Loughnane Concrete
is Quarry of the Year
Construction & Property News, March 2005
Christy Loughnane, managing director
of
Loughnane Concrete
and company
chairman, Sean Loughnane at...
[more]
Loughnane Concrete of Birr, Co. Offaly has been announced as the overall winner in the Irish Concrete Federation’s Quarry of the Year Green Aggregate Awards for 2004. The awards are presented in recognition of outstanding contributions to protect the environment and maintain sound management practices. Entries are evaluated under a number of different headings including environmental management, waste management, visual impact and public safety.
Speaking at the presentation of the awards in the Stand House Hotel in CO Kildare, John Maguire, chief executive of the Irish Concrete Federation (ICF), said that the authorised quarrying industry is committed to excellence in environmental best practice. ‘Quarry and aggregate owners who are members of the ICF are committed to best environmental practice and comply with government controls and regulations,’ he said. ‘ICF members have invested substantial resources in environmental management procedures and practices to minimise the impact on the natural environment and the local communities in which they operate. The environmental awards are awarded to those companies which have not only met but actually surpassed government legislation requirements and who demonstrate a clear commitment to environmental excellence.’
The awards have been running since 1997 and entries are evaluated under a number4 of different key environmental code impacts including noise, blasting, dust and air quality, water management, waste management, visual impact, transport, reinstatement and after use, ecology, archaeology, energy, public safety, good housekeeping and community relations. The adjudication panel included Michael Cahill (chairman), former senior project engineer in the National Roads Authority; Alan Haugh, managing director of CPI Ltd; Liam Smyth, planning and environmental manager, Irish Concrete Federation.
Roadstone Provinces Ltd in Castlebar, Co Mayo and Kilsaran Concrete Ltd in Grangebellow, Drogheda, Co Louth both received Five Star Awards. Five Star winners are eligible to enter the European Aggregates Association’s (UEPG) Sustainable Development Awards 2005. These awards promote the European aggregates industry’s positive achievements and best practices. The UEPG represents the interests of members at a European level before the European Parliament, the European institutions.
Roadstone in Castlebar was presented with the Five Star Awards for outstanding achievement in Environmental Management, especially with regard to health and safety, visual impact and waster management. Kilsaran Concrete was also presented with a Five Star Award for exceptional team dedica6tion to environmental best practice for Gallstown Quarry at Grangebellow, Drogheda .
Three other companies received Certificated of Merit at the awards. Derryarkin, Rochfortbridge, Co Westmeath, were highly commended for optimum exploitation of resources with long term environmental benefits. Readymix (ROI) Ltd, Rathmolyon, Trammon, Co Meath, were highly commended for ongoing improvement in environmental management. McGrath Quarry Group, Cong Quarry, Co Mayo were also highly commended for ongoing commitment to environmental management, especially with regard to water management in a delicate ecosphere.
