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Industry Overview

Quarrying

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Nature, Extent and Statistics

Natural aggregates are derived from sand and gravel; solid rock is extracted to produce a range of aggregates for use in the construction industry.

The construction slowdown has resulted in a sharp drop in aggregates production in the Republic as follows:-

• 2006 - 140 million tonnes (Mt)

• 2007 - 123 Mt

• 2008 - 85 Mt

The prognosis for 2009 is approximately 50 Mt. There has been a consequential fall in the production of readymix, structural concrete and blocks. Many facilities have closed or gone on short time working.

The quarrying industry contributed significantly towards the achievement of the National Development Plan over the past 10 to 15 years.

There is however an immediate and urgent problem facing the quarrying sector which can be remedied relatively quickly by government. A European Court of Justice judgement in July 2008 effectively outlaws the practice of “retention and extension” of quarries and ancillary facilities. This was a long established practice to regularise unauthorized developments. The recent judgement has left many older quarries in a planning quandary; quarries which predate the first Planning Act of 1963 and which came into the planning “net” via Section 261 Registration in 2006/7 are caught in a “Catch 22”. An amendment to the 2000 Planning Act is urgently required. Government must recognised that this Industry is essential if the Country is to meet the goals set in the current National Development Plan.

The need to protect aggregate reserves from steralising development such as once-off rural housing is imperative also if the aspirations of national and regional development policy such as Transport 21 are to be realised.

Rock is also quarried to produce architectural stone work, cladding and paving.

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Index
1.	Introduction
2.	Mining
3.	Quarrying

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