthey need to be active and responsible members of society.However I recognise that this is not something that schools can doby themselves and that strong Business-Education links are vital.By working with schools, employers can communicate the skillsbusinesses need and can work with schools to meet these needs.A considerable amount of partnership working already takesplace directly between schools and local businesses, some ofwhich have developed into sustainable local relationships.I welcome the support that your industry has provided to schoolsin recent years in delivering the curriculum and providing youngpeople with access to work-related learning experiences.If young people are to make informed careers choices, we mustensure that they have access to high quality, well planned, andindividualised careers information, advice and guidance. Employerscan help with this too by, for example, providing information aboutcareer opportunities that exist within their industry. I would encouragethe Quarry Products Industry to continue its useful engagementacross the education system to provide young people with theopportunity to make informed decisions about a career in the sector.Maidir liom féin, tá mé tiomanta don timpeallacht oibre i scoileannaa fheabhsú. D’fhógair mé 40 tionscadal nua d’fhoirgnimh scoile ó bhí2012 ann. Is ionann seo agus infheistiú féideartha de £353m i san eastátscoile. Anuas air seo, dáileadh £77m breise do Mhionobair in 2013/14.Is é is aidhm leis an Chlár d’Fheabhsú Scoileanna Nua an t-eastátscoile a fheabhsú agus a athchóiriú, agus tá sé ag bogadh tionscadaileile, ar fiú £107m iad, ar aghaidh chuig céim an bhreithmheasaeacnamaíochta. Cruthóidh na tionscadail seo deiseanna suntasachadon earnáil áitiúil tógála agus beidh deáthionchar aige seo ní amháinar phobail indibhidiúla scoile, ach ar an eacnamaíocht áitiúil fosta.For my part, I am committed to improving the working environmentin schools. Since 2012 I have announced 40 new school buildingprojects, representing a potential investment of £353m in the schools’estate. In addition, a further £77m has been allocated to Minor Worksin 2013/14. The new Schools Enhancement Programme, aimed atrefurbishments and enhancements to the school estate is advancingfurther projects, valued at some £106m, to economic appraisal stage.These projects will generate significant opportunities for the localconstruction sector and have a positive impact not only on thoseindividual school communities but also on the local economy.Edwin Poots MLAMinister of Health,Social Services andPublic SafetyDespite being one of the largestpublic sector estates in NorthernIreland, there has been ahistory over many decades, ofunder-investment in the Healthand Social Care (HSC) estate.Since taking up post as HealthMinister, I have embarked on aprogramme of modernisationof our buildings, as thereis strong evidence that thephysical environment deliverssignificant improvementsto the patient experience;enhancing outcomes and theoverall quality of healthcare.The quarrying industry in Northern Ireland plays an essential partin the supply of high-quality; value-for money, raw and finishedmaterials, which support and help deliver the diverse range of capitalinfrastructure and building projects, procured by my Department. Itis both encouraging, and a reflection on the industry’s proactiveapproach, that in all these projects, the majority of quarry productions– from foundations right through to structural framing and dressedstonework, have been sourced locally, and meet the technicaland commercial needs of the Northern Ireland Health Estates.Through positive engagement with DHSSPS and its supply chain,the industry has also invested in corporate and social responsibility,by aligning their environmental impact and health and safetymanagement objectives, with those mandated by my Department.Health and Social Care has an important role in helping theeconomy, to not only recover, but for longer term growth. Healthconstruction by its complex nature is one of the most labour intensivesectors. Overall, it has been estimated that £1m of hospital buildingexpenditure equates to up to 16 jobs, and that each pound spent onconstruction creates £2.84 of wider economic benefit. It is furtherrecognised that the quarry products industry, similarly, has muchto offer in aiding economic growth and prosperity; promoting longtermemployment both within the construction supply chain andthroughout the wider rural community and areas of social need.In the first two years of this budget period, over £528m has beeninvested in the capital programme for Health. This has allowedthe completion of several major capital schemes, includinga new £267m state-of-the-art South West Acute Hospital inEnniskillen, and the opening of an Accident and Emergency,and 24 Bed Ward at Antrim Hospital, which will significantly aidwith patient flow in an enhanced environment. Additionally, Ihave also had the privilege of cutting the first sod at the £232mwards and acute services block at the Ulster Hospital.There are often benefits in also working closely with the privatesector to allow the required infrastructure to be in place as quickly aspossible. New primary health and care centre ‘hub’ projects in Newryand Lisburn have been funded via Third Party Development. Thesewill contribute to enabling service users to manage and maintaintheir health and wellbeing as close to the home as possible.Each year my Department provides around £100m to maintain thehealth estate, and £200m or more towards new projects. Significantareas of ongoing investment in health infrastructure over thenext couple of years include: a new £97m hospital in Omagh; aMental Health Unit at Gransha, and a £150m critical care building,on the site of the Royal Group of Hospitals, which will be linkedto a new maternity building. A replacement Regional Children’sHospital expected to cost in the region of £250m is anothermajor project that I have been keen to take forward, particularlyas parts of the current facilities are nearly 100 years old.Overhauling our health estate infrastructure, does not come withoutits difficulties, and it can only be successful when it is embracedfully, by everyone involved in the process – from Government, toexternal construction; supplier and manufacturing stakeholders.My Department will continue to play its part, in supporting thequarry products industry in their valued and ongoing involvementin the development of the Health Estates in Northern Ireland.QUARRY ‘14 15View from our Ministerial Partners 3pgs.indd 15 27/03/2014 11:20

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsMichelle O’NeillMLAMinister of Agricultureand Rural DevelopmentNo one knows better than ourrural communities the impactthe economic downturn ishaving on livelihoods, businessdevelopment and family life.Not only are rural communitiesat the heart of the north ofIreland, but their growth anddevelopment is at the heart ofall I do, as Minister of Agricultureand Rural Development.With that in mind, I supportthe work of the quarrymaterial suppliers whoare key in helping sustain and support our rural communitiesas well as offering much needed local employment.Ensuring that rural communities have equal access to housing, healthservices, schools and job opportunities requires the maintenanceand development of our infrastructure. In particular, our ruraltransport network makes use of the services of the quarry industry,and this is central to our success in developing a vibrant ruralcommunity. The industry also has a role to play in supporting theaims and objectives of the Agri-Food Strategy Board’s report of theGoing for Growth, by providing the raw materials for constructionof modern, efficient and sustainable agri-food buildings.It is, therefore, vital that across Government we work in partnershipwith construction material suppliers in delivering fit for purpose, qualityproducts that can be used to maintain and develop our infrastructure.Specifically within my Department, Forest Service procuresquarry materials for the maintenance and repair of forest roadsin order to facilitate safe access to support the economicand recreational activities within these facilities.My Department is also responsible for managing flood risk fromrivers and the sea and Rivers Agency relies heavily on a considerablerange and volume of quarry materials for the construction of floodalleviation schemes. Through engineering contracts, the Agencyprocures high value civil engineering projects for flood defencesand is therefore working in partnership with the industry andrecognises the difficulties faced during the economic recession.With a united goal, and joint working, I am confident that we cansupport each other as we strive to ensure we emerge from thedownturn with a stronger economy and rural way of life.Danny Kennedy MLAMinister of Regional DevelopmentThe Department for Regional Development is oneof the largest construction clients in NorthernIreland, Regional Development Minister DannyKennedy writes about the importance of workingwith partners in the construction industry.As Minister, I see much of my role as supportinglocal business by investing in areas that will helpcreate opportunity. Investing in our transportinfrastructure means a better connected society,reduced and more reliable journey times for peopleand freight, creating a solid foundation for growth.In 2014/15 my Department plans tocommence construction of two strategic roadprojects, namely the 7km A26 Frosses dualcarriageway and the 6km A31 MagherafeltBypass, subject to successful procurementand completion of statutory procedures.Maintaining our roads and footways is essentialfor the social and economic well-being ofNorthern Ireland and is a high priority for myDepartment. The current structural maintenancebudget for 2013-14 is some £125 million.Within Northern Ireland Water the horizon forcapital work for the next seven years is reasonablysteady at around £140 million per year. Thisrepresents a significant commitment to improvingthe water and sewerage services across NorthernIreland, providing valuable opportunities tothe local engineering and quarry market.We have close links with QPANI and its manymembers and my Department will continue to buildon the productive partnership with QPANI to bringabout real and positive change to Northern Ireland.We will continue to work closely to raise standardsand improve health and safety for construction workforces, including a protocol for the managementof underground services and work to highlightdangers road workers face while working on site.16QUARRY ‘14NelsonMcCausland MLAMinister for SocialDevelopmentPartnership work to deliver- Department for SocialDevelopment (DSD) HousingMinister Nelson McCauslandoutlines the Executive’s plansto deliver good quality housingwhile supporting constructionand economic recoveryDespite the most difficultoperating environmentin living history, I knowthat members of theQuarry Products Association NI (QPANI) have demonstratedvitality, innovation and strength to help support the recovery.My Department’s Housing Strategy sets out my vision for housingfor Northern Ireland. It is a vision focused on ensuring thateveryone has access to good quality housing at a reasonable cost.Housing plays a significant role in helping to support and sustaineconomic recovery, create employment and help to regeneratesome of our most deprived and neglected communities.The current Programme for Government commits my Departmentto delivering 8,000 new social and affordable homes by 2015. The NIExecutive has committed £564m to support delivery of this goal, whichwhen combined with match funding from the Housing Associationsector, represents a huge boost for the local construction industry.I am committed to working with QPANI and others in theindustry to continually improve thermal efficiency and reducecarbon footprint of our housing stock. Standards for new buildhousing delivered by Housing Associations must comply withthe higher standards set by the new Building Regulations2012, which are some 25% higher than previous levels.I am also driving forward a double glazing programme for existingHousing Executive stock and have commissioned research into themost effective way of tackling the poor performance of some formsof dwelling construction such as ‘no fines’ concrete housing.The boiler replacement and warm homes programmes have already madea significant contribution to improving dwellings in private ownership.Focusing on regeneration, I recently announced a BuildingSuccessful Communities programme that will seek to addresssocial housing market failure, tackle deprivation and createemployment in blighted communities in Belfast and Ballymena.My Department and QPANI will continue to work in partnershipto deliver high quality outcomes that meet our twin objectives inproviding a quality and sustainable end product, whilst supporting localjobs and recognising the need to be innovative in achieving this.View from our Ministerial Partners 3pgs.indd 16 02/04/2014 14:12

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsViewfrom thePartnersStephen RobinsonMIQ Robinson Quarry MastersLtd, Chairman Elect Institute ofQuarrying NI BranchThe Institute of Quarrying Northern Ireland Branch is now intoits 2nd half century, and is delighted to provide a contributionto The Quarry Products Association Journal for 2014.I have the pleasure of working closely with Gordon throughthe Association’s Executive Committee and I am continuallyrewarded by his energy and enthusiasm in his post as RegionalDirector. The Quarry industry in Northern Ireland has gained highlyfrom the tireless efforts from Gordon and the QPANI Team insecuring a direct link to government and having the ear of mostif not all of the decision makers in the Stormont Executive.Many from our branch share common membership with the QPANIand recognise the contribution made by the Association to Quarrying.Wendy BlundellICE NI Regional Directorand Head of Devolved regionsFollowing five challenging years in the construction industry,light may be on the horizon. Key statistics published by NorthernIreland Statistics and Research Agency in January 2014 show asmall growth in construction output in Q3 of 2013. This has benefitfor all areas of construction and the wider supply chain, but itis reliant on the upwards trend continuing into 2014. Previousissues of the QPANI journal have reiterated the importance ofprogressing projects to the construction phase and it is reassuringfor our industry to see the A2 and A8 road schemes underway.Similarly, it is positive news that construction has started on theLisanelly Joint Educational Campu s in Omagh. ICE also welcomesthe Executive's announcement in January to release an additional£20million for road maintenance and other road improvements,helping to sustain hundreds of jobs in the aggregates industryICE is delighted to work with QPANI to produce the ConstructionIndustry Group “Actions for Recovery document”, a potential roadmap for the Assembly and Executive to bolster the Industry and creategrowth across the NI economy and ICE is also grateful for QPANIsupport at our recent Transport Conference. Close links between ICEand QPANI remain important to inform government of the challengesfacing the construction industry and to ensure that our joint objectiveof maximising investment opportunities in infrastructure are met.David WoodwardChairman Northern Ireland Branch ofthe Institute of Asphalt TechnologyThe Institute is the professional body in Northern Ireland forpersons working in asphalt technology and related disciplines. Ourmembership includes personnel from the road contracting andsupply industries, local authorities, consultants and universities.The core values of the Institute of Quarrying remain the same:To meet and enhance the image and professionalismof Quarrying in Northern Ireland.To support, promote and encourage trainingand education for branch members.To provide a varied and topical branch programme for ourmembers to meet the changing face of modern Quarrying.The Institute meets on the 1st Monday of each month through thewinter in The Dunadry Hotel & Country Club in Templepatrick andextend a welcome to new members and guests for branch meetings.On behalf of the Institute of Quarrying NI Branch Icongratulate Gordon on the publication of the 2014 Journaland wish the QPANI every success in the future and thecontinued Support of the Institute of Quarrying.Our branch works with the other professional bodiesincluding the Institute of Quarrying, the CharteredInstitution of Highways and Transport and theQuarried Products Association Northern Ireland.We support the continued activities of QPANI for the quarryingand asphalt industries and will continue to support its activities.These promote standards across our industry and helpidentify training and development needs of our members.This is necessary as the challenging economicenvironment continues. Our Branch offers CPD timethrough technical meetings with recent topics rangingfrom compaction to the current revision of the asphaltspecifications to make them CPR compliant.Links with the Southern Ireland Branch of the IAT saw theNorth South National Conference being held in Belfast in2013. Although affected by the Flags Protest this conferencewas judged a success by all those who attended.We take this opportunity to thank QPANI in their assistanceand support over the years and look forward to continuingwith and developing our close working relationship.The Northern Ireland Branch of IAT wou ld like to wish everysuccess with the launch of the 2014 QPANI Journal.QUARRY ‘14 17View from Partners 4pgs.indd 17 27/03/2014 12:31

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsJohn SheridanRegional Director MPA ScotlandNigel JacksonChief Executive,Mineral Products AssociationIn Scotland, compared with pre-recessionactivity levels the aggregates, asphalt andconcrete markets remain significantly downalthough we have noticed increased activitylevel over the past six months or so.Whilst we welcome the major investment in the Central Belt of Scotlandsuch as the new Queensferry Crossing, the Southern General Hospital.M8 / M74 Link, and of course various projects associated with theCommonwealth Games our industry is geographically widespreadacross many rural parts - from the Borders to the Highlands - and itrelies very heavily on infrastructure spending…capital and maintenance.The challenge our industry faces in Scotland is maintaining its currentasset base of quarries, asphalt and ready mix plants and even morecritically its existing highly skilled work force through the period untilthe majority of the major Roads Schemes such as the AWPR, theA9, the A96 Dualling and the Ayrshire by passes actually start.With some £4 billion currently in Procurement in Scotland weintend being at the table helping to plan all of our futures.Growth in the energy sector was a welcome replacementfor the housing and infrastructure decline in recent years,for example, spending on renewables has benefitted somelocal aggregates and concrete markets, consequently majorgeneration projects are all vital to the investment, employmentand sustainability of these fragile areas of Scotland.However, in the recent past, the onset of recession, thebanking collapse and the demise of the opencast coal industryhave resulted in the most serious consequences for manyin the quarrying industry with respect to local authorities’attitudes towards the processing of planning applications,legal agreements and the suitability of restoration bonds.As a consequence the Association now seeks support from thehighest level in the Scottish Government to help solve these issues.While it should be acknowledged that some local authoritiescan deal efficiently, promptly and professionally with mineralsapplications others are failing to provide an acceptable service.The recent significant increase in planning fees has not, in thesecases, so far shown any great evidence of improvement.We are fortunate in that we work very closely with numerousDepartments within the Scottish Government and its agenciesincluding Transport Scotland, SEPA, Scottish Natural Heritage,Biodiversity Interests, Wildlife, Geodiversity and so on.We also benefit tremendously from our excellent relationship withQPANI, sharing intelligence and ideas on all of the above - looking tothe future at infrastructure investment and devolved local taxationimplications and continually seeking ways for better collaborationwith our stakeholders in efforts to drive out more efficiencies.March marks the 5th anniversary of the Mineral Products Association(MPA), created in 2009 by the merger of the Quarry ProductsAssociation, the British Cement Association and The Concrete Centre.MPA’s membership has since grown from 266 to 482, thanks tocontinuously attracting new members, coupled with the affiliationsand other close working relationships it has with QPA NorthernIreland, MPA Scotland, British Precast, the British Association ofReinforcement and the Refined Bitumen Association. All this duringwhat has been arguably the toughest 5 years in the industry’s history.In addition to its Core activities, focussing on raising standards inHealth & Safety, Planning and Permitting issues, Restoration andBiodiversity, Economic and Market Analysis, Carbon Reduction,five English Regions and MPA Wales, MPA is unique in Europe, andpossibly the world, by now representing 13 different Product Groupswhose main focus is on technical standards and supply chain issues.Together, these Product Groups represent the largest materialflow in the economy, at around 250 million tonnes per annum, andover 80% of all UK non-energy mineral production. These primaryindustries contribute £9 billion to the UK economy, whilst supplyingindustries worth £400 billion pa. The sector is the largest supplier tothe £120 billion construction sector and supports over 70,000 jobs.The MPA has become the sectoral voice for mineral products andquarrying and is the only association that represents over 90% ofthe industry, including the vast majority of SMEs, as well as all thelarger companies, both nationally and internationally. Our uniquelyintegrated operating model and well balanced and inclusivegovernance, ensures that the interests of companies throughoutthe UK can be taken into account and a wide range of challengessolved, based on consensus. This is irrespective of whether thecompanies are small, medium or large, family owned or corporate.I believe that the progress we have made in Health & Safety, particularlywith regard to improving competence, sharing best practice, Cycle Safetyand Quarry Safety, exposing the cumulative costs of environmentaltaxation and regulation, together with progress on Biodiversity, TechnicalStandards, Carbon Reduction and on Sustainable Development,underpinned by regular evidence based annual reporting, is unrivalledand could not have been achieved by the previous piecemeal approach.For any industry representation to be regarded as professional,progressive, innovative and competent and to be able torespond to so many complex and cross-product issues, asectoral approach throughout the supply chain is needed.MPA has transformed the sector’s representation and has ambitious plansto develop further and continue to grow the membership having gained14 new members over recent months alone. As MPA has grown it hasdeveloped a clear and shared agenda to protect its members’ interestsduring difficult times and now speaks with an unambiguous, alignedand stronger voice. QPA Northern Ireland is a dynamic and active playerin the MPA family and the views of its members add real value to thedevelopment of the industry and its relationships with key stakeholders.critically for manufacturers, the Finance Minister holding the capon industrial rates have undoubtedly helped our economy grow.But, there is more to do, specifically in energy, skills and employmentlaw policy but we believe the Executive can create the mostcompetitive region in Europe in which to start, sustain and growa manufacturing business thus creating wealth and work.Lowering the tax burden on business, giving us affordable energyand working with employers on employment – both skills and law– are issues which the Executive and Assembly must address inorder to meet the ambitions of the Programme for Government.Manufacturing production and employment is growing. TheExecutive should be congratulated for supporting this and beencouraged to be brave and make the much needed changesto have a highly competitive region and get people to work.Congratulations again. We wish you continued success.Stephen Kelly is Chief Executive of Manufacturing NI. They workwith members, policymakers and regulators to challenge andchange the cost of doing business in Northern Ireland. Theycampaign to ensure competitiveness with markets at home andabroad to sustain and grow employment and businesses.QUARRY ‘14 19View from Partners 4pgs.indd 19 31/03/2014 12:02

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsNigel SmythCBI Northern IrelandWith the CBI forecasting economic growth of 2.6% in the UK thisyear, there is an undoubted and indeed palpable sense of a nationaleconomic picture which is as positive as it has been for over six years.In Northern Ireland recovery is clearly underway, thoughstrong headwinds such as access to finance, the overhangfrom the boom years most notably in the housing market, andconstrained public expenditure are likely lead to somewhatlower growth rates. However there is a cautious confidenceacross a range of business sectors not seen for some time.Getting Northern Ireland building is one of CBI’s key prioritiesand follows the publication of the CBI Northern Ireland’s report‘Infrastructure – investing for our future’ last October.Of undoubted interest to those reading this publication,the currently ongoing review by a sub-group of theProcurement Board of a range of measures that relate tothe procurement and delivery of infrastructure projects inNorthern Ireland is a massive opportunity – and one that,on issues like the creation of a market-friendly pipelineof infrastructure works, the Northern Ireland Executivecannot afford to fail to deliver. The CBI is also looking at thebarriers to getting the supply side in the housing marketworking effectively, now that finance is starting to flow.Of course the premier opportunity lies in the decisionthe Prime Minister will make in the autumn in respect ofwhether he will devolve to Northern Ireland the power for theAssembly to set its own rate of Corporation Tax. Having beentwo of the organisations at the forefront of the campaignsince its inception, the QPA and CBI know too well thefundamental importance that a ‘yes’ from the Prime Ministerwould have in terms of transforming our economic future– it’s a ‘yes’ that we passionately believe must be said.The sustainability of the local economy and its dependence on anincreasing subvention from Westminster will be an increasing riskwithout such a bold decision. The other key risk is around uncompetitiveenergy prices that large energy users in Northern Ireland have tocontend with - we have developed a ‘roadmap’ setting out a numberof steps that need to be taken to improve the current situation, and wewill be continue a pro-active campaign to secure the necessary actions.For CBI there are other significant opportunities to improvethe business environment. We are close to securing potentialreforms to employment law while we are encouraged by theproposals to reform the apprenticeships model. During the yearwe will be encouraging businesses to become more engagedwith working with schools, to ensure our young people are awareof career opportunities and are able to make more informedchoices – we need businesses to step up to the mark.The CBI is a strong and passionate supporter of the localconstruction industry, keenly recognising the role it has to playboth now and in the future in terms of a sustained economicrecovery and in improving our competitiveness and connectivity.We look forward to continuing to work with the QPA to ensurethat Northern Ireland has an economic framework in place whichcontinues to enhance our competitiveness and attractiveness asa region to do business, encourage investment and create jobs.Rodney MoffettChairman, CIHT NI BranchTHE CHARTEREDINSTITUTION OF HIGHWAYS& TRANSPORTATIONNORTHERN IRELAND BRANCHWith a strong educational base and renowned work ethic,Northern Ireland, as a region, has a lot to offer. The provisionof an effective and efficient Transport network howeverremains fundamental to our overall success and remains a keyfactor as we strive to recover from the global recession.As a learned society with over 12,000 members throughout the UKthe CIHT is focused on exploring how our Industry and Governmentcan work together to deliver such a transport system within theoverall governance of long term transportation strategies.20On behalf of the Specialist Engineering Contractors(SEC) Group Northern Ireland I would like tocongratulate Gordon and his team at QPANI foranother excellent yearbook publication.The Specialist Engineering Group formerly called CASECwork closely alongside Gordon and the SuppliersGroup on the Construction Industry Group (CIG) aswell as having representation on the ConstructionIndustry Forum for Northern Ireland (CIFNI) and theAll Party Group on Construction at Stormont.It has been a difficult number of years for theConstruction Industry as a whole, but Industrybodies such as the CIG and CIFNI along with the AllParty Group give our sectors of the industry a voicewhich we must maximise for the betterment of ourmembers and the Construction Industry as a whole.QUARRY ‘14Alfie WattersonExecutive Secretary,SEC Group Northern IrelandIn Northern Ireland our branch committee has representation fromcontractors, consultants, academia and the public sector. As such,it can draw of the vast experience of its membership to provide arobust industry perspective on existing and developing Highwaysand Transportation policy to Government in Northern Ireland.The NI branch also remains dedicated to providing support andnetworking opportunities through a calendar of technical andsocial events. This year, in addition to examining the progress ofstrategically important local projects, such as the Belfast TransportHub and the York Street Interchange, we have benefited frominformative talks on the use of BIM in major highway projectsand on the development of the highway network in Qatar.CIHT remain committed to professional development and offerroutes to professional qualifications such as Chartered Engineer,Transport Planning Professional and Incorporated Engineer. Forthose considering professional qualifications, I would strongly urgeyou look at the CIHT routes which are tailored to our industry.If you would like to find out more information about CIHT and itsNorthern Ireland Branch please go to our web site www.ciht.org.uk.CIHT is pleased to support the 2014 Quarry Journal and wish QPANIsuccess in their representation of the NI Quarrying sector.View from Partners 4pgs.indd 20 01/04/2014 10:42

While there are good relationships between individual housing associations, private developers - especially those who work closely withassociations on social housing schemes – and suppliers, at a strategic level that relationship has perhaps not been as strong. That is changing,however, with more engagement, understanding and joint working now happening across the house building and wider construction industry.We need a planning system that recognises the social and economic importance of housing; that ensures new local plans include arobust assessment of the need for all types of homes, and set out how those needs will be met in full over the plan period; that has apresumption in favour of sustainable development; and ensures that local councils maintain an adequate supply of land for new housing.Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsDr Jennie DonaldDeputy Chief Executive, NIFHAWhen I joined NIFHA in August of this year and got to know more about the work of housing associations, one of the things that struckme was the similarity between associations and private house builders when it comes to development. While housing associationshave tended to have been viewed by the construction industry as voluntary or quasi-public sector organisations, the approaches takenand challenges faced in developing new social and affordable housing are very much in line with those of private developers.Our members are independent social businesses – grounded in their charitable objectives and operating on a profit-for-a-social-purposebasis, but increasingly operating in a commercial environment with a significant amount of activity funded by private finance. Whenconsidering any new development, a housing association will assess the risk, review the feasibility of the site in terms of contamination,access, roads etc. and determine the commercial viability of the project in exactly the same way as a private developer.There has, I think, been a perception that developing new homes is easier for housing associations given that they are deliverypartners for government, with a sense that land is made available for them, planning applications are progressed more quickly andhurdles are removed when it comes to dealing with government agencies such as NI Water and Roads Service. In reality housingassociations face all of the same barriers and frustrations as private developers. And where the process may move a little faster forassociations – particularly as the March deadline for new starts approaches – the pressure upon them to deliver is intense.NIFHA is part of the All-Party Working Group on Construction which has facilitated new relationships, a broader understanding of constructionissues and the opportunity to build support for the work of housing associations and their partners. The Housing Supply Forum, recentlyestablished by the Minister for Social Development, is proving a useful space for discussed shared challenges and concerns for privateand social house builders. Ongoing conversations with the Construction Employers Federation and Quarry Products Association are alsoimmensely valuable in trying to overcome some of the barriers to delivery facing both the private sector and housing associations.These barriers will be familiar to all of you: planning; procurement; and access to land are common themes, coupled withfrustration at the apparent slowness and prescriptive approach of government agencies that have a role in the developmentprocess. In addition housing associations face challenges around financial viability and opposition to development.The length of time it takes to progress a planning application, including the growing number of reports andevidence that must be provided, are common to everyone involved in development. At a policy level the lack ofsupport for social housing in the planning system constrains the supply of new social homes and places housingassociations in Northern Ireland at a considerable disadvantage to colleagues elsewhere in the UK.There is absolute consensus across the construction industry that Northern Ireland has gold-plated EU legislation and UK regulations inrelation to procurement activity. Housing associations can no longer operate the design and build contracts with private developers whichsignificantly enhanced their ability to deliver new social homes at scale. They are also forced to operate within layers of bureaucracy,prescribed buying groups and even the form of contracts they use is mandated by government. None of this enables a flexible, responsiveand value for money approach to procurement and in turn makes development a more complex, expensive and lengthy process.Accessing land, at the right price, in the right area, is another major challenge for housing associations. Issuesaround the market readiness and valuation of surplus public sector sites is an issue affecting both housingassociations and private developers. For everyone in the house building industry the medium to long term supplyof suitable sites in urban centres, in particular Belfast, will be a key factor in future development activity.Increasing the supply of new housing in Northern Ireland, whether it is market, affordable or social, must surely be thenumber one priority of everyone in the house-building industry here. We all know that new homes bring economic,social and environmental benefits creating jobs, meeting housing need and demand and improving energy efficiency. Sowhat needs to change to ensure that moving forward we can deliver the homes that Northern Ireland needs?We need to remove the constraints on procurement and allow organisations to operate within the legislative framework without additionalbureaucracy. A return to negotiated design and build would unlock sites, support local private developers and most importantly immediatelyincrease the number of new social homes that can be delivered. Allowing housing associations to procure collectively on their own termsand use the right form of contract for the job would also benefit contractors and suppliers and hopefully create more work for SMEs.A decision by the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly to prioritise the disposal of all surplus publicsector sites for new social and affordable housing development would significantly enhance the potential forassociations to increase supply and provide jobs and training opportunities alongside new homes.Joint ventures between housing associations and private developers could create scope for more innovativedelivery with mixed tenure and mixed use developments that provide sustainable communities.Development of new social and affordable housing is just one aspect of a housing association’s business alongsidemanaging and maintaining homes, supporting tenants and investing more widely in communities. However, given theshortage of social and affordable housing and the growing levels of housing need, it is clear that development anddelivery against government targets must be a priority for housing associations in 2014/15 and beyond.In 2014 I hope to see greater collaboration between housing associations and colleagues across the construction industry, acombined lobby on issues that impact on all and a move towards joint ventures – all things that can be achieved if we buildon the understanding and relationships that already exist and remember that there is more unites us than divides us!QUARRY ‘14 21View from Partners 4pgs.indd 21 27/03/2014 12:31

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsResidentialRenaissanceby David Little, NHBC Regional Director,Northern Ireland and Isle of ManIt is fair to say that there are more groundsfor optimism than a year ago. The UKeconomy is improving and opportunities arearising for our local companies. In NorthernIreland, economic indicators have beenimproving, and unemployment levels havebeen stable.22Our locally based contractors, builders and manufacturers havecontinued to achieve significant success in GB and abroad. Four of ourlocal companies were included in the recently published list of the 50most successful contractors in UK in 2013 by value of business won, soour construction industry is evidently ‘punching well above its weight’.]The capability for overseas success is built on a foundationof a program of local workload, so it was well received whenFinance Minister Simon Hamilton announced at CIOBs AnnualDinner in February that a capital budget of over £1 billion will beavailable in Northern Ireland for the first time in 2014/2015. It isgenerally accepted that there is a significant multiplier effect frominvestment in construction, with every £1 invested generatingnearly £3 of benefit to the wider economy, so this level ofinvestment will have a very positive and widespread impact.Local construction products manufacturing is also having successespartly due to the recovery in housebuilding in GB, and the subsequentpressure on traditional suppliers. I have been hearing from my Englishand Scottish colleagues that local blocks are appearing in Scotlandand the North of England, and that NI manufactured precast concretestair units have been spotted as far south as Devon. There is significanttechnical innovation being demonstrated by local manufacturers toenable them to succeed in GB and further afield – one example wasthat Keystone Group of Cookstown won 4 national awards in 2013including Housebuilding ‘Product of the Year’ for their HiTherm lintel.As Chair of CIOB’s Northern Centre, I was particularly pleased to hearof the recent success of two local people in CIOB sponsored events -The Masters Dissertation Award in the 2013 CIOB InternationalInnovation and Research Awards was won by James Devlinof Queens University. This was for his dissertation entitled ‘AnInvestigation into the Barriers and Challenges of deliveringa Domestic Retrofit Program in Northern Ireland’.Neal Lynch of Farrans Construction won the 2013 CIOB ConstructionManger of the Year Award in the category for New Build andRefurbishment between £10 and £19 million. This was for the£17.8 million Rosie Hospital Perinatal Unit in Cambridge.2013 was the year when the local housing market finally started torecover and to reverse the decline in starts (from 2005) and houseprices (from mid 2007). NHBC figures indicate that the number ofhomes under construction in Northern Ireland in 2013 was the lowestfor over 20 years. We have seen prices starting to rise again, indeedRICS members have reported 9 consecutive months of increases sincemid 2013. Perhaps more importantly, the Bank of Ireland / UUJ HousePrice Index for Q4 2013 reported that the volume of transactions hadQUARRY ‘14David Littlesignificantly increased. However it was noted that 40% of transactionsin the quarter were in Belfast, and only 17% of sales were newbuild. NHBC starts for 2013 indicate that 77% of homes were in CoAntrim, Belfast and Co Down. It is clear that the recovery is not yetwidespread, and that construction is lagging behind demand.I have had no doubts that there remained a significant latent demandfor home ownership, and to trade up to a larger home. However thiswas not likely to progress until prospective purchasers and movershad confidence that prices were stable. I believe that we are still anation of buyers rather than renters, and the continuing success ofthe CoOwnership scheme provides evidence of that - £110 million ofpurchases completed so far in this financial year, and I understandanother £50 million already in the pipeline for 2014/2015.VolumesThe housebuilding sector in Northern Ireland is characterised by alarge number of small builders, typically sole traders, family ownedfirms or partnerships. Most build less than 15 homes per annum. Aparticular characteristic of the local market is the large number of‘one off’ homes being completed, usually in rural locations, and theserepresent around a third of completions. While a proportion of these areconstructed for clients by small builders, many are ‘self-build’ projects.None of the national plc builders operate here, and I have detectedno signs that this will change. So where are the increased volumesDavid Little, CIOB 2pgs.indd 22 31/03/2014 14:45

Northern IrelandProviding Essential Materialsgoing to come from? The consensus appears to be that we need11,000 to 11,500 new homes per annum, and currently around halfof that number are being completed. Taking account of the ‘one offs’,this means that the industry will need to increase production notby 100%, but more likely by closer to 150% to meet this demand.However we are still hearing of a lack of support for housebuildersfrom the banking sector. This will be a significant constraint inallowing the industry to build the number of new houses required.DSD has recently established a Housing Supply Forum, with publicand private sector involvement, to examine ways to increase supplyof new homes, and to identify obstacles which can be removed.Social housingThe future structure of NI Housing Executive is under discussion, andwe may in due course see their 90,000 homes transferred to otherorganisations. Some stock transfers from NIHE to Housing Associationshave already taken place. The emergence of larger, financiallystronger, local Associations will no doubt enable more transfersto be made, with the Associations then investing in improvementsto the homes involved. Consolidation in the social housing sectorhas been continuing, with some significant mergers and groupingarrangements between Housing Associations over the last year.Several Housing Associations have plans to develop homes to sell, andsome schemes are already on site. Additionally, three Associations arebenefitting from the local application of the UK government’s Get BritainBuilding scheme, the Affordable Homes Loan Fund, a £19m schemewhich could potentially deliver 600 new affordable homes by 2020.Other factorsThere has been much political interest in ‘unfinished’ developmentroads, where the downturn in the market has left builders unableto complete housing developments. However in a rising market, thecompletion of developments in most cases will take place, although insome cases not by the original builder. It is of course necessary for theprotection of housebuyers that arrangements are in place to ensurethat development roads and sewers are completed and adopted byRoads Service or NI Water. The availability on reasonable terms of Bondsto meet Roads and NI Water requirements will be a significant factor inthe recovery of housebuilding, and I see this as becoming a problem.I am concerned that skills shortages will affect housebuildingand the wider construction sector in the short and medium term.Many of the 20,000 + who have left the local industry may well notreturn, and I know that many who moved to GB are now settledand enjoying the salaries and conditions now available there.The good news is that the quality and specification of new homescurrently is at a high level. The level of thermal performancebeing achieved means that new home buyers are benefitingfrom remarkably low costs for heating and hot water. Withthe current practice being to complete homes to ‘turnkey’finish internally, and with low maintenance finishes externally,running costs for new homes are relatively lower than ever.FutureFor the next year I would hope to see -• Continuing success of local contractors andmanufacturers in the GB market and further afield• Positive ideas and outcomes from the DSD Housing Supply Forum.• Continued support for the NI CoOwnership schemeto enable the first time buyer market to thrive.• Support for housebuilding from the banking sector.• More co-operation between the private housebuilding sectorand Housing Associations for their mutual advantage• Identification of surplus publicly owned landwith potential for housing development.• Preparations in place for a smooth transition of Planningpowers to the new larger Local Authorities.• Positive advice from schools to their students thatconstruction should be seen as a desirable careerat all levels from trades to professions.ConclusionWe have waited for a long time for the start of the recovery inhousebuilding, and I am confident that prospects are good for thefuture. I have no doubt that local suppliers and manufacturers willwork closely with builders to meet the rising demand for new homes,and that they will continue to develop innovative and cost effectivesolutions to the challenges ahead, including the zero carbon agenda.QUARRY ‘14 23CIOB 1pg.indd 23 27/03/2014 11:50

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Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsAssembly All-PartyWorking Groupon ConstructionPatsy McGlone MLAChairperson,All Party Working Groupon ConstructionThe Northern Ireland Assembly All-PartyWorking Group on Construction wasformed to contribute to the Executive’spolicy agenda, to explore issues of concernto the industry, and to foster governmentalcommitment to supporting the industryand the skills on which it relies.26It is an all-party body that provides a vital forum for representativesof the construction industry to interact directly with publicrepresentatives and let us know the key challenges theindustry faces and how we, as legislators, can help.We, in turn, can raise their concerns with the Executive and Assemblyand press for action to be taken to address those concerns.In my opinion, the significance of the role played by the All-PartyWorking Group on Construction can, in part, be measured in oursuccess in securing attendance at our meetings by Executive Ministers.For example, at the start of December last year the Working Groupheld our 23rd meeting. In attendance were representatives fromacross the construction sector, professional bodies, and housingassociations. Also present were the ministers from variousdepartments including Regional Development; Health and Justice,as well as senior officials from the Department of Education. Theywere there to answer questions from those present and to provideupdates on the progress of capital projects within the responsibilityof their department. Departments who had been unable to attendon that occasion, in particular the Finance and Enterprise, Tradeand Industry Ministers, are expected to attend future meetings.That is a clear recognition of the importance the Executive places in theWorking Group as a forum where Ministers can keep the constructionindustry directly informed about the work of government, and wherethey can hear the concerns of those who work in the sector.It was an important and valuable opportunity for everyone involvedto see what could be done to make progress on the commissioning,procurement and delivery of Executive infrastructure projects. Wewere also able to discuss directly with the Ministers responsiblehow more capital projects, including roads, sewerage, health andother major schemes, could be started without further delay.QUARRY ‘14During other meetings we have interrogated the situationregarding tenders and contracts with the Housing Executive,and the general Housing Strategy and the lack of availabilityof land for social housing with the Department for SocialDevelopment and the NI Federation of Housing Associations.We have highlighted issues with access to finance with representativesof the banking industry and the Council for Mortgage Lenders.The Working Group on Construction has repeatedly raised concernsabout procurement with the Central Procurement Directorate, andthere is currently underway a Strategic Review of Commissioningand Delivery System for Infrastructure Projects in Northern Ireland.The Central Procurement Directorate has informed the Group thatthey expect to receive a report on the review in the summer of thisyear. Members of the Working Group on Construction will be keen todiscuss the recommendations of that report with them at that time.Through the Working Group we have also successfully lobbiedfor the use of Project Bank Accounts in the Executive’s capitalinvestment programme. This is a legally ring-fenced and protectedpayment mechanism which enables payments to be madedirectly and simultaneously to all participating members of agiven supply chain. It will accelerate payment to the supplychain, and have a more rigorous oversight of payments.The construction industry is a major employment sector in our society,but it has been severely hit by the recent economic crisis. It has avital role in the rebuilding of our economy and creating new jobs.As Chair of the Assembly’s All-Party Working Group onConstruction, I believe we have an important part to playin assisting the construction industry to fulfil that role.Patsy McGlone 1pg.indd 26 27/03/2014 12:54

Helping to improve Skills and Trainingin local Construction SectorThere is no doubt that the recession has hitconstruction extremely hard and the industryhas gone through 5 years of steep decline,however the industry is changing at a pace andmodest levels of growth are expected betweennow and 2017.Skills and training are the central core of our business, we at CITB-ConstructionSkills NI understand the importance of training and the positiveaffects it can have both internally and externally. We also are aware of thecurrent economic climate and understand that in the downturn training isnot always top of the business agenda. Our aim is to help invest in industryskills and training to make businesses competitive, now and in the future.Construction is crucial to the success of our economic revival. Theindustry has built our homes, our hospitals, our schools, our roads, ourrailways, our workplaces, our airports, our greatest cathedrals and historicbuildings. These buildings and landmarks that are developed will be herelong after they have been constructed allowing us to make our mark onthe landscape. Even in the heart of economic decline some innovativeconstruction projects have emerged such as the Titanic Signature Building,The Causeway Visitors Centre and the Peace Bridge to name a few.It is essential that CITB-ConstructionSkills NI continues to supportthe industry in developing the highly skilled professionals it needsto meet the immediate challenges and prepare for the future.We encourage the industry to undertake training and make use of our£1.1m grant scheme to help improve skills and prepare for the industryreturning to growth. We can help meet training requirements onsite withour Mobile Training Unit which provides short duration health and safetycourses such as confined spaces, excavations and working at heights.In order to boost skills and qualifications within the local construction industryby Barry Neilson, Chief ExecutiveCITB-ConstructionSkills NIwe have been working in partnership with other organisations to gain fundingto focus on specialisms. The Qualifying the Exisitng Workforce project is, ajoint initiative between CITB-ConstructionSkills NI and the Joint Council forthe Building and Civil Engineering Industry is funded by the Departmentfor Employment and Learning. This project has qualified 500 unqualifiedconstruction workers to NVQ Level 2, and we are currently negotiating a secondphase of the project which will in focus on a further 1000 qualifications.With green technologies and environmental changes leading the way to thefuture, CITB-ConstructionSkills NI recently sent 30 local construction workersto Bieberach in Germany to learn more about sustainable constructionmethods, renewable energy and environmental standards. The ‘Building Skillsfor Sustainable Construction’ project is organised by CITB-ConstructionSkillsNI and funded by the European Commission’s Leonardo programme which ismanaged by Ecorys in the UK. A second phase of funding has been releasedand a further 30 construction workers will travel back to Bieberach in 2014.CITB-ConstructionSkills NI have also been working hard to maintain and developskills in the heritage sector. Funding was received from the Heritage LotteryFund (HLF) through its Skills for the Future Programme to continue and expandon work to sustain and develop traditional skills in the local built heritagesector. Further funding support of £368,000 has been secured through HLFfor the Heritage Specialist Apprenticeship Programme in Wood Occupationsin Northern Ireland. 12 apprentices will receive bespoke, structured trainingand assessment leading to the achievement of the Level 3 NVQ Diploma inHeritage Skills (Construction) – Wood Occupations. The apprentices will receiveboth on and off the job training with experienced heritage contractors andthe training programme is expected to commence in September 2014.We not only focus on the existing construction workforce but also the youthmarket who are are future. We are piloting a Shared Apprentice schemeamongst industry and young people. We continuously promote constructioncareer opportunities to the youth market through careers fairs and constructionambassadors. We host the annual NI Skillbuild competition and work closelywith the local colleges to prepare apprentices to compete on a national andworld stage. At the recent Skills Show construction apprentices were awardedwith five gold, two silver and one bronze medals were awarded in skillsranging from carpentry to wall and floor tiling. Three members of the teamwere also highly commended in carpentry, electrical installation and joinery.Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsQUARRY ‘14 27CITB 1pg.indd 27 31/03/2014 14:48

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsUEPGThe EuropeanAggregates AssociationThe European Aggregates Industry isby far the largest non-energy extractiveindustry sector. Some 3 billion tonsof aggregates such as crushed stone,sand & gravel, are annually producedby 15,000 companies (mostly SMEs) at26,000 quarries and pits across Europe,employing 238,000 people directly andindirectly.UEPG, founded in 1987, proactively identifies EU initiatives andpolicies that are likely to impact on European aggregates producers.It provides Members with brief and concise information throughregular publications and updates, and ensures UEPG positionsare considered and acted upon by EU decision-makers.The European Aggregates Industry supports the principles ofsustainable development and is committed to operate withcare and concern for the environment, for its neighbours andsociety as a whole. UEPG aims at a sustainable access to localresources in Europe with specific focus on health & safety,environmental, economic and technical policy. Its objectives aresupplying essential building materials, retaining jobs, contributingto Europe’s competitiveness, partnering with local stakeholders,contributing to Europe’s heritage through sustainable production.The UEPG Secretariat is located next to the European Parliament inBrussels. Contact details are available on the website www.uepg.eu.UEPG achievements in 2013Throughout 2013 UEPG worked successfully to make sure that theinterest of the European Aggregates Industry were representedand taken into consideration by the European Union Institutions.EnvironmentThe top priority in 2013 has been the review of the EnvironmentalImpact Assessment Directive. Its obligations impacts directly onaggregates producers’ ability to obtain or to extend a permit. Followingan intensive UEPG campaign advocating for smarter regulation,the compromise text allows an environmental impact assessmentwithout increasing a costs and administrative burden to companies.Biodiversity remains a top priority. In 2013, UEPGdeveloped and launched its own indicators.UEPG continued to follow very closely developments on theoutcome of the 7th Environmental Action Programme, on theBlueprint to safeguard Europe’s waters, on soil protection,dust emissions and implementation of Natura 2000.TechnicalUEPG maintained its monitoring of the implementationof the Construction Product Regulation (CPR) replacingthe Construction Product Directive (CPD).UEPG lobbied as associated Member of CPE for Construction Productsto be excluded of the scope of the Regulation on consumer productsafety to avoid any redundancy and extra administrative burden.The Technical Committee keeps monitoring and activelyinvolved in the drafting and revision of standards.UEPG created a Recycling Task Force, demonstrating itscommitment in resource efficiency. The Task Force is at its start,and has as objective to “Encourage all possible use of recycledmaterials as aggregates, for the most appropriate applicationon the place of use”. This implies the promotion of recyclingwhere economically, environmentally and technically feasible.Health and SafetyUEPG replied to risk assessment studies and consultation ofthe European Commission on Respirable Crystalline Silica andpromoted good results and examples of the Social DialogueAgreement (NePSi), preparing for the 2014 reporting.UEPG actively supported the 14th European Minerals FoundationForum on accident prevention focused on machines andequipments, where Safer by Design raised a general consensus.The Explosives for civil uses Task Force led by UEPGreceived the support of Members States in its actions andfinalised a guidance document for the whole supply chain.This ensures a smooth implementation of the Directivecontributing to security, efficiency and cost effectiveness.UEPG received recognition as Partner of the European AgencyUEPG Sustainable Development Awards Dinner’s Ceremony: UEPG President Arnaud Colson briefingEuropean Parliament Vice-President Alejo Vidal Quadras, (EPP, Spain) on the key challenges the European Aggregates Industry is currently facing28QUARRY ‘14UEPG 2pgs.indd 28 28/03/2014 15:51

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsAll Supply chain experts representatives around the table for the EMF Forum on Saferby Design, around the table, speakers: Christa Schweng (Member of the EuropeanEconomic and Social Committee and Chair of Governing Board, European Agency forSafety and Health at Work), Armindo Silva (Director, Employment and Social Legislation,Social Dialogue, DG Employment, European Commission) , Martin Isles (SpecialAdvisor Health & Safety, Mineral Products Association, UK and UEPG Health and SafetyCommittee Chair), Simon van der Byl (moderator and Special Advisor Public Policy,Mineral Products Association), Ian Fraser Policy Officer (Team Leader for the Machinerysector - Policy Officer of Machinery Directive, DG Enterprise & Industry, EuropeanCommission), Reinhold Hartdegen (Chair, CEN TC 151 ‘Construction equipment andbuilding material machines – Safety) , Werner Sterk (Head of the Safety TechnologyDepartment KAN Commission for Occupational Safety and Health and Standardization),Simon Hunter (Standing Working Party Extractive Industry), Ralf Wezel (SecretaryGeneral, Committee for European Construction Equipment), and Industry and Health andSafety experts’ representatives from all Europe as participantsfor Safety and Health at Work 2012-2013 Healthy workplacesCampaign called ‘Working together for risk prevention’.EconomicContinued high level awareness was given to sustainableaccess to resources when implementing the EU RawMaterials Strategy in EU Member States.UEPG is actively involved within EC Working Groupson exchanges of good practices and indicators.UEPG closely monitored the Accounting Directive and positionedclearly on resource taxation and other marked based instruments.This position had been shared and strengthened by other EuropeanAssociation of the Non-Energy Extractive Industry Panel (NEEIP).UEPG closely participated in EU Projects as Minventory, adatabase on EU Raw materials deposits, and SNAP-SEE,SustaiNable Aggregates Planning for South-Eastern Europe.UEPG Sustainable Development Awardsand CeremonyThe Triennial Sustainable Development Awards Ceremony and aGala Dinner were a great success and a showcase of the industry’scommitments to and excellence in sustainable development.The event gathered more than 130 participants all over Europewith EU, National and regional Decision makers and media,among them the Vice-President of the European Parliament.The 2013 Awards Ceremony was hosted by Sirpa Hertell (EPP,Finland), Member of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) andMember of the CoR Natural resources and Environment Committee.This year, the independent Jury had to make a selection out ofa record number of 52 excellent entries from 14 countries.The special feature of the 2013 Awards was that in addition to thethree pillars of Sustainable Development (Environment, Social andEconomic) and the Biodiversity Award, companies were also rewardedfor Education, Employees Involvement, Communication and Innovation.The Award encourages best practice and promotes projects thatgo well beyond what is required by planners or regulators; setnew standards of Excellence and provide inspiration for othersto follow. Press release, speeches, awards and certificates areon UEPG website: http://www.uepg.eu/mediaroom/18/30/UEPG-Sustainable-Development-Awards-2013/2014 at EU levelThe Greek EU Presidency started on 1 January 2014. In thesechallenging economic times, priorities are economic growth, jobsand cohesion. Athens also promotes the regulation proposalfor combating alien invasive species and the package of nonlegislativeproposals on air quality. Italy will take the relay andrein of the EU Presidency during the second half of the year.The industry has been significantly impacted by the economic crisisin the last 5 years. Therefore, UEPG urges political measures toFrom left: Migle Masaityte, Lithuanian Permanent Representation; Kriton Arsenis MEP(Socialists, Greece), European Parliament Shadow-Rapporteur; Maria Spiliopoulou-Kaparia, Deputy Head of Unit, DG Enterprise & Industry; Alexander Kessler,BUSINESSEUROPE; Marek Sowa, Committee of the Regions Rapporteur on EIA;Antony Fell, Chair of the European Minerals Foundation; Karl Falkenberg, DirectorGeneral, DG Environment; Andrea Zanoni MEP (ALDE, Italy), European ParliamentRapporteur on the EIA; Georges Kremlis, Head of Unit, DG Environmentstimulate sustainable growth and a reindustrialisation of Europe.On 22-25 May, all 28 EU Member States will hold electionsfor the European Parliament. The MEPs will then elect thePresident of the European Parliament and of the EuropeanCommission. A new team of currently 27 Commissionerswill be appointed, put forward by Members States.UEPG will renew its EU network and inform new MEPs andCommissioners about the achievements, the added value to oursociety but also about the difficulties of the European AggregatesIndustry. This includes key objectives towards a sustainable,smart growth and local access to resources in our sector.UEPG Sustainable Development Awards Ceremony: The Master of ceremony JimO’Brien, UEPG Past President, presenting UEPG 2013 Awards, accompanied bythe host of the event, Sirpa Hertell (EPP, Finland), Member of the Committee ofthe Regions (CoR) and Member of the CoR Natural resources and EnvironmentCommittee, and Jury members representatives such as Peter Moser, Professorfor Mining, Engineering & Mineral Economics and since 2011 deputy directorand responsible for International activities and University infrastructure atMontanuniversitaet Leoben, Austria Theodor Bülhoff, President of InternationalSocial Security Association focusing on Prevention in the Mining Industry, formerDirector of “Berufsgenossenschaft Rohstoffe und chemische Industrie”, GermanyLuc Bas, Director of the IUCN European Union Representative Office in BrusselsQUARRY ‘14 29UEPG 2pgs.indd 29 28/03/2014 15:51

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsRegional Directors2013 Annual ReportGordon Best,QPA Regional Director30Lets hope that all the positive economicdata coming out over the past few monthsis a sign that we have at last turned thecorner and we can look forward to a futurewith sustainable growth.In last years annual report I highlighted the work that QPANI hadcarried out with our colleagues in the Irish Concrete Federationto produce the All Island capacity analysis for the constructionmaterial supply sector. The message in the report was crystal clear.We are now in discussion with Inter-Trade Ireland to look at thefeasibility of carrying out a study and producing an interim reportto show what extent the recommendations of our 2012 reporthave been implemented by the Industry in both jurisdictions. Theproposed short study and subsequent report will assess whetheror not the quarry products sector on this Island is “fit for purpose”for sustainable growth over the next decade and beyond.QPANI continue to play a leading role within the Construction IndustryGroup of Northern Ireland and the functioning of the Assembly All PartyGroup on Construction, ably chaired by Patsy McGlone MLA. In the laterhalf of 2013 a significant amount of industry lobbying was carried outQUARRY ‘14by Construction organisations under the banner of CIGNI. This lobbyingcreated significant political debate around the need to deliver majorinfrastructure projects more efficiently and quicker in Northern Ireland.On October 21st we saw the publication of the CBI Infrastructure Report.Then on the 19th November the Assembly debated the following motion,“ That this Assembly calls on the Executive to take all necessary stepsto create an effective delivery pipeline of major infrastructure workto alleviate the current economic and social difficulties being facedacross the community”. Many MLAs contributed to the debate. Thismessage was supported by every speaker and the motion was carried.In mid-November the Strategic Investment Board presented itsrecommendations on speeding up the commissioning, procurementand delivery of major infrastructure projects in Northern Ireland to theFinance Minister and the Procurement Board. Then on the 3rd Decemberthe All Party Assembly Group on Construction met with Justice MinisterDavid Forde, Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy, HealthMinister Edwin Poots and two Senior officials from the Department ofEducation to discuss and get an update on the delivery of constructionprojects within the remit of their various Departments. Also on thatday the Construction Industry Group ( CIGNI ) launched its “Actions ForRecovery” which is a potential road map for the Assembly and Executiveto bolster the Industry and create growth across the NI economy.Whilst we all recognise and congratulate the Assembly and Executivefor the priority that has been given to the infrastructure investment,there is much work to be done. Constructions ability to be anenabler for economic growth is well recognised but for our industryto maximise its potential we need urgent decisions and delivery ofinfrastructure projects that have experienced unacceptable delays.While we as construction material suppliers are cautiously optimisticwe have not as yet witnessed the expected upturn across theprovince. Signs of growth are certainly being experienced inthe greater Belfast area and with companies who are exportingmaterials into GB and further afield. However the further west yougo companies are still struggling. There is continuing concern overthe legacy of bad debt within the supply chain. Another concernof QPANI members is energy prices and energy security. We wantto see the Executive pressure placed to progress the North SouthInterconnector as soon as possible and the upgrade the MoyleInterconnector. We also wish to see alternative and sustainableforms of energy being sourced from within Northern Ireland and thatincludes shale gas, tidal power, energy from waste and biomass.It is also pleasing to see an improvement in the Irish Republicthat if it continues will have knock on benefits for NorthernIreland suppliers. Traditionally our members core markets havebeen Agriculture and Housing. The Executives support for theAgri- Food Strategy and for Housing through the co-ownershipscheme and continuing pressure being applied to Banks toincrease lending and be more flexible is most welcome.The BAA Aggregates Levy Legal Challenge continues to frustratinglydrag on with, to be honest, no end in sight. In terms of our local ALCScase we are continuing our discussions and close working relationshipwith officials in DFP and the Treasury. Currently we are collecting moreinformation that the EU Commission have requested as part of theirPhase Two Investigation into ALCS. QPANI and our Members trulyappreciate the support that our local Politicians and the Assemblyhave given to the Industry over the past decade. The message has notchanged in that time. The Aggregates Levy is a flawed tax and one thatimpacts severely on Northern Ireland given our land border with the IrishRepublic, the lower cost base here, our higher electric prices, our highermineral planning fees and the fact that we have a high extraction rategiven our agriculture based economy and our exports to GB and RoI.The QPANI have welcomed the removal of the exemptions onmaterials that are clearly used as construction aggregates and wesee this as going some way to creating a level playing field.It is quite clear from both local and national legal advice that theQPANI has received that the risk of retrospective payment on the ALCSQPA Regional Director 1pg.indd 30 28/03/2014 09:50

Northern IrelandProviding Essential Materialsis remote given the fact it wasthe EU Commission themselveswho in 2004, when they gavestate aid approval for ALCS,made the decision that importedaggregates to Northern Irelandwould attract the full level ofthe levy given the fact that theoriginating site was not subject tothe same costs of implementingthe environmental improvementsassociated with the ALCS. Howcould they impose the requirementon Treasury to seek payment ofthe so called illegal state aid?Members can be assured thatwe continue to work hard on thisissue and we are encouragingall our Politicians to emphasisto Senior Treasury Ministers thata fundamental review of theAggregates is required as a matterof urgency given the potentialoutcomes and scenarios thatcould arise from the currentlegal case against the levy.At the start of 2013, as of every yearwe set out our objectives. This yearwe achieved a number of them andcontinue to work hard on the others.In health and safety the sustainedfocus on health and safetyperformance by the industryis continuing to pay dividends.The overall trend of reducingthe number of incidents hascontinued. The industry needsto maintain it’s focus on healthand safety issues in the futureto maintain the overall trend ofimprovement. This will includepromoting health and safety in allsectors of the business, developingpersonal competence at all levelsof the organisation and ensuringadequate staffing levels in light of the slight upturn in work.Our partnership with HSENI continued with a number of jointevents being held throughout the year namely our Pre-stressingsafety event back in January and then our Concrete ProductsSafety day at FinningCat in Lisburn in October. We continue to workclosely with Ken Logan and his team to promote good practice,training and competence across all the sectors we represent.The Association have invested a lot of time and resource into our workwith HSENI Construction team, led by Nancy Henry, to improve safetystandards on construction sites that our members deliver to, particularlythe issue of off- loading materials onto structures such as first floorand scaffolding. This remains a significant challenge particularly onsingle building sites in the countryside. We will continue our work onthis issue with the hope that our “Commitment to Delivery Safely”initiative will have the desired results. Our Safety Committee havealso established an engagement group with a number of NorthernIrelands major building and civil engineering contractors. The proposedinitiative has the potential to do much to improve standards andpromote best practice on construction sites through more effectiveengagement with the supply chain using the BuildHealth model.Our continuing aim is Zero Harm.Members of the NIABT with MEP’s Jim Nicholsonand Martina Anderson in BrusselsRegional Director withDiane Dodds MEPFinance Minister Simon Hamiltonvisiting QPANIThe unusually hot weather experienced in the summer of 2013 ledto a higher incidence of drowning across the UK and two here inNorthern Ireland. These water related fatalities, including six deathsin disused or non-operational quarries within a 2 month period,resulted in extensive media coverage and public debate aboutactivities and public safety in disused quarries. MPA’s and QPANI`sannual Stay Safe campaign aims to raise the publics’ awarenessof the risks they may be exposing themselves to when trespassingQPANI Regional Director with Phil Flanagan MLA - Chair of theNorthern Ireland Assembly Business Trustin quarries or related industry sites. The campaign reinforces thecommunity work already being undertaken by members.In November QPANI and a representative of Armagh Council attendedan MPA Summit to discuss public safety at former quarries siteswhich attracted key representatives from the quarry operators,the emergency services, safety organisations, sporting bodies,environmental groups, regulators, mineral planners and a range oflandowners. It was held to help better understand the scale of theproblem and key factors associated with the tragic accidents, to shareinformation about current practices, to examine potential opportunitiesfor cooperation and agree recommendations going forward. TheAssociation continue to work with DOENI, local Councils, the PSNIand other stakeholders as we plan our 2014 Stay Safe message.Planning and what we see as failure to make prompt and professionaldecisions has created frustration and anger during the past year.The objector led process that seems to have created a paralysis ofdecision making within Government creates a risk of slowing downgrowth. The Association has led from the front on this, and followingmeetings with the DOENI Permanent Secretary, Chief Planner anda number of statutory consultees we are hopeful the decisionmaking process will speed up significantly in the coming months.A major achievement of 2013 has been the securing of PermittedDevelopment rights which will come into operation on 10 March2014 that will mean that there is no need for a planning applicationfor certain types of minor development within mines and quarries.This will include the installation, alteration or replacement ofbuildings, plant and equipment and the provision of internal lanesand roadways within an existing mine or quarry site. The passingof this new legislation brings our industry into line with the restof the United Kingdom. The types of development that will nownot require planning permission will be those which will have noQUARRY ‘14 31QPA Regional Director 1pg.indd 31 31/03/2014 14:55

Northern IrelandProviding Essential Materialsenvironmental, visual or community impact but on the contrary, willimprove the efficiency, enhance the environmental and health andsafety performance of the quarry. This is a real boost to the sector.”The Association has again, as in other years, been working withkey partners such as the RSPB and Woodland Trust to improveawareness and knowledge within the industry and make somemajor gains for biodiversity and wildlife. The Association arealso playing an important role in developing a Business andBiodiversity Charter for Northern Ireland. We are part of a groupof business organisations led by Business in The Community.Our Product Group Committees have been busy this year. The Asphaltand Aggregates Committee have focused on maximising investmentin structural maintenance, safety of and respect for road workers,the failure of Price Fluctuation Indices to reflect increases in rawmaterial prices in contracts from 2008 to 2011. The Committee hasalso worked to ensure that clients and customers are aware of theConstruction Products Regulations and the requirement for CE Marking.The Concrete Technical Committee has worked with CPD tocommunicate the new guidance on specifying sustainable andwww.clarkeltd.comdurable concrete. A major success has been the uptake of the newNVQ qualification for the laying of no-structural concrete. We nowhave 73 concrete layers who have completed the National VocationalQualification under the Qualifying the Existing Workforce funded scheme.Later this year QPANI Product Groups will be staging a numberof information briefings in partnership with Institution of CivilEngineers, Institute of Structural Engineers, Royal Society ofUlster Architects and the Concrete Society aimed at improvingdesigners and engineers knowledge of changing specifications,European standards new material codes of practice and thesafe design and placing of precast concrete elements.In 2013 YOUR Association responded to 8 consultation papers on YOURbehalf. We met with 4 Executive Ministers, we met with the EconomicSecretary to the Treasury, the Deputy Secretary of State and threePermanent Secretaries. In addition we have had numerous meetingsand engagement with various Departmental officials on issues ofconcern. We have sat around the table with all of our WestminsterMPs and our First and deputy First Ministers as part of an AssemblyBusiness Trust team. This is YOUR Association working for YOU.P. Clarke and Sons Ltd105 Nutfield Road, Slush Hill,Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh.tel: +44 (0)28 6772 1286fax: +44 (0) 28 6772 1207email: info@clarkeltd.comCONTRACTS | PRODUCTS | SURFACINGOne of the many challengesleading a Trade Associationlike QPANI is managing ourmembers expectations. OurAssociations Statement ofPurpose is “The QPANI exists toadd value and improve the longterm commercial sustainabilityof member businesses andthe Industry as a whole”.To deliver on this statement weneed members to participateand actively contribute to theworkings of the Association.Whether it be participating insub-committees, attendingour local member forums orcompleting industry surveysthat enable QPANI to deliverkey messages to Governmentand our other stakeholders.For QPANI to continuerepresenting the interests of allMember companies we need ateam work approach through allof our Committees and from theentire Membership. Don’t think “Iwill leave it for somebody else”While I, as Regional Directorcarry the main responsibilityfor the day to day operationand delivery of the Associationand Sub-Committee objectivesthe Chairman, Vice Chairman,immediate past Chairman,members of our Committeesand you the Members will playan important supportive role.This team work approach willundoubtedly strengthen theAssociation and help achieve theultimate goals of protecting yourlicense to operate and securefinancial security of the industry.I also want to thank all thosemembers who do take the timeto lift the phone or put a fewwords down in an email to thankus for our efforts or even to giveconstructive criticism. Rememberthis is your Association and forQPANI to remain effective andprotect your interests we requireyour continuing and full support.May I wish all our members asuccessful and safe 2014.32QUARRY ‘14QPA Regional Director 1pg.indd 32 28/03/2014 09:50

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsIrish Mining and QuarryingSociety (IMQS) ReviewConstruction RecoverySean FinlayProfessional Geologist andChartered EngineerPresident IMQS 2013In the IMQS Annual Review for 2013 (stillably assisted by long-term co-editor TonyKillian), the continuing decline of theconstruction sector was noted. A fewnumbers sum up the collapse of the sector;• Construction output is at 6% of GNP; itwas 25% in 2006; 12% is considered anoptimum sustainable level.• Construction employment in the EUaverages 8%; in Ireland it is c. 5%.However, there are some signs of recovery. In the Dublinarea, house prices have recovered and there are reports offorthcoming housing shortages. Construction activity haspicked up with Ulster Bank reporting an increase in each ofthe last 5 months with a Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) inexcess of 50. Employment and new orders have increased.Anecdotal evidence from quarry operators suggestsbetter output levels and order books.Forfas, the Government policy advisory body, published areport on Ireland’s Construction Sector-Outlook and StrategicPlan to 2015 which contains several realistic proposals torevive and support the sector. The Forfas Report is supportedby a Government Statement outlining measures beingimplemented and planned. Among the proposals are;• Designate a lead Minister to chair aConstruction Sector Oversight Group• Maintain the Public Capital Programme, augmented by a € 2.25billion stimulus package aimed at key infrastructure and theestablishment of an Ireland Strategic Investment Fund financedby a reorienting of €6 billion from the Pension Reserve Fund.• Ensure the Statutory Registration of Builders andContractors by 2015 and tackle the Shadow Economy.• Enact the Construction Contracts Bill and reviewthe current regime of public works contracts.• Develop a Policy Statement on Planning;hopefully this will include a review of the thornySection 261A issues applying to quarries.• Energy Efficiency measures, in particular retrofitting.• Promote the internationalisation of construction firmsand consultants (e.g. through Geoscience Ireland).Other welcome events during the last year was the creationof the Pyrite Resolution Board which will administer ascheme for the remediation of damage to dwellingscaused by pyritic heave and to ensure the effectiveimplementation of a programme of remediation works.IMQS supports a certification scheme which would verify theprovenance and composition of aggregates for construction toensure that problems such as pyrite are avoided in the future.Exploration and Mining continues to perform reasonably wellin Ireland, in contrast to a slowdown elsewhere. Explorationactivity remains high with over 650 Prospecting Licences inissue. The Pallas Green zinc- lead project in Co Limerick,QUARRY ‘14 33IMQS Review 1pg.indd 33 28/03/2014 09:58

Northern IrelandProviding Essential Materialsnow wholly owned by Glencore, continues to see a highlevel of exploration and delineation drilling but no newresource numbers have been published for some time.Output of zinc and lead concentrates from Ireland’s twooperating mines at Tara and Lisheen was as anticipated,with a 10 year extension to Tara’s Mining Lease being agreedduring the year. Ireland was Europe’s largest producer of zincconcentrate, accounting for 32 per cent of all European zincmine output and the 10th largest producer in the world.The Exploration and Mining Division of the Department ofCommunications, Energy and Natural Resources publisheda Report on Ireland’s mining sector by Indecon EconomicConsultants which reported economy-wide expenditure impactof the sector in 2012 at EUR 809.7 million, supporting 3,300 jobsdirectly and indirectly - almost all of them outside Dublin.Welcoming the Report, IMQS noted that as Irish minesare reaching maturity, there is a pressing need for newdiscoveries to maintain output and employment and urgedM’CRETE IRISH AD – 3013_Layout 1 27/02/2014 10:04 Page 3MASTERCRETEIreland’s first ever cement inWATERPROOF plastic packagingQuick and easy-to-use, the highquality multi-purpose cementfor all your building projectswww.mastercretecement.ieGovernment to continue its policy of attracting new explorationinvestment to Ireland, The passing of the long- promisednew Mining Act is an important element in this process.Gold mine projects in Counties Cavan and Tyrone look promisingand may accelerate in the coming year. Hopefully the uplift inconstruction will assist Gypsum Industries operations in Co Cavan.Offshore Ireland, a major well was drilled on the Dunquin prospectsome 170 kms west of Kerry in 1,700 m deep water but wasdry. The PwC Report on the potential of oil and gas explorationin Ireland published earlier last year reflects the relatively lowsuccess rate of drilling for hydrocarbons offshore Ireland at1: 32. Nevertheless there appears to be renewed interest byinternational companies in offshore Ireland, aided by the oil and gasdiscovery at Barryroe off the south coast late last year. At c. $200million per well, offshore exploration is an expensive business.The GeoGathering which was jointly sponsored by IMQS, IGI, GSIand IAEG brought together 100 geoscientists from Ireland andoverseas in Galway. IMQS remains part of the Irish GeoscienceNetwork (IGN), an umbrellagroup for 20+ organisationsworking in earth sciences. Whilecooperation between theseorganisations is strong, I believethat the sector is fragmentedand lacks overall leadershipLESS WASTESAVES MONEYBETTER VALUEand recall that when the IGIwas being formed some twentyyears ago, a link to the muchlarger and arguably much moreinfluential Engineers Irelandwas mooted; time to revisitthis concept again perhaps?I wish to thank my fellowCouncil Members- in particularVice President Siobhán Tinnellyand Executive Secretary CarolSanderson -for their supportduring this my second termas President of the IMQS.I wish my successor for2014/2015 Siobhán everysuccess; she will bring skill andperseverance to the task inthe same impressive way asshe managed the roles of Hon.Secretary and Vice President.I also thank the individual andcorporate members for theircontinuing support; while wehave lost some members inrecent testing years, we retaina core group of committedand loyal members whichwill ensure that the Societysurvives and prospers.Finally, the IMQS wish theQPANI every success for thecoming year and the IMQSwill continue to work with andthe support the associationas our industry continueson the road to recovery.34QUARRY ‘14IMQS Review 1pg.indd 34 28/03/2014 09:58

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsHealth & SafetyManagement is keyThe recent improvements in theconstruction industry in Great Britain havehelped the concrete industry and thequarry industry in Northern Ireland. Thequarry industry provides employment foraround 3,000 workers and by the nature ofits business it is a very high risk industry.The plant involved in quarrying activities is large and very powerfulthus requires management to exercise strict control over day today work activities and ensure that maintenance operations arecarried out correctly following safe working procedures. The useof explosives to extract rock from the quarry working benches isa high risk activity. It is essential that quarry management takesall the necessary actions to prevent any incidents exposing eitherworkers or the general public to danger. The QPANI fully supportsthe inspection priorities set by the Health and Safety ExecutiveNorthern Ireland (HSENI) and provided its members with all thenecessary guidance and support to achieve compliance withthe law. HSENI developed an initiative to raise standards in thePrestressed Concrete Industry and was very encouraged by thesupport given by QPANI and its members. This initiative has provedto be very successful in raising standards in this section of industry.The Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland (QPANI) hasworked hard following the tragic deaths, by drowning, in a veryold former quarry site in Annalong, Co. Down to get the messageout to the public that quarries whether disused or operational aredangerous places – ‘Stay Safe .....Stay Out’. It is evidence that QPANItake a very responsible attitude to health and safety matters.QPANI has also worked with HSENI on seminars and workshops toget the health and safety message out to industry. Subjects coveredinclude machinery guarding, corporate responsibilities, workplacetransport, occupational health and geotechnical matters. The currentchallenge is to raise occupational health standards for example hearingloss due to noise exposure, whole body vibration, exposure to silicadust etc within this industry and to use the workplace to promotemen’s’ health. The quarry industry can impact on the general publicwho live in close proximity to the quarries. In general the public ismostly concerned with environmental issues such as dust, noise andground vibrations emanating from the quarries. The quarry industryhas taken steps over recent years to minimise these factors.Organisational Resilience isOrganisational SenseTaking risks is part of business but howwell prepared are you as a business ifthose risks come true?What would you do if the risks that keep you awake at night, becauseyou haven’t really done much about them like an old IT system,elderly machine or the dependency on particular skills sets, occurred.These are known as single points of failure or bottlenecks in yourprocesses and they are vulnerabilities. Then there are the issue youmay not even be aware of such as the critical supplier that is aboutto fail, the IT systems hack that is looming or the extreme weatheraround the corner. Recent surveys highlight the fact that businessesroutinely suffer disruptions from such sources as IT failure, cyberbreach, utility interruptions, telecommunications failure, securityor Health and Safety incident, fire and supply chain disruption toname but a few areas. The good news is that there is a disciplineknow as Business Continuity Management (BCM), complete withan ISO (ISO 22301), which can help you plan for, respond to andrecover from business interruptions and in so doing protect yourbusiness and keep your clients, if not win new ones. BCM….Many businesses are choosing to look at BCM as part of theirwider approach to being a resilient organisation and as such adependable supplier. There is plenty of information available onBCM and it is promoted by most the major business sectors andrepresentative bodies such as the IoD or FSB. You can also contactthe local forum of the Business Continuity Institute, through thePrivate Sector representative Alan Elwood (alan@riskresltd.com),for general advice and information about local forum meetings....is BestPractice...is goodgovernance...can be acompetitiveadvantage...can bescoped...helpsprotect yourreputation...makesgood sense• ISO 22301 is the standard guiding Business ContinuityManagement (BCM). Organisations with other ISOaccreditations (9001,14001, 18001, 27001) oftenchoose to implement BCM aligned with this standard.Some even choose to attain full certification.• Businesses undertake BCM to be able to a)respond to disruptions and manage impacts nomatter the cause, b) address residual risks andc) ensure that customers continue to receivethe products and services they expect.• Increasingly BCM is a procurement expectationdue to concerns about supply chain disruptionsand a desire to understand how vulnerableimportant suppliers might be. It can also play apart influencing insurance cover and costs.• BCM includes considering the possible causesof disruptions to key areas and taking action toremove or reduce them as well as planning forwhat to do if they occur anyway. It focusses onwhat is critical rather than on everything.• BCM encourages thinking about how you willmanage the wider impacts of disruption suchas staff welfare (short and long term), financialimplications, staff and client communicationsreputation and media management.• Your business is highly likely to suffer disruptionin the future. BCM ensures you're ready to cope,reduces the impacts and shortens the down time.QUARRY ‘14 35HSENI 1pg.indd 35 28/03/2014 09:59

AWA RDI NG ORGA N I S A T I O NMINERAL PRODUCTS QUALIFICATIONS COUNCILAwarding Organisation for the extractives, mineral productsand related manufacturing industries, offering a range of accreditation servicesand .also providing value to learners with a full commitment to supporting the sector in its aim of ensuringprocessing trade associations, including Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland (QPANI); BritishAggregates Association (BAA); CoalPro and Mining Association of UK (MAUK) along with professionalbodies such as the Institute of Quarrying, Asphalt Technology and IMMM.• Asphalt• Blasting• Concrete• Construction• Contractors• Drilling• First Aid• Geotechnical• Instructing & Training• Laboratory• MaintenanceThe Awarding Organisation will additionally be taking over the administration and management of theMPQC Plant Operator Competency Scheme with effect 1st April 2014, providing a single scheme forthe sector with consistent standards being applied and rigorous audit checks undertaken on the coursesdelivery and trainer approvals.www.mp-qc.org or contact us on0115 972 6121 / info@mpawards.co.uk• Mining• Plant• Processing• SHE• WeighbridgeKeep current with the latest updates and news by following the Awarding Organisation onLinkedIn & Twitter (@MPQC_AO).MPQC became the Standard Setting Organisation for the Extractives and Mineral Products sector inSeptember 2012. Under the title of MP-Futures, MPQC will be representing the interests of the sectorit additionally provides leadership in the development of National Occupational Standards (NOS) andestablishes new activities to assist in the promotion of career opportunities within the industry to schooland college leavers.For further information about MP Futures and its role please contact Anthony Elgey on07825 294 009 or Anthony.Elgey@mp-qc.co.ukYou can also stay informed with us on Twitter (@AnthonyMPQC).McPherson House, Chetwynd Business Park, Chilwell, Nottingham NG9 6RZMPQC Awarding Organisation: 0115 972 6121 / info@mpawards.co.ukMP-Futures: 07825 294 009 / Anthony.Elgey@mp-qc.co.ukMPQC fp ads.indd 28 20/03/2014 16:55

...taking care of all your training, development,& assessment needs.A selection of some of the areas we cover can be seen below:• • Geotechnical Courses• SHE Courses• Safeguarding Vulnerable Road Users• Consultancy Services• Site Safety AwarenessFor further information about MP Skills or to discuss our services,www.mp-qc.org orcontact one of the team now on 0115 983 6580 / info@mpskills.co.ukAWA RDI NG ORGA N I S A T I O N‘Don’t become another statistic, stay safe’MPQC/SPA CONTRACTOR SAFETY PASSPORTJoint scheme betweenMPQC & SPA (SafetyPass Alliance) deliveredthrough Approved Trainersand Licensed TrainingProviders.Single passport schemefor the sector, providinga current & more focusedcourse.Full & partial exemptionsavailable, please visitwww.mp-qc.org orwww.safetypassports.co.ukfor further information.Successful completion ofthe course leads to theachievement of a NationallyScheme quality assuredby MPQC AwardingOrganisation with a robustassessment system inplace.To check course availabilitynear you please visit:www.safetypassports.co.ukREVISED MATERIALS FOR 2014MPQC Awarding Organisation0115 972 6121 info@mpawards.co.uk www.mp-qc.orgSafety Pass Alliance (SPA)01926 817 450 enquiries@safetypassports.co.uk .ukwww.safetypassports.co.ukMPQC fp ads.indd 29 20/03/2014 16:55

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsSupporting schools tostrengthen the EconomyBy Marie Cowan,Geological Survey of Northern Ireland38The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland isworking with partner organisations to raiseawareness of science amongst pupils andteachers in schools primarily throughoutNorthern Ireland.The introduction of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjectsto the primary school curriculum has the potential to develop the foundationsfor many of the scientific topics covered in the post-primary curriculum andcapture the interest of a new generation of Northern Ireland’s future innovators.This is achieved by demonstrating the links between Earth Science and everydaylife and thereby increasing children’s awareness and interest in them. It alsodemonstrates how the study of Earth Science, including energy and rawmaterials, geohazards, climate change, and environmental protection, is thecornerstone for the society and economy of Northern Ireland and beyond.A captivating, interactive, peer-reviewed introduction of STEM subjects to primaryschool pupils who are at the formative stages of their development and view ofthe world, will lead to an increased uptake of these subjects at secondary schoollevel. This joined-up approach and developmental coherence will help to addressthe growing and future demand for a highly skilled workforce in Northern Ireland.STEM Background‘STEM’ is a government initiative aimed at promoting childrenand young people’s engagement with Science, Technology,Engineering (which includes ICT) and Mathematics.STEM-related industries are identified as being critical to the futurecompetitiveness and economic prosperity in Northern Ireland’s ability tocompete in the global market will more and more depend on having asupply of talented and skilled people entering into STEM-related careers.STEM has become an educational priority in Ireland and the UK as well as acrossthe rest of Europe. The ’Report of the STEM Review’ (DE and DEL, September 2009)highlights the importance of developing these areas. The review has defined itsvision for STEM as: “empowering future generations through science, technology,engineering and mathematics to grow a dynamic, innovative economy.”In the UK, STEM subjects are considered integral to the development of a skilledworkforce to support the country’s manufacturing, engineering and sciencePupils from Methodist College Belfast generating their own earthquake at theopening of a GSNI/BGS seismology exhibit at W5 Science Discovery Centre inthe Odyssey Belfast in Oct 2010QUARRY ‘14sectors currently valued as having a turnover of around £800 billion per year andproducing up to 10% of the world’s top scientific research (National STEM Centre).Despite this, it is remarkable to note that even though STEM graduates have thepotential to earn amongst the highest salaries of all new recruits, employersare finding it difficult to recruit STEM skilled staff (National STEM Centre).In 2007, the McKinsey report (How The Best Performing Schools Come outon Top) compared successful education systems from across the world toidentify the factors most likely to provide the best education. The reportconcluded that the top performing systems demonstrate that quality ofan education system depends ultimately on the quality of its teachers.ChallengesIn the most recent Programme for International Student Ranking(PISA) compiled by the OCED in 2013, the UK overall had slipped from16th to 21st on global league table when it came to science at postprimarylevel, Northern Ireland is behind England and Scotland in maths,reading and science. The Republic of Ireland on the other hand hasmoved up the table and has outperformed NI in all three subjects.The number of NI exam candidates in post-primary Geography subjectsat GCSE (7,130 in 2013) and A Level (2,460 in 2013) subjects that covermany Earth science topics remains low in proportion to other STEMand science related subjects (Joint Council for Qualifications).The challenges for the quality of STEM teaching in Northern Ireland includeensuring that young people recognise how science, design & technology,computer science, engineering, earth sciences and mathematics studiesfrom the early stages in schools can lead to rich and varied careerpathways. This also offers an enormous opportunity for STEM teachers toengage young people with these strategically important subjects from ayoung age, making them aware and interested in scientific subjects.Significance of Earth Sciencesin the EconomyAn all-Island study on the impact of The National Geoscience Programme (NGP),2007-2013, published in 2009 by the Royal Irish Academy and the GeologicalSurvey of Ireland, estimated that geoscience-based industry contributesmore than €2 billion annually to the Irish economy, derived largely from mineproduction of zinc and lead, quarrying of aggregates for construction, gypsumfor plasterboard, as well as dimension stone and natural gas production.The Earth Science sector operates across a range of production (quarrying,mining, mineral processing and fabrication) and service-style (exploration,geological, geo-engineering, geophysical, laboratory, hydrogeological,energy and environmental) disciplines, as well as providing the basis formany crafts and landscape-based tourism on an all-Island basis.In 2009 the extractive industry in Northern Ireland alone was valued at £400Mequating to 1.75% of GDP, this figure excluded the value of the servicebaseddisciplines and geo-tourism to the Northern Ireland economy.World-class Earth science research is being carried out at higher educationinstitutes in Northern Ireland, in partnership with others in Ireland and GBin many cases either directly with, or supported by, the Geological Surveyof Northern Ireland, the Geological Survey of Ireland, the British GeologicalSurvey and industry. For example as a direct result of the Tellus project, a£6M country-wide mapping project funded by the Department of Enterprise,Trade and Investment and led by GSNI 2004-2007, £32M was invested inNorthern Ireland by mineral and petroleum exploration companies.Earth Science IrelandEarth Science Ireland is a voluntary organisation established in 2000to increase the public understanding of the Earth Sciences throughoutthe island of Ireland. Committee members include university lecturers,teachers, government scientists, museum curators and consultants.Earth Science Outreach (ESO) is a sub-committee of Earth Science Irelandcurrently comprised of representatives of the following organisations:GSNI, Queens University Belfast, Ulster Museum, Enniskillen Collegiate,Methodist College Belfast, Corran Primary School and W5. All partnersare actively engaged in the promotion of the Earth Science topics atschool level and progress is in hand in four different initiatives;GSNI 2pg.indd 38 28/03/2014 10:00

Northern IrelandProviding Essential Materials1 Primary School Initiative (KS2)ESO has developed and produced teaching materials based on EarthScience topics which can be used to support the ‘World Around Us’strand of the Northern Ireland Primary Curriculum. The aim of thesematerials is to provide a complete set of teaching resources that can beused in the classroom by teachers with little or no scientific backgroundand therefore increase the impact of Earth Science in schools.The material prepared by ESO complements the guidance for schoolsproduced by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations andAssessment (CCEA) in the form of ‘Learning Intentions’ for each of theseven areas of learning in the curriculum. The ‘World Around Us’is of specific interest as it provides opportunities for the use ofEarth Science material to express and exemplify a broad range oflearning intentions as expressed in the statutory curriculum.The lesson plans and associated resources aregrouped under four themes including;1. Planet Earth: Rock observation, rock properties, rock types and soils2. Dynamic Earth: Water cycle, rock breakers: erosion, rocks onthe move: transportation and environmental impacts3. Violent Earth: Plate tectonics, volcanoes,earthquakes and environmental impacts4. Future Earth: Rocks in our lives, fossil fuels and environmental impact,renewables and their environmental impact and water resourcesThis new set of Earth Science teaching resources is currently undergoing pilotingin selected schools after which a final set will be produced and will be accessibleonline and via C2k, the intranet for all Northern Ireland schools. Bespoke teachertraining module will be facilitated this summer after which the materials willbe launched in the new academic year and rolled out amongst NI schools.2 Secondary School SupportA network of post-primary schools in Northern Ireland has been established forthe purpose of delivering Earth Science conferences which feature curriculumcontent or careers based presentations. So far 11 conferences have been heldin schools spread across Northern Ireland, with each of these schools acting ashosts for colleagues in their area based learning networks, a total of over 1400students from more than 40 schools have benefited from the inputs and thesubsequent evaluations confirm a high level of satisfaction with their experiences.3 Teacher SupportGSNI is also working with the Earth Science Education Unit (ESEU) based at theUniversity of Keele, training courses for teachers are provided to encourage themAssembly Private Secretary for the Department of Enterprise, Trade andInvestment Alastair Ross MLA with Sam Roberson, Geological Survey of NorthernIreland (GSNI) and pupils Mitchell Logue, Inchmarlo Preparatory School and BenBowe, Lowwood Primary School taking part in Science at Stormont. The eventon 19th March 2014 saw 91 Primary 6 and 7 pupils from schools across Belfasttaking part in activities aimed at increasing their awareness of earth science, andthe diversity of rocks and landscapes in Northern Irelandto include Earth Science within their lesson plans.To date over 100 post-primary geography and science teachers, andover 30 primary school teachers have taken up this training.4 ExhibitsThe development of exhibits at high footfall visitor centres including theUlster Museum and W5. In partnership with the QPANI, GSNI developed anexhibit at W5, one of three now on display at this science discovery centre.Ultimately all partner organisations involved wish to see science reinstatedon the primary curriculum and are working to progress this by engagingMLAs in the NI Assembly, until then we will continue to work to bring Earthscience alive for the pupils and teachers into the future as resources allow.Data and ServicesThe Geological Survey of Northern Ireland provides geologicalexpertise to government, industry, academia and the public.GSNI maintains extensive digital and paper archives that may beaccessed online and through the enquiry service.The data held by GSNI includes:• Modern and historical geological maps• Boreholes and site reports• Tellus geochemical andgeophysical datasets• Mineral and hydrocarbon explorationlicence database and open-fi le reports• Mineral occurrence database• Abandoned mines database• Quarries databaseOnline data access:• GeoIndex• GeoRecords• Historical maps archive• Digital photo archive• Ground Source Heat Pump reports• Mine abandonment planswww.bgs.ac.uk/gsni/datawww.geologicalmaps.netColby House, Stranmillis Court, Belfast, BT9 5BFTel: +44 (0) 28 9038 8462 | Fax: +44 (0) 28 9038 8461 | E-mail: gsni@detini.gov.ukwww.bgs.ac.uk/gsniQUARRY ‘14 39QuarryAdvert2011.indd 2 18/3/14 10:47:20GSNI 2pg.indd 39 28/03/2014 10:00

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsEnvironmentCounty TyroneQuarry Producershelp save a globally endangeredspecies from extinction40The Ballinderry River, Co. Tyrone, is one of only six rivers in NorthernIreland that still supports a population of freshwater pearl mussel.The population is believed to be less than 1,000 individuals; mostof which are ‘hanging on’ in some of the few largely undisturbedriver stretches in the upper part of the river. Their presence ledto the Upper Ballinderry River being designated a Special Areaof Conservation and an Area of Scientific Interest in 2000.The freshwater pearl mussel is thought to be one of Ireland’soldest species, colonising its rivers at the end of the last ice age,some 10,000 years ago. They have a unique life-cycle whichinvolves the mussel larval, known as Glochidia, attaching to thegills of a young trout or salmon. Here it grows for nine monthsQUARRY ‘14Freshwater Pearl MusselBallinderry Rivers Trust is a charitydedicated to the conservation andprotection of the Ballinderry River in Co.Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The Trust hasembarked on an ambitious three yearproject, funded by the Heritage LotteryFund and the Northern Ireland EnvironmentAgency, to save the Ballinderry FreshwaterPearl Mussel from extinction.before falling off into the gravel bed of the river. Buried in theriver gravel for the first four years of its life, the young musselis relying on the flow of well oxygenated river water throughthe gravel allowing it to breath and feed. In the Ballinderry andother rivers across Europe, excessive amounts of silt, generatedby industrial and agricultural land management practices, haveclogged up the river gravels, resulting in no juvenile musselssurviving in the Ballinderry River for the last 20 years.The Upper Ballinderry drains an area of some of the richest sandand gravel deposits in Ireland. Exposed hillsides of sand andgravel, being quarried from the landscape, and the drumlins,typical of the area, are a constant reminder of the areas glacialpast. Historically, quarrying and sand washing contributed toenormous amounts of silt reaching the Ballinderry River whichwould have impacted on the survival of the mussel. However,a raft of European legislation and the industry’s own drive anddetermination to raise the bar on industry commitment toenvironmental stewardship has meant that some quarries in theBallinderry are having no detectable impact on the river or themussels and are in fact going the extra mile lending their servicesto help fix other silt source problem areas in the river system.The Trust has been working closely with local quarry owners,including Michael Bell, of Stanley Bell & Sons. This company hasundertaken to transport the tops of conifer trees from a commercialforest near its quarry to various locations along the river. AlanKeys, Project Manager, explains ‘The Trust has identified the workrequired to help prevent more silt getting into the river. These treetops,about the size of a large Christmas tree, are being pinnedinto eroding river banks, in their hundreds, to prevent furthererosion and encourage the river banks to rebuild themselves.Michael has provided lorries and time to help do this work whichmeans the Trust can make its money go further on more siltreduction work. It’s a great example of industry going beyond thecall of duty to help protect and improve the local environment.Stanley Bell & Sons has also been recognised as being anexample of how quarrying and sand washing can be donein an environmentally sensitive way. Michael operates aclosed sand washing system which means water is recycledon site and silt is encourage to settle out in ponds beforebeing used on-site to create environmental habitats.The Trust plans to run a ‘Mussel Champion’ awardsscheme which will recognise the contribution quarryowners and others are making to rescue the Ballinderryfreshwater pearl mussel from extinction.It is hoped that the project will not just save the Ballinderryfreshwater pearl mussel from extinction but also establishlong-lasting relationships between Ballinderry Rivers Trustand the quarry industry in the catchment, allowing theindustry to thrive in an environmentally sustainable way.Environment 13pgs.indd 40 27/03/2014 13:07

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsSLR is one of Ireland’s leadingenvironmental consultanciesOffering a comprehensive range of services:• access & highways studies• air quality assessments• archaeology• civil & structural engineering• ecological surveys• environmental impact assessment• extractive waste management plans• geology & geotechnical assessment• hydrology & hydrogeology• landscape & visual assessments• masterplanning/strategic planning• mineral valuations & rating• noise & vibration assessments• planning & permitting• quarry planning & design• resource assessments• restoration/afteruse schemes• review of NI mineralpermissions (ROMPS)• substitute consents requiredby the planning & development(amendment) act 2010• topographic surveys• waste management strategy• wind energy & hydro powerEnvironmentOffices in Africa, Australasia, Europe and North America.Belfast Office24 Ballynahinch Street,Hillsborough, Co Down BT26 6AWT: +44 (0)28 926 89036Contact Peter O’Connorpoconnor@slrconsulting.comDublin Office7 Dundrum Business Park,Windy Arbour, Dundrum, Dublin 14T: +353 (0)1 296 4667Contact Tim Paultpaul@slrconsulting.comwww.slrconsulting.comKILWAUGHTER CHEMICALCOMPANY LIMITEDK RENDKILWAUGHTER LIMEK LANDSCAPESSiliconeÊ RendersÊ &Ê ConstructionÊ MortarsCalciumÊ CarbonateÊ Powders,LimestoneÊ Sands,Ê AggregatesÊ &Ê MineralsNaturalÊ StoneÊ LandscapingÊ ProductsQUARRY ‘14 41QPA ad.indd 1 03/03/2014 16:28Environment 13pgs.indd 41 31/03/2014 16:41

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsEnvironment42Quarries, Wildlifeand Peregrine surveysin Northern IrelandWorking and disused quarries in NorthernIreland are often wildlife oases in themidst of an improved pasture landscape.Mammals often abound such as rabbitsand Irish hares throughout the sites andfox dens or badgers setts typically inquieter corners abutting neighbouringfields. The nooks and crannies provide anabundance of roosting, wintering, breedingand feeding sites for an abundance ofwildlife species and none more so than ourornithological heritage.Raven © Original artwork byRobert Vaughan, 2014QUARRY ‘14Jackdaws and starlings nesting in holes amongst the rocks withcommon sandpipers and ringed plover nesting on the ground nearpools of water; wrens, willow warblers, blackcaps, chaffinches found inscrub and bushes so prevalent in the disused sites; pied wagtails, greywagtails, house sparrows, swallows, feral pigeons and starlings nestingin operational and dysfunctional buildings (no doubt at times making anunwelcome mess of machinery or work areas!); tufted ducks, moorhen,coots, mallard, little grebes, teal and the occasional great-crestedgrebes all occurring in the often extensive open water areas andpools all winter then many nesting on the periphery of these aquatichabitats in the summer. Excitingly occasional buzzards, sparrowhawksand long-eared owls also occur in remnant areas of woodlandwithin or adjacent to many of the quarries in Northern Ireland.Four species in particular are synonymous with quarries; thelong-distant African migrant, the sand martin, building a labyrinthof holes and nesting in the dust-piles and sand-banks of mostquarries, gravel pits and sand pits; the honking and croakingand largest of our corvids, the raven, which creates stick nestson the most inhospitable of rock faces; the most familiar of ourfarmland birds of prey which is declining for reasons unknownacross the UK & Ireland, the kestrel; and the prince amongst birdsof prey and conservation success story; the peregrine falcon.The peregrine population in Northern Ireland has been studiedsince before the Second World War and historical records indicatethat prior to 1939 there were approximately 50 traditional sitesregularly occupied by nesting pairs (28 inland and 22 coastal) in fiveof the six counties in Northern Ireland. In addition, there were upto eight small cliffs which were occupied occasionally. There were33 traditional territories in County Antrim, six regularly occupiedsites in the Mourne Mountains (County Down), five in Fermanagh,four in the Sperrin Mountains (Tyrone/Londonderry) and two innorth Londonderry. There is limited historical information availablefor Armagh but the cliffs in that county are very low and it is likelythat until the advent of quarry nesting the species bred there onlyoccasionally. The population remained stable until 1939 when wartime persecution reduced the number of pairs in some areas, notablyon the north Antrim Coast which declined from nine to four pairsby 1945. Lethal control of falcons was carried out to protect homingpigeons carrying messages during the war from peregrine attacks.Although survey coverage was incomplete, during 1947–1948there were a confirmed 25–28 pairs and there was an observeddecrease in occupancy considered to be caused by agriculturalcontaminants such as DDT. This was an insecticide which bioaccumulatedthrough the food chain and caused thinning of theeggshells in many raptor species causing them to crush theirown eggs during incubation. At this time there were one third ofsurveyed peregrine territories which were vacant with only onethird of these confirmed to be breeding. However, the use of DDT,DDE and other chemicals remained at low levels in Northern Irelandin the post – war period and it would appear that there was only amoderate decline in the peregrine population and nesting success.It has been suggested the turning point for Northern Irelandperegrines was in 1965–1966 with occupancy at 91% of the 32eyries surveyed in the period 1965–1968. There were nine pairsrecorded to have bred successfully rearing twenty young in theseyears. It was calculated that occupancy was 63–89% for territorieschecked between 1964 and 1968, with 19–35% of pairs successfullyrearing young annually. Surveys in the 1970s increased the numberof territories checked to 48 and found occupancy to range from70–88% during 1970– 1973, with young reared by 21–33% of pairs.Environment 13pgs.indd 42 01/04/2014 10:44

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsIn 1971 there began the first of the UK national peregrine surveysconducted at 10 year intervals and 35 of 48 sites which were checkedwere occupied by Peregrines and 21% of these produced flyingyoung. Prior to 1977, survey effort was considered to under-representthe available and/or potential territories. The annual surveys begunstrategically since 1977 by Jim Wells, Cliff Dawson and other membersof the raptor study group has increased numbers of surveyedterritories to 187 cliff, quarries and urban sites checked each year.Occupancy of surveyed territories varies annually and with an averageof 75% occupied territories each year with the number of pairsranging between 40 and 92 pairs per annum over the last 37 years.The UK national surveys were again conducted in 1981 and 1991which confirmed an increasing population and the occupancyby pairs of peregrines peaked in 1991 but has now apparentlydeclined steadily since this time. The last UK national survey in2002 found a decrease in Northern Ireland, particularly at inlandsites, and it is suspected that illegal persecution may be limitingthe population in some areas. The population has declined toapproximately 80 occupied territories in recent years with an averageof 40 to 50 of these successfully producing young each year.Quarry nesting in Northern Ireland was first recorded in 1978, atKnocklayd, Co. Antrim and at the end of 2013 there have been atotal of 69 different quarry sites used for nesting in Northern Ireland.This habitat usage has allowed considerable range expansionacross the country and into many lowland areas. Occasionallyduring the annual surveys new sites are recorded and twonew quarries were recorded to become occupied by breedingperegrines in 2013 so expansion is still occurring in some areas.The peregrine falcon population in Britain & Ireland has largelyrecovered from declines caused by organo-chlorine pollutants. Despitethis, in some regional areas the population, including in NorthernIreland, are declining. Persecution and to a lesser extent perhapschemical contamination are seen as the main threats to peregrinepopulation stability. Whilst the peregrine falcon is not a speciesof immediate conservation concern, it has historically undergoneconsiderable declines and some threats clearly still remain it is listedon Annex I of the EU Birds Directive which provides a legislativeframework for assessing and ensuring the conservation of the species.This framework includes monitoring, research and the designationand monitoring of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for the species.The Birds Directive also provides a statutory and legislative basisfor national surveys by creating a requirement to monitor theperegrine falcon population. In addition, survey and monitoring dataPeregrine falcon perched on rock ©Nickolay Stanev / Dreamstimecollected both during national and annual regional surveys are vitallyimportant as these data are used by the government and otheragencies to inform management and conservation decisions. Eachyear in all counties of Northern Ireland the majority of peregrineterritories nests are surveyed by individuals and/or members ofthe Raptor Study Group and/or members and staff of quarries orother partner environmental NGOs or statutory organisations.This year, 2014, is a hugely important year for peregrines, as thereis a national UK-wide survey being undertaken. For this we urge thecontinued support the quarrying industry has for the peregrine falconand please keep an eye out on your local peregrines this year and getin touch with your sightings through your local raptor fieldworkers. Allyour sightings and support are invaluable to our surveys and in themonitoring of the status of this iconic species in Northern Ireland whichis symbolic of the importance of the quarrying industry to NorthernIreland’s wildlife and biodiversity. As always the Northern IrelandRaptor Study Group appreciate the long-term and on-going supportof the Quarry Products Association and their members and all thequarry owners who facilitate surveys and monitoring each year. Welook forward to seeing you all over the coming weeks and months.Get in touch with us at www.nirsg.comEmail: nirsg@hotmail.co.uk or raptorofficerni@gmail.comfor more information or to report your raptor sightingsEnvironmentKilwaughter Chemical CompanyCelebrates 75 Successful YearsCelebrating its 75th year of business,Kilwaughter Chemical Company Ltd hasgrown substantially since 1939, offering anextensive line of innovative products andservices to several industries; Construction,Agriculture and Landscaping.In 2005 Kilwaughter set aside 30 acres of land to re-establishas an area of pristine native woodland. The land, historicallyused for grazing animals, had a limited biodiversity. The newwoodland would contribute to the conservation and protectionof indigenous wildlife and the preservation of habitat.Over 20,000 trees were planted including Ash,Oak, Beech, Birch, Rowan and Alder.9 years on and the plantation has made a positive contributionto the biodiversity of the quarry. The land offers a wide rangehabitats with a large number of the trees now reaching a goodsize, there are also areas of open grassland, rivers and sinkholes as well as good undergrowth for small animals. This hasled to an increase in the variety of plant and animal life, thearea is home to over 40 species of bird, including Buzzards,Woodcock, Heron and Dippers and one slightly lost chicken.Undisturbed limestone rich environments are nowuncommon, but a number of unique native plants are reestablishingand marsh orchids are now abundant.A limestone footpath has been laid around the site allowing staffand local residents to enjoy an unspoilt snapshot of nature.Quality and Environment Manager, Neil Bareham, comments;“At Kilwaughter we recognise that incorporating biodiversitymeans good business practice. Over the coming years we willbe working with the RSPB to make the most of this resourceand further encourage a more diverse range of species,not just birds but insects, animals and flora as well.”QUARRY ‘14 43Environment 13pgs.indd 43 27/03/2014 13:07

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsEnvironmentNew project aims toRESTORE mineral sitesA multi million pound project to turnquarries into wildlife havens has beenhailed by conservationists as a vital lifelinefor nature.Sandy Heath. Credit - Andy Hay(rspb-images.com)Sand martin. Credit - Ben Hall(rspb-images.com)RESTORE, a project financed by the EU’s Interreg IVB North WestEurope fund, will see €3.84m spent on assisting the restoration ofmineral extraction sites into priority habitats in Northern Ireland,elsewhere across the UK and wider North West Europe.The project was officially launched at a reception at the Institute ofMaterials, Minerals & Mining in London in September 2013 whererepresentatives from the industry, planning and conservationsectors were addressed by Sue Armstrong-Brown, Head ofConservation Policy at the RSPB, Catherine Bearder MEP andNigel Jackson MPA Chief Executive and UEPG Vice-President.Now is the perfect time for such an innovative project as therecent State of Nature report, which was compiled by theRSPB and 24 other leading nature organisations, revealedthat 60 per cent of UK species are in decline. Loss of naturalhabitat was singled out as one of the biggest causes.James Robinson, Director of RSPB Northern Ireland, said:“The State of Nature report was a wake-up call for all ofus that we need to do more for wildlife in Northern Irelandand quarry restoration can really help us do that.“In recent years the minerals industry and conservationistshave forged a vital link and we have seen some truly inspiringwork happen as a result. I have walked through wildlife havensproviding safe nesting sites for peregrine falcons and alive withbutterflies and wild flowers where once there were diggers,excavations and conveyor belts. These transformations showthat with the right expertise and dedication it is possible to bringwildlife back to the Northern Ireland countryside, for all to enjoy.“This money and the project it will support are vital if we are to carrythat work on. I want to say thanks to the minerals industry for all thatthey have done for our wildlife so far – and I want to challenge themto go even further so we can turn even more of these sites around.”While the project is in its infancy here, there have been anumber of real success stories at sites in England wherethe Nature after Minerals project , which now formspart of RESTORE, has already been implemented.These include the recording of a rare spider-eating wasp at theLafarge Tarmac Sandy Heath quarry in Bedfordshire. Increasedsightings of the threatened small blue and grizzled skipperbutterfly have also been recorded at restored Cemex quarry sitesin Warwickshire, while sites restored to wetland habitats are nowsupporting over 15 per cent of England’s bittern population.It is hoped such success stories will only increase under RESTORE,which will see a new online interactive map created to help theminerals sector plan restorations within the context of neighbouring44Sandy Heath landscape. Credit - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)QUARRY ‘14Environment 13pgs.indd 44 28/03/2014 10:10

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsEnvironmentPeregrine. Credit - Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)Common blue. Credit - Ron Surgenornature conservation designatedareas. The scheme will also helplocal planning authorities developbetter policies to encouragerestoration for biodiversity.Sean Woods, Minerals RestorationAdvisor for RSPB NI, commented:“I have recently taken on thisrole with the RESTORE projectand look forward to working withthe Northern Ireland mineralsindustry to restore sites to benefitwildlife, people and the economy.”“In recent months a number ofsites across Northern Irelandhave been identified through thisproject and they have shownreal potential for biodiversity.”“People might not think ofquarries as good habitats forbirds and wildlife but, with theright management, they canbe havens for some of ourmost threatened species.”Gordon Best, Regional Directorof Quarry Products AssociationNorthern Ireland (QPANI), added:“Many in the quarry industryin Northern Ireland have beenworking behind the scenes foryears enhancing biodiversityby providing important wildlifehabitats on their sites and inrecent years the industry hasdeveloped important partnershipswith environmental NGOs.“The RESTORE project is trulyexciting and offers enormouspotential for us to go evenfurther than before and create alegacy that will enhanceand protect biodiversityacross Northern Ireland.”For further information, orto become involved in thisproject, please contact:Sean Woods, Minerals RestorationAdvisor, 028 9069 0858 or visitwww.restorequarries.eubitumenTennants Bitumen is based in Belfast harbour estateand is ideally placed for the import and distribution ofbituminous binders for the Northern Ireland roadconstruction and maintenance industry.Tennants Bitumen provides a comprehensive range ofconventional and specialist binders including penetrationgrade bitumen, polymer modified binders,clear binders and bitumen emulsions9 AIRPORT ROAD WEST, BELFAST BT3 9EDTEL: 028 9045 5135Fax: 028 9046 0077 E-mail: info@ctni.co.uk Web: www.ctni.co.ukQUARRY ‘14 45Environment 13pgs.indd 45 27/03/2014 13:07

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsEnvironmentBiodiversity and IntegratedRestoration of QuarriesBy Golder Associates (UK) LtdJohn Dundee, Senior Engineer, Belfast OfficeChris Davenport, Senior Landscape Architect, Tadcaster OfficeFreddy Brookes, Senior Ecologist, Bourne End Office46The quarrying industry increasingly fostersbiodiversity at operating and restored sitesto access resources, and as an integral partof its sustainability agenda.QUARRY ‘14Horton QuarryThe concept of biodiversity has revolutionised the way that species andtheir habitats are considered in project planning and permitting, andthen in operation and restoration, across many industry sectors andparticularly within the quarrying industry. It has proven itself to be ofvalue both when considering the relative ecological value of sites and inpredicting the likely effects of extraction and subsequent restoration.However, the ‘biodiversity approach’ can be something of a bluntinstrument when it comes to the development of offsetting, habitatcreation, and restoration plans if these are not effectively managed.By simply setting targets for ‘biodiversity gains’ there has oftenbeen a tendency to produce habitat creation and restorationschemes that result in an undesirable proliferation of habitatsand their associated species within relatively small areas.In specific cases there are valid reasons for the introduction of featurescontaining high concentrations of biodiversity. Ecological elementsused as habitat ‘stepping stones’, or wildlife corridors to providesheltered opportunities for species to move around, are both potentiallyvaluable results of careful restoration planning. When considering thebiodiversity benefits of such features it is important to consider theexisting landscape character and types of wildlife being promoted,their behaviour, and the types of existing landscape in which they live.Near the village of Eye, Peterborough, Golder worked closely with Biffa,the current owner of former clay pits, to develop a habitat creationscheme and secure permission for ongoing development of the sitefor landfill. An 11 hectare (ha) area of adjacent land was designatedfor habitat creation to offset the loss of existing habitat as a result ofthe development. Following comprehensive ecological and landscapeappraisal, Golder developed a Habitat Management Plan and MonitoringStrategy to ensure that sensitive wildlife features were safeguardedthroughout the construction, operations and aftercare period of a landfill.The innovative and proactive approach adopted by Golder was key toobtaining the required permissions and involved early stage discussionswith statutory bodies. This approach enabled potential obstacles tobe identified and appropriately managed. Indeed, Natural England haspraised the scheme and Biffa has received a Commendation in the 2013Mineral Products Association’s Restoration and Biodiversity Awards.Innovative restoration and biodiversity enhancement schemesinvolve a high degree of integrated working between site managers,landscape designers and ecologists. Collaboration results in operationalclarity and progressive restoration schemes which not only providemeasurable biodiversity gains in a cost effective manner, but alsoharmonise with the landscape setting, integrating the sense of placewith the wildlife that inhabits it both during and after operations.This philosophy can be exemplified again at sites such as Horton quarry,North Yorkshire, a limestone quarry owned and operated by Hanson UK.The site is approximately 73 ha comprising mineral workings,undisturbed land, and previously restored ground. Parts of the site aredesignated as a SSSI or SAC and the entire quarry is located within theYorkshire Dales National Park. Golder’s restoration proposals includedthe creation of limestone scree slopes, and establishment of calcareousgrasslands and Juniper scrub typical of the protected landscape.One of the key features of an ecological system is the way in whichit alters over time. Habitats develop and mature or they can remainin a relatively stable state through management interventions. Byanalysing the surrounding landscape, it is possible to establish andmaintain a restoration which is ‘in step’ with its environment.This can be achieved through selecting appropriate species forplanting, sourcing local stock, the translocation of areas of alreadyEnvironment 13pgs.indd 46 27/03/2014 13:07

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsEnvironmentestablished habitat, and the selective introduction of key ‘indicator’species which reflect a characteristic stage in habitat development.A phased and progressive restoration harmonises well with thephased approach of extraction proposals. Pateley Bridge quarry, NorthYorkshire is also owned and operated by Hanson UK. The carboniferouslimestone quarry occupies a total area of 122 ha. The quarry isentirely screened from view by outer screening mounds; however,limited space within operational quarry areas was preventing accessto permitted limestone reserves and therefore planning permissionwas sought and approved to extend the outer screening mounds.Golder carefully designed the new screening to sympatheticallymarry into the surrounding landscape, maintaining visualscreening and maximising opportunities for nature conservationand ecological mitigation. Biodiversity activities included thetranslocation of acid grassland, metalliferous vegetation andcalcareous grassland onto the outer profiles. A series of new pondsand marsh areas for amphibians were also created, along with newdry stone walls and footpath linkages. Hanson UK received both‘Highly Commended’ and a ‘Special Award’ at the 2013 MineralProducts Association’s Restoration and Biodiversity Awards.G older’s approach to biodiversity within integrated restorationschemes is optimised, in terms of cost benefit, operationalplanning and brand enhancement, when there is earlyinvolvement in the planning and development of proposals.At early stages, it is possible to identify long term strategic actions andrestoration objectives. These are developed alongside the overall planfor a site, which can allow the cost effective retention of as much of theexisting biodiversity resource as possible throughout the site lifecycle.This reduces the need to reinvent the wheel at the restoration stage,and cuts the need for expensive interventions in order to meet theoverall targets for biodiversity maintenance and/or enhancement.An integrated approach offers many benefits across the stakeholdergroups. For owners, it has the potential to provide long term costsavings, reducing the need for end-of-project expenditure on timeand materials; it also allows actions relating to biodiversity restorationto take place throughout the lifecycle of the proposals. For otherstakeholders such as planners, regulators and local residents, it raisesacceptability of proposals. Last, but not least, it provides genuinebiodiversity maintenance and enhancement which fits harmoniouslywith the surrounding environment and is sustainable in the long term.SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONSTHAT REDUCE YOUR COSTPER TONNEJUST ASK GOLDER.Golder Associates has a long history working with clients in ConstructionMaterials around the world. Our in-depth knowledge of your industry meanswe understand your commercial and technical challenges. Our team inBelfast can provide integrated solutions which help reduce your costs pertonne and solve the issues you face, such as;ACCESS TO RESOURCESENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL CONSTRAINTSALTERNATIVE FUELS AND ON-SITE POWER GENERATIONBIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINTINGHEALTH AND SAFETYACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY AND ADDRESSING YOUR CORPORATESOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYEngineering Earth’s Development, Preserving Earth’s Integrity.For further information, contact:John Dundee, Belfast office[+44] (0) 28 9078 7777jdundee@golder.comwww.golder.comQUARRY ‘14 47Environment 13pgs.indd 47 27/03/2014 13:07

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsEnvironmentButterfliesand mothsof quarriesand theirassociatedhabitatsthe Cryptic WoodBy Catherine Bertrand, Senior Regional Officer,Butterfly Conservation Northern IrelandButterflies and moths can be found throughoutour landscape, from the slopes of our highestmountains to the grassy sand dunes of ourshorelines. You will find them flutteringalong sunny woodland rides and hedgerows,nectaring in parks and on wild flowers in fieldmargins and of course, basking in your gardenon a warm summer day. They are a familiar andintrinsic part of our world, a sign of hope and awelcome companion in our wanderings.As insects, butterflies and moths respond very quickly tochanges in their environment, be these to the management ofthe habitats they depend on, to changing weather patterns. Byrecording and monitoring butterfly and moth numbers we canbuild up a picture of how healthy our environment is. The richerand healthier the habitat, the greater the abundance and varietyof different species found within it, especially that of insects.Butterflies and moths provide us with large, easily recognisable andrecordable insects that are fairly easy to identify. We know that changesin butterfly and moth numbers are echoed by gains and losses in ourwider biodiversity, so by understanding changes in butterflies andmoths populations, we understand far better how biodiversity is faring.Many of our butterfly and moth species are very common andwidespread. These are the non-fussy generalist species of thewider countryside, familiar characters such as the Peacock butterfly(pictured below, photograph John Fulton) or Common Heath moth(pictured below, Butterfly Conservation). These species usuallyhave very general habitat requirements, their caterpillars eatingcommon plants such as Nettles, or a range of different nativeplant species such as woody shrubs; Birch, Willow or Hazel.Quarries provide a range of habitats for these common and widespreadspecies, even in working quarries, wherever there are areas ofestablished vegetation. I was lucky enough to visit Croaghan Quarryoutside Coleraine with Angus Kennedy, the Systems and EnvironmentManager for Mattest Quarries, in June last year. Croaghan has awealth of habitats, both around the working quarry face, and furtherafield in land owned by the organisation but not yet worked.The most obvious type of habitatthe Speckled Woodquarries offer is scrubby vegetationand emerging, if not established,woodland. Woodland cover isimportant for many types of wildlife,but is especially beneficial for manytypes of butterflies and moths asthe woody shrubs provide foodplants for many different typesof caterpillars. The most familiarbutterfly associated with woodlandis the Speckled Wood (picturedleft, photo by John Parkinson)which, as a caterpillar, feeds ona range of grasses associatedwith woodland rides such asCock’s-foot and Yorkshire Fog.48the Peacock butterflyQUARRY ‘14Common Heath mothAngus Kennedy setting up the Croaghan moth trapEnvironment 13pgs.indd 48 27/03/2014 13:07

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsEnvironmentHebrew Character, Early Thorn and Nut-tree Tussock by Angus Kennedy, photographed by Angus KennedyAngus was able to arrange for us to moth trap at Croaghan. Sadlythe beginning of 2013 was much colder than average and we wereonly lucky enough to catch a small number of moths. However theHebrew Character, Early Thorn and Nut-tree Tussock are all speciesthat rely on woodland for their food plants. These species feed onthe leaves of many different types of native trees and shrubs.Another habitat type that is very important for insects around quarrysites are open grasslands. These come in two distinct types, establishedgrasslands on currently undisturbed land and newly forming grasslandsas old spoil heaps and disturbed ground re-vegetate. Establishedgrasslands, especially if they are occasionally grazed, can provide reallyexcellent nectaring and breeding habitat for butterflies and moths.Angus also arranged for me to visit the Northstone Quarry at Craigdoo,Ballymena, and here we were lucky enough to capture and identify aCryptic Wood White, a new species for the site and a new record forthe area. Cryptic Wood Whites are one of Northern Ireland’s priorityspecies. This flimsy, silvery-grey, white butterfly is an indicator ofgood quality grassland which has not been too disturbed or enriched,indicative of the grasslands at the edges of the site. Cryptic Wood Whitehas a more fluttery flight than the more common white butterfliesand feeds on Meadow Vetchling as a caterpillar, a great find!Old re-vegetated spoil heaps with thin soils provide excellent baskingsites for butterflies and day-flying moths, where they can quicklywarm up on hot, sunny days. The stony ground inhibits thick grassgrowth, often leaving more room for a variety of wildflowers suchas Bird’s-foot Trefoil, the foodplant of the Common Blue butterfly,and Common Sorrel, foodplant of the Small Copper butterfly.The final habitat we encountered on our tour of the quarrysites was blanket bog at Cronaghan. Blanket bog is found inupland areas with poorly drained soil, &has a range of speciesassociated with it, especially damsel & dragonflies.One of the most quirky Lepidoptera species to be encountered onand around blanket bog are Green Hairstreak, a small, bright greenbutterfly which spends much of its time roosting in vegetation suchas gorse and willow scrub. Green Hairstreak (picture, Mark Speers)are under recorded as they are not showy or particularly obviouswhen they are roosting, however, once you know to look out forthese species you will find they are surprisingly numerous if youare in the right habitat on a warm day in late May and June.There are many moth species associated with bogs but themost obvious in the springtime is the Emperor. This is our largestresident moth in Northern Ireland with a wingspan wide enoughto cover your palm. The female (pictured, Sandy Ferguson) hasgrey underwings, while the male has red underwings and willappear as a red blur if you are out on blanket bogs on hot daysthrough April as he flies, searching for a mate amongst the Heather.The caterpillars of the Emperor are large and green with pinkor yellow spots and can be found throughout the summer.All butterfly and moth species records are useful and ButterflyConservation Northern Ireland would welcome any sightingsof butterflies, moths or caterpillars, especially if you havea photograph. Remember to make a note of the essentialinformation when reporting your sighting; what, where, when,who and how many. Quarries are teaming with life and we needyour help to prove this point. Make your wildlife count!Records can be sent to Catherine Bertrand cbertrand@butterflyconservation.org,or log on our Butterfly Conservation NorthernIreland Facebook page and group for help with identifcation.the Green Hairstreaka female EmporerQUARRY ‘14 49Environment 13pgs.indd 49 27/03/2014 13:07

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsEnvironmentAbout NIRIG and windin Northern IrelandMeabh Cormacain, Policy and Communications Co-ordinator,Northern Ireland Renewables Industry GroupThe Northern Ireland Renewables IndustryGroup (NIRIG) is a joint collaborationbetween the Irish Wind Energy Associationand RenewableUK.NIRIG represents the views of the large and small scale renewableelectricity industry in Northern Ireland, providing a conduit forknowledge exchange, policy development support and consensuson best practice between all stakeholders in renewable electricity.NIRIG members have developed more than 85% of NorthernIreland’s wind resources and membership comprises large- andsmall-scale wind and offshore and marine developers, as well asmanufacturers, consultants and other supply-chain companies.The importance of the local materials and products to support thedevelopment and maintenance of the renewable energy infrastructureis crucial and we collaborate with QPANI and other stakeholdersto ensure that the supply chain remains strong and robust.Northern Ireland’s Strategic Energy Framework (SEF) 2010 outlinesthe need for Northern Ireland to balance our energy mix. At theheart of the SEF is a target for 40% of our electricity to be providedfrom renewable energy sources by 2020. Renewable energyalready contributes significantly – approximately 18% - to NorthernIreland’s electricity needs. The vast majority of this is provided byonshore wind with 31 operational wind farms, comprising 531MWof installed capacity, onshore wind is leading the way. We also havea number of other sources of renewable energy, including landfillgas, hydro power, photovoltaic and smaller single turbines, andthese currently total approximately 54MW of installed capacity.Northern Ireland also has a strong pipeline of renewable energy,which is necessary as it is estimated that the SEF targets will requirebetween 1350-1600MW renewable energy to be installed in NI.The economic benefits of renewable energy include lowerwholesale electricity prices in the Single Electricity Market attimes when wind penetration is high, job creation, significantinward investment, Research and Development capabilities andlocal community benefit in the form of local contracting, serviceprovision, rent, rates and community benefit schemes.Why should QPA Memberscare about the wind industry?A recent study estimated that close to 2,000 additional jobs will becreated here in 2017 due to the achievement of the SEF targets –mostly in planning and construction. At a recent wind farm in NorthernIreland, an estimated 120,000 working hours went into construction,equivalent to the creation of 42.6 full-time local construction jobs.At its construction peak, more than 150 people were employed onsite, drawn from over 20 locally based suppliers. In the developmentof another wind farm recently, a total of 109 local suppliers andcontractors were used, ranging from concrete suppliers, constructiontesting services, haulage and quarries, to roof tiles, pumps and officesupplies. It is clear that the renewables sector is providing a significantmarket for local supply chain companies, and in a constructiondownturn the presence of this growth sector is ever more valuable.50QUARRY ‘14Environment 13pgs.indd 50 28/03/2014 10:20

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsNorthern Ireland also has the capabilities to deliver for the future.Our research establishments, engineers and scientists have beenat the forefront of the development of Ocean Energy. One of themajor challenges in the cost optimisation of tidal and wave poweris foundation design and local design and construction companieshave developed cost effective solutions to this problem. Thesesolutions, while innovative, are based on actual experience andsuccesses of designing and installing both gravity and piledfoundations in some of the world’s most challenging sites.How can we achieve successfor the benefit of allThe success of our renewables sector depends on the rightpolicies, strong political leadership, a responsive supplychain and the right investment climate. NIRIG works closelywith policy-makers and other industry bodies such as QPAto ensure that these continue to facilitate renewables.The right marketOver the last year we have seen major changes develop in both theUK energy market and the all-Ireland Single Electricity Market (SEM).We have worked closely with colleagues, departmental bodies andregulatory authorities to ensure that Northern Ireland is appropriatelyrepresented and facilitated in these market changes and we willcontinue to do so until market design is finally clarified in 2017.The right gridThe development of renewable electricity requires efficient connectionto an adequate electricity grid. As well as on-going maintenance ournetwork infrastructure requires significant upgrading, particularlyin the West, and proper utilisation of smart grid technologies tofacilitate all types of renewable technologies. As the CompetitionCommission draws ever-closer to publishing its final verdict onNIE’s 5th Price Control – RP5 - we hope that the requirements torobinson 1-2 ad.pdf 1 16/02/2009 10:39facilitate renewables are incorporated in its determination, andNIRIG spent considerable time in 2013 lobbying for this to takeplace. We also continued to raise the fundamental necessity of thesecond North-South interconnector for Northern Ireland’s security ofsupply and efficient operation of the all-island electricity market.The development of appropriate connection policies has also beena major area of focus for NIRIG and we will continue to emphasisethis crucial element of our network development in 2014.Working with communitiesAware of the increasing profile of renewable energy in NorthernIreland, NIRIG launched a Community Commitment protocol inJanuary 2013 outlining the industry’s commitment to communitybenefit and community engagement. This year we intend topublish a best practice guidance document to build uponthe good work already being delivered by members acrossNorthern Ireland, particularly the large-scale wind sector.Looking ahead, 2014 will be an important year. We will see thefinal decision on RP5, and we strongly hope that progress on theNorth-South interconnector will be made. DETI will begin to look atpreparing for the mid-term review of the Strategic Energy Frameworkand it will be important to maintain a strong commitment to our40% targets, to allow continuing investment by the sector andenable the additional economic and environmental benefits ofrenewable energy. Alongside other industry partners such as QPAwe know that we will be able to build upon our progress to dateand we look forward to ending the year on an optimistic note.Footnote RenewableUK is the UK’s leading not for profit renewableenergy trade association and represents nearly 600 membercompanies. Their vision is for renewable energy to play a leading rolein powering the UK. The Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) is thenational association for the wind industry in Ireland. With more than200 members IWEA is committed to the promotion and education ofwind energy issues and plays a leading role in the areas of conferenceorganisation, lobbying and policy development on the island of Ireland.EnvironmentThe Number 1 Supplierin Country AntrimT: 028 2583 1245sales@robinsonquarry.co.ukQUARRY PRODUCTSCONCRETE BLOCKS & BRICK32 Glenhead Road, Glenwherry,Co. Antrim, BT42 4REThe Number 1 Supplierin Country AntrimT: 028 2583 1245sales@robinsonquarry.co.ukQUARRY PRODUCTSCONCRETE BLOCKS & BRICK32 Glenhead Road, Glenwherry,Co. Antrim, BT42 4RET: 028 2583 1245 F: 028 2583 1470www.robinsonquarry.co.ukT: 028 2583 1245 F: 028 2583 1470www.robinsonquarry.co.ukQUARRY ‘14 51Environment 13pgs.indd 51 28/03/2014 10:20

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsEnvironmentWoodlandfor quarriesby Gregor Fulton, Woodland Trust Operations ManagerTree planting at the Craigantlet quarrygrace the County Down quarry. The first were planted in2009, thanks to advice from the Woodland Trust and fundingfrom Forest Service’s Woodland Grant Scheme.Stephen Horner of Lafarge Tarmac said: “The Craigantlet quarryprovides a habitat for a whole range of species. We have a sand martincolony and some special birds of prey, including kestrels. We’re alsoluck enough to have a very precious visitor, the endangered red squirrel.“We’re committed to enhancing the environment for thebenefit of wildlife. And this planting was intended to buffer andlink the pockets of existing woodland around the quarry, withthe aim of attracting and providing an extended haunt for avariety of wildlife. For example, we included scots pine in thespecies mix as we know it will be valued by the red squirrelswho visit from the neighbouring woodland, Cairn Wood.“Our plans don’t stop there and we’re hoping to work with theTrust again. We envisage two more pockets of woodland, that’saround 6,000 trees, being planted towards the end of this year.”52Trees and woodland greatly enhanceour landscapes, health and quality of life,while providing much-needed habitats forprecious wildlife.Through a partnership with Quarry Products AssociationNorthern Ireland, the Woodland Trust is offering freeexpert advice and guidance on funding to help quarriestransform spare land into flourishing woodland.Tree planting at Craigantlet quarryQuarrying company Lafarge Tarmac was the first to benefitwith the creation of new woodland at its Craigantletquarry – a working rock quarry near Newtownards.Thousands of native saplings, over 12,000 in total, nowTrees four years laterQUARRY ‘14The BenefitsTrees and woods bring countless benefits, with new planting at quarriesdirectly benefiting both wildlife and neighbouring communities.Trees help by:• Enhancing the landscape. For quarries close to housesand neighbourhoods, trees can create an attractive natural‘screen’. When planted in the right place, trees greatlyenhance the visual appearance of quarry sites.• Reducing noise pollution. As they mature, a carefullydesignedbarrier of trees can muffle sound, helpingto block out noise from busy quarries.• Improving air quality. Trees absorb pollutants and release oxygeninto the air we breathe – a benefit especially felt in built-up areas.• Providing valuable wildlife habitats. Native trees and woods providea sanctuary for our wildlife. New planting can be used to createvaluable wildlife habitats within the boundaries of working quarriesor as part of schemes to sensitively restore quarries no longer in use.Trees for communitiesQuarry operators can also encourage and work with localcommunities to plant trees on unused land next to quarries.The Woodland Trust is offering free packs of trees to schools andcommunity groups. Groups can choose between packs of 30,105 or 420 saplings, depending on how much space they haveto plant. There are different mixes of species to choose from too,including packs themed for autumn colour, wood fuel and wildlife.Groups can apply online at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/freetreesHow the Woodland Trust can helpThe Woodland Trust is committed to creating, andhelping others to create, new native woodland.The Trust offers free specialist tailored advice – including sitevisits and advice on species selection and design. The charity willhelp you to access the appropriate tree-planting grants. In somecases, it will provide funding through its own MOREwoods scheme,which is funded by Biffa Award, Calor Gas and Dorset Cereals.For more information contact:Gregor FultonOperations Manager with the Woodland TrustTel: 0845 293 5748Email: gregorfulton@woodlandtrust.org.ukVisit: www.woodlandtrust.org.ukEnvironment 13pgs.indd 52 31/03/2014 14:58

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsNorthernIrelandThe home of nichemanufacturingby Invest NINiche manufacturing in Northern Irelandgenerates billions of pounds for the localeconomy and certainly punches above itsweight compared with the UK.From companies producing machines for crushing, screeningand sorting to the mining and construction industries, to thosefirms developing innovative components for the aerospace,automotive, technology, space or renewable sectors – we havemany highly successful global players operating in this sphere.Our construction materials sector has grown considerably particularly inGreat Britain, highlighting the entrepreneurial and professional skills whichexist in Northern Ireland. Invest Northern Ireland works closely with QPANIand with its member companies operating outside of Northern Ireland toensure these businesses have the skills, resources and support to grow.We offer a range of assistance, including support with researchand development, training and recruitment supported through itsJobs Fund, to help those focused on growing export and externalsales achieve their potential. Our meet the buyer events helpto promote the significant business opportunities particularlyin Great Britain with Cross Rail and London Transport.In a highly competitive market, maintaining operational costs atthe lowest possible levels ensures businesses remain competitiveand profits are maximised. We are working to help companiesworking in the quarry product industry achieve cost savings in theconsumption of water, energy and materials and, where appropriate,invest in on-site heat or electricity generation technologies.This comprehensive support includes helping companies accuratelymeasure their resource usage, develop improvement processes,identify the most effective technical solutions and even facilitatinglinkages between companies to stimulate opportunities forsharing resources and developing supply chain benefits.Through our advice, support and assistance teamed with acalendar of events, seminars and workshops, we are helpingbusinesses understand and address the gaps in their knowledgebase and develop the skills they need to succeed.Our support combined with the investment by local businesseswill underpin the future competitiveness and growth of ourlocal economy, allowing our businesses to compete andsucceed in today’s global marketplace. Visit investni.comQUARRY ‘14 53Invest NI 1pg.indd 53 31/03/2014 15:00

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsWhitemountain resurfacing runway,Belfast International AirportBelfast International AirportWhitemountain Resurfacingof the Main RunwayBelfast International Airport Ltd is thelargest Airport in Northern Ireland andthe second largest airport on the islandof Ireland. The main runway 07-25 has arunway length of 2700 metres running eastto west, providing sufficient capability tohandle most types of aircraft includinglong haul services. The secondary runway17-35 has a runway length of 1950 metresrunning north to south which providesflexibility in the case of significant weatherchange and operation of smaller aircraft.With forecast growth of passenger numbers at the Airport, BelfastInternational Airport Ltd were keen to achieve sustainable growthat the airport. They commissioned a number of investigatoryreports which examined the condition of the main runway 07-25to determine improvements required for future loading and use.As a result of these investigations it was apparent that the entirerunway surface course required replacement and therefore BelfastInternational Airport Ltd appointed designers and commenced atender process to appoint a suitably experienced contractor.Whitemountain were invited to tender for the Runway PavementRehabilitation Project, which they were successfully awarded.The project involved cold milling the existing surface, laying 125,000m2 of Marshall Asphalt Binder course and Surface course, groovingthe new surface and provision of temporary and permanent runwaymarkings. In addition to the main works, the project also involvedthe construction of a new 170 m long floodlit Fire Access Road fromRunway 25 to the fire Station, the construction of a new fillet between54QUARRY ‘14Whitemountain night operations at Belfast International AirportWhiteMountain 2pgs.indd 54 28/03/2014 11:38

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsWhitemountain night operationsat Belfast International AirportRunway 07/25 and the cross runway to ease the turn for aircraft usingthe cross runway as a taxiway, the installation of F900 covers to existingchambers located in the hard shoulder, the construction of 10 Nr newF900 Chambers and the replacement of the existing AeronauticalGround Lighting (AGL) Lights with associated cable replacement.In order to maintain airport operations all works were completedduring restricted night time shifts from 10.00 pm to 5.00 am with therunway re-opening for use at 5.30 am each morning. Post tenderaward the G8 Summit was announced and due to the large volumeof aircraft associated with this visit, Belfast International Airportrequested the works programme to be accelerated by four weeks. Wereviewed our programme and resourced the project to meet thesedeadlines. The project was completed on time and within budget andall works were carried out to Civil Aviation Authority requirements.Whitemountain had up to 140 people on site each night, including:the project management team, technical staff, skilled surfacingand plant operatives, plant fitters, hauliers and specialist subcontractors.More than 100 individual pieces of plant and equipmentwere on site during the operation, including: planers, spreaders,rollers, tipper lorries, suction brushes, exc avators, dumptrucks,tower lights, generators and numerous specialist equipment.Transmission ServicesSpecialists In Automatic/Powershift Transmissions & Industrial EnginesAllison TransmissionMain Dealerfor Northern IrelandSole dealer for IrelandSpicer Clark-Hurth(CDS)ALLISONCLARKTWIN DISKZFCATERPILLARTRANSMISSIONSCUMMINSDETROIT DIESELCATERPILLARDEUTZENGINESFor all Industrial, Plant Hire and Construction Applications contactTransmission Services (Proprietor: Peter McMullan)10 Riada Avenue, Ballymoney BT53 7LH Email: tran_serv@hotmail.comTel: 028 2766 4455 Fax: 028 2766 9444 Mobile: 07710 603000QUARRY ‘14 55WhiteMountain 2pgs.indd 55 28/03/2014 11:38

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsThe Dutch ConnectionConexpo (NI) Ltd are helping the Dutchto extend Europe’s busiest highway56The Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largestPort. It is rated the sixth busiest port in theworld. In 2004 the Central Government forthe Netherlands passed an application toextend the Port into the North Sea, by thecreation of what is known as Maasvlakte 2.This major announcement involved the reclamation of 2000hectares of hinterland formed from sea dredged material,the construction of an 800m wide shipping channel,4000m of dykes and a huge infrastructure improvementprogramme. Part of the infrastructure improvementsinclude the expansion of the A15 arterial route connectingThe Netherlands to Germany and the rest of Europe.Locally known as the MAVA project, this new 38km dual 5lane motorway is the largest civil engineering scheme everundertaken by the Dutch authorities and will cost €1.5 billionby the time it is completed. The total asphalt volumes, includingQUARRY ‘14base layers, amounts to over 1million tonnes . These materialswill be produced by APRR Asphalt Production, Rotterdam.Presently APRR produce 1.3 million tonnes of asphalt peryear from two plants sited at Amsterdam and Rotterdam.Conexpo (NI) Ltd, has established themselves over the pastten years as one of the lead suppliers of high Polished StoneValue (PSV) aggregates in the Dutch market. Operatingfrom the Port of Belfast for more than 20 years, Conexpo iscontinually evolving with the dynamics of the marketplaceand the challenging demands of new specifications. In Hollandaggregates used in the manufacture of surface course asphaltsare specified as Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3. These categoriesare based primarily on PSV and LA abrasion values.The Conexpo European range are all produced from 65PSVaggregates with a LA value less than 15. These qualities meanConexpo’s aggregates qualify to meet the Type 3 standard.The Dutch authorities specify these products in only the mostdemanding situations, either for skid resistance or durability,or both. Conexpo have been the preferred supplier of Type3 aggregates to APRR’s Rotterdam plant since 2006.The MAVA project is a Design, Build, Finance and Managecontract. A joint venture consortium including Ballast Nedam,Conexpo - Dutch Connection 2pgs.indd 56 28/03/2014 10:54

Winningon AggregateCONEXPOSUPPLY OF HIGH PSV AGGREGATES TOUK AND INTERNATIONAL PROJECTSMAVA Project, RotterdamSHIP LOADING AT BELFASTAGGREGATES TERMINALDISTRIBUTION TERMINALS ATUK AND EUROPEAN PORTSDE-ICING SALT IMPORTSAND MATERIAL HANDLINGConexpo (NI) LtdHerdman Channel BerthPort of Belfast Tel: 028 9075 5085Northern Roadsales@conexpo.co.ukBELFAST BT3 9ALwww.conexpo.co.ukConexpo fp ad.indd 1 26/03/2014 15:22

Northern IrelandProviding Essential Materials58Strabag and Strukton on the constructionside, will design, build and maintain theroad network for 25 years. John Laingare managing the financial element.Central to the design criteria for the surfacecourse was to guarantee a reduction in trafficnoise by 5dB below conventional road surfaceperformance. The JV believed this could beachieved by introducing a new open asphalt. Asurface course design, developed by an Austrianlaboratory, was adopted and will be producedunder license. The new surface will achieve lowerroad traffic noise by producing the asphalt usinga very single sized, cubical aggregate. Carefulcontrol of the surfacing procedures are employed.Laying the surface course to exactly 57mmthick (±1mm) and controlling the compaction bythe rollers will achieve the correct void ratio toabsorb the road noise into the ‘mat’. The crucialaggregate grading envelope was agreed at5.6/8mm, with no more than 10% oversize and10% undersize. The flakiness index must not exceed 15%.In 2012 Conexpo had been notified by the JV’s asphalt designteam that the project would require 200,000 tonnes ofsurface course aggregates over an 18 month programme. 26aggregate producers across Europe were considered to qualifyfor the supply of these aggregates. Further discussions andprequalification interviews took place throughout 2012 and intoearly 2013. By that stage the asphalt design team had concludedthat only Conexpo and one other producer from Norway hadthe correct rock type, production capabilities and quality controlto produce the aggregates to the required specification.Numerous trial consignments were prepared by bothproducers and at huge cost road-hauled to Rotterdamfor extensive trial mixing, laying, compacting andperformance testing. In practice, the County Down gritstoneaggregate outperformed the alternative and Conexpowas awarded the supply contract in May 2013.QUARRY ‘14“It has been extremely interesting to be involved in sucha prestigious project and amazing to witness firsthandhow well the Northern Ireland gritstone performs againstaggregates from other European sources. We have alwaysbelieved in our products, but it is very satisfying wheninternational test houses and industry leading companiesconfirm the excellent qualities the gritstones deliver”reported Conexpo Director, Stephen McCluskey.“Conexpo has invested significantly over the last 12 months,in preparation of the trial consignments and in anticipationof supplying the main contract. The commitment of ourown management team and workforce, along with the localindustry suppliers, has been very supportive in designingand modifying plant and screening media to meet the verychallenging specification at rates of up to 500 tonnes per day.”To date, Conexpo has produced and supplied about50% of the total tonnage and the project is onprogramme to complete in October 2014.Conexpo - Dutch Connection 2pgs.indd 58 28/03/2014 10:54

Dynapac builds the futureAt Atlas Copco Road Construction Equipment we strive to find newways and better solutions. Productivity, performance, ergonomics andenvironmental care are our priorities. However, our most importantpriorities are customer satisfaction and success. That’s why we ensureour efforts and resources are focused on development and knowledgetransfer. Still, after more than 75 years, the ability to take advantage ofchange helps us to remain pioneers.Contact W.A.C McCandless today or visit www.atlascopco.co.uk formore information.W.A.C McCandless (Engineers) Ltd95-99 Limestone Rd BelfastTel: 028 9035 1811Fax: 028 9074 6015Email: sales@wacmccandless.comwww.wacmccandless.comATLASCOPCO_WACMC_FULLPAGE.indd McCandless Dynapac fp ad.indd 1 1 18/10/2013 27/03/2014 12:22:53 10:09

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsCommunityQPANI Membersdoing their bit for charityLagan Cement& Action Cancerdelivering awareness one metre at a timeWith one blue and one pink lorry, the hopeis that both men and women will seethe trucks and spend a moment or tworeflecting on their own personal health.Gareth Kirk (Action Cancer), Darren McMillan and Paul Adamson (Lagan CementProducts) pictured with two striking ready mixed concrete trucks carrying specialpink and b lue liveries. The trucks will travel thousands of miles across NorthernIreland delivering concrete to commercial, residential and retail sites and will be acolourful addition to the Lagan FleetAs well as increasing awareness of issues relating to cancer, Lagan willcement its relationship with Action Cancer by pledging all its fundraisingefforts to raise additional financial support for the Charity. DarrenMcMillan from Lagan Cement Products explained, “As a business, weare committed to producing quality products, minimising environmentalimpact, being a good neighbour and focussing strongly on teamworkand our company valuesof Passion, Excellence, Relationships and Fun.It is these core values that will inspire the company and its staff to helpa make a real difference to the lives of people affected by cancer.”Action Cancer is particularly keen on increasing awareness of cancerand a number of wider health issues amongst men. Gareth KirkAction Cancer’s Chief Executive explained, “Research shows that menignore health symptoms they are experiencing for up to two yearsbefore going to a GP. At Action cancer, we want to encourage mento take their health seriously and focus on making small changesto their lifestyle that throughtime can make a big difference. “Lagan Cement products will host a range of fundraisingevents for Action Cancer over the next 12 monthsthrough employee and customer-focused events.For further information, contact:John KivlahanAction Cancer028 9080 3347 or 079 7248 2424jkivlahan@actioncancer.org60Andy Scurfield, Managing Director of Quarryplan, having completed theLondon to Paris Bike de Triumph in June 2013 in aid of Cancer Research UKQUARRY ‘14Cheque presentation – Gordon Best of QPANI, David Johnston of IoQ and DarrenMcMillan of the Concrete Society presenting cheques to the RNIB and NI ChildrensHospice totalling £2,300, raised by members at our annual Industry Golf DayCommunity 2pgs.indd 60 31/03/2014 15:02

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsNorthern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsCommunityWorkingfor youQPANI Regional Director, Gordon Best,with Joe Torney and Sam Frizzell ofPlanning Service discussing permitteddevelopment rights for quarriesWith Terry Ahearn, Chief ExecutiveNorthern Ireland Environment AgencyA group of local Council EnvironmentalHealth Officers visiting Craigantlet Quarryto raise awareness of our IndustryMPA Chief Executive Nigel Jacksonvisiting Northstone Croaghan QuarryQUB Students visitingAlpha Quarry ProductsCastlenavan QuarryA group of local CouncilEnvironmental Health officersvisiting Budore Quarry to witnessmobile crushing in operationQUARRY ‘14 61Community 2pgs.indd 61 28/03/2014 11:14

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsProduct InnovationALLU M Seriesthe mobile solution for soft rockand mineral mining62The soft rock and mineral mining is donein multiple stages. At the mine the rock isblasted and the rock mass is transportedwith big dumpers to primary andsecondary screening and crushing stationswhere the material is stored to wait forprocessing.From the screening and crushing stations the material journeycontinues to power plants, different storage areas, classification sitesor for further transportation towards harbours where the material isyet again stored to wait. This process undeniably results waste materialat screening and crushing stations, unwanted costs at waste disposaland storing, unnecessary fuel consumption and simply waste of time.The process has for decades been this way: thematerial is transported to the machines.ALLU brings the machine to the material, not the other way aroundALLU has been the pioneer and inventor of the bucket type screenercrusher attachments. With almost 30 years of experience it is safeto say, the company knows what they are talking about when talkingabout mobile bucket type attachments and processes involved.After years of careful studies and feedback from customers ALLUhas now introduced this mobile solution also for soft rock andmineral mining sector. “We strongly believe, that this method willbe the future and many soft rock and mineral mining sectors willbenefit from this mobile solution”, states the Business Line ManagerMr. Fredrik Dromberg who has been involved in developing thisnew attachment from the beginning. “We’ve been selling the ALLUScreener Crushers for years for coal mining sector in Asia, wherethe normal sized construction wheel loaders and excavators arewidely used as carriers at the mines. The word-of-mouth caught usby surprise though and we started getting inquiries for suitable unitsfor mining excavators and wheel loaders and we had nothing tooffer. We started to investigate further”, Mr. Dromberg continues.The investigation resulted the ALLU M Series attachment thatprocesses the material already at the mine. The ready screened andcrushed material can be now transported directly from the mineto the power plants or harbour in only 2-step process: processing& transporting. The ALLU M Series attachment transforms theQUARRY ‘14carrier (loader or excavator) into a high capacity mobile crusheror screener. The carrier mounted with the M Series attachmentcrushes the material, separates hard unwanted impurities in therock mass while loading the dump truck or conveyor system. Thematerial that is considered as waste can now be left to the mine.Huge benefits are also achieved in energy savings. TheALLU M Series attachment only needs fuel from the carrier,no electricity or other source of power is needed.In mining any operation it is recommended to use an excavatoras carrier because of its working speed & reach which results inalmost double processing capacity compared to using a wheelloader. In most secondary processing operations, such as materialdepots, harbours, power plants to mention few, it is recommendedto use a wheel loader as carrier because the wheel loader bringsultimate mobility of the equipment on the site and it makes itpossible to easily move the processing carrier from site to site.Dry enrichmentThe ALLU M Series attachment is able to screen and crushmaterial that is between 1 – 4 in Moh scale. The softest materialbeing talc. Good examples are also: Oil Shale, Coal, Bauxite,Phosphate, Lime stone, Kaolin, Dolomite, Gypsum, Rock salt etc.By applying the correct amount of crushing force theattachment separates, while crushing the soft material,any hard unwanted materials in the rock mass. Thisunique separation feature is called dry enrichment.Oil Shale is a good example of where the dry enrichment featurebrings lot of benefits to the mining operation. Oil shale depositsare found in layers together with lime stone which is mainlyconsidered as waste. When processing oil shale with the MSeries attachment, one can easily crush the soft oil shale and atthe same time separate the harder lime stone in One Step.This dry enrichment of the rock mass results in higher energyvalue of the oil shale and the separated waste rock can be leftin the mine. This separation feature brings big environmentalbenefits to the mining operation because the separatedwaste rock is never transported out from the mine.ALLU M SeriesThe new ALLU M Series was launched at ConExpo exhibition in LasVegas March 2014. The series includes three models for excavatorsfrom 50 – 160 t and three models for wheel loaders from 30 – 90 t.Product Innovation 9pgs.indd 62 28/03/2014 11:39

The new volvodesigned to work in the toughestconditions on earthRobust DesignSturdy mounted mirrors withstand rough treatment and the slim mirrorarms allow good forward and lateral vision. High air intake offersprotection from dust. The sturdy front grille also works as a step. Bumpersare built to withstand rough treatment and the 3mm skid plate is designedto protect not only the engine sump, but the hoses and cooler too.I-SHIFTI-Shift allows you to safely sit back and concentrate on the road whilst ituses its built in intelligence to quickly and automatically choose the rightgear at all times.Rear Air SuspensionFrom one to three axles, the rear air suspension not only provides highground clearance but ensures outstanding stability and driver comfort,whether the truck is laden or unladen.All Wheel DriveWhen the conditions are rough and hilly, you can select all wheel drivebut avoid it on the flat, hence saving you fuel. All wheel drive is available in4x4, 6x6 & 8x6. Driven front axle is now standard.aWARD WINNING Volvo Dynamic Steering‘Quality Innovation of the Year 2013’, Volvo’s Dynamic steering iscomfortable and smooth and significantly improves the course stability.Improved Cab InteriorSome of the new features include: electric drying cupboard, easiersteering wheel adjustment and more knee space, push button and toggleswitches for easy control, superior adjustable Volvo seat, modern andergonomic dashboard, low foldable anti slip entry steps, the list goes on.Driver Support SystemsThe Stretch Brake avoids hazardous jack-knife situations. EmergencyBrake Lights flash rapidly to alert vehicles behind you. Adaptive CruiseControl with Forward Collision Warning, Lane Changing Support andESP all offer first rate safety solutions.Engine optionsA powerful engine, with optimal fuel efficiency and excellent torque at lowrevs. The FMX offers 8 different power ratings: four 11 litre (D11) andfour 13 litre (D13). New Euro-6 engine offers up to 540 hp with the samereliability, driveability and fuel economy as the Euro-5 version.Dennison Commercials Ltdwww.dennisons.co.uk• Ballyclare 028 9335 2827• Coleraine 028 7032 1155• Dungannon 028 8772 2220• Newry 028 3026 5425Volvo Trucks. Driving ProgressDennison Volvo FMX fp ad.indd 1 26/03/2014 15:21

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsProduct InnovationThe importance of calculatingthe material trajectory atconveyor design stageThe Design of new conveyors requiresmany elements to be considered.Beginning with the appropriate structuralsteel calculations, belt tensions andpower requirements it is also importantthat designers should give detailedconsideration in calculating the trajectoryof the material flow and correspondingchute design.64Conveyor Technologyhas progressedgreatly over the lastfifteen years and byusing a combinationof Dynamic AnalysisCalculations andDiscrete ElementModelling it is possibleto predict and dealwith high volumeconveyor transferand loading points.QUARRY ‘14Key Benefits of predicting material flow patterns include• Extending the life of the top cover of the rubber• conveyor belt by up to 2 to 3 times• Reducing wear on chute impact points and• underbelt support rollers or impact bars• Minimising spillage and dust emmissions at• Conveyor transfer points5 Key Factors that influence the discharge angle are the• Material Moisture Content• Internal Friction Characteristics• In-line Loading or Competing Angles• Angle of Inclination of the Conveyor• The Conveyor Belt SpeedLonger Conveyor Belt LifeSpecifying a conveyor belt without firstly considering speed loadingvariations, angles of impact and drop heights can often lead toshort abrasive cut marks appearing prematurely on the conveyorbelt top cover and in worst cases full belt failure. Traditionally steelbacked rubber or hardened steel is used at material impact areaswithin chutes , however these can often only offer short term gains.Predicting potential wear points and applying correct ISO andCEMA design guidelines can produce much greater results.Reducing the material impact damage by creating a smoothflow can be further improved with the use of specialistceramic or UHMW lining. These can be very successful onfine grained abrasive materials but with the correct designcan also be used for larger lump sizes or crushed stone.Practical Design TestingMany designers incorporate practical and customerspecific material testing in advance of final steelfabrication. This can be carried out at test centres or oncustomer’s sites with mobile adjustable test rigs.Product Innovation 9pgs.indd 64 28/03/2014 11:39

ConveyorTek fp ad.indd 1 26/03/2014 15:24

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsProduct InnovationSmiley Monroe’sKing RollersReduce Workplace Noiseat Irish Salt Mines66Smiley Monroe’s polymer King Rollers havejust helped their customer, Irish Salt Mines(ISME), to achieve their aim of furtherreducing workplace noise on an enclosedhigh speed conveyor at their Kilroot site inNorthern Ireland.The 1200mm wide, 120 metre long reclaim tunnel conveyorrunning at 2.85 m/s, which is housed in a reinforced concretetunnel below Irish Salt Mines’ storage facilities, transferssalt onto the shiploading conveyor. As part of their ongoingefforts to reduce workplace noise, ISME asked Smiley Monroefor their suggestions on how this could be achieved in thetunnel. Smiley Monroe recommended replacing existing steelidlers with polymer King Rollers, and since the customer hadbeen using these successfully on their shiploading conveyorfor several years, this action was quickly implemented.Quiet RevolutionJason Hopps, Surveyor and Health & Safety Officer with IrishSalt Mines, said: “I’m delighted with the performance of SmileyMonroe’s King Rollers, which have reduced noise levelsQUARRY ‘14significantly in our reclaim tunnel conveyor. After replacingsteel return and trough idlers with King Rollers, independenttests recorded greater than a 50% noise reduction. We’renow actively replacing all remaining steel return and troughidlers on this conveyor with Smiley Monroe’s King Rollers.”Keith Stevenson, Smiley Monroe’s Product Manager for KingRoller, added: “We originally recommended King Rollers becauseof their robust design, which is ideal for coping with humid andcorrosive environments, such as salt mines and fertiliser plants.Unlike a steel idler, our anti-corrosive King Roller won’t rust andit’s triple labyrinth sealed bearings are proven to increase servicelife. In this case, however, it’s the added benefit of quieter runningwhich results from King Roller’s polymer construction that hashelped solve Irish Salt Mines’ workplace noise problem.”As sole supplier of conveyor belts and on-site vulcanising service toIrish Salt Mines for almost 35 years, Smiley Monroe is very familiarwith the harsh conditions in which their customer’s conveyoridlers operate. Irish Salt Mines are now using Smiley Monroe KingRollers on all of their surface conveyors, as hanging garlands,drop-in type end supported troughing sets and return idlers.Energy EfficiencyApart from longer service life, increased uptime and healthand safety benefits, King Roller is also up to 50% lighter thana traditional steel idler, so it’s easier to handle and can reducea conveyor’s power consumption by an average of 14%.Ultimately this will help reduce the business’ CO2 emissionsand operating cost per tonne of material produced. With everrisingcosts in running plant and vehicles, King Rollers canassist energy-intensive operations, from quarries and mines tocement works, in making their sites more energy efficient.The American owned Irish Salt Mining & Exploration Company(I.S.M.E. Co. Ltd) has been mining de-icing rock salt at its Kilrootmine near Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland since 1965. Producinghalf a million tonnes of de-icing rock salt per annum, the IrishSalt Mines can meet the toughest demands in the harshestwinters. Export is handled through its deepwater berth onthe north shore of Belfast Lough, complete with a shiploadingconveyor running directly from storage facilities at the mine site.Northern Ireland and India based Smiley Monroe, celebrating 35years in business, is the global market leader in the productionof Hot Spliced Conveyor Belts and CNC Cut Rubber Partsfor the mobile crushing, screening and recycling sector. Justnamed by London Stock Exchange Group as one of Britain’s1,000 most inspiring companies, Smiley Monroe conveyor beltsand energy-efficient products can be found in bulk materialshandling operations throughout the world, where they aretrusted by customers to help them meet their targets forquality, safety, productivity and environmental compliance.Product Innovation 9pgs.indd 66 31/03/2014 13:02

VISIT US ATEXPOMIN 04/14MASKINEXPO 05/14LOAD UP NORTH 08/14STEINEXPO 09/14INTERMAT 04/15Over the last 35 years, we’ve seen our fair share offailing steel conveyor idlers and other pretenders tothe throne ~ and now is the time for change.King Roller is up to 50% lighter than a traditional steel idler, so it’s easierto handle and can reduce conveyor power consumption by an average of14%, keeping down CO 2 emissions and your operating cost per tonne.What’s more, the King Roller TM triple labyrinth sealed bearings andanti-corrosive, polymer construction are proven to significantly reduceworkplace noise, while increasing service life.In today’s world of ever-rising energy prices and growing environmentallegislation, isn’t it time you switched allegiance?CONTACT US TODAYfor a competitive quote or to arrange a trial.Keith StevensonProduct ManagerT: +44 (0) 28 9267 3777E: sales@kingroller.co.ukVISIT OUR NEWDEDICATED MICROSITE:www.kingroller.co.uk/smileymonroeltd /Smiley.MonroeLtd /SmileyMonroeOnlinewww.smileymonroe.comSmiley Monroe King Roller fp ad.indd 1 31/03/2014 12:48

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsProduct InnovationVolvoFMXA Genuine Action Hero!68How the FMX performs in the sortof conditions it’s been designed for,by Justin Carrigan at Plant & Civil EngineerRevealed to the public for the very first time at the Baumaexhibition in Munich, Germany, last April, and now inproduction for the European market, our first practicalencounter with the FMX happened on the ruggedterrain in a working quarry at Kallered in Sweden.We managed to put a few FMX variations through their paces overthe course of a couple of hours and could quickly see why the teamat Volvo are fully justified in their pride and enthusiasm for thisnew and innovative range which we believe will rapidly becomea familiar sight across the quarrying and construction sectors.From an exterior point of view, the new FMX certainly looks thepart as a heavy duty workhorse. The bumper has a more musculardesign, incorporating materials that offer better crack resistanceduring low speed impacts plus the parts are very easy to removeand replace. Above the bumper there is a practical towing eyemade of cast iron, designed to handle a massive 32 tonnes.As we discovered, the cab’s low position relative to the chassisoffers a convenient entry and exit as well as a superior closeupvisibility. This reduces the risk of damage to the vehicle andimproves safety for people working in close proximity of the truck.QUARRY ‘14The cab interior in the new Volvo FMX has also beenredesigned, with the focus on giving the driver a comfortableand ergonomic workplace. The cab has more space for thedriver and more storage options compared with the previousmodel. The new seat can be tilted forward another fourdegrees and the backrest is 10mm slimmer than beforeThe steering wheel is equipped with integrated control buttons formultiple functions, including cruise control, phone and navigation,etc. The new all-black instrument panel is now angled even furthertowards the driver, providing a logical working environment withall the buttons, controls and functions within easy reach.Immediately to the right of the ignition key, important features suchas the large integrated information display are positioned for easyaccessibility. To the right of the angled section there is a versatilemodule that can house various controls. The climate control is easy touse and the unit is more efficient with improved defroster functions.Dynamic SteeringThanks to Volvo Dynamic Steering, we found the truck really easyto drive, even on the most rugged of roads, especially noticeablewhen moving at slow speeds, which should make a workingman’s day that much more manageable and comfortable.An electronically-controlled electric motor attached tothe steering gear is a major technological innovation. Theelectric motor works together with the hydraulic powersteering and is regulated thousands of times per second byits electronic control unit. At low speeds the electric motorreplaces the driver’s muscle-power. Instead, the driver canrelax and steer without any effort and strain - Volvo DynamicSteering even self-centres automatically when reversing.The new air suspension, tailor-made for construction work, certainlyhelped to smooth out the bumps along the quarry roads. The systemProduct Innovation 9pgs.indd 68 31/03/2014 14:24

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsProduct Innovationfeatures automatic ride-heightcontrol and with 300 mm ofground clearance, obstacleswere easily overcome.This new off-road air suspensionis now available with the 4x2,6x4 and 8x4 axle configurations– the latter offering both thetraditional twin front axle setupand the new Tridem design witha hydraulically steered tag axle.The tag axle can also be liftedor dumped for increased driveaxle traction in difficult operatingconditions, as well as reducingtyre wear when running unladen– and thanks to the positioningof the anti-roll bar in the centreof the bogie, the vehicle hasexcellent stability, a fact towhich we can readily testify.I-ShiftUp until now, ordering a VolvoFMX with a driven front axlemeant choosing betweenmanual and the automaticPowertronic. But with its latestmodifications, I-Shift hasbecome an option for all thedriven front axle vehicles.The modified I-Shift allowscustomers to order a 4×4, a 6×6or an 8×6 with Volvo’s automatedI-Shift transmission. With thisthey can choose betweenmanual and automated gearshifting at any given moment.What a bonus! We believe I-Shiftis indispensable, and even moreso on rough and hilly terrain,and where there’s a lot ofmanoeuvring involved, especiallyon construction sites andquarry operations as it allowsthe driver to relax a little and letI-Shift do some of the work.Incidentally, the new Volvo FMXis available with a choice of11- and 13-litre Euro-6 engines.The D13 has power outputs from420hp to 540hp, while the D11spans the range from 330hpto 450hp. As the boys at Volvotold us, this new FMX basesits personality on its honest,capable image. What you seeis exactly what you get. A fullyequippedtool, one hundredper cent ready for hard work.This construction truck is likea genuine action hero – it justlooks better and better after it’sbeen hard at work. We couldn’thave put it better ourselves!QUARRY ‘14 69Product Innovation 9pgs.indd 69 28/03/2014 13:00

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsProduct InnovationMajor success forCDE Global with NorthCarolina wash plant projectA new modular wash plant from CDEGlobal in North Carolina is producinggolf sands which are being supplied toPinehurst Golf Club, venue for the 2014 USOpen Championship from 19-21 June 2014.70In 2013 GS Materials investigated the possibility of a new washplant that would solve the problems that the company wasexperiencing with their existing processing system. The existingplant was over forty years old and was not processing clay lumpsin the material nor was it recovering fine sand from the wastematerial. The company came to the conclusion that the wash plantwas no longer efficient and they needed to find a new solution.The efficiency requirements for a new system were threefold. Firstly,GS Materials required a water treatment plant. This was the mainrequirement as recycling water would result in a significant costsaving for the company. Secondly, they wanted to recover the finesand that they were losing. Thirdly, the washed aggregate productsshould not have any clay lumps but should be washed, sized andsaleable. The product requirements were to produce 200tph of concretesand, top size less than 3/8” and less than 3% below 200mesh, toproduce a USPGA golf sand, a mason sand and 40tph of aggregatedivided into three different sizes. “As well as production and efficiencyrequirements we specified that we didn't want a turnkey, bespokesystem that would take weeks and weeks to design. We wanted anoff-the-shelf modular package that was ready to work. CDE couldprovide this” explained GS Materials Quarry Manager, Mr Troy Russell.CDE was awarded the contract and the plant was commissioned inDecember 2013. CDE recognised that GS Materials wanted to see materialon the ground in the shortest possible timescale and therefore usedthe CDE product range as modular components – or individual buildingblocks – ensuring minimum set up time as well as reducing costs byeliminating the requirement to build supporting structures. These ‘buildingblocks’ are all from the CDE core product range; the M4500 wash plant,an AggMax 83 integrated scrubbing system, AN EvoWash sand plantwith an integrated CFCU, and an AquaCycle 600 thickener with a CDEAquaStore for water storage and recirculation around the plant.THE PROCESSCDE Product 1: M4500 modular wash plantThe M4500 processes 270tph of natural sand and gravel from theJackson Springs quarry. This raw feed contains high silt contentwith over 10% under 200mesh. The integrated L35 hopper on theM4500 modular wash plant is fed via a wheeled loader and has aQUARRY ‘14The GS Materials plant is built using the CDE product range as modularcomponents – or individual building blockscapacity of 34T. The spacings on the hydraulic tipping grid have beenspecifically selected to ensure that any +5” aggregate is immediatelyrejected by the hopper and does not enter the plant. From thehopper, material progresses up the feed conveyor which is fittedwith a belt weigher to monitor the flow of material through the plantand relay real-time capacity information to the plant operator.The feed conveyor transports the material into the integratedProGrade P2-75 rinsing screen. The ProGrade has 2 decks witheach screen measuring 16x5ft. The +2” material, which amountsto less than 1tph, is removed on the top deck and stockpiledvia the first conveyor on the M4500. This stone, the first productfrom the plant, is washed and ready for GS Materials to sell forlandscaping projects. Meanwhile, material smaller than 2” passesthrough the top deck of the ProGrade and the 3/8”–2” productis removed on the bottom deck. This product is transferred via a30ft conveyor to the next stage of processing, the AggMax 83.CDE Product 2: AggMax 83Material enters the AggMax 83 and is deposited into the back of theRotoMax logwasher where it encounters two counter rotating spiralshafts which are designed to scrub heavily claybound material. The highchrome cast iron paddles in the RotoMax logwasher force the clayboundmaterial to travel along the logwasher while intensely scrubbing it. Duringthis process the clay and lightweight contaminants are floated off at theback of the RotoMax onto a trash screen which recovers good qualitysand from the aggregate fraction while stockpiling the waste material.The trash screen introduces an additional step to the sand recoveryprocess, recovering sand that would have previously went to waste.The liberated fine material enters the sump and from here is pumpedback to the M4500 ProGrade sump for further processing. The scrubbedaggregate material travels up the inclined RotoMax logwasher untilit reaches the tip and is then discharged from the RotoMax onto athree-deck sizing screen. The first deck removes the 1”-2” aggregate,Product Innovation 9pgs.indd 70 31/03/2014 14:29

M2500The world’s most versatile mobilewashing unit is successfullyprocessing:- Sand & Gravel- Industrial Sands- Crushed Rock- Crusher Dust- Scalpings- Mineral Ores- Construction & Demolition Waste Materialin over 30 countriescdeglobal.comABE Apr 14.indd 1 17/03/2014 11:30:37CDE M2500 fp ad.indd 1 26/03/2014 15:41

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsProduct Innovation72½”-7/8” is removed on the second deck and the ¼”-1/2” product isremoved on the third deck. These are stockpiled by three 50ft mobileconveyors and produce 3 sized and washed aggregate products foruse by GS Materials, as per the company’s initial requirements.Meanwhile, the fine material from the RotoMax sump joins the materialwhich earlier passed through the second deck of the ProGrade screen(0-3/8”) and is pumped to the dual hydrocyclones on the EvoWash sandplant which is integrated on the M4500. The +200mesh-1/4” material isdischarged from the bottom of the cyclones onto the EvoWash dewateringscreen. The dewatering screen consists of some large 16mesh aperturesallowing some of the +200mesh-1/4” to fall into the sump below.However the majority of the material travels down the screen deck andproduces 200tph of 200mesh-1/4” concrete sand which is stockpiled viaa 80ft radial conveyor and is the fifth product produced from the plant.Meanwhile the -200mesh fraction overflows the hydrocyclones and istransferred along with the waste water to the next stage of processing.CDE Product 3: EvoWash sand plantThe material which passed through the dewatering screen on theM4500 enters the sump and is pumped to the CFCU 70 integratedon the EvoWash B40 sand plant. The Counter Flow ClassificationUnit is used in the production of the golf sand. It uses upward flowclassification to separate particles by density and eliminates theoversize sand particles from the final golf sand product. The finematerial removed in the CFCU through the hydrocyclones is sentto the AquaCycle A600 thickener, along with the overflow from theEvoWash hydrocyclones. The material that is discharged from thebottom of the CFCU is the GS Materials golf sand. It is a 200-75meshproduct and is discharged onto one half of an EvoScreen and then viathe sixth conveyor on the plant to produce a golf sand stockpile.“When we first detailed our requirements for this new wash plant ourmain aim was to produce high quality concrete sand and capture the finessand we were losing. When CDE suggested that we had the capability toalso make golf sand we grasped that opportunity. The result is a first classUSPGA golf sand which we are now supplying to Pinehurst Golf Resort,one of the preeminent golf resorts in the United States and the site of the2014 US Open in June 2014” explains Mr Russell. He also highlighted theadvantages of CDE ProMan which dedicates a project manager to everycustomer to ensure that the project is delivered on time, to budget andto specification. “Colum Bryson managed our project on our behalf andsupplied all required information, including detailed information on golfsand production, ensuring we were aware of all requirements throughoutthe build, transport, install and commissioning of our wash plant.”CDE has ensured that GS Materials have the option of making a 200-75mesh golf sand or blending their golf sand back into the plant to make amasonry sand. This is the current process as the material from the sumpof the CFCU still contains valuable product and therefore is reprocessedthrough an extra cyclone and the discharge is dewatered onto the secondhalf of the EvoScreen and then to a masonry sand stockpile. Mr Russellcommented “Masonry sand requires a mix of sizes with a smooth bottomend for building and plastering purposes so we are successfully blendingour golf sand and mason sand to produce a final masonry sand.”QUARRY ‘14CDE Product 4: AquaCycle A600The final stage of the process is the AquaCycle water treatmentsystem, which receives all the excess fines from the EvoWash andCFCU cyclones. The AquaCycle is a fit-for-purpose steel tank with afeed rate of 2640 g/min. A polyelectrolyte dosing station acts as adelivery system of polyelectrolyte to facilitate the settlement of sludge.“Sludge settles at the bottom of the tank where a set of rakes ensurethat the sludge is maintained at an even consistency before it isdischarged to ponds” says Mr Joel Prince, General Manager for CDE inNorth America. “The AquaCycle water treatment system reduces thevolume of fresh water required to feed the plant by up to 90% whilethe AquaStore recycles the recovered water around te wash plant.”GS MaterialsGS Materials is a family owned sand company that has been in operationsince 1984. It is located in Burlington, North Carolina with nearbysand quarries in Lemon Springs and Jackson Springs. GS Materialsserves almost the entire state of North Carolina including its capital,Raleigh, and its largest city, Charlotte. Sand and aggregates are alsotransported to the neighbouring states of South Carolina and Virginia.The primary product produced by GS Materials is DCDOT (NorthCarolina Department of Transportation) approved concrete sand but thecompany also supplies a wide range of other sands and aggregates.Founder and Chairman, Tony Convery, commented on the first modularwash plant for CDE in the USA, “Our product range has been designedaround core themes including rapid deployment, reduced plant footprintand increased production efficiencies all done in partnership with acommitment to ensuring quick, easy and safe maintenance accessfor all operational personnel. We pre-wire and pre-build every unitbefore it leaves our factory to ensure that once we get to site wecan have the plant up and running in the shortest possible time.”The performance of the CDE wash solution has been extremely positivefor GS Materials, as highlighted by Owner, Mr Ronnie Kirkpatrick,“We approached CDE with a number of key requirements in termsof efficiency, performance and modularity. It was crucial to us thatwe would have a water treatment facility and that we could recoverthe fine sand we were losing with our previous system. The result isin-specification products that are ready for sale and reduced costsin terms of the amount of water required to operate the plant, andsignificant savings in the management of the sludge lagoons.”The construction aggregates industry in the US produced two billionmetric tons of material in 2013 and as 2014 begins, the industryis optimistic as the economy overall is continuing to improve withaggregate producers in many parts of America, including NorthCarolina, continuing to see an increase in business. The McGrawHill Construction’s 2014 Dodge Construction Outlook forecaststhat commercial building will increase by 17% in the US withwarehouses and hotels expected to lead the way. Also, efforts areunderway to lobby for a new highway bill to fund US transportationinfrastructure improvements. All of this is good news for concretesand producers like GS Material, who will have a busy 2014 ahead.Product Innovation 9pgs.indd 72 31/03/2014 14:30

Lagan CementOperating from the most modern facilities in Ireland, LaganCement prides itself in delivering the highest possible standards.Roadmix ConcreteThe range of quality certified concrete products from Roadmix isdesigned to meet the requirements of various construction sectors.Lagan TileOne of the primary roof tile manufacturers in NorthernIreland, Lagan Tile delivers choice and quality as standard.Lagan SandThe Lagan Group is one of the few operators licensed toextract sand from Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland.HEAD OFFICE: LAGAN CEMENT PRODUCTS - 11B SHEEPWALK ROAD - LISBURN - BT28 3RD. T: 028 9264 7100ROADMIX CONCRETE DEPOTS:COMBER PLANT - BALLYSTOCKART QUARRY - BALLYSTOCKART ROAD - COMBER - CO. DOWN - BT23 5QYGLENGORMLEY PLANT - 60 BALLYCRAIGY ROAD - NEWTOWNABBEY - BT36 4SXWHITEMOUNTAIN QUARRY - 14 WHITEMOUNTAIN ROAD - LISBURN - BT28 3QYwww.lagancementproducts.comLagan A4.indd 1 18/10/2013 13:48Lagan Cement fp ad.indd 1 26/03/2014 15:42

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsProduct InnovationTerex Finlay introduceNew 893 Tracked MobileHeavy Duty ScreenerThe new Terex® Finlay 893 is a highlyversatile and aggressive machineengineered and built for working inquarrying, mining, construction anddemolition debris, topsoil, recycling, sand,gravel, coal, ore and aggregate applications.A key feature of the machine is the ability to hydraulically raisethe screenbox 600mm (24”) at the discharge end to provideadditional clearance for ease of media change as well asroutine maintenance of the screenbox and fines transfer.The plant has the capacity to process at a rate of up to 800 tonnes perhour and can be fed either by a tracked mobile crusher or an excavator.This fully self-contained plant can be hydraulically folded andready for transport in less than 30 minutes making it the idealmachine for large scale contract screening projects were ahighly productive and dependable screen is paramount.This aggressive forward facing inclined modular configurationscreenbox has a 6.1m x 1.83m (20’ x 6’) top deck and a 5.5m x1.83m (18’ x 6’) bottom deck. Depending on the working applicationof the machine hydraulic adjustment can be used to vary theworking range angle of the screen box between 14 – 18°. Thescreenbox top deck can be fitted with a variety of screening mediaincluding; Mesh, Punch plate, bofor bars & Tines. The bottomdeck can be fitted with mesh, punch plate & cascade fingers.A high performance 1100mm (44”) apron feeder and hydraulicgearbox drive is fitted to the machine as standard and has provenperformance and versatility in demanding and varied workingenvironments. The hopper has a 10m³ (13.1 yd³) capacity as standard.The machine is powered by either a Tier 3 / Stage 3A CaterpillarC6.6 151kW (202hp) or a Tier 4i Caterpillar C4.4 129kW (173hp)and is equipped with three hydraulically folding dischargeconveyors allowing for maximum stockpiling capacity andassociated benefits of rapid set up and tear down times.The heavy duty crawler tracks, and optional radio remotecontrol unit, make on site mobility very easy.Key FeaturesVersatile aggressive screen box can be easilyadapted to suit many applications.Modular configuration screen box with 6.1m x 1.8m (20’ x 6’)top deck and 5.5m x 1.8m (18’ x 6’) bottom deck screen.Screen box can accept bofor bars, screen harps,woven mesh, punch plate and cascade fingers.Screen box angle can be hydraulically adjustedto an angle between 14 – 18°.Screen box discharge end can be hydraulically raised 600mm (24”)to facilitate efficient and easy media access and changing.All stockpiling conveyors are hydraulic angle adjustable with hydraulicextending head sections for maximum discharge & stockpile height.Apron feeder angle adjustable, lower position to accommodatecrusher feed, high position provides reduced feeder incline anglewhen operated in direct feed mode from excavator/loader.Terex Finlay 89374QUARRY ‘14Product Innovation 9pgs.indd 74 31/03/2014 15:49

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsRapid Concrete Mixer solvesproduction bottleneck forLafarge Tarmac, BatterseaLafarge Tarmac, a joint venture formedfollowing the merger of Lafarge UK andAnglo American’s Tarmac, is recognisedas the UK’s leading construction materialsand services company, combining bothcompany’s cement & lime, aggregates,ready mix concrete, asphalt and asphaltsurfacing, maintenance services and wasteservices businesses. The company recentlyinstalled a Rapid R4000 Pan Mixer at itsBattersea production facility in an effort toboth modernise and increase its productioncapabilities.Recognising a need to increase plant output capabilities at its Batterseafacility, Lafarge Tarmac chose to replace another brand twin shaftmixer with a new Rapid R4000 4.0m3 output capacity pan mixer. Whilstthe previous twin shaft mixer was capable of producing concrete atadequate speeds, the single charging position for the ready mix trucksmeant that the time it took to move a full truck out, line up and parkthe empty one for loading led to a production bottle neck. The distinctadvantage in this case of the Rapid R4000 pan mixer is its two doors,which provide two charging positions enabling one truck to get intoposition while a second is still being loaded. Despite the slightly smalleroutput of the mixer, production is expected to increase by up to 50%.The self proclaimed ‘Home of the Concrete Mixer’, Rapid’s coreproduct range of pan, planetary and twin shaft concrete mixers arethe culmination of over forty years of experience, and stand alongsideits celebrated existing portfolio of mobile batching and continuousmixing solutions. Rapid’s R4000 pan offers the largest output of its kindmanufactured in the UK and for this reason is ideal for applicationswhere output is key, in particular the production of ready mixed concrete.Rapid’s range of pan mixers offer outputs from 0.5m 3 to 4m 3 perhour. With a great emphasis placed on durability and ease of use,standard equipment includes durable chill cast wear sleeves, paddles,wall and floor tiles and heavy duty discharge door mechanisms. Themixer can be easily accessed for cleaning and maintenance due tothe fact that the access lid is one quarter the size of the mixing zoneand there are less technical components. Consistent top qualityhomogenous mixes are achievable as a result of mixing arms thatensure all materials are kept in constant motion in every direction.All Rapid concrete mixers are customisable using a wide range ofoptional extras including but not limited to the addition of up to threehydraulic/ pneumatic discharge doors, mixer starter panels, mixerinterlock system and a mixer monitoring protection package.Rapid’s dedicated and experienced in house spares departmenthas the ability to provide Lafarge Tarmac with all its wearingand replacement parts requirements for the Rapid R4000 panmixer, via a fast track service. High inventory levels and sameday dispatch from stock on goods ordered before 11am (UK only)will ensure that the company’s spare parts requirements areconsistently met in a cost effective, timely and efficient manner.As a result of its high outputs the Rapid pan mixer range is ideal for readymix concrete production, as well as production of concrete blocks andbricks, grouts and screeds, pre cast concrete and interlocking paving.Product InnovationRAPID PANCONCRETE MIXERTHE UK’S ONLY 4m 3 PAN MIXER* Outputs from 0.5m3 to 4m 3 Accessible design for easy cleaning Durable paddles and chill cast tiles Customisable options Ideal for ready-mix, block making and more*Rapid is the only UK based manufacturer to manufacturea 4m 3 pan concrete mixerRapid International Ltd 96 Mullavilly Road, Tandragee, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, BT62 2LXT: +44 (0) 28 3884 0671 E: marketing@rapidinternational.com www.rapidinternational.comQUARRY ‘14 75Product Innovation 9pgs.indd 75 31/03/2014 16:01

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsProduct InnovationMcCabe EarthworksPower ahead withthe PowerscreenChieftain 2100x threedeck screen fromPowerscreenCounty Monaghan based McCabeEarthworks have been involved in mobilecontract crushing since the early 1990’sworking on projects such as Dublin PortTunnel, Dublin’s M50, the Lansdowne RdStadium and Dublin’s LUAS but to name afew. Company Director John McCabe is thethird generation of his family to be involvedwith Civil Engineering and mobile crushingand knows only too well that fast setup,efficiency, high tonnage and reliable dealerbackup are key to his mobile operations.“We have been using the Powerscreen Chieftain rangefor many years with great success and have just takendelivery in January of our 2nd Powerscreen Chieftain 2100xthree deck tracked screen from Powerscreen Ireland “.John says that the changes made to the new PowerscreenChieftain 2100X three deck has increased capacity by20%. This helps a lot on the bottom deck when working ina chip application which would usually have an apertureof 4-6mm. Normally we would have had to add anothersmall screen to clean the chip but the 2100x has allowedus to run in a closed circuit with a Powerscreen 1300Maxtrack at about 400tph with ease. We used the Chieftain2100X last year in a chip application for Lagans where aPowerscreen 1000 Maxtrack cone and a Powerscreen1300 Maxtrack cone crusher were feeding the 2100x three76QUARRY ‘14Product Innovation 9pgs.indd 76 31/03/2014 15:48

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsProduct Innovationdeck with the recirculating loads from both cones comingback. The bottom deck of the 2100x was 4mm and we weredelighted with its performance in taking the dust out. Johnsays “ This was a very tight spec product to make as it wasbeing used for tarmac for Belfast International Airport butthe Powerscreen Chieftain 2100X performed perfectly”.Crushing - Screening -Recycling - Material Handling5100 TrCHIEFTAIN 2100X PREMIERTRAK 300SPARE PARTS & SERVICEPowerscreenÊ IrelandÊ Ltd. ÊUnitÊ 25,Ê BayÊ RoadÊ BusinessÊ Park,Ê ÊMountmellick,Ê ÊCo.Ê Laois,Ê ÊIreland.ÊOffice: +353Ê (0)Ê 57Ê -Ê867Ê 9034ÊFax: +353Ê (0)Ê 57Ê -Ê867Ê 9014ÊSales: Justin McCaul: +44 (0) 7585 979674ÊEmail: justin@powerscreenireland.ieÊwww.powerscreenireland.ieÊDealerÊ forÊ ROIÊ &Ê ÊNIFullÊ ServiceÊ TeamÊ Coverage ÊFullÊ PartsÊ BackupÊRefurbsÊ &Ê RebuildsÊQUARRY ‘14 77Product Innovation 9pgs.indd 77 31/03/2014 15:48

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsProduct InnovationTerex Washing Systemsrolls out the red carpetfor Aggresand SystemPremiere in USATerex Washing Systems (TWS) recentlyhosted a USA premiere of the Terex®Aggresand wash plant in North Carolina,following the huge success of the Irelandlaunch in September 2013. The event tookplace at the Carolina Sunrock facility inKittrell, North Carolina, where TWS workedwith Mid-Atlantic distributor, PowerscreenMid-Atlantic, to stage the 3-day event.Sean Loughran, Director of TWS, commented, “This is the firstmachine of its kind in this market and the interest has beenphenomenal. The event has proved to be a real success and weare already witnessing increased activity in this marketplace.”The Aggresand concept, the newest modular aggregate and sandwashing plant, was introduced to the world of aggregate washing latelast year. The Aggresand plant showcased at Kittrell, NC, featureda 200tph twin sand plant compared to the first Aggresand plantlaunched in Ireland, which had 120tph twin sand plants. TWS can offertwo sand plant options, 120tph or 200tph, dependent on the customer’sapplication and the sand to stone ratio. The modular wash plantbrings together aggregate and sand washing on one modular chassis,producing three aggregates and two types of sand on one machine.Sunrock Quarries willingness to try innovative products andprocesses, coupled with TWS distributor, Powerscreen Mid-Atlantic, afforded TWS the opportunity to host the event. The localgeology of Sunrock Kittrell Quarry is granite, which made thedemonstration more significant, since high wear issues are moreprevalent in this situation. Poly screens were opted for in place ofthe typical woven wire screen mesh and the Aggresand washplant was more than capable of dealing with this raw material.More than 45 TWS distributors and more than 150 customersfrom throughout America attended this exclusive event, wherethey saw for the first time ever a live demonstration of theAggresand wash plant. Elaine Donaghy, Marketing Manager ofTWS, commented, “The USA premiere of the Aggresand washplant proved to be another successful showcase. Reaction to thenew plant was exceptional and we received immediate orders asa result. The Aggresand wash plant is proving to set TWS apartfrom other providers in the market and is revolutionizing the washplant market by introducing innovative solutions and continuing toserve our customers’ needs and demands around the world.”This system sets itself apart from the competition by combiningaggregate washing and screening with sand processing on amodular chassis. Garry Stewart, Applications Engineer withTWS, commented, “The market is really embracing the Aggesandconcept with extensive orders following the show. Feedback fromcustomers suggests that acquiring planning for these modularset-ups is easier compared to large static installations. The rapidset up time, high levels of serviceability and the advanced controlsystem are also proving major hits with our customers.”Mark Keenan, Sales Manager, Powerscreen Mid-Atlantic, commented,“We at Powerscreen Mid- Atlantic Inc, were happy to be able toshowcase the new Terex Aggresand wash plant here in NorthCarolina and we appreciate all the assistance our good customerCarolina Sunrock provided to help realize the event. I believe theAggresand plant will be a very popular machine in the U.S. market.The ease of setup and installation, due to its modular design, enablesus to provide the customer with a complete turnkey solution, whichcan be moved from one site to another in a short space of time. Wefeel like Terex Washing Systems has really set themselves apart fromthe competition with the modular concept and quality design. We lookforward to installing their products with many of our customers.”Terex Washing Systems recently announced details of the newlarger wash plant within the Aggresand range at CONEXPO, theAggresand 206, due to be officially launched at Hillhead in June 2014.This larger Aggresand model shares all the unique modularfeatures of the smaller Aggresand 165 model launched in 2013i ncluding ease of transportation, rapid set-up time, pre-wired and preplumbedcomponents and an HMI control system, which have beendelivering efficient, productive performance for current owners.78QUARRY ‘14Product Innovation 9pgs.indd 78 31/03/2014 15:07

RINTRODUCING THE NEWTEREX FINLAY I-100RSIMPACT CRUSHER..The NEW Terex® Finlay I-100RS directd r i v e Ø860mm x 860mm (Ø34” x 34”) horizontalimpact crusher with variable speed givesoperators unprecedented levels of fuel efficiencyand production in both recycling and quarryingapplications. The machine features a 2.44m x1.2m (8’ x 4’) single deck screen for sizing andrecirculating oversize material back to the crushingchamber. The sizing screen can be quickly detachedfor applications that do not require resizing orrecirculation of materials for further processing.The I-100RS features hydraulic folding of allconveyors providing rapid set-up times and easypoint to point moves when operating on multiplesites.Features:uuuuStand ID: L6Direct drive Ø860mm x 860mm (Ø34” x 34”) crusherchamber with unique belt tensioner system allowingfor rapid adjustment.Hydraulic apron setting assist provides convenientand efficient adjustment of the aprons and hydraulicoverload protection in event that an un-crushableobject enters chamber.Detachable 2.44m x 1.2m (8’ x 4’) single deck screenreturns oversize material back to the crusher via theon-board recirculating system.Quick and easy detachable screen, fines and transferconveyor for open circuit crushing.www.terexfinlay.comTerex® Finlay, Drumquin Road, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland. BT78 5PNHead Office T: +44 (0) 28 82 418 700 E: sales@terexfinlay.comTerexFinlayI-100RS _GB_Pllant&Civil.indd 1 27/03/2014 11:38:30Terex Finlay I-100RS fp ad.indd 1 27/03/2014 12:46

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsProduct InnovationNew innovative thinkingon scour by EDFEDF select “Kyowa Filter Units” for monopilescour protection on Teesside OWFRidgeway Renewables have successfullysupplied the first “Kyowa Filter Units” fromJapanese manufacturer Sumisho KyowaLimited for offshore wind turbine monopilescour protection in Europe.80Using a combinationof the 4 & 8 tonne typeunits filled with specificaggregate in a circularformation around themonopile, engineers wereable to achieve toughdesign criteria set for seaand wave conditions.The Port of SunderlandFilter Units offer virtuallyno-maintenancescourperformance protection byhaving a flexible structure.They are easy, safe andfast to install and aremade from 61% recycledwater bottles and offera natural eco habitat formarine life when installed.Ridgeway worked closelywith the developer EDFEnergy and the consultingengineer Ramboll, whowere responsible for thescour protection design.Following many meetingswith the design engineersand the TOWF projectmanagement the greenlight was given to utilisethe innovative solutionfor scour protection on11 of the 27 turbines.EDF Energy Renewables awarded specialist engineering andsolutions company, Marske Site Services (MSS) the vital role ofturnkey installation contractor for the placement of the Filter Units.From this point Ridgeway Renewables were sub-contracted tosupply and fill the filter units at the Port of Sunderland. MSS utilisedthe 7000te subsea construction vessel, the Maersk Responder tosafely and accurately place the scour protection in the Tees Bay.This represented a tremendous example of business collaborationand cooperation to move a project like this along at a pace fasterthan normally associated with the largest projects in this sector.With a limited working window, Ridgeway along with their quarriesand filling contractor mobilised on site within days at The Port ofSunderland, commencing the filling operation on 18th March andcompleting in exactly one month. During this time Ridgeway andMSS maintained and operated a strict health and safety protocolQUARRY ‘14Lowering the Kyowa Filter Unitson site working to the arranged dates to complete the quantity offilter units required to follow the vessel installation schedule.The MSS Engineering team mobilised the vessel, coming upwith a unique solution for safely transporting an extra-largeload of filter bags, which combined with a 50% improvementin the time taken to complete each monopile.Stephen Kane, MD of Ridgeway Renewables, said “it tooka significant amount of team effort to make this projecthappen and we are particularly pleased that collectivelyall businesses came together to deliver the project aheadof schedule and to the satisfaction of our clients”.John McCullagh, MD of MSS, also commented “Ridgeway andtheir friends from Japan have been great to work with. Togetherthey’ve played a key role in establishing the benefits of thisunique scour protection system over traditional rock dump andconcrete methods into the market and have been instrumentalin persuading the client and their design team to run with thesystem. They have proved their capability on the filling site in anefficient, safe and professional manner. We see a great futureahead for this product and the team now established”On completion of the work EDF Rnergy Renewables ProjectManager Tim Bland thanked the team at MSS for the “brilliantlyexecuted job”. Images courtesy of Marske Site ServicesProduct Innovation 9pgs.indd 80 31/03/2014 15:47

Northern IrelandProviding Essential Materials103 Airport Rd West,Belfast, BT3 9EDTel: +44 (0) 2890 454599Mob: +44 (0) 7712935391• Embankments• Earthworks• Harbor defences• Emergency interventions• Beach stabilization• Temporary installations• Bridge pile protection• River bed and bank construction• Shore preservation for leaks and seas• Ballast for sub-sea pipes• Anti-scouring protection• Artificial reefs• Creating ecosystemsProduct InnovationAdapts perfectly to all soils• Highly efficient coverage• Attenuation of energySupports natural vegetation• Encourages the developmentof fauna and florawww.ridgeway-online.comSpeed of execution/Reductionin labor costs• Flexibility of the product andsimple mechanization forinstallation• Installed dry or underwaterPPPPPPPBuilding Tomorrow: TodayAerated Thermal Blocks(Quinn Lite)Polyisocyanurate Insulation Products(Quinn Therm)Polystyrene Insulation Products(Quinn Litepac)Concrete Rooftiles(Quinn Rooftiles)Prestressed Concrete Products(Quinn Prestressed)Bulk & Bagged Cement(Quinn Cement)General Quarry & Concrete Products(Quinn Quarries)For more information just call+44 (0) 28 6774 8866or visit our websitewww.quinn-buildingproducts.comQUARRY ‘14 81Product Innovation 9pgs.indd 81 31/03/2014 15:47

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsProduct InnovationPehofer ExpandSand and GravelProduction Capability82Pehofer GmbH have invested in a newmodular gravel washing plant from CDEGlobal and will hold open days at theirnew site near Wiener Neustadt in LowerAustria to demonstrate its capabilities.The demonstration days will take place on 29th & 30th April 2014as the site is opened up to visitors from all over Europe. Visitorswill view the washing plant in operation and will also have theopportunity to discuss the system with representatives fromPehofer GmbH and CDE Global. The plant includes the M2500E3X mobile washing plant and an AggMax 153 semi-mobilelogwasher and processes 225 tons per hour of limestone rawmaterial. The washed sand and gravel from the new plant is usedby Pehofer in their own ready-mixed concrete production plants,and the products are also offered for sale on the market.QUARRY ‘14Pehofer purchased the new site in order to ensure completeindependence in the area of sand and gravel for decades. “This isthe latest development in our vertical business strategy” explains MrHelmut Pehofer, a partner in Pehofer GmbH. “Investment in the newwashing plant has given us greater control over the quality of the sandand gravel products used in our concrete production. The plant fromCDE also includes a degree of flexibility in relation to the sand andaggregate products that will increase the efficiency of our operationand allow us to offer best value and quality to our customers.”Pehofer GmbH is an Austrian family business founded in 1979.The main activity of the company is the supply of ready-mixedconcrete, as well as sand, gravel and grit for private, commercialand public construction sites. A partner company, BT3 is responsiblefor monitoring quality at the Pehofer concrete and gravel worksand performs all product testing and concrete/gravel technologyservices to ensure the high quality requirements are met.The company’s vertical integration strategy has been inplace since the year 2000 and has seen the construction oftwo new concrete plants in Breitenau (2000) and Pinggau(2004) in addition to the purchase of the new gravel site inWeiner Neustadt, approximately 50kms south of Vienna.When Pehofer began looking for a supplier for the new gravel washingplant at Wiener Neustadt they had some very specific requirementsin order to ensure that the sand and gravel production process atthe new site was designed with efficiency in mind. This not onlyrelated to the performance of the washing and classification plantbut to how its operation would be managed as exploitation of thenew resource developed in the years ahead. “We investigated anumber of technology options based on previous experience andresearch into the latest technology available” explains partnerMr Peter Pehofer. “We also required that the plant be sufficientlymobile that we would be able to move it as extraction progresses.We anticipate this will happen every two or three years.”The plan to move the plant as extraction progresses is designedto minimise the costs of transport movements at the new site.Over time the processing plant gets further away from the quarryface and the subsequent increase in transport movements addssignificant cost to production. “The capability of the CDE equipmentto deliver on this requirement was critical to our decision to buythe washing plant from them” says Mr Helmut Pehofer. “They wereable to demonstrate a portfolio of previous projects where therequirement for mobility had been similar to ours and a visit to seesimilar plants in operation confirmed that this could be achievedwithout compromising on the capability of the plant to maximiseproduction of the highest quality sand and gravel products.”Product Innovation 9pgs.indd 82 31/03/2014 15:47

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsRaw material is delivered to the feed hopper of the M2500 E3x viaa ramp. The plant accepts 0-100mm material with the hopper gridrejecting any oversize. This material is then delivered to the aggregatescreening phase which utilises a Prograde P2-75 double deck rinsingscreen. The top deck sends the +32mm material to a stockpilewith the 4-32mm material sent to the AggMax 153 via anotherintegrated conveyor on the M2500. The 0-4mm material is sent tothe Evowash sand washing plant integrated on the M2500 chassis.The AggMax is required in this instance to effectively remove rawgravel material from the clay and fine particles which bind thematerial together. As material enters the AggMax it is subjected to ahigh level of attrition from the integrated Rotomax logwasher. In thisinstance at Rotomax RX153 is employed which has a capacity of 150tons per hour. The scrubbed 4-32mm material is then dischargedonto a triple deck horizontal sizing screen for classification intothe required aggregate grades. The waste water containing theliberated fines and clay is returned to the sand washing phase on theM2500 to maximise sand recovery. As the feed material contains asmall proportion of material in the 0-4mm range this step is criticalto ensuring production of amanufactured sand productthat meets the requiredstandards for use in concrete.The plant is configured insuch a way as to allow threeproduction modes eachdelivering a different suite of finalsand and aggregate productsaccording to the specificrequirements of Pehofer at anygiven time. This is achievedwithout any requirement tochange screen media and isfacilitated by the introductionof a number of diverter chutesand the introduction of tworadial stockpile conveyors.In the primary production modethe plant produces a 0-4mmsand as well as 4-8mm, 8-16mmand 16-32mm aggregates anda +32mm oversize product.In secondary productionmode the final productsare a 0-8mm, 8-16mm and16-32mm with the +32mmoversize. This is facilitated bydiverting the scrubbed 4-8mmproduct from the AggMax andcombining it with the 0-4mmmaterial from the M2500.Tertiary production mode seesthe 0-4mm material from theM2500 combined with the4-16mm material from theAggMax to produce a 0-16mmand 16-32mm material and a+32mm oversize. A diverterchute on the horizontal sizingscreen allows this to happen.“The ease with which we canmove between the variousproduction modes gives usgreat comfort that we willbe able to meet our specificrequirements in relation tofinal product specificationsas dictated by our gravel andconcrete clients” says Mr PeterPehofer. “These changes areachieved very quickly whichmaximises plant productionand minimises the level ofoperator intervention required.”Following installation of the new gravel washing plant Pehoferhas started work at the new site in Wiener Neustadt and areconfident that this investment will bring big benefits. “Given ournew aggregate production capability, the flexibility of our newCDE system and the continued growth of our concrete and gravelbusiness we are looking forward to enjoying the efficiency gainsthat this plant will deliver” says Helmut Pehofer. “We are nowset up for a period of further expansion in the years ahead.”Pehofer GmbH will host plant demonstration days on 29th & 30thApril 2014. Further information on this event can be found at www.cdeglobal.com/events where you can also register to attend.Further information on the range of products and servicesavailable from Pehofer GmbH can be found at www.pehofer.at.CDE Global design and manufacture a range of materials washingequipment with application in a number of sectors – construction& recycling, mining, specialist sands and environmental. Furtherinformation on the full CDE product range and details of theirglobal office locations can be found at www.cdeglobal.com.Product InnovationQUARRY ‘14 83Product Innovation 9pgs.indd 83 31/03/2014 15:47

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsProduct InnovationMorris & Perry RaisesOutput with Sandvik RigOne of the UK’s largest independent quarryoperators has set its sights on increasedproduction with the purchase of a newSandvik DI550 drill rig.Sandvik’s DI550 drill rigwas named Morris & Perry. A Concrete plant was installedin 1963 and a coated macadam plant in 2001.From 1994 ownership of both companies transferredsolely to Sidney Morris’s daughter’s family and isnow managed by his grandson, Brian Perry.Obvious ChoiceThe latest phase in the development of the Gurney Slade Quarryis spearheaded by the new Sandvik drill rig. “We needed a drill rigthat was faster and more productive so allow us to blast quickerand more efficiently” says assistant quarry manager Elliot Light.Citing the longevity of its relationship with Sandvik and the excellentaftersales care it has received over the years as key factors in itspurchasing decision, Morris & Perry selected the 24 tonne SandvikDI550 down-the-hole rig to spearhead its production increase. “Wehave enjoyed a great relationship with Sandvik over the years. Theirsupport has been second to none,” Light explains. “So when weneeded a replacement drill rig, they were the obvious choice.”The Sandvik rig has made an immediate impact upon efficiency at thesite, the machine’s 24.4 m3 capacity at 24 bar compressor pressureand 5” hammer making it uniquely productive. “With our old rig, itwould take a full working day to drill for a blast,” Light states. “TheSandvik DI550 has reduced that to just a few hours, drilling up to 300metres in a single shift. Even the tracking is faster on the new machine,meaning we can get it on station and working far more quickly.”Light is keen to point out that this additional efficiency has notcome at a cost of increased fuel consumption. In fact, Morris &Perry has recorded a “notable reduction” in fuel consumptionsince the arrival of the new rig. That reduction is provided bythe unit’s Tier 3 compliant Caterpillar C13 diesel engine thatdelivers 328 kW at 1,800 rpm, and by a variety of advancedcontrols including automatic flow and pressure control andengine RPM optimisation during different phases of operation.84Morris & Perry, the family-owned quarry operator famed for providingaggregates, asphalt concrete and ready mixed concrete productsacross the South West of England, has purchased a new Sandvik DI550drill rig. The acquisition marks the latest stage in a strong partnershipbetween Morris & Perry and Sandvik that stretches back many years.Family AffairQuarrying began on the site of today’s quarry in the middle of the 19thCentury, with small scale hand extraction used to tap into the richdeposits of carboniferous limestone for which the region is renowned.Three more quarries were opened in the local area in the early partof the 20th Century to provide stone for the region’s burgeoning roadbuilding programme. Larger scale quarrying on the Gurney Slade sitebegan in 1928 by F. Flowers & Sons, the stone initially being used inthe company’s lime works located close to today’s quarry entrance.In the 1930’s ownership passed to one of Francis Flowers maincustomers, Blanchard & Burgess, a builder’s merchant fromnearby Dorset. The quarry was worked by the Yeoman family in the1950’s. The operation of the quarry later passed to City Sand andGravel who continued stone production until the early 1960’s.When City Sand and gravel ran into difficulty in 1962, SidneyMorris purchased the quarry and ran it in conjunctionwith his son in law George Perry. The emerging companyQUARRY ‘14Trusted BrandA key consideration for Morris & Perry was the safety and efficiencyof operator Jason Caley. Although Caley is an experienced drill rigoperator, he readily admits that the DI550 is a step up from themachines he is used to. “I must admit that it was quite daunting whenthe machine first arrived. It seems very sophisticated and complexbut it is actually very straightforward,” Caley says. “The training fromSandvik really put my mind at ease. In truth, the automation systemstake care of most machine functions so I can concentrate on drilling.”Elliot Light says that the safety of its staff is a priority for Morris &Perry. “In our experience, an operator that is safe and comfortableis far more productive,” he says. “The working environment withinthe Sandvik DI550 is superb and I know that Jason loves the heatedseat. And, when he does have to leave the cab to carry out dailymaintenance duties, all service points are readily to hand and easilyaccessible. A lot of thought has gone into the design of this machine.”Although it is relatively early days in the working life of Morris & Perry’sSandvik DI550 rig, it is clear that the company has no regrets aboutits purchasing decision. “The overall package from Sandvik has beenvery good. They helped us through the selection process, workedwith us when the machine was delivered, gave the operator all thetraining required to make him safe and productive, and have beenon hand with advice and support ever since,” Elliot Light concludes.“It is a brand we trust. I would definitely buy from Sandvik again.”Product Innovation 9pgs.indd 84 31/03/2014 16:38

Pleased to be affiliated with:ConcreteAll Concrete Mixes, Sand & Cement Screed, Laying ServiceSandLough Neagh Sand & Land Based SandsStoneDecorative Aggregates, Natural Paving & Quarry Materials(028) 3834 0222Head Office: 116-118 Ardmore Road, Derryadd, Lurgan, BT66 6QPinfo@normanemerson.com www.normanemerson.comNorman Emerson fp ad.indd 1 27/03/2014 10:10

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsPrecastCauseway SlateEffect TilesNorthstone manufacture the Scott rangeof roof tiles and have fifty years experiencemaking roof tiles in Toomebridge, NorthernIreland.Colour Samples86The evolutionary new Causeway roof tile is a fifth generationflat tile developed by the Company. The Causeway tile offerscontractors, specifiers and home builders the beauty of aslate effect roof while keeping cost to a minimum.• Smooth and Riven slate effect finish available• Mock bond finish available to achieve a plain tile effect• Thin and softened leading edge• Hidden interlock to improve strength and slate appearance• Extensive range of colours pigmented through• Less tiles per m 2• Full range of dry fix and accessories available• Cost saving against slate• Can be laid to 17.50 pitch• 30 year product integrity guarantee• Ornamental ridge tiles availableQUARRY ‘14Product SamplesThe colours reproduced within this brochure are as accurateas the photographic and printing process will allow. Wherecolour matching is critical, it is advised to view actual productsamples which are available from Northstone on request.Northstone manufacture roof tiles in one of the most modern, andenergy efficient tile plants in Europe. In keeping with the Northstoneenvironmental policy, the Causeway incorporates recycled productand by design the Causeway uses less raw material per m 2 thanPrecast.indd 86 28/03/2014 11:58

Northern IrelandProviding Essential Materialsother roof tiles. Products are manufactured to; ISO 9001, 14001 and50001 quality, environmental and energy management systems.Northstone is committed to product development and continuousimprovement for its roof tiles and fittings. All informationin this brochure is accurate at the time of printingCauseway Tile Dimensionsand SpecificationsContact Northstone fortechnical advice on:(1)* Fixings and headlaps on low pitch roofs with rafters exceeding 4m.(2)* Fixings and headlaps on exposed sites, rafter lengthsexceeding 6m, roof pitches over 40° and eave heights over 5m.Manufacturing, Handling and SurfaceCharacteristicsGuarantee:The tile carries a 30 year product integrity guarantee from dateof supply, subject to the company's normal terms. Northstonecannot stand over the integrity of the entire roof where othermanufacturers accessories and fixings have been used.Scratches & Abrasions:These can be caused by packing, loading, transport andhandling on site: These are surface marks only and it doesnot affect the performance of the products. The appearancewill improve with weathering in due course.PrecastCauseway Standard Fixing SpecificationThe exposure, location and complexity of the roof will determinethe overall fixing specification. Site specific fixing specificationsare available on request from Northstone. Northstone can provideservices to help you choose or specify your roof and its fixings.• Minimum fixing; all tiles nailed• Additional clipping may be required depending on; the siteexposure, the rafter length, the height to the eave and the roofpitch. Clips are available from Northstone.• Nail size 45mm x 3.35mm aluminium nail.• Minimum Batten size: 38 x 25 mm forrafter spans up to 400mm, 50 x 25mmfor rafter spans up to 600mm.• Northstone recommend the useof ventilation in roof spaces inaccordance with BS 5250:2002.• All tiles are delivered wrapped on pallets, 240 tiles per pallet.Northstone recommends the use of Northstone Dry VentedRidge in conjunction with eaves venti lation to control thelevel of condensation above and below the underlay and toeliminate the potential for frost damage to bedded mortar.Northstone recommends the Northstone Thin LeadingEdge Dry Verge System to eliminate verge maintenanceand the potential of mortar damage from frost.Pitch/degrees17.5 o -25 o(1)*25 o -54 o(2)*Roof Tile Fitting SpecificationsMin/MaxHeadlap100 mm140 mm75mm140mmMin/MaxBattenspacing320 mm280mm345 mm280mmMinimumBattensRequiredper m 23.1 m2.95 mPitches 54° and above, consult Northstonetechnical services for fixing advice.MinimumTilesRequiredper m 210.29.45MinimumMassper m 2(approx)47.5kg/m 244 kg/m 2Efflorescence:This is a naturally occurring phenomenon in concrete products causedby weather conditions penetrating into the pores of the concreteand dissolving lime. The hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) reactswith carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to produce the insolublecalcium carbonate which is deposited as efflorescence. Fortunatelythe chemical process of carbonation continues to eventually formthe soluble calcium bicarbonate which washes away with rain.The level of lime and weather conditions can varywhich can determine the level of efflorescence.Mosses & Lichens:Mosses and lichen tend to grow on roofs which are in thevicinity of trees or in shady damp conditions. North facingslopes remain damper longer and attract moss and lichengrowth more than roof slopes which dry out quicker.In normal circumstances these growths are not detrimentaland do not effect the overall performance of the tile.Surface Coating:The colour of the Causeway tile will change over time with naturalweathering. The majority of concrete roof tiles manufacturedin the world are surface treated, the major benefit being toprotect the tile during the early, critical stages of its lifespan. Itis recognised in the roofing industry that the surface coating ofa concrete tile is temporary, lasting only for a few years; longenough to give that protection to the early life of the product.The performance of the roof tile is not affected by any of the aboveconditions and the quality requirements of the tile remain intact.Working Procedures, Safety& General PrecautionsNorthstone recommend minimal roof traffic during and post installationof all roof tiles. Tiles should be fixed in accordance with BS 5534:2003.Northstone recommend that fixers of all tiles regard theproducts as fragile as stated in BS8000;Pt6: 1990 Section5. During installation of the tiles, the correct setting outand working procedures shou ld be employed.Health and Safety information can be obtained from theHealth and Safety in Roof Work publication HGG33 andin the 'Working on Roofs' publication INDG284.QUARRY ‘14 87Precast.indd 87 28/03/2014 11:58

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsPrecastAcheson & GloverMonaghan Education Campus, IrelandAcheson & Glover (A&G) had a major inputto the recently constructed €35millionMonaghan Education Campus, Ireland.In recent years the question of sound absorption has beenbrought much more to the fore in educational buildings and theexcellent acoustic design characteristics of the A&G AlphacreteAcoustic Block ® quite simply puts it in a class of its own.While outstanding technical performance of the block mayhave been the key consideration in its specification its smoothclosed facial finish and range of pre-finished colours was anadded bonus in terms of providing the proverbial ‘best of bothworlds’ solution in terms of visual appeal and performance.Plaza Paving was selected for 5,000m 2 of hard landscaping aroundthe campus. Plaza has been specially developed to provide a naturalaggregate, textured finish and is manufactured using speciallyselected granite aggregates. It was chosen because it offers a highquality appearance that not only complements its surroundingsbut also provides a surface that will withstand the test of time.Another key factor in being selected for this ambitious educationscheme was A&G’s ability to service the project in-line withbuild-time. Given the size and scale of the project and thedemanding schedules which had to be met it was imperativethat sufficient stocks were available at all times to ensure thebuild-time was never delayed. The contract has delivered aneducation campus for the benefit of all in the Monaghan area.88A&G’s Decoblock ® , Alphacrete Acoustic Block ® and PlazaPaving were each specified for this major project.In late 2011 main contractor John Sisk & Son commenced workby demolishing some former army buildings on the ArmaghRoad site at Knockaconny to facilitate the housing of the newMonaghan Education Campus. Planning permission was givenfor a 2,500m 2 Primary School, 4,000m 2 Post Primary and 7,000m 2Further Education School, along with a Sports Hall and Theatre. Theobjective of the development being to maximise shared facilities.From a list containing several suppliers John Sisk & Son recommendedto the Architect, Oppermann Associates, that A&G’s Decoblock ® ,Alphacrete Acoustic Block ® and Plaza Paving be selected for use.In the current educational building programme the Decoblock ® rangecomes highly recommended as a favoured fair-faced block. Alongwith its superior performance in meeting airtight requirements,Decoblock ® has an excellent smooth face finish which is suitable forpainting or is equally pleasing when left exposed to its natural colour.As well as its outstanding aesthetic appeal the A&G Alphacrete AcousticBlock ® was recommended by the Contractor as the preferred choice ofblock to meet the demanding acoustic requirements for the project.QUARRY ‘14Precast.indd 88 31/03/2014 13:53

• PREMIX• BLOCKS• AGGREGATESTel: (028) 7965 0011www.creaghconcrete.comCreagh Concrete fp ad.indd 1 28/03/2014 12:36

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsGuernsey Airportofficially opens ahead oftime and under budget!Guernsey AirportThe official handover of the £80 millioncontract completed by Lagan Constructionat Guernsey Airport took place on Friday27th September 2013. The first aircraftpulled onto the newly constructed Apron atPhase 6 which was out of use since the endof May 2013. The completion of all apronstands now allows all aircrafts access tothe newly constructed aprons.L–R Airport Director Colin Le Ray, Gerry Prickett of Public Services, LaganConstructions Steve Turner and PSD Minister Paul Luxon90Despite considerable weather delays this project has beensubstantially completed on time and on budget. Steve Turner, Directorof International Operations commented, “The whole team havebeen working together to overcome significant challenges such asweather and ground conditions to deliver a high quality project”.More than 300,000 tonnes of aggregate have been used on theproject, including the production of 220,000 tonnes of concreteand asphalt for the runway and apron. Lagan Constructionhad its own batching plants on site to produce the materialsrequired for the contract. A total of 125km of new AGL cablinghas been installed and in excess of 20km of new drainageinstalled with 70% done during night time possession works.The most significant challenge was the importation of aggregates.The local quarry did not meet the specification for large sections ofthe work and was not set up to meet the programme. As a result250,000 tonnes of aggregates had to be imported. To do so in the mostefficient way a temporary harbour was constructed to allow bargesQUARRY ‘14to offload aggregates. Thereafter to move these products from theharbour area to site involved the use of 15 tractor and trailers in orderto comply with the strict traffic regulations in Guernsey. The haulageroute was patrolled at all times and GPS tracking was utilised to ensurethat the agreed routes were followed and speed limits adhered to.In essence the project involved reconstruction of the entireairfield whilst the airport was still operating. To ensure resilienceof the operations careful planning was required and teamworkwith the stakeholders. The technical challenges were immense,and were delivered in the backdrop of some local concerns.The success of this is evident from a letter that the Employer,Minister of PSD Paul Luxon, sent to our Project Manager:“I do not underestimate the challenges this project has brought,but it is credit to you personally that the project is nearingcompletion early and that the reputation of Lagan Constructionin the island has been highly maintained throughout, on a projectthat has been subject to intense media and political scrutiny”.Lagan Cement 1pg.indd 90 31/03/2014 15:54

Lagan Construction Solutions fp ad.indd 1 10/03/2014 12:24

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsStation Square Portrush,FP McCann UrbanRealm ProjectPoweringthe public realmFP McCann continue to be at the forefrontof some of Northern Irelands most highprofile urban realm projects.Oasis ProjectStation Square PortrushThe £2.3m Station Square Environmental Improvement schemerevitalises this key gateway and arrival point for visitors to NorthernIreland’s most popular resort. These improvements ensure visitorsreceive a very positive first impression of Portrush as a modern,inviting, vibrant and dynamic resort. The scheme transformedthe previously dated town square into a more, welcoming publicspace and now acts as a focal point for the Portrush area.While visiting the town, Nelson McCausland said, “This publicrealm scheme has totally transformed this part of the townand creates an environment that will provide a warm welcometo the many visitors who come to the town each year.”Oasis Project92QUARRY ‘14FP McCann Spread.indd 92 31/03/2014 16:11

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsWaterside Greenway in Derry CityThe Greenway provides a new safe, tranquil, convenient and directtraffic free route into the heart of the city across the recentlyopened iconic Peace Bridge spanning the River Foyle. The 3.5mpath width and constant gradients make it suitable for walking,cycling, people pushing buggies, and wheelchair users alike.The new route, from the Peace Bridge to St Columb’s Parkwas completed in April 2012, and officially opened by DerryCity Council Mayor, Alderman Maurice Devenney on the 2ndJune 2012, who stated that “The new greenway is a great wayfor families to enjoy the local scenery and perhaps, exploresome areas of the city they haven’t visited before”.Waterside GreenwayProjectBank Square BelfastThe Bank Square public realm works is on-going project andincorporates Bank Square, Bank Street, Berry Street, Chapel Laneand part of King Street. Works will provide new granite paving onmain footways and streets, Kilkenny blue limestone on Bank Square,directional lighting alongBerry Street and Bank Street,bespoke lighting columns withinBank Square, new boundarytreatments along the blankwalls of the CastleCourt serviceyard and the Tesco’s serviceyard, removal of existing trees,and replacement with matureplanting and street seating withinBank Square and King Street.Bangor &HolywoodTown CentreRegenerationThe most recent of these projectswill be the Bangor & Holywoodregeneration project. FP McCannLimited was recently appointedthe main contractor of this £10.5carry out the major regenerationworks to the town centres. Theworks involve the upgradingof footpaths, street lighting,landscaping and street furniturein both Holywood and Bangor.Minister McCausland said:“This substantial investmentin Bangor and Holywood willtransform both town centres,helping to modernise them andinjecting renewed vibrancy.”Oasis Project inOmaghAnother recent projectawarded to FP McCann was theregeneration of the riverbankarea of Omagh. This £4.5 millionscheme called the ‘OASISProject’ (Omagh AccessibleShared Inclusive Space) willtransform Omagh Town Centreby opening up a part of Omaghthat was previously segregatedand inaccessible. An interlinkedwalk and cycle trail will revitalizea large neutral space in to acultural and social focal pointwithin the town centre. Theproject includes the constructionof a new pedestrian bridgelinked from Drumragh AvenueQuarryÊ OwnersCivilÊ EngineeingÊ andÊ BuildingÊ ContractorsSuppliersÊ ofÊ ReadymixÊ ConcreteBituminousÊ SurfacingÊ ContractorsPrecastÊ ConcreteÊ incorporating:Drainage,Ê ShaftsÊ &Ê Tunnels,ÊInfrastructureÊ &Ê Power,ÊWaterÊ Management,ÊFencing,Ê RailwayÊ &Ê AgricultureMeetingcustomerneedssince 1945.Completed Urban Realm Project: Station Square, PortrushHead Office:3Ê DrumardÊ Road,Ê MagherafeltÊ Ê T.Ê +44Ê (0)Ê 28Ê 7964Ê 2558LocationsLoughside:Ê LarneÊ +44Ê (0)Ê 28Ê 2826Ê 0824Mallusk:Ê BlacktopÊ +44Ê (0)Ê 28Ê 9083Ê 8907Mallusk:Ê ReadymixÊ ConcreteÊ +44Ê (0)Ê 28Ê 9083Ê 0005info@fpmccann.co.uk www.fpmccann.co.ukcar park (beside the bus depot) to Old Market Place, a riversidewalk, exercise areas, electronic information hub, artwork panels,games tables and fishing stands. It will also include the developmentof covered performance and stage area and a neutral civic spaceable to accommodate markets, concerts and general recreationalactivities partially occupying lands at Drumragh Avenue car park.QUARRY ‘14 93FP McCann Spread.indd 93 31/03/2014 16:11

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsEconomic Recovery & Mineral PlanningCatalyst or Constraint?by Gareth McCallion BSc DipTP MRTPI94Quarryplan Limited is an Associate Memberof the QPANI, the consultancy comprisesChartered Mineral Surveyors and CharteredTown Planners specialising in MineralPlanning & Development. Quarryplanadvises the QPANI in Mineral PlanningMatters and Gareth McCallion is a memberof the QPANI’s Planning Committee.The BBC’s announcement in October last year that the NorthernIreland Construction Industry had “exited recession” was welcomednews by all who work within and provide services to the Industry. Thereport was qualified by a number of important caveats highlightingthat, amongst other things, a recent RICS survey provided informationdemonstrating that Northern Ireland still lags behind the restof the UK in terms of economic recovery. This economic news,delivered by the BBC, corresponded with an announcement fromthe current Environment Minister (Mark H Durkan) that he wouldnot move to progress the Planning Bill to ‘further considerationstage’. However, the Minister did emphasise his commitment toreforming the Northern Ireland planning system; specifically tospeeding up the planning process. The question remains, as withpreceding consecutive ministers, how to achieve this panacea?In January this year, during a key note speech at the Planning Forum, theMinister stated that his aim was to create a planning system that “is fast,fair and fit for purpose”. The Minister explained that this would entail theprovision of a planning system with fewer complexities, which is “moreeffective and more customer focused”. Encouragingly, the Ministerpromoted a planning system “which realises that the environmentand the economy should not, and cannot be, at loggerheads”.To achieve these objectives, the Minister has undertaken tosimplify planning policy and to produce a single strategic policydocument. He has reiterated the importance of pre-applicationdiscussions, involving key stakeholders and community groups, toensure faster timeframes when determining planning applications.Furthermore, the Minister has assured that there will be action tocertify quicker consultation responses; including what he refers toas “backlog blitzes” on authorities such as NIEA, to clear-out theexisting backlog of applications awaiting consultation responses.Delivery of ImprovementsThe aforementioned assurances from the Minister are appreciated.However, his statement has echoes of commitments provided by anumber of his predecessors, with sound-bites being no substitute foractions. Similar questions have previously been raised regarding thedelays in determining planning applications by MP’s, namely SammyWilson, back in 2005. At that time, the explanation for the delay,provided by the then Northern Ireland Minister Angela Smith, was dueto huge rise in planning applications and the demands of the majorprogramme of development plans. Changes, described as the mostsignificant reforms of the Northern Ireland planning system in 30 years,were tabled including a system to allow the ‘front loading’ of planningapplications (also known as the PADs system), which increased preapplication discussions and encouraged consultees to respond in a timelymanner. Whilst, there may have been improvements in the planningsystem since 2005, which may have aided the decision making processfor other development sectors; over the past 3 years the mineralsQUARRY ‘14industry has witnessed an extraordinary regression in determinationtimeframes for mineral planning applications by the Department ofthe Environment’s Strategic Planning Division (DOE SPD). Of graveconcern is that this drop in decision output has coincided with one ofthe most significant economic downturns in recent times, which hasimpacted on employment within the construction industry with thereported loss of 26, 000 jobs. The economic downturn has also resultedin a decrease in terms of the number of mineral planning applicationssubmitted to the DOE SPD; the number of mineral applications for 2013running at just over half of those of the peak year, of the last decade.Pre-application discussions, and meetings with key stakeholders, havebeen an essential part of mineral planning in Northern Ireland since thelate 1990’s. The significant increases to the planning fees (including theintroduction of a c. £10, 000 fee for processing applications accompaniedby an environmental statement), coupled with the perceived negativepositions adopted by a number of government authorities withrespect to the mineral projects, has required mineral operators andrepresentatives to actively engage in pre-application discussionsprior to the submission of a planning application. Initially, these typesof discussion led to greater understanding of the proposals tabled,including appropriate mitigation (when required), economic reasoningbehind the development and a detailed history of the site in question.This increased understanding brought with it an associated improvementin determination periods for complex sites. Unfortunately, thisimprovement has now been eroded and the processing of eventhe most straight-forward planning applications has extendedto an unacceptable time period in excess of 12 months.A report to the Environment Minister (Arlene Foster) in April 2008,carried out by Professor Greg Lloyd now the Head of the School of theBuilt Environment at the University of Ulster, provided independentand academic insight into the Northern Ireland planning system. Ageneral criticism from Professor Lloyd was that the planning system inNorthern Ireland is too fixed on processes rather than outcomes. This,professor Lloyd asserts, is the result of the history of land-use planningin Northern Ireland which “has encouraged an assertion of privateinterests and has served to obscure an appreciation of what may beheld to be planning for the wider public interest. This has tended toencourage a view that the principal purpose of the land use planningsystem is to inhibit private development aspirations”. Currently, thisinhibitive attitude is ubiquitous within mineral planning in NorthernIreland. The scarcity of decision making and reliance on counsel fromthird party consultees regarding the interpretation and applicationof planning policy has precipitated an air of uncertainty and has ledto inconsistencies in the mineral planning process for Applicants.Needless to say, there is an inherent danger in allowing consulteesto interpret and apply planning policy. They are not the competentauthority charged with making decisions nor do they deliberate onthe entire development proposal and apply weight to each aspect ofthe proposal accordingly. This prevailing ‘consultee led’ approach ofmineral planning in Northern Ireland does not secure an appropriatebalance to social, economic and environmental values, required toprovide rational planning decisions with respect to mineral developmentprojects. Correspondingly, the ‘consultee led’ approach has resulted in aperceived decline in confidence in the Northern Ireland mineral planningsystem by its customers; the quarry owners and mineral operators. Asa consequence, in recent months numerous questions regarding therole of consultees and the application of planning policy have beentabled by the QPANI and Quarryplan’s QPANI representative to the ChiefPlanner, the Environment Minister and other public representatives.Over the past two years, commitments to address the problem of the‘consultee led’ method of deciding planning applications and providerenewed confidence in Northern Ireland’s mineral planning authorityto apply the Department’s policies and interrogate consultationresponses, were given by the Department to the QPANI. GuidanceQuarryplan 3pgs.indd 94 28/03/2014 12:36

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsIRISH SALT MINING& EXPLORATION CO.LTDPRODUCERS OF DEICING ROCK SALTFOR HIGHWAY WINTER MAINTENANCEFORT ROAD, CARRICKFERGUS,CO. ANTRIM, NORTHERN IRELAND BT38 9BTTEL: +44(0)28 93351151 FAX: +44(0)28 93364849Email: sales@irishsaltmining.comQUARRY ‘14 95Quarryplan 3pgs.indd 95 28/03/2014 12:36

Northern IrelandProviding Essential Materials96was to be issued to each third party consultee advising them of theirrole within the planning system. However, the trend for the mineralplanning authority to rely on consultees understanding of planningpolicy, not to interrogate the consultation responses, and thereforeapply the appropriate weight to material considerations, continues.Recently, senior DOE officials, including the Chief Planner, have advisedthat confidence and practice of delivering a sustainable service to theminerals industry is being hindered by the requirement to addresscopious correspondence on, amongst other things, regulatory mattersas well as the pendant threat of legal action on decisions taken by theDepartment in the past. Undesirably, the publication of the ‘Mills Report’in late 2013, has provided a distorted public view of mineral planning inNorthern Ireland. In a ‘blog’ published in the March 2014 issue of ‘ThePlanner’, a former DOE Principal Planner has, ostensibly, amalgamatedthe execrable operation of an unauthorised waste disposal at a site in Co.Londonderry with the actions of the Northern Ireland minerals industry;whilst branding the DOE SPD with the charge of “institutional neglect”.Whilst in no way condoning retrospective approaches to planning, itis considered important that each application and the circumstancesapplicable to each project should be measured prior to construingthat serious circumstances, as reported in the Mills Report, are indeedomnipresent within the mineral planning in Northern Ireland. It isconsidered that, on closer inspection, a great number of retrospectiveapplications handled by DOE SPD in the past may have comprisedprojects involving mobile plant, weighbridges, office accommodation,temporary accommodation, utilities buildings, and so forth. Indeed,as of the 10 March 2014, a great number of the aforementioneddevelopment types may now be considered as ‘permitted development’.Furthermore, the number of retrospective planning applications,presented to DOE SPD in the recent past, may well have been submittedas a result of the environmental audits conducted via the AggregateLevy Credit Scheme (ALCS) as a result of self regulation. The ALCSwas seen by most who work in the industry as an economicallybeneficial and efficient environmental self-regulation tool, whichwas adopted by all responsible mineral operators in Northern Irelanduntil the scheme’s unfortunate suspension in December 2010.Therefore, it is considered that if an examination of the pastperformances of both the minerals industry and the DOE SPD, inplanning terms, is to be conducted it needs to have both a broaderscope than that considered by the Mills Report and proportionateanalysis of the development types, with careful consideration beingafforded to the enforcement remedies available to the DOE.Pressing ExpectationsThere is no doubting the scale of the challenges facing all those involvedin mineral planning in Northern Ireland. The challenge for our planners,politicians and for those who provide leadership within the DOE is thatthere is a genuine and immediate requirement for an improvement ofservice to the mineral industry. That is to say, the quandary regardingthe confidence of a specialist body processing mineral applicationsto make planning based decisions needs to be expertly addressed.It is considered that this approach should recognise that the NorthernIreland planning system does not warrant mineral staff in eachCouncil area, but that proficient specialist staff are required centrallyto process and address mineral planning matters. The importanceof the requirement for a specialist department within the NorthernIreland planning system is paramount to aid with the transposition ofQUARRY ‘14European Directives regarding the Extractive Waste Legislation, and thenationally important commencement of the Review of Mineral PlanningPermissions legislation with the intrinsic EIA questions associatedwith the same. Indeed, the centralised specialist unit continues tobe the favoured approach by the QPANI and the industry generally.Recent discussions between QPANI members and senior Officials withinDOE have been candid and it is hoped that they will provide the basisfor further discussions, more transparency and innate trust between theindustry and DOE officials. It is considered that the minerals industryalong with DOE SPD will be required to work together to help addressthe recent criticisms regarding the deliverable service in terms ofperformance and in a regulatory sense with respect to other key areas ofplanning. Unquestionably, significant cultural changes are required. Theamendment’s to the Planning (General Development) Order (NorthernIreland) 1993, in March this year, and the commencement of PD rights forcertain types of mineral development demonstrates the Department’sendeavour to assist mineral planning in Northern Ireland. The amendedGDO is the end result of a transparent consultation process and collectiveconsensus by those representing the DOE and those entering discussionson behalf of the industry. Perhaps lessons can be learnt from thoseinvolved in the policy making, so that a collegiate approach with respectto development management can also be adopted by all in the future.Final ThoughtsIt is noteworthy that during the aforementioned discussions withexecutive members of the DOE the eminent transfer of powershas been portrayed as a dilemma. Whilst it should provide foran increased accountability with respect to planning in NorthernIreland, the transfer may result in a diminished level of service fora period of time. It may be advantageous if those at a an executivelevel within the DOE, perhaps combined with a positive politicalsteer, approached the remaining time as an opportunity for mineralplanning, (rather than applying an inevitable degree of trepidation,which it could be said is being experienced by all who work dailywith the planning system in Northern Ireland at this time) and drivesome much needed dynamism into the mineral planning system.Economic indicators suggest that, whilst lagging behind the rest of theUK, Northern Ireland is on the cusp of economic improvements. It isconsidered that the state of the wider economy combined with thenow less than 12 month count down to the transfer of planning powersto Councils, provides a unique and ideal opportunity to invest in staffconfidence; thereby putting in place the immediate requirement forimproved expertise, whilst developing the professional support Councilswill require when dealing with mineral applications in the future.As for the minerals industry, it should continue to embrace the PADprocess, meet with decision makers and consultees in order to buildrelationships, ensure than any concerns and disagreements are tabledearly in the planning process, to help inform and present planningapplications which meet with all government regulations, includingthe Mine Waste Directive, Quarry Regulations and Planning Legislation.However, the industry should also prepare to meet the planning andlegal challenges, which are becoming increasingly important, in whatis likely to become an increasingly open, democratic and thereforepublically accountable planning milieu, in order to encouraginglyinfluence decision making and promote the positive contributionthe minerals industry has and continues to make to the NorthernIreland’s growing reputation both Nationally and Internationally.Quarryplan 3pgs.indd 96 28/03/2014 12:36

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Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsRMV Quality AssuranceOffers ‘Best Value’RMV Quality Assurance prides itself onachieving the best value for clients andcomplete management of the qualityprocess.Owned by an ISO 9000 series Lead Auditor, specialising inMaterial Testing, Quality and Technical Management, thissmall County Down based company can offer a more costeffective solution in consultancy situations than that of itsbigger competitors. It is a Construction Materials and QualitySystems Consultancy, providing up to date knowledge of theearth-working, quarrying, bituminous and concrete industries.“In these tough economic times, we recognise that ourclients’ budgets for consultancy will most likely have beenreduced. This is the niche in which we work, however,”says RMV Quality Assurance’s Raymond McVerry, “wedo not have to sacrifice quality and effectiveness forprice, and we ensure the highest quality service.”Working in conjunction with various material testinglaboratories in Ireland, RMV Quality Assurance coversCE marking of products, Factory Production Control,ISO 9001 audits and the technical support required fordesigning and producing conforming materials.Raymond McVerry of RMV Quality Assurance views QualityManagement as integral to all of its practices, operatingprocedures that conform to the British and European Standards.Excellence, Reliabilityand Consistency* Design and Production Support of Bituminous and Concrete Products* Quality Systems Management and Auditing * Material Testing Technician SupportRMV Quality Assurance 30 Fofanny School Road, Cabra, Newry, BT34 5HATel: 07762363245Email: aymond.mcverry@rmvqa.comrwww.rmvqa.com100QUARRY ‘14RMV Quality Insurance 1pg.indd 100 28/03/2014 12:46

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsSub CommitteesThe Engine RoomExecutive CommitteeChairmanJohn ShannonPatrick Bradley LtdVice ChairmanColin EmersonNorman Emerson GroupWilliam Doherty(Creagh Concrete Products Ltd)Simon McDowell(Kilwaughter Chemical Co.)Graham McQuillan (Northstone Materials)Johnny McQuillan(John McQuillan (Contracts) LtdHugh McCann (FP McCann)Stephen Robinson (RobinsonQuarry Masters)Clive Grudgings (Lafarge Tarmac)Eamon Finnegan(Lagan Cement Products)Ken Jackson (Quinn Group)Aidan Mullan (Whitemountain Quarries)Brian Curtis (Curtis Enterprises)Paddy Clarke (P Clarke & Sons Ltd)Peter Devlin (Lafarge Tarmac)Eamonn Sweeney (Northstone (NI) Ltd)Asphalt CommitteeChairmanMark HallP Clarke & Sons LtdVice ChairmanGareth TelfordNorthstone MaterialsPaul Brogan (John McQuillan (Contracts)Paul Fitzpatrick(Fitzpatrick Leod Quarries)Kieran McKenna (FP McCann)Chris Diamond (P Keenan Ltd)John Shannon (P Bradley Ltd)Mark Quigley(Whitemountain Quarries Ltd)Justin Gerring (Gibson BrosPhilip Crozier (W J & H Crozier)Concrete CommitteeChairmanDarren McMillanLagan Cement ProductsGordon Ellis (Mattest)Stephen Dowds (Norman Emerson Group)William Doherty (Creagh Concrete)Kevin Maguire (Quinn Cement)Michael Hardy (P Bradley Ltd)Kieran McHugh (Tracey Concrete)Gareth Vaughan (Northstone Products)Sam McIlroy (RTU Concrete)Brian Curtis (Curtis Enterprises)Lough Neagh SandTradersChairmanGeorge EmersonNorman Emerson GroupColin Emerson (Norman Emerson Group)Conor Jordan (Norman Emerson Group)Eamon Finnegan(Lagan Cement Products)Dessie McGuckin (Northstone Materials)Graham McQuillan (Northstone Materials)Paul Adamson (Lagan Cement Products)Precast ConcreteCommitteeChairmanWillie DohertyCreagh ConcreteLee Clarke (Quinn Group)Geraldine McIntyre (Ernecast Ltd)Leonard Knox (Acheson & Glover)Gareth McMeekin (Hughes Precast)Michael Purkess (FP McCann)Kieran McHugh (Tracey Concrete)Health and SafetyCommitteeChairmanMike KellyWhitemountain QuarriesVice ChairmanPat SherryAcheson & GloverCraig Chisholm(John McQuillan (Contracts)Martin McCann (Creagh Concrete)Michael Purkess (F P McCann Ltd)Paul Callan (Patrick Bradley Ltd)Stephen Horner (Tarmac Ltd)Ken Logan (HSENI)David Clarke (P Clarke & Sons Ltd)David Johnston (Jabez Safety Solutions)Graham Matthews(Kilwaughter Chemical Co)Jody Guilfoyle (Lagan Cement Products)Bob McHenry (Lagan Group)John Evans (Northstone Materials)Irwin Armstrong (CES Quarry Products)Jim Leitch (Northstone NI)Emma Murphy (Quinn Group)Planning CommitteeChairmanStephen RobinsonRobinson Quarry MastersPat Sherry (Acheson & Glover Ltd)Ivan Hargie (Six-West Ltd)Stephen Linden (Quinn Building Products)Laverne Bell(John McQuillan (Contracts) Ltd)William Doherty(Creagh Concrete Products)Conor Jordan (Norman Emerson Group)Peter O’Connor (SLR Consulting)Gareth McCallion (Quarryplan Ltd)Russell Drew(Whitemountain Quarries Ltd)Peter Devlin (Lafarge Tarmac)Angus Kennedy (Northstone Materials)Irwin Armstrong(CES Quarry Products Ltd)Andrew Collen (Collen Bros (Quarries) Ltd)QUARRY ‘14 101Sub Committees 1pg.indd 101 31/03/2014 15:16

Northern IrelandProviding Essential Materials✃Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsApplication for Full MembershipNOTES FOR GUIDANCE:1. Where a company is applying for membership this form must be completed in full by the secretary or a director of the company.2. When completed this form should be sent to Quarry Products Association Limited, Northern IrelandRegion, Nutts Corner Business Park, Dundrod Road, Crumlin BT29 4SRUSE BLOCK CAPITALS PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM IN FULLCompany Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Postcode:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Telephone Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fax Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Contact Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E-mail Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING UNITS(including details of Associated Companies)(Details of Concrete Blocks, Cement, Quarries, Pits, Ready Mix, Black Top Processing Units)NUMBER OF PLANTS/OUTLETSREADY MIX CONCRETEBLACK TOPSAND AND GRAVEL PITSQUARRIESCEMENT PLANTSPRECAST (Inc blocks, rooftiles, pavia, pipes, floors etc)CEMENTWe hereby apply to become a member of Quarry Products Association Limited and agree to be bound bythe Articles of Association and any rules made thereunder by the council of the Association.Date: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Signed: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102QUARRY ‘14(Director, Secretary or Partner)QPANI Membership Form.indd 102 31/03/2014 15:23

Power your BusinessAt Switch we have gone beyond providingonly standard accounting functionalityOur Systems Provide through our new technologies“All of the Above” plus “LiveManagement Reporting”• Web Client InterfaceRemote connection from thefield to main company database(Live information)• Client / Driver HandheldProof of Delivery live to your office/Send new orders or collectionsdirect to driver• GIS (GeographicInformation Systems)Analyse business activity throughGoogle Map Technologies• Automatic Report SchedulerSchedule reports to be delivered directby email or SMS text to any manager• Integrated Event ManagerControl all business events in theone database (Sales/Marketing/Credit Control)tel: +353 74 9364260 | email: info@switchsystems.ie | www.switchsystems.ieSPECIALIST INDUSTRIES: QUARRY PRODUCTS • MANUFACTURING • PLANT & TOOL HIRE • DISTRIBUTORSSwitch Solutions fp ad.indd 1 28/03/2014 12:47

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsQPANIMembership List 2014104Acheson & Glover Limited 1Alpha Quarry Products Ltd 1Armagh City Quarries 1B McCaffrey & Sons Ltd 1Barrack Hill Quarries 1Boville McMullan Ltd 1Campbell Contracts Ltd 1Northstone Products Limited 1CES Quarry Products Ltd 1Colinwell Concrete Ltd 1Collen Brothers (Quarries) Limited 1Conexpo (NI) Limited 1Core Aggregates 1Creagh Concrete Products Limited 1Curtis Concrete Solutions Ltd 1Douglas Acheson 1Ernecast Ltd 1F K Lowry Piling Ltd 1F P McCann Limited 1G & G Ross 1George Crawford & Son 1Gibson Bros 1Harold Graham 1Hughes Precast Products Ltd 1Irish Salt Mining & Exploration Co Ltd 1Irwins Quality Aggregates 1James Boyd & Sons (Carnmoney) Limited 1John McQuillan (Contracts) Limited 1Jordan Concrete 1Kilwaughter Chemical Co Ltd 1KPL Contracts Ltd 1Lafarge Tarmac 1Lagan Cement Company 1Lagan Cement Products Ltd 1Lagan Construction Materials Ltd 1Loughran Rock Industries 1Macrete Ireland 1Matthew Robinson & Son Concrete Products 1McGarrity Brothers Ltd 1Miskelly Brothers 1MW Johnston & Son 1Norman Emerson Group Limited 1Northstone Materials 1Omya Uk Ltd 1P Clarke & Sons Limited 1P Keenan 1Patrick Bradley Limited 1QUARRY ‘14Peter Fitzpatrick Leod Quarries 1Premier Cement Limited 1Quinn Building Products Ltd 1R J Mitten & Sons 1Riddles Bros Limited 1Riverside Sand and Gravel Ltd 1Robinson Quarry Masters Limited 1RTU Ltd 1Stanley Bell & Sons Ltd Sand & Gravel 1T H Moore (Contracts) Ltd 1Lafarge Tarmac 1Tobermore Concrete 1Tracey Concrete Limited 1Tullyraine Quarries Limited 1W & J Chambers Limited 1W J & H Crozier 1Whitemountain Quarries Limited 1WJ McCormick & Sons Ltd 1Totals 65ASSOCIATE / AFFILIATECarson McDowell Solicitors 1CDE Global Ltd 1Cleavor Fulton Rankin Solicitors 1ConveyorTek 1Dennison Commercials Ltd 1Finning 1Golder Associates (UK) Ltd 1Jabez Safety Solutions 1McLorinan Consulting Ltd 1Orica Blast & Quarry Surveys 1Quarryplan 1RHM Commercial LLP 1Six-West Ltd 1SLR Consulting (Ireland) Ltd 1Smiley Monroe 1Switch Business Systems Limited 1TBF Thompson 1Ulster Industrial Explosives Limited 1William Orbinson QC 1Atlantic Bitumen 1Tennants Bitumen 1Totals 21TOTAL MEMBERSHIP 86QPANI Membership List 1pg.indd 104 28/03/2014 14:44

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsWhen you or your business is faced with an issue,you don’t just need a firm with the legal excellenceto navigate it, you need a firm with the commercialsense to find exactly the right solution for you.For more information:+44 (0)28 9024 3141or visit www.cfrlaw.co.ukQUARRY ‘14 105Advert Pages.indd 105 28/03/2014 12:48

Northern IrelandProviding Essential MaterialsQPANI Diary Dates 20148th April9th June15th May20th May4th June18th SeptOctober20th Nov2014 QPANI Industry Journal launch Long Gallery, StormontJoint Industry Charity Golf Day Hilton, TemplepatrickLocal Member Forum Seagoe Hotel PortadownQPANI / Joint Seminar on Specifying Precast Concrete Glenavon Hotel CookstownQPANI / RSUA Seminar Concrete Built is Better Built Riddle Hall BelfastLocal Member Forum Killyhevlin Hotel EnniskillenAll Island Safety Conference DublinLocal Member Forum Tullyglass House Hotel BallymenaAdvertisers Index106ALLU 8Atlantic Bitumen 97CDE 71CITB 27Clarke Group 32Cleaver Fulton Rankin 105Conexpo 57ConveyorTek 65Creagh Concrete 89Dennison Commercials 63FP McCann 93Golder Associates 47GSNI 39Hoy Dorman 83Institute of Quarrying 4Invest NI 53Irish Salt Mining 95John McQuillan 13Kilwaughter Chemicals 41Lafarge 34Lagan Cement 73Lagan Construction 91MPQC 36Norman Emerson Group 85QUARRY ‘14Northstone 24Orica BQS 105Pat O’Donnell 108Patrick Bradley 10Powerscreen 77Quarryplan 95Quinn Group 81Rapid International 75Ridgeway Renewables 81RMV Quality Assurance 100Robinson Quarry Masters 51Sandvik 2Six West 53SLR Consulting 41Smiley Monroe 67Switch Solutions 103TBF Thompson 10Tennants Bitumen 45Terex Finlay 79Tranmission Services 55Ulster Industrial Explosives 107WAC McCandless 59Whitemountain 6Advertisers Index - QPA Diary Dates.indd 106 01/04/2014 16:58

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Volvo’s full range of construction equipment -exclusively available from Pat O’Donnell & Co.Pat O’Donnell & Co. are the sole agents for the Volvo CE’s full range of construction equipment in Ireland.Contact us for Sales, Parts and Service information on the following ranges of Volvo CE equipment:PAVERSASPHALT COMPACTORSSOIL COMPACTORSPIPELAYERSMILLING MACHINESCOMPACT EXCAVATORSMOTOR GRADERSBACKHOE LOADERSCOMPACT LOADERSARTICULATED HAULERSWHEEL LOADERSEXCAVATORS – WHEELED AND TRACKED24 HOURS, 7 DAYS & 44 YEARS OF MOVING ITHEAD OFFICECORKGALWAYPORTADOWNCalifornia Heights,Chapelizod, Dublin 20Tel: 01 616 1000Sallybrook, Glanmire,Co. CorkTel: 021 482 1288Carnmore West, Oranmore,Co. GalwayTel: 091 790 722Seagoe Industrial Area, Portadown,Co. Armagh, BT635QETel: 028 3833 7222VOLVO VOLVO PENTA KAESER RAMMER WWW.PATODONNELL.COMPat O'Donnell Volvo fp ad.indd 1 01/04/2014 09:53new pod dealership advert 2014.indd 1 11/11/2013 15:42