Tarmac’s Tunstead Quarry near Buxton in Derbyshire recently welcomed High Peak MP Robert Largan to the site.
Tarmac’s combined operations at Tunstead is one of the largest in the UK, with a mix of quarrying, cement and lime manufacturing, and building material production taking place at the site. The quarry was established in the 1920s and is of national strategic importance due to being the largest supplier of lime and lime-based products within the UK. It is also one of the largest employers in the local area, employing around 400 people across the site.
During his visit Mr Largan was shown around the quarry and cement operation, along with getting an insight into the latest technology being used in lime, stone and cement production. He also visited the rail freight facilities which enable Tarmac to distribute a large percentage of its products by rail, reducing road traffic from the site.
The MP met with several members of the site team including David Wilson, lime business development manager and Tarmac’s head of rail, Chris Swan.
Lime business director, Graham Cooper and cement plant manager Alex Soria hosted the visit which emphasised the importance of the operation to the local economy and updated the MP on latest developments.
“Whilst most local people have an understanding of the quarry and cement-making parts of our operation, there is less awareness of the role our lime operation plays, so it was important we included this in Mr Largan’s visit,” said Graham Cooper.
“Our lime products are used in vital applications such as electricity generation, water treatment, soil stabilisation and steel manufacture. Whilst lime kilns have played a role in the industrial heritage of this area for hundreds of years, we were pleased to talk the MP through all the latest technological innovations we are using on site.”
Mr Largan was also introduced to a ground-breaking project exploring the use of two innovative energy sources in the production of cement and lime. The project, sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and managed by the Mineral Products Association (MPA) involves the trial of different fuels to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Commenting on his visit, Mr Largan said: “I was very pleased to visit Tarmac’s Tunstead site, to tour the operation and discuss Tarmac’s decarbonisation plans for the future. Tarmac is not only an important local employer in the High Peak, but Tunstead Quarry is also of vital significance to the country as a whole.”
