Case Study - Kings Lynn Quarry - Pt 2

Geology of the Kings Lynn Quarry

One of the most important sources of high quality silica (industrial) sand in Britain is the Cretaceous Lower Greensand. Kings Lynn Quarry is extracting sand from a geological horizon known as the Leziate Beds.

The sands are fine grained and generally overlain by thin superficial deposits. A clay rich seam lies within the deposit in some areas of the quarry. The sands are quarried from two separate areas. Glass grade sands are extracted from Wicken Quarry some three kilometres east of the processing works. Fine grade foundry sand is extracted from Mintlyn Quarry approximately three kilometres north west of the works.

The geology of the local deposits is well understood by extensive drilling and subsequent analysis of samples. This information allows the calculation of sand reserves/resources, the calculation of overburden volumes and the design of quarry phasing options and restoration proposals.