Producing and Transporting Aggregate
Every state except Delaware produces crushed stone, and all 50 states produce sand and gravel. To keep up with the ever-increasing demand, the aggregate industry has evolved from a relatively inefficient, hand-power oriented process to a highly mechanized, efficient industry. Aggregate production essentially turns big rocks into little rocks and carefully sorts them by size. Excavating crushed stone or sand and gravel is dependent on the geologic characteristics and the extent and thickness of the deposit. Open-pit mining and quarrying methods commonly are used, although some stone is mined underground.
Aggregate production continues to become more mechanized and efficient
Quarrying and mining stone generally requires drilling and controlled blasting before the rock is extracted with power shovels, bulldozers, and draglines. Sand and gravel deposits commonly are excavated with conventional earth-moving equipment such as bulldozers, front-end loaders, and tractor scrapers, but may be excavated from streams or water-filled pits with draglines or from barges that use hydraulic or ladder dredges.
Processing of quarried rock and large gravel may require crushing, depending on the requirements for the final product. After crushing, the aggregate is sorted to size. Silt and clay are removed by washing. At this stage, aggregate commonly is moved by conveyors to bins or is stockpiled by size. Finally, aggregate is loaded on trucks, railcars, barges, or freighters for shipment to the site of use.
Reclamation, returning the land to a beneficial use, is the final step of aggregate production. The rock outcrops and water in some quarries provide a natural setting that fulfills a demand for scenic, lake-front property. Reclaimed pits or quarries have been converted to many uses including residential developments, recreational areas, wildlife areas, botanical gardens, golf courses, farmland, industrial and commercial properties, storm-water management, office parks, and landfills. Reclamation commonly is planned before mining begins, allowing the pit or quarry to be developed in a manner that facilitates final reclamation.
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The Hidden Costs and Benefits
Quarry Aggregate Producing and Costs in USA
Many urban areas grow without any consideration of the presence of a resource or an analysis of the impact of its loss. In addition to covering valuable undeveloped aggregate resources, urban growth often encroaches upon established aggregate operations. Some residents in the vicinity of pits and quarries object to the dust, noise, and truck traffic associated with an aggregate operation. Other citizens may object because they are not aware of the communitys need for aggregate or because their personal need for aggregate materials is minor. This? not in my back yard? syndrome may restrict aggregate development. In addition, local regulations may prohibit mining.
Natural aggregate, especially sand and gravel, commonly occurs in areas that are also favorable for other land uses. Prime aggregate resources are precluded from development if permanent structures such as roads, parking lots, houses, or other buildings, are built over them. Once development has occurred, the value of the improvements probably will permanently prevent any further development of aggregate at that location. As a result, new aggregate operations may be located long distances from the markets. The additional expense of the longer transport of resources must be passed on to consumers.
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