HCNRC Comes To Walgrave

We were delighted to host The Geological Society’s, Home Counties North Regional Group at our Walgrave office this week.

Soiltechnics’ own Dr Matt Hooper and Ian Dunkley delivered a fantastic lecture on ‘Northampton Ironstone: Geology, mining and legacy land’.

Northampton Sand Formation ironstone was deposited during the Middle Jurassic as an Oolidal Limestone on a shallow marine shelf at the northern edge of London-Brabant Massif. It extends from North Oxfordshire to North Lincolnshire. The formation contains berthierine, siderite and pyrite minerals which have been extensively exploited since the mid-19^th century as a significant source of iron ore.

Exploitation was focused around the Corby, Kettering and Northampton area and comprised a combination of underground mining but more commonly shallow mining using giant dragline machines. This has left an extensive imprint on both the population demographic of local communities and an extensive legacy of geological, geotechnical and environmental risk that continues to be a challenge to the present day.

Matt and Ian explored the risks and led discussion on how to go about investigating and mitigating risk for existing and new developments.

Thanks to Matt, Ian and all involved with the HCNRG who continue to provide such engaging and accessible events across our region.  

You can view and download the event PDF below: