Publisher's Synopsis
Slate has been worked in Britain for many centuries, and it is estimated that there are 500,000,000 tonnes of slate waste in tips in the main areas of active and former production. The removal of some of this material on a large scale would cause significant disturbance in many cases, and the restoration standards are increasing. There is therefore a growing need for guidance on management and treatment of land affected by working of slate. To meet this need, this report was commissioned to examine the need for reclaiming slate waste tips and quarries in Britain. The objective of the study was to provide technical guidance on the approaches and methods available, and to examine the environmental consequences of removing slate waste for use elsewhere. The report contains seven case studies which illustrate issues such as: planning control and site restoration; conflicts with wildlife and valued landscapes; sources of secondary minerals, and the environmental consequences of extraction; tourism, industrial archaeology and conservation; waste disposal; reclamation and long-term management; informal uses, including woodland, walking, climbing and abseiling.
