Details

A four component sand and gravel processing system supplied by APS, the specialist washing arm of the Finlay Group, is gearing up to relocate from its present location at Tarmac Milfield to a brand new Tarmac site in Northumberland.

For almost three months, the mobile system, comprising a Terex Finlay 390 feed conveyor, APS 300 high capacity triple deck sand and gravel Screening unit, Finlay 200 Hydrasander and Trio 4432 twin fine material washer - all supplied by APS - has been in position at Tarmac Milfield's Quarry.

Now, as Tarmac prepares to cease production at Milfield after almost 40 years and commence extensive restoration works, the APS system is being relocated to its new quarry at nearby Lanton.

Milfield has provided sand and gravel for an area stretching down to Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Teeside, up to Edinburgh.

The APS system complements Tarmac's strong sustainability credentials at the site, located in the Cheviot Hills.

Its low profile, compact aspect creates minimal visual impact and the unit is engineered to reduce sound, in an area where the early phases of restoration have already been recognised as outstanding, attracting a rich wildlife including teals, swans and hundreds of mallards.

The site won an ‘Excellence in Restoration' award in 2003 from the Quarry Products Association in recognition of its work.

Charlie Nairn, a director of Finlay Group, says: "The system has worked well at Milfield. Since its introduction, production has increased by more than double and the unit produces 300 tph, working to produce four different product sizes.

"The oversize material is fed via a transfer conveyor to a jaw crusher and reintroduced back into the plant.

"For the move to Lanton, two of the major components can be fully road towed by articulated vehicles and two others taken by low loader, so the relocation is easy and uses minimal resources.

"In the past, as a company, our main focus has been inclined decks. However, technology has moved on and flat decks now allow more control and greater variable vibration for higher production tonnages - and more accurate screening.

"Ireland has really embraced the change to flat screens. England and Wales are now catching up. Projects such as Milfield demonstrate their ability to deliver high levels of efficiency and productivity, in tune with the surrounding environment."

Dave Phillips, site manager at Tarmac Milfield, says: "The APS unit has been very effective. Productivity has been increased, noise reduced and the system is simple and easy to use. Importantly, the entire system is not obtrusive to the surrounding landscape."

TEREX Finlay
Drumquin Road
Omagh
Co. Tyrone
BT78 5PN
UK