What Is a Rock Quarry?

A rock quarry is one type of mine not located underground. The quarry is usually in an area known to be abundant in particular rocks or formations of rocks. The terms "rock quarry" and "gravel pit" are often confused or used interchangeably.
Mining of most rocks is for use in construction projects. Rock quarries are located around the globe. A quarry usually has a heavy concentration of one particular type of rock like limestone, slate, granite or marble.

Mining the Rocks

• A rock mine is much easier to excavate than other types of mines. Rock mines begin as shallow pits and grow larger as the rock is withdrawn. These mines are mostly above ground level and are commonly about 60 feet deep. While quarries normally yield rocks, they also contain minerals.
  When the mining goal is the production of dimension rock, excavation must be a painstaking effort to preserve the integrity of the rock. On the other hand, when mining gravel from a pit, explosives break up the rock before the trucks come in to claim the resulting stone.

Types of Quarries

• There are 2 types of rock quarries: Those with dimension stone, which defines large slabs of rock that will become floor and counter tiles, walkway flagstones, slate roofs and counter tops; and those with gravel and small particle stone, which are available in "pits" and are used in landscaping projects, gravel roads, drainage near house foundations or weed control around plantings.
  A quarry is a profitable operation, but it also serves many other purposes of an educational nature. Both rocks and minerals are available for mining. The quarry may contain layered rock or soft rock (limestone, sandstone) that sheds a fine powder.

Uncle Sam's Quarries

• There are rock quarries that belong to the government and they need workers, too. Members of the military work these mines as U.S. Army rock quarry specialists. The military is always building or remodeling. A rock quarry specialist may receive an assignment to any number of construction projects requiring rock or aggregate materials from a quarry.

Fascination

• Rock quarries are fascinating places to observe. They can also be educational in nature. Some quarries are notable for their interactive activities and others have museums and studios that are open to the touring public.
  One such place is Rock of Ages Mine located in Barre, Vermont. Rock of Ages is more than 100 years old. The original owners believed that companies would be loyal clients if they were gently educated. Their clients purchase granite for graveside memorials.
  In the interest of education, the granite mining operation now includes a public train ride through the quarry. Following this is a visit to the amphitheatre for a multimedia show explaining the process of granite mining. No one leaves this granite rock quarry empty handed. Your visit ends in the carving workshop where you learn to carve into a piece of granite--and then bring it home as a souvenir.

Security is for Public Safety

• Due to the nature of a quarry and the fact that it is an active mining operation, certain precautions must be taken. One such condition is security. Some quarries are surrounded by moats and fencing while others resemble a fortress; they are walled and guarded. The public should not be able to stumble into the mine and sustain injury.
  When a mine become non-productive, it is subject to closure or abandonment. The site is abandoned and often unsecured. Some quarries fill with water from the rain and the ground. These former rock quarries become an attractive swimming hole for youngsters who are on school vacation.
  The rock quarry can also become a death trap when the depth of the water, its contents and its source are unknown. The ideal scenario is that the community takes over the site, treats it to eliminate any toxins, grades it to control depth and establishes a community recreation area that includes a safe swimming area.