Environmental protection
The Chinese government recognises the need to protect the country’s environment. They have introduced policies to reduce air and water pollution, waste control, and to protect and increase the forest areas; since 2015 since 2015 the Chinese government closed all existing slate quarries. All new operators must submit new applications inclusive mining design, environmental protection, health and safety measures. Prosper Slate and China Slate always put environmental considerations and the method of quarrying at the top of the list when choosing potential quarry sites.
Crucially for those living in the slate quarry areas, the government has forbidden farming on land that slopes more than 25 degrees. Instead, trees will be planted in these areas to generate more forests. Although this has clear benefits for the environment, it has also placed an increased strain on village farming.
Since the early nineties, Fergus Liu, founder of China Slate Limited, has attended many important Chinese policy conferences in Beijing and other Chinese cities. He understood the need for socio-economic development in Western and Central China and worked closely with local government officials and state owned companies to improve the standard of living within villages whilst continuing to protect the environment. The promotion to use natural roofing slate is a way of reducing CO2 emission.
Investing in people and infrastructure
China Slate and Prosper Slate quarry provided villagers with work in the slate quarries (we don’t use child labour). The company invested much time and effort in educating and training the local people on how to quarry slate and the importance of protecting the environment. As a result, the slate quarries managed by Prosper Slate have an efficient working process. There has also been investment in transport infrastructure to these often remote locations.
