Hills Quarry Products secures contract for mineral reserve at Mortimer Quarry, Berkshire

Hills Quarry Products, a Wiltshire based family owned company, has been selected by The Englefield Estate to undertake mineral extraction at Mortimer Quarry (Southern Extension) near Basingstoke on the Berkshire/Hampshire border.

Edward Crookes, Estates Director, said: “Hills has been awarded the contract following a rigorous selection process during which they impressed the Estate with their track record in the industry, particularly their attention to detail in restoring sites once work is complete.”

The quarry, which was granted planning permission in May 2015, is expected to yield an estimated 2,000,000 tonnes of sand and gravel over a period of ten years and is of strategic importance as a source of minerals for infrastructure and construction in the region. Extraction is scheduled to commence in early 2018.

Peter Andrew, Group director Hills Quarry Products, said: “We are proud to have been chosen by the Englefield Estate to be their mineral partner and look forward to working with both the Estate and the local community to achieve the high-quality restoration the site deserves.”

Extracted material will be sent by ground level conveyor across the Southern Extension area to a fully enclosed gantry that crosses Welshman’s Road to deliver the material to the existing plant site.

Progressive working will ensure that areas left open for extraction are kept to a minimum. Once worked, these areas will be restored to a combination of woodland and biodiverse habitat attractive to wildlife. No imported materials will be used in the restoration process and on completion of the final restoration work, the site will be subject to a further 10-year aftercare programme.