In 2006, Sibelco UK (then WBB Minerals) submitted a planning application to the local council to extend the quarry by 0.3km2, which it claimed would extend the quarry life for 10 years and produce a further 6.5m/t silica sand. At that time, the Moneystone Quarry was a predominant and significant UK source of supply for silica sand for the glass industry. In the application, the importance of silica sand was emphasised - sands are sparsely distributed within the UK and are considered in Government policy to be a mineral of "national importance." Despite this, the plans were rejected. Protests from a local group led the council to rule the proposed development would have an "unacceptable adverse impact on local residents and the village of Whiston by virtue of the increase in traffic, noise, dust etc." Having had the planning application rejected, Sibelco UK has now finally closed the Moneystone silica sand quarry. The quarry officially closed on Friday, 30 September. For the last 12 months it has not been producing silica sand. Instead, workers have been processing and transporting the remaining stock, local news site: thisisstaffordshire.co.uk reported.
