Surface Mineral Workings & Industrial Sites

The professional and practical advice that WBM provides is designed to allow operators of such sites to be able to function without significant complaints and interruption. Our historic work with Mineral Planning Authorities in connection with opencast sites has resulted in confidence that both operators and planners can work with the same standards to protect the environment. Full and thorough assessments can avoid delays in the planning process and prevent operational problems that might occur due to complaints arising when a site is operational.

WBM has advised many of the major minerals companies in the UK, as well as Mineral Planning Authorities, on a wide range of surface mineral and related workings including mineral extraction and processing, cement works, concrete batching plants, asphalt coating plants, dry silo mortar plants and wharf operations. 

We have extensive and up to date experience of noise aspects relating to mineral extraction and waste disposal. Projects in the past twenty years include over six hundred mineral and waste disposal related sites, developed at greenfield locations and in industrial areas or as extensions to existing operations.

WBM developed noise limit criteria for mineral sites that have been used as the historic basis for national guidance contained in MPS 2 Annex 2 Noise. Those noise criteria have stood the test of time and early sand and gravel sites using these criteria now have second and third generation extensions for which noise is no longer a contentious planning issue. Our computer modelling capabilities, particularly for hard rock quarries, allows all types of mineral site to be optimised within sensible external noise constraints.

We have contributed to over one hundred environmental impact assessments, many of them relating to surface mineral working sites. Site noise calculations and environmental impact assessment reports are backed up by competent professional evidence at public inquiries and planning appeals where necessary. In recent years we have had less involvement with planning appeals and public inquiries as the guidance on noise has resulted in fewer areas of disagreement between applicants and the authorities.

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