Westlime’s Canowindra Limestone Mine was officially opened on Monday morning by the Hon. Niall Blair MLC, Minister for Industry. The opening event was attended by some 90 clients, suppliers, consultants and industry stakeholders.
Planning for the Limestone Mine commenced in 2004 when Westlime obtained an exploration licence for the site at Canomodine Lane, Canowindra. A Development Application was lodged with Cabonne Council in 2015 and quarry construction commenced in August 2017.
The quarry is licenced to produce 250,000 tonnes per annum of super fine, high purity limestone for agricultural application and road construction products to meet the highest RMS specifications.
Twelve local quarry staff have been employed to operate it, and over 20 contractors were engaged for the construction of the quarry. The quarry will service farmers both locally and throughout NSW with Ag Lime to boost productivity, as well as government and private bodies involved in road construction.
The Hon. Niall Blair said “The Westlime Limestone Mine in Canowindra is a fantastic opportunity for locals being delivered by locals. This is a massive investment boost to the local economy in Canowindra, and this ongoing contribution to the local economy will have large benefits for decades to come.”
Cr Cheryl Newsom congratulated Andrew Commins from Westlime and his family on the opening of the quarry, “It is great to see a project of this nature come to fruition and this business is a wonderful addition to the Shire of Cabonne and the village of Canowindra,” said Ms Newsom.
By Sarah Maynard