IQ Study Tour focuses on the North West

This year’s Institute of Quarrying (IQ) study tour for students from the University of Derby’s Centre for Mineral Products ran from 18–22 March and took in a number of different mineral extraction and processing sites located across the North West of England.

Sites featured in this year’s tour included Hanson Aggregates’ Shap Quarry, just off the M6 at one of the highest points on the UK’s motorway network, as well as Tarmac’s Dry Rigg, Arcow and Swinden quarries. Students will also get to see Tata Steel’s Shapfell quarries, Hanson’s Ribblesdale Works and Forterra Building Products.

Julian Smallshaw, head of educational development at IQ, said: ‘The IQ Study Tour brings together a wide range of people from across our industry to experience at first hand a really varied mix of sites, as well as extraction and manufacturing processes. This is an invaluable learning opportunity for all involved – from the students and tour organizers to the host site personnel. It’s also a great platform from which to share operational good practice.

‘IQ would like to thank all of our tour hosts. Welcoming such a large group on to ‘live’ operational sites in one go is a huge undertaking and we recognize the passion and commitment of everyone involved in making the study tour the success it is.

‘In addition, the tour is all about developing individual personal effectiveness through the tour’s learning experiences. Plus, attendees can register the tour towards their continuing professional development.’

Dr Rob Donnelly, senior lecturer in Mineral Products at the University of Derby Centre for Mineral Products, said: ‘As honours degree programme leader, the IQ Study Tour provides all students with a fantastic experience of visiting so many different sites and meeting so many different people over such a short time. It’s a great way to boost your knowledge, meet like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, network and learn from others.’

The 2019 study tour itinerary:

Monday 18 March – arrival in Cumbria and health and safety briefing.
Tuesday 19 March – Visits to Tata Steel’s Shapfell limstone quarries, Hanson Aggregates’ Shap Quarry and IQ Lancashire branch visit.
Wednesday 20 March – Tour takes in Tarmac Dry Rigg and Arcow gritstone quarries and Tarmac’s Swinden limestone quarry.
Thursday 21 March – Final on-site day includes Hanson’s Ribblesdale cement works, Forterra Building Products’ Claughton Site and evening presentation by Mike Tetley, Health & Safety Executive Inspector.
Friday 22 March – Depart.

To keep up with any updates follow @IQ_UK on Twitter. For more information on IQ visit www.quarrying.org

A group of students in orange high vis in a quarry