West coast sand mine steps up production
Summary
A sand mining company in Lochaber is set to double its production and increase annual turnover by more than \xa32.6m.Lochaline Quartz Sand (LQS) has secured up to \xa3230,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards the \xa3855,000 costs of upgrading equipment on site.The money will go towards buying and installing two wet magnetic separators, which are used to reduce the iron content of sand for use in the production of high-quality glass.This will replace the current practice of washing the sand multiple times - a more time-consuming method of reducing the iron content. The increase in production should help meet market demand and improve profitability.LQS was established 2012 with the reopening of a closed sand mine. It is a joint venture between Italian mining group Minerali Industrali and glass manufacturer NSG - parent of the Pilkington Group - the main buyer of the companys sand.It produces sand with an extremely high silica content, which is unique in the UK. The sand is used in ultra strong float glass, clear container glass and ceramics.The company employs around 40 people in rural Lochaber, with nearly \xa31m in salaries supporting the local economy.HIE supported a \xa31m expansion of LQS in 2017, which created nine new jobs and strengthened the companys market position.Elaine Jones, senior development manager with HIEs Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross team, said: We have worked with Lochaline Quartz Sand for several years now, the company has demonstrated strong profitable growth and is well-placed to achieve its ambitions for further growth.This latest initiative will provide further security for the business and its employees, while keeping to its environmental principles.Im very pleased weve been able to provide support and look forward to seeing how the new investments benefit the business and enhance the contribution it makes to the local economy.Diego Zurolo, chief executive at LQS, said: Running the only underground sand mine in Europe in a remote location like Lochaline can be challenging.In the past two years we have been exploring methods to make the quality of our sand more consistent at high production levels.The installation of the first set of magnetic separators (we will need a second set in the not-too-distant future) will secure our future for many years to come - we are very grateful to Highlands and Islands Enterprise for their help in making this happen.Dont miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.