AROUND 150,000 trees are to be planted on old mining land in the Clay Country by minerals giant Imerys in the next three years as part of its nature restoration work.

Imerys will be creating new woodlands and opening up more footpaths for the benefit of the community through the scheme which has received funding from the government.

The company is working in conjunction with Cornwall Council and the Forestry Commission on the project.

As part of the scheme, Imerys waste recycling and planning manager Sean Simpson visited Whitemoor Academy in Whitemoor to talk to the schoolchildren and listen to their views.

Sean, who is heading up the project, went along to the primary school with local ecologist Bob Bosisto.

Through work previously undertaken by Imerys, substantial restoration of more than 75 hectares across Dubbers Dam, an old mine just outside of Roche, has taken place.

After backfilling the mine with tailings (rocks and sand), compostable-type waste was then mixed with sand and used to create a new soil layer. This was then sprayed with a mix of grass and wildflower seeds, creating a biodiverse habitat which is home to a range of wildlife including red deer, skylarks, little-ringed plover and honey bees.

Sean said: “We were very impressed with how much the children knew about mining! Over the next months, we look forward to hearing their ideas about how we can improve the restored areas, and we will be taking them up to have a look around and even plant a few trees with us!”

Bob, who told the pupils about animals he studies at the site, said: “We are lucky to have rare species such as dormice up at Dubbers already, so the diversity will only improve as we plant more trees and, maybe, introduce beehives next year.

“We are really looking forward to showing the children around and seeing what they think we should do next.”

Imerys has given the school 30 trees to plant in its field. Before Christmas, small groups of pupils will be taken up to see the Dubbers Dam site and help with some tree planting.