Superquarries: Tunstead
Limestone is a major mineral product which has vital industrial and environmental applications. Although Carboniferous Limestone gives rise to the beautiful scenery of the White Peak, quarrying remains an important industry in this part of Derbyshire. The largest producer of limestone in the Peak District is Tunstead Quarry. This quarry, along with the adjacent Old Moor Quarry, produces around 5.5 million tonnes of limestone annually. It is the largest producer of high purity industrial limestone in Europe. In terms of output, it rivals the large limestone 'superquarries' of the Mendip Hills in Somerset which primarily exist to supply construction aggregate to south-east England. Tunstead is a big local employer; 400 people work at the site and a larger number are employed by contractors and local businesses which provide goods and services to this major industrial operation.
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The principal product from Tunstead Quarry is industrial limestone. This material is over 97% calcium carbonate (CaCO3 ) and is valued for its chemical purity. The limestone is used in a number of industries where its chemical properties as a basic oxide, a flux, a neutralising agent or a source of calcium are important. Glassmaking, sugar refining and reduction of sulphur emissions from coal-fired power stations use raw limestone, but many processes use limestone that has been 'burnt' at high temperature to produce lime (CaO). Tunstead is the biggest producer of lime in the UK. There is also a cement plant at Tunstead which utilises almost all the waste produced during the processing of the limestone.
Click here for more information on the history of Tunstead Quarry. |
