15th March 2024

Letter to Dr  Dominik Von Achten – CEO of Heidelberg Cement

Dr von Achten,

Congratulations on your €22 Billion revenue for 2022. I know that your 2023 results are due shortly and you must be excited about your continued growth and predominance in the market. 

You probably know little of the history of South Wales mineral extraction and may care even less about the consequences of your actions. If you were to take a walk to the top of Craig-yr-Hesg you could ponder for a moment to marvel at the views (assuming you were facing south) before turning your eyes to the gaping, consuming entity behind you as it extends ever closer to homes and schools making the dangers of dust, noise and a blighted green space even more significant to the unfortunate residents of Glyncoch. Perhaps you could also run a quick calculation of the glorious sums of money that are going to be generated as a result of extracting a further 15.8 million tons of rock over the next few years.

From where you were standing you would only have to travel a few miles up the valley to Aberfan or even glance across the valley to see the former site of the Albion Colliery at Cilfynydd or up the hillside in the direction of Sengenydd on the other side of Eglwysilan . These place names may mean nothing to you in Heidelberg but they leave an indelible, collective memory on the communities of South Wales. 

You see, the South Wales Valleys, with their rich history and natural beauty, have endured centuries of despoliation, particularly evident in the Taff Valley and Heidelberg Cement (your UK subsidiary) is just the latest member of a group of remote operators who can come to take their fill of Welsh natural resources before leaving the ruins and desolation behind for the local people to contend with.

The Taff Valley, blessed with abundant natural resources, became a hub of industrial activity during the 19th and 20th centuries. Coal mining and quarrying operations proliferated, driving economic growth but exacting a heavy toll on the environment and human health. The unbridled extraction of coal and stone scarred the landscape, leaving behind derelict mine workings, spoil heaps, and quarries that continue to mar the once-pristine scenery of the valley.

I’ll attempt  to give you a little more context on those place names as they probably mean very little to you :

Aberfan Disaster:

The Aberfan disaster of October 21, 1966, stands as a stark reminder of the catastrophic consequences of unchecked industrial activity. A colliery waste tip collapsed, burying the village primary school and claiming the lives of 144 people, most of them children. The tragedy shook the nation and exposed the negligent practices of extraction operators, who prioritized profit over safety. The Aberfan disaster remains a poignant symbol of human folly and the devastating impact of environmental despoliation on communities.

Senghenydd Disaster:

In the annals of mining history, the Senghenydd disaster of October 14, 1913, occupies a place of infamy. An underground explosion at the Universal Colliery resulted in the deaths of 439 miners, making it the deadliest mining accident in British history. The Senghenydd disaster laid bare the harsh realities of coal mining, characterized by hazardous working conditions, inadequate safety measures, and corporate indifference to the well-being of workers. The tragedy left an indelible mark on Welsh society, highlighting the human cost of industrial exploitation.

Albion Colliery Disaster:

The Albion Colliery disaster of 1894 stands as another somber chapter in the history of the Taff Valley. A catastrophic underground explosion claimed the lives of 290 miners, plunging families and communities into mourning. The disaster underscored the inherent dangers of coal mining and the urgent need for improved safety standards and regulatory oversight. Yet, despite the tragic loss of life, the wheels of industrial exploitation continued to turn, perpetuating a cycle of despoliation and human suffering.

Bearing in mind, these three disasters all happened within a few miles of Craig-yr-Hesg, there are many, many other instances I could call on.

While coal mining has garnered much attention for its environmental and human toll, the dangers of quarrying, particularly in terms of dust exposure, cannot be overlooked. As you are well aware, quarrying operations generate vast quantities of dust containing harmful particles such as silica, which can cause respiratory diseases such as silicosis and exacerbate existing lung conditions. Moreover, airborne dust poses a threat to the health and well-being of nearby communities, contributing to respiratory ailments and reducing overall quality of life.

The despoliation of the Taff Valley, epitomized by tragedies such as the Aberfan, Senghenydd and Albion Colliery disasters, serves as a stark reminder of the perils of unchecked industrialization and environmental degradation. Additionally, the dangers of quarrying, particularly in terms of dust exposure, underscore the urgent need to safeguard both the environment and human health. As we confront the legacies of the past and strive for a more sustainable future, it is imperative to learn from these tragedies and prioritize the well-being of both the land and its inhabitants. Only through collective action and responsible stewardship can we ensure that the Taff Valley, and indeed all of Wales, thrives for generations to come.

Although you may minimize the risk your operations are causing to the people of Pontypridd , to quote from the appeal “The dust assessments concluded that the potential impacts associated with both the continuation of existing activities and the proposed extension would be slight adverse at most. “

“The proposed extension is deemed acceptable in terms of human health, as air quality objectives outside the site will continue to be met.” – these statements and many others in the report echo the false assurances that have been given to the the people of this valley over the centuries of exploitation.

We can’t be sure that, in future generations, the name of Heidelberg will become synonymous with another man-made extraction disaster that could have been foreseen and avoided. The scarring you will leave behind will always be your legacy. However, I fear that Craig-yr-Hesg, to you, is just another entry in your balance sheet and something that can easily be discounted and forgotten about in a few years time.

Haven’t you taken enough, the quarry has been operating for over 130 years, the last expansion, granted more than 25 years ago was stated to be the last. Would you or the people of Heidelberg permit a quarry within 164 meters of a school or within a mile of downtown – of course not, then why should the people of Pontypridd have to .

Dr von Achten, Please reconsider this decision and leave behind something of the beauty of Craig-yr-Hesg for future generations to cherish and enjoy.

Finally, to give you a little more context on the reign of destruction and impact you are about to unleash, I’ve included a list of the animal and plant species found at Craig-yr-Hesg that will suffer irreparable harm.

Sincerely, 

Rob Peterson

yrhesgcraig@gmail.com