Cemex has officially announced a £16 million capital investment at its Dove Holes Quarry located in Derbyshire. This project represents the largest expenditure currently being delivered by the company across the EMEA region. As a core component of the UK construction sector, the site is recognized as one of the most strategically important operations for the company.
This financial commitment aims to secure the long-term future of the site and demonstrates the company’s focus on maintaining its presence within the UK construction sector. The core of the investment involves the construction of a specialized filtration facility, which is slated to be fully operational by August 2027.
Implementing New Filtration Technology
The new facility will utilize advanced plate filter presses supplied by Diemme Filtration. This technology is designed to fundamentally change how the site manages quarry fines. Currently, the process involves washing limestone before further processing. The resulting water, which carries silts and fine particles, is pumped into a lagoon to settle.
By installing this new filtration system, the company will be able to remove silts from the washed slurry more effectively. This process generates two key outputs:
- Clean water that can be recirculated directly back into the washing system.
- Solid filter cakes that can be removed from the excavation area, providing a material that can be sold or reused as a by-product.
This transition helps avoid the need for additional lagoon space, which would otherwise require the sterilization of valuable mineral reserves.
Unlocking Future Reserves
The installation of this filtration equipment is central to unlocking future mineral access at the Dove Holes quarry. Currently, the site holds approximately 200 million tonnes of limestone reserves. By optimizing water management, the project unlocks access to an additional 125 million tonnes of aggregate material.
This expansion significantly extends the operational life of the quarry, ensuring a steady supply of essential materials for infrastructure, housing, and general economic growth.
According to Lex Hunter Russell, Managing Director of UK Materials, the project is a significant investment in local operations and underscores confidence in the growth of the industry. The new setup allows the site to operate with greater efficiency while making better use of its extensive mineral deposits, securing the facility’s role in the supply chain for future generations.
The move is expected to maximize water reuse while providing the aggregate volumes necessary to support ongoing demand. By moving away from traditional settling methods, the site demonstrates how modern limestone extraction can balance operational longevity with resource management. Cemex continues to emphasize this project as a key pillar in its regional strategy, ensuring the quarry remains a cornerstone of its industrial output.