Latest news with #limestone
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
New haul road to Peak District quarry near Wirksworth approved
Planners have granted permission for a new access road to be built to a quarry in the Peak County Council approved a plan by applicant Ben Bennett Jr Ltd, for a new haul road on 0.84 hectares of land east of Grange Mill Quarry, near Wirksworth. The quarry, located off the B5056 just south of the Peak District National Park, produces high-quality limestone used in products including pharmaceuticals, plastics, rubber, glass, and sealants.A spokesperson for the council said the existing haul road was "likely to become increasingly unsafe over time", so the new road would replace that. The proposed road would only be used for haulage operations and a one-metre high stone wall would be erected, with planted hedgerow along the route of an adjacent public bridleway, according to the council. "The creation of a new haul road would allow HGVs to continue to access the south-east extension area of the quarry safely for the purposes of the extraction of high-purity limestone," the spokesperson said. A spokesperson for the Derbyshire Dales District Council - which raised no objections to the development - said "due regard" should be given to the adjacent right of a public consultation, one person raised concerns about potential dust, noise pollution, and the impact on the enjoyment of public rights of way. However, the council had to consider concerns that without the proposed haul road, a sufficient supply of minerals from the quarry could not be established for its expected authority said there was no clear viable alternative. The council's planning committee approved planning permission for the scheme during a meeting earlier in July, subject to conditions including dust monitoring, noise and usage time restrictions.
Zawya
24-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tanzania: Twiga Cement acquires limestone firm Mamba for $16mln
Tanzania Portland Cement Company (TPC Plc), also known as Twiga Cement, acquired a 95 percent stake in limestone extractor Mamba Cement Company for Tsh42 billion ($15.94 million). According to the company's latest annual report for 2024, the acquisition aims to secure access to vital limestone reserves — a key raw material for cement production — and to strengthen Twiga Cement's financial position.'During the year, TPC Plc acquired a controlling interest in Mamba Cement Company Limited, a company whose principal activity is to extract limestone,' Twiga says. The investment provides the company with access to significant limestone deposits, addressing limited reserves at its current quarry at the Tegeta–Wazo Hill in Dar es Salaam.'This will give the company access to the largest limestone deposits near Dar es Salaam, approximately 125km from TPC Plc plant.'The shares were acquired from United Arab Emirates-based Sura Holdings Ltd, a private investment company with extensive operations in regional economies, international markets and various industry sectors. The transaction comprised a cash investment of Tsh39.69 billion ($15.06 million) and Tsh2.32 billion ($880,672) for the transfer of property, plant and equipment.'The acquisition was done with the intention of vertical integration of Mamba Cement's operations with TPC Plc,' the company said. Dividend payoutDespite a 42.9 percent decline in net profit, the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE)-listed company enhanced its dividend payout to shareholders by 53.84 percent to Tsh107.95 billion ($40.97 million), or Tsh600 ($0.22) per share. This is an increase on the Tsh70.17 billion (Tsh390 per share) paid in 2023. The dividend is expected to be approved by shareholders and paid in June 2025. The company recorded a net profit of Tsh56.67 billion ($21.51 million) in 2024, down from Tsh99.18 billion ($37.64 million) the previous year. Its total revenues declined by 8.5 percent to Tsh448.58 billion ($170.28 million) in last year, down from Tsh490.17 billion ($186.06 million) in 2023, attributed to overall market shrinkage and increased competition. Production costs, particularly those relating to energy and raw materials, also strained profitability. Twiga's clinker production declined by 1.4 percent during the year, while cement output increased by a marginal 0.3 percent. Tanzania's cement market is highly competitive, with 13 plants operating below 60 percent capacity utilisation as of December 2024.'Despite a challenging market environment and higher energy and raw material prices, cash inflow from operating activities in the 2024 financial year increased by 13.6 percent to Tsh108.6 billion ($41.22 million) from Tsh95.6 billion ($36.28 million) in 2023, surpassing the previous year's level. This improvement was primarily driven by better working capital management compared to the prior year,' the company says. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Trade Arabia
27-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Power International opens Fujairah's first limestone production facility
Power International, a UAE-based mining company, has announced the opening of its new limestone production plant in the northern emirate of Fujairah with a 120,000 tonnes per year capacity. The first quicklime production plant in Fujairah, it employs cutting-edge technology to extract quicklime from limestone. Power International aims to double the capacity with the setting up of a second production line by 2026, thus bringing the total capacity to 240,000 tonnes annually. Speaking at the opening ceremony, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, reiterated the emirate's significant role in supporting the national economy and its leading position as a global hub for mining industries and a magnet for international investment in the industrial and economic sectors. The event was attended by Sheikh Eng. Mohammed bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, Director-General of Fujairah Digital Government, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, President of the UAE Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation as well as Mohamed Saif Al Afkham, Chairman of Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation (FNRC) Board of Directors. Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the continuous support and follow-up of H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, for advanced and specialised industrial projects that contribute to sustainable and comprehensive development in the emirate and the wider UAE. He also emphasised that these projects reinforce Fujairah's position as a global destination for mining and industrial innovation. Nikunj Bathwal, Director-General of the Power International factory, said the project's success stems from the strategic vision and backing of the Fujairah government. "This facility is more than just industrial infrastructure; it was designed according to the highest international standards, with sustainability, safety, and operational excellence at its core," he stated. Al Afkham said the factory represents a strategic milestone, reflecting the entity's commitment to the efficient use of natural resources, in line with the directives of the Ruler of Fujairah and the follow-up of the Crown Prince. FNRC's future direction aims to enhance the industrial sector's role in sustainable development by supporting innovation and expanding both local and global market reach, he stated. This reinforces Fujairah's position as a leading industrial hub contributing to economic diversification and aligning with UAE Vision 2030 and 2071.
BBC News
27-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Campaigners 'shocked' by Pury End quarry plan consultation
Campaigners said they were "shocked" a council only sent out 41 notification letters to residents about a controversial quarry project.A proposal from Heritage Quarry Group Ltd (HQGL) would see a new limestone quarry next to the existing one at Pury End, near Towcester in Stop the New Pury End Quarry (SNPEQ) group said a consultation had ignored some houses in the hamlet, a new estate in Towcester and a primary Northamptonshire Council has been invited to respond. HQGL said a minerals and waste local plan had identified the site as suitable to provide crushed rock. An SNPEQ spokesperson said: "As a group, we are shocked that for such a large site, which could impact the living conditions and health of so many local residents, only 41 letters were sent out by the council notifying residents of the plans." More than 1.5m tonnes of limestone would be extracted from the site, including about 50,000 tonnes of Pury stone, one of the most finely grained submitted a Freedom of Information request to find out which residents had been response from the Reform UK-controlled council showed that 27 letters had been sent to people in Pury End, which has around 100 houses.A further 14 had been sent to Towcester and nearby villages. SNPEQ said about 130 homes on The Furlongs, on the edge of Towcester, should have been informed, along with the developer, Persimmon group said Marie Weller Primary School, about 630m (689 yards) from the site, should also have been told because of the "possible impact on children's health".Despite its concerns about the consultation, SNPEQ said its campaign had resulted in 220 objections being sent to the SNPEQ has also submitted an objection letter, saying the new quarry contravenes the local minerals said it had spend £2580 so far on legal advice and publicity. Stephen Woods, from HQGL, said: "The proposed development was allocated in the Northamptonshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan as a site suitable for the provision of crushed rock to enable a planned supply of aggregates over the plan period."The full planning application was supported by an environmental statement and the proposed development subject to environmental impact assessment, which includes measures to mitigate against any negative impacts of the proposed development." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
South China Morning Post
14-05-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong oyster reefs' decline and restoration charted in documentary
Think of oysters and most people picture them on a bed of ice at a seafood buffet. But apart from being a Sunday brunch delicacy, these shellfish are the ocean's unsung heroes. In their natural habitat, oysters are ecological superstars that are capable of improving water quality and stabilising shorelines. They are hard-working, too: a single oyster can, through its gills, filter 200 litres (52 gallons) of murky water a day, creating healthy environments for marine species. Oyster reefs – underwater structures formed by large populations of oysters that attach to hard surfaces such as rocks – once stretched along about 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) of coastline in southern China's Pearl River Estuary area, including Hong Kong. This documentary is not just about oysters, but the bigger picture of rebalancing our relationship with the ocean Mike Sakas, City of Shells director and producer But over the centuries, the reefs were decimated as a result of over-harvesting, reclamation projects and pollution. A thriving limestone industry also led to their demise. Oyster shells are 91 per cent limestone, which is used in cement and fertiliser. Limestone fuelled construction and agriculture during the 19th and 20th centuries.
