Latest news with #Ordovician
Wales Online
a day ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Owners of 200-year-old slate quarry bid to extend its life or warn jobs will be lost
Owners of 200-year-old slate quarry bid to extend its life or warn jobs will be lost Ffestiniog Quarry is in the heart of Blaenau Ffestiniog and its owner estimates there remain 100 years worth of slate resources there Ffestiniog Quarry (also known as Oakeley Quarry or Gloddfa Ganol Mine Plans have been submitted to extend the life of a 200-year-old quarry in North Wales. Ffestiniog Quarry, also known as Oakeley Quarry or Gloddfa Ganol Mine, is nestled in the heart of Blaenau Ffestiniog. The quarry has been producing slates since 1818, formed by Ordovician slate beds laid down over 470 million years ago. Under its current planning permission, work at the 160-hectare site is due to finish at the end of this year. Now owner Breedon Trading Ltd is hoping to extend this by another four decades. The proposed scheme is based on the ability to produce 30,000 slates per week. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here If planning permission isn't granted by Cyngor Gwynedd, it's stated that the quarry would cease operations at the end of the year, leading to job losses., , reports North Wales Live. An aerial view of the quarry area Planning agent SLR said: "The applicant is submitting a planning application for the continuation of slate extraction operations, together with the deposit of mineral wastes and overburden, along with the production of secondary aggregates, within the quarry workings beyond the current cessation date of 31st December, 2025. Article continues below "Ffestiniog Quarry works the mudstone and siltstone slate deposits of the Nant Ffrancon Subgroup of the Ordovician succession. "All superficial surface deposits (soils and overburden) have been removed; extraction operations involve the removal of slate from the working faces predominantly using blasting, and occasionally mechanical techniques. "The development also involves the periodic clearing of slate waste from the quarry working area to expose the faces underneath. "Notwithstanding this, as with other slate quarries (such as Penrhyn Quarry) slates suitable for producing roofing tiles are located lower in the sequence (i.e. deeper in the quarry workings). "This means that the upper parts of the sequence (typically the first four benches) are classed as quarry waste and need to be cleared to expose the better-quality slate. "The proposals would not seek to laterally extend either the slate workings or associated tips beyond the current approved footprint and operations would not exceed the current permitted level of intensity. "Moreover, all tipping operations would be undertaken within the current operational areas either on the north-western side of the quarry or within the quarry void. "Having reviewed the quarry development scheme, proposals are being put forward which show the phased progression of the quarry workings, and the disposal of quarry waste. "This has shown that there are in excess of 100 years of slate resources within the quarry. However, the current application seeks to extend the duration for a period of 40 years." The document added: "Should planning permission not be granted then the quarry would cease operations at the end of the year resulting in the loss of employment. "With a lack of other quarry operations in the local area, this would potentially see those employed at the quarry seeking employment elsewhere, potentially moving out of the local area." Officials at Gwynedd Council are set to review the planning application. Article continues below
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Bid to extend life of 200 year old quarry in Welsh slate heartland
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Plans are in to extend the life of a 200-year-old quarry in North Wales. Ffestiniog Quarry (also known as Oakeley Quarry or Gloddfa Ganol Mine) is located in the heart of Blaenau Ffestiniog. It has been producing slates from 1818 and was formed by the Ordovician slate beds laid down more than 470 million years ago. Under its current planning permission, work is set to end at the 160-hectare (ha) site at the end of this year. But owner Breedon Trading Ltd wants to extend this by another 40 years. The working scheme is based on being able to produce 30,000 slates per week. If planning permission is not secured from Cyngor Gwynedd, then the quarry would cease operations at the end of the year, resulting in a loss of employment. Planning agent SLR said: 'The applicant is submitting a planning application for the continuation of slate extraction operations, together with the deposit of mineral wastes and overburden, along with the production of secondary aggregates, within the quarry workings beyond the current cessation date of 31st December 2025. Ffestiniog Quarry works the mudstone and siltstone slate deposits of the Nant Ffrancon Subgroup of the Ordovician succession. 'All superficial surface deposits (soils and overburden) have been removed; extraction operations involve the removal of slate from the working faces predominantly using blasting, and occasionally mechanical techniques. 'The development also involves the periodic clearing of slate waste from the quarry working area to expose the faces underneath. 'Notwithstanding this, as with other slate quarries (such as Penrhyn Quarry) slates suitable for producing roofing tiles are located lower in the sequence (i.e. deeper in the quarry workings). 'This means that the upper parts of the sequence (typically the first four benches) are classed as quarry waste and need to be cleared to expose the better-quality slate. 'The proposals would not seek to laterally extend either the slate workings or associated tips beyond the current approved footprint and operations would not exceed the current permitted level of intensity. Moreover, all tipping operations would be undertaken within the current operational areas either on the north-western side of the quarry or within the quarry void. 'Having reviewed the quarry development scheme, proposals are being put forward which show the phased progression of the quarry workings, and the disposal of quarry waste. This has shown that there are in excess of 100 years of slate resources within the quarry. However, the current application seeks to extend the duration for a period of 40 years.' They added: 'Should planning permission not be granted then the quarry would cease operations at the end of the year resulting in the loss of employment. With a lack of other quarry operations in the local area, this would potentially see those employed at the quarry seeking employment elsewhere, potentially moving out of the local area.' Planners at Cyngor Gwynedd will now consider the application. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Bid to extend life of 200 year old quarry in Welsh slate heartland
Plans are in to extend the life of a 200-year-old quarry in North Wales. Ffestiniog Quarry (also known as Oakeley Quarry or Gloddfa Ganol Mine) is located in the heart of Blaenau Ffestiniog. It has been producing slates from 1818 and was formed by the Ordovician slate beds laid down more than 470 million years ago. Under its current planning permission, work is set to end at the 160-hectare (ha) site at the end of this year. But owner Breedon Trading Ltd wants to extend this by another 40 years. The working scheme is based on being able to produce 30,000 slates per week. If planning permission is not secured from Cyngor Gwynedd, then the quarry would cease operations at the end of the year, resulting in a loss of employment. Planning agent SLR said: 'The applicant is submitting a planning application for the continuation of slate extraction operations, together with the deposit of mineral wastes and overburden, along with the production of secondary aggregates, within the quarry workings beyond the current cessation date of 31st December 2025. Ffestiniog Quarry works the mudstone and siltstone slate deposits of the Nant Ffrancon Subgroup of the Ordovician succession. 'All superficial surface deposits (soils and overburden) have been removed; extraction operations involve the removal of slate from the working faces predominantly using blasting, and occasionally mechanical techniques. 'The development also involves the periodic clearing of slate waste from the quarry working area to expose the faces underneath. 'Notwithstanding this, as with other slate quarries (such as Penrhyn Quarry) slates suitable for producing roofing tiles are located lower in the sequence (i.e. deeper in the quarry workings). 'This means that the upper parts of the sequence (typically the first four benches) are classed as quarry waste and need to be cleared to expose the better-quality slate. 'The proposals would not seek to laterally extend either the slate workings or associated tips beyond the current approved footprint and operations would not exceed the current permitted level of intensity. Moreover, all tipping operations would be undertaken within the current operational areas either on the north-western side of the quarry or within the quarry void. 'Having reviewed the quarry development scheme, proposals are being put forward which show the phased progression of the quarry workings, and the disposal of quarry waste. This has shown that there are in excess of 100 years of slate resources within the quarry. However, the current application seeks to extend the duration for a period of 40 years.' They added: 'Should planning permission not be granted then the quarry would cease operations at the end of the year resulting in the loss of employment. With a lack of other quarry operations in the local area, this would potentially see those employed at the quarry seeking employment elsewhere, potentially moving out of the local area.'
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
The secret history of teeth revealed: How they originated inside a 465-million-year-old fish's body
Our knowledge about the origins of teeth pertains to that of the entire body, a natural occurrence made up of tissues. But did you know that human teeth evolved from the "body armour" of an extinct fish that lived 465 million years ago? From vertebrates to teeth In a published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, researchers showed how sensory tissue discovered on the exoskeletons of ancient fish is linked to the same "genetic toolkit" that produces human teeth. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "This shows us that 'teeth' can also be sensory even when they're not in the mouth," said Yara Haridy, co-author of the study and palaeontologist and evolutionary biologist at the University of Chicago. Initially, researchers set out to identify the earliest vertebrate in the fossil record seeking specimens from the Cambrian and Ordovician periods. An obvious sign of a vertebrate species is the presence of internal tubules for dentine, a calcified tissue that is found under the enamel in the human teeth, but also in the external bumps or odontodes in ancient fish armour. While making the use of high-resolution CT scans to analyse the jawless "first fish" species Anatolepis heintzi, the researchers discovered pores filled with dentine. They also compared the fossil to a coterie of ancient fossils and modern marine life. The shocking discovery Upon closer investigations, researchers realised that the supposed dentine-lined pores were like the sensilla, the sensory organs on the shells of crabs, thus making A. Heintz, an ancient invertebrate arthropod and not a vertebrate fish. Vertebrates and invertebrates, both have sensory armours connected to nerves that help them sense their environment. To substantiate the discovery that the fish was an arthropod, the team scanned fossils and modern specimens from snails and barnacles to sharks and catfish. It was revealed that the suckermouth catfish raised in Hardy's own lab had small tooth-like scales on their skin, called denticles, that were connected to nerves. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This discovery also led to the realisation that ancient vertebrates had the same mineralized tissue that evolved into dentine and then our sensitive teeth. These tissues helped them sense their environment like cold waters or pressure from nearby objects, just like our teeth. Thus, this study also supports a key theory in evolutionary biology called the "outside-in" hypothesis where sensory structures evolved on exoskeletons at least 460 million years ago and were used by animals to make teeth. "Viewed through this evolutionary lens, the fact that teeth in the mouth are extremely sensitive is less of a mystery, and more a reflection of their evolutionary origins within the sensory armour of early vertebrates," wrote the researchers in the study.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Tooth pain's origins traced to 465-million-year-old armored fish with sensors
Ever wonder why teeth hurt? Blame it on a prehistoric armored the outer layer of our teeth is coated in hard enamel, it's the inner layer, called dentine, that feels pain. Dentine carries signals to the nerves when we bite into something hard, or feel the sting of ice cream or sweetness. Scientists have long debated where teeth came from. One idea was that they evolved from small bumps on the tough outer shells of ancient fish. These bumps, known as odontodes, were once a mystery. But now, a new study confirms that these structures in an early vertebrate fish from the Ordovician period, about 465 million years ago, contained dentine. Using 3D scans on fossils of the fish, researchers discovered that these bumps were sensitive and were likely used to sense their environment, like detecting cold water or pressure from nearby objects. While studying the fossils, the team also found that odontodes in ancient fish looked a lot like sensilla — tiny sensory organs found in the shells of animals like crabs and shrimp. Sensilla are also seen in fossils of ancient invertebrates. Surprisingly, these two features evolved in completely different animal groups: fish, which have backbones, and arthropods, which don't. According to Dr. Yara Haridy, who led the study, this is a classic case of evolutionary convergence — when different species develop similar traits on their own. 'These jawless fish and Aglaspidid arthropods (extinct marine arthropods) have an extremely distant shared common ancestor that likely had no hard parts at all,' Haridy said. 'We know that vertebrates and arthropods evolved hard parts independently and amazingly they evolved similar sensory mechanisms integrated into their hard skeleton independently.' The findings also help explain a long-standing mix-up in the fossil record. For decades, a Cambrian-era fossil called Anatolepis was thought to be one of the earliest vertebrates, thanks to tooth-like bumps on its surface. But when the researchers closely examined the fossil using high-resolution CT scans, they realized those bumps didn't contain dentine after all. Instead, they looked just like the sensory structures — sensilla — seen in arthropods. That meant Anatolepis wasn't a vertebrate fish, but likely an ancient arthropod. The confusion, it turns out, is understandable. Sensory armor evolved in both vertebrates and invertebrates, and it often looks strikingly similar under the microscope. That's because both groups developed ways to sense their environment using nerve-connected structures embedded in hard outer coverings — whether it was fish skin or crab shell. To compare these features more broadly, the team scanned fossils and modern specimens ranging from snails and barnacles to sharks and catfish. One discovery stood out: suckermouth catfish raised in Haridy's own lab had small tooth-like scales on their skin — called denticles — that were directly connected to nerves. These denticles, like the ancient odontodes and arthropod sensilla, weren't just armor — they were sensory tools. 'We think that the earliest vertebrates, these big, armored fish, had very similar structures,' Haridy said. 'They look the same in ancient and modern arthropods because they're all making this mineralized layer that caps their soft tissue and helps them sense the environment.' This research also adds weight to a key theory in evolutionary biology. Called the "outside-in" hypothesis, the theory suggests that teeth evolved from external sensory structures like these. In other words, long before animals had mouths full of teeth, they had sensitive armor that helped them survive. While they didn't pin down the earliest vertebrate fish, Neil Shubin, the senior author of the study, said this discovery was more than worth the effort. 'For some of these fossils that were putative early vertebrates, we showed that they're not. But that was a bit of misdirection,' he said. 'We didn't find the earliest one, but in some ways, we found something way cooler.' The study has been published in the journal Nature.
