Penrhyn Quarry wins Welsh government loan help

Slate quarrying at Penrhyn dates back 400 years

A Gwynedd slate quarry expansion which could extend its working life by 15 years is being backed by a Welsh government loan.

Work is expected to begin later this month on an extension to Penrhyn Quarry at Bethesda.

It involved the purchase of 20 acres of land next to the current quarry.

The loan to quarry owners Welsh Slate helped speed up the acquisition of the site, after planning approval was granted in December.

It follows a major rock fall at the quarry in April 2012 that saw half a million tonnes of rock cover the quarry floor and hamper operations at the site.

The company was forced to put 90 of its 210 staff on a four day working week to avoid temporary layoffs.

The new extension to the quarry will see slate reserves worked until an estimated 2032.

"It was essential that we acquired this 20 acre site to extend operations and the loan from the Welsh government was absolutely vital," said Welsh Slate's managing director Chris Allwood.

"It helped speed up the acquisition of the land which combined with the planning process which was already in progress, we are now set to start quarrying here this month following extensive preparatory work on the new site."

The Penrhyn site remains the largest single slate quarry in the world, supplying 85% of all Welsh slate.

At present, some 500,000 tonnes of slate a year is produced in the quarry for roofing, architectural materials and construction.

The quarry is now also home to Zip World - which claims to be the largest zipwire ride in the northern hemisphere.

Economy Minister Edwina Hart said: "Welsh Slate is a key employer in the area providing a significant number of well paid, highly skilled jobs and makes an important annual contribution to the economy.

"I am delighted the loan from the Welsh government has helped secure these jobs and the future of the site for the next 20 years."