Mining

Prior to commencing mining operations

Formula actively promotes safety and respect for the environment, working closely with local communities and environmental agencies and consultants, to minimise emissions which would impact local communities, and ensure the local environment is preserved and where possible enhanced, both during and after mining operations.

Prior to commencing mining operations on a new site, a comprehensive study is conducted into the soil structure and natural habitat of the site, including a survey of animal and plant species. Special care is taken with any protected or rare species.

Particular care is also taken to ensure gypsum extraction will not destroy any important archeological finds (archeological remains, fossils). Studies are carried out with specialist partners, and particular areas of a quarry may be avoided in the event where items of interest are uncovered.

During mining operations

Together with environmental specialists, Formula develops long term management plans which ensure the conservation of the local habitat. This may involve avoiding working in certain parts of a quarry or providing alternative “housing” for certain animals, as with the reptile hibernacular built at a Formula site near Newark, to allow the local resident reptile population optimal winter hibernation conditions.

During operations, soil layers (minus the gypsum seams which have been removed) are replaced as an on-going part of the extraction process.

Quarry rehabilitation

Once gypsum mining has ceased, and further to consultation with environmental agencies, quarry sites are restored for their enjoyment by local communities & wildlife. Where possible during the restoration phase, Formula adds “ecological value” by creating a habitat for a more diverse range of wildlife than existed prior to mining operations. This may involve adding nutrients to soil in sites destined for agricultural use, providing a richer soil type than previously existed. Sites destined for wildlife use, will benefit from added value, with hedges planted to provide a habitat which will attract and support more varied wildlife, in comparison to one large meadow which existed prior to mining operations.

Often restored gypsum quarries are transformed into fishing lakes, as the void where the gypsum was removed leaves a natural concave landscape. Care is taken to plant trees and plants which will allow the site to maintain natural equilibrium over a long period of time.

A good example of this is the Kilvington Quarry close to the Newark site, which attracts a variety of wildlife as a result of consultation with local Environmental agencies.

Managing natural finite resources

Formula endeavours to find solutions which contribute to ensuring longer term sustainability of gypsum rock which is a finite material.

Initiatives linked to product performance:

• Higher performance ceramic plasters which give higher mould life and productivity so less plaster is needed to obtain the same number of cast pieces
• Higher performance plasters which give higher strength so less plaster is used to produce lighter, thinner, stronger items

Initiatives linked to production process:

• Process improvements to ensure products are consistently produced within specifications, thereby reducing waste and non-productive use of gypsum
• Process and packaging improvements to ensure longer shelf life for products, thereby reducing the amount of waste of out of date material on site and at customer sites.

Initiatives linked to recycling:

• Collaboration with external partners and customers to find solutions for recycling used plaster, and to add value to this recycled material in new and existing product applications.