Landscape & Restoration

24 May, 2018

IQ Academy ‘Lunch and Learn’ webinar on landscape and restoration considerations for mineral operators

WITH 500 attendees to date, the fifth in the Institute of Quarrying’s IQ Academy series of popular 30-minute ‘Lunch and Learn’ webinars shines the spotlight on landscape and restoration considerations for mineral operators.

Taking place from 12.30–13.00 on Thursday 31 May 2018, ‘Landscape and Restoration’ will be presented by Simon Higson MIQ, technical director at SLR Consulting Ltd and a chartered landscape architect and horticulturist.

Julian Smallshaw, head of educational development at the Institute of Quarrying (IQ), said: ‘Quarries after mineral extraction are a haven for biodiversity. There are many fantastic examples all over the UK, with The Wildlife Trusts’ Attenborough Nature Reserve on IQ’s doorstep a case in point.

‘The National Planning Policy Framework requires planning authorities to provide for the restoration and aftercare of mineral sites at the earliest opportunity, and carried out to high environmental standards. This is Simon’s natural territory and he will provide an insight into landscape and restoration considerations for mineral operators, complete with global examples.’

Commenting on the IQ Academy’s ‘Lunch and Learn’ webinars, Simon Higson said: ‘Finding time in a busy schedule can be hard, so running these bite size webinars over lunch is a great way of engaging with those people whose working day and operating environment is not framed by a conventional office.

‘I’m very much looking forward to talking on a subject which I am passionate about and answering questions as they arise.’

SLR Consulting deliver global environmental and advisory solutions. Having joined the firm in 2004, Mr Higson’s experience includes landscape planning, assessment, design, implementation and management advice for a wide range of mining and minerals projects. Before this, he spent five years with Hanson as an in-house landscape and restoration specialist.

IQ Academy ‘Lunch and Learn’ is a compelling series of issues-related seminars delivered by IQ Academy. The next webinars to run are:

Inspiring Futures in Mineral Extractives: Anthony Elgey from MP Futures – 21 June
Basis of Plant Design: Nick Peatling from NIRAC – 26 July
Empowering People through Great Leadership: Julian Smallshaw from IQ – 30 August

For details of the full programme of IQ Academy Lunch and Learn webinars and to sign up, visit: www.quarrying.org/iq-events.