Revenue from the operations of the Studley Park Quarry increased by $19 million, says Secretary of Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment Kwesi De Vignes.
Speaking to reporters at the post-Executive Council media briefing on Wednesday, Des Vignes said operations had increased tremendously.
“Already we are seeing, from the start-up of operations under the new Studley Park Enterprise Limited (SPEL) to now, an increase of 484 per cent in distribution which has led to an income from November to August of just over $19 million,” Des Vignes said.
“To put it into context, to date we have already distributed 125,000 tonnes of aggregate ... (and) have almost 40,000 tonnes of aggregate on the ground.”
The Tobago House of Assembly created a private company called the Studley Park Enterprise Limited (SPEL) in 2016 and placed the management of the quarry under its full control.
The quarry has andesite volcanic rock which is rare and is said to be the best material for use in the construction sector and paving roads.
Des Vignes said the THA is improving the quarry’s operations, “so that we can now boast about adding further value to the gross domestic product of Trinidad and Tobago.”
He said he has instructed SPEL chairman Allan Richards to get a third plant operational to further increase facility’s production. The quarry also produces crusher run, rotten rock, boulders and other products for use in the construction industry.
He also said SPEL’s management will begin operating the quarry’s testing lab, which will test and improve the quality of products from the quarry.
Turning to the issue of the Barbados Bay jetty, Des Vignes said they are making sure all the documentation necessary for its renovation will be acquired from the Environmental Management Authority (EMA).
The jetty, which is located close to the quarry, is earmarked for use as the loading pier for the quarry’s exports. Earlier this year, Studley Park fishermen accused the THA of moving ahead with the renovation at the jetty without first obtaining a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) from the EMA.