Development Timeline

Planning application submitted

Planning permission granted with conditions. Conditions were sucessfully met and discharged November 2018.

IAE appoint Collins Earthworks Ltd and Blue Earth Construction Ltd as preferred contractors.

The first machines arrive on site.

The first cut is made and ground modification works commence.

The 1st of 3 mine shafts on the development located, treated and grout capped.

Excavation works commence exposing two mine shafts ready to cast a concrete cap on top of each shaft. Also, sheet piles are installed to stabilise the ground and form the new access ramp connecting our existing site to the new site.

Following the capping of 2 mine shafts, the excavation was backfilled and ground stabilised.

Drainage works in preparation for the southern access road is completed. Phase 1 of the perimeter Zebex security fencing is installed. Drainage and kerbs are installed on the access road between the existing site and the new site.

Drainage and kerbs on the access road are completed and road base prepared for concrete in the new year.

The first concrete pour on-site begins on the newly constructed main access ramp.

Excavation and installation of water attenuation tubosider.

Last concrete pours of phase 1 are completed before construction is paused due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Work, however, continues off-site with an additional planning application submitted to further expand the site.

Contractors return to site after a pause in on-site works due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Drains are brought up to level and connections made.

The final sections of tubosider pipes are installed completing the rainwater attenuation installation.

With the tubosider pipes in place, they are covered up and ground made good ready for concrete preparation.

BlueEarth Construction Ltd is awarded the contract to build the first phase of the development consisting of a 156m x 50m (7,800m2 - 84,000ft2) production area (MFP4), in-house demonstration and learning centre (3,600m2 - 39,000ft2). In total this phase will create an additional 123,000ft2 of internal floor space and 116,000ft2 of external storage area.

Concrete is poured to form the remaining phase of the 116,000ft2 external storage area.

Piling rigs arrives on site, which are used to drive 12m piles into the ground to a depth of 20m, creating a stable base for us to build upon.

Steel arrives on site for the main superstructure