SigmaRoc, the buy-and-build construction materials group, says that its subsidiary Ronez, the Channel Islands construction materials producer, has started the next phase to establish a new quarry site on Chouet headland in Guernsey.
Exploratory drilling, scheduled to begin on 6 November 2017, will contribute to the ongoing evaluation of the site’s potential and is an essential part of the planning application.
The board believes that production at Chouet could initially start in 2021 and that a quarry at Chouet would have a lifespan of at least 40 years, during which time hardstone could be extracted from both free-held mineral and further mineral held by the States of Guernsey.
Ronez is in discussions with the States of Guernsey Development and Planning Authority over drawing up a development framework for the site allowing for the most efficient utilisation of the reserves.
“We are pleased to be initiating this exploratory work at Chouet Headland. Quarrying is strategically important to Guernsey and we are convinced that a new quarry would provide decades of sustainability for the local industry,” says Max Vermorken, SigmaRoc CEO.
In October, SigmaRoc announced the acquisition of Topcrete and its wholly-owned subsidiary Allen Concrete for an initial cash consideration of £9 million (€10.2 million) and a deferred consideration of £3.5 million (€4 million).
Ronez is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sigmaroc, which acquired the business for £45 million (€51 million) in January 2017.
