EDUCATION CENTRE

Today's Picture of the South Devon Ball Clay Industry

Charting the Unknown

Core drilling provides geologists with data which is used to build a precise picture of the geological structure of an area. Core samples are also tested in the laboratory to provide an initial assessment of relevant physical and chemical properties of the clays they contain. The information provides an accurate and reliable overview of available resources and allows careful planning of future production.

Modern Extraction Methods

Modern ball clay production involves converting naturally-occurring seams of ball clay (often from complex deposits) into consistent, reliable raw materials for industry.

Overburden is removed from above the clays to expose the individual seams. Clays are extracted on a series of "benches" by hydraulic excavators, working up the dip of the deposit in order to make the best selection and minimise contamination of one sequence into another.

Quality control experts regularly sample the clay face, and following testing, guidance is given to the skilled excavator operators who work carefully to ensure the separation of individual seams. At any one time the mining of many different seams of clay may be taking place in various parts of the Bovey Basin.

Dumper trucks transfer the clay to bulk storage sheds - each grade in a different bay. This allows further testing to take place before the clay is shredded and blended with other grades.