China clay quarry to remain open

WBB will lease Imerys-owned land adjoining WBB's Headon quarry

A large china clay pit near Plymouth has been saved from closure as part of a deal between its current owners, Imerys, and WBB Minerals.

WBB will lease the Lee Moor Quarry from Imerys which is pulling out next year with the loss of about 90 jobs.

WBB says it will safeguard the long term future of its operations in the area although it is cutting its 65-strong workforce by 10.

Imerys is moving some of its business to Brazil where costs are lower.

The pit at Lee Moor had been earmarked for closure as part of the plans, but WBB decided it was still economically viable and is ploughing £6m into the pit and the surrounding area.

WBB will also lease Imerys-owned land adjoining WBB's Headon quarry and will cease work in the north of its existing Shaugh Quarry in five years.

Imerys is making about 500 of its 2,000 workforce in Cornwall redundant.

The company is the world's largest producer of china clay, operating in 250 locations in 43 countries.

China clay, or kaolin, has a variety of uses, but is mainly used to whiten and give a glossy coating to paper.