Primary school learns all about minerals

July 2007

Children from Elworth Hall Primary School in Sandbach learned all about industrial minerals on a recent visit to Sibelco’s Bent Farm Quarry in Congleton, one of the UK’s most important sources of silica sand.

Staff at the quarry explained how sand is extracted and processed for use as a raw material in a wide range of applications including glass-making, foundry castings and even in the construction of Premiership football pitches. The children’s day also included a visit to another local business, Flowcrete, where they saw how sand from the quarry is used in the manufacture of specialist flooring products.

As well as touring the working quarry in 4x4 vehicles, the children were shown areas of the site which have been restored and returned to nature.

“The children enjoyed a great morning at the quarry and asked lots of good questions,” commented Sibelco’s Carlton Beckett who helped to manage the visit. “It was a good opportunity for the pupils to learn all about an important local industry.”