Back in the good ol' days of 1907, The first quarry industry "Handbook" was published. History shows it was brought to market by a small company out of Chicago, which in the 1920s was acquired by Pit & Quarry Publications, owners of Pit & Quarry, an industry magazine then just a little over a decade old. Read More.
Chapter 1: Industry Overview Crushed stone, sand and gravel are the foundations of our nation. These basic resources are essential for building roads, houses, schools and hospitals. Providing more than 117,000 jobs nationwide at approximately 10,000 operations, the U.S. aggregate industry supplies construction materials critical in building and maintaining airports, railroads and the world's safest and most efficient highway system. More... Take the Quiz
Chapter 2: Geology
Crushed stone, and sand and gravel, are the main types of natural aggregate used in the United States. Aggregate is used in nearly all residential, commercial, and industrial building construction and in most public-works projects such as roads and highways, bridges, railroad beds, dams, airports, water and sewer systems, and tunnels. More... Take the Quiz
Chapter 3: Site Selection
There are three major considerations that are a prerequisite to opening a new aggregate plant: 1) Supply and demand in the local market area; 2) the type of deposit to be mined and the processes required to mine it; and 3) obtaining the permits necessary to operate the site. More... Take the Quiz
Chapter 4: Plant Design
There are many plant-engineering options to consider, both when setting up an aggregates plant from scratch, and when evaluating an existing plant in terms of its efficiency and profitability. Using quality components from the start often prevents problems later. More... Take the Quiz
Chapter 5: Computers/Automation
In the past, aggregates plants were mechanical in nature, with plant operations such as crushing, screening and conveying functioning separately and manually. Over the past two decades, however, automation has provided a two- to 10-time increase in productivity in many different aspects of an aggregate plant's operations. More... Take the Quiz
Chapter 6: Drilling
When considering drilling in a quarry environment, it is important to analyze not the present needs of the operation, but also the growth path the site will take in succeeding years. More... Take the Quiz
Chapter 7: Blasting
Blasting is an area that has come under very strict scrutiny in the post-9/11 work environment. Blasting is heavily regulated and watched by federal and local agencies. More... Take the Quiz
Chapter 8: Loading/Excavating
Aggregate processing may begin with drilling and blasting, but blasted material isn't going anywhere until it is moved from the muckpile to the processing plant. This is often accomplished using loaders and excavators. If this stage of the process is not planned effectively, it will likely have an impact on conveying, crushing and screening efficiencies. More... Take the Quiz
Chapter 9: Off-Road Hauling
The heavy lifting, so to speak, in a quarry operation is performed by haul trucks. The main job of a haul truck in a quarry environment is transporting material from the quarry face to the primary crusher. More... Take the Quiz
Chapter 10: Crushing
Crushing is the critical first step in the production process, as opposed to blasting, which is the critical first step in the "reduction" process. The industry is moving toward larger primary crushers as production capacity objectives increase. More... Take the Quiz
Chapter 11: Secondary Breaking
Hydraulic breakers are powerful, productive machines used to break a variety of materials in a multitude of applications. Among the most challenging environments for breakers is the quarry, where breakers may be tasked to reduce a pile of oversized boulders or even tackle primary breaking responsibilities. More... Take the Quiz
Chapter 12: Portable Plants/Recycling The major advantage that a portable plant, either wheeled or track-mounted, has over a stationary plant is 1) the ability to locate the plant in close proximity to the deposit, and 2) the ease with which a producer is able to change locations in order to stay close to where the final product is needed. More... Take the Quiz
Chapter 13: Material Handling/Conveying
In the pit-and-quarry industry, not all material is of the same consistency and value. The equipment needed to move it efficiently and profitably varies, and savvy producers study their operation and buy equipment suited to the task at hand. More...
Chapter 14: Screening An aggregate operation is one big, unbroken chain with screening being the link to high-capacity, multiple-product output. Its function in the processing flow is twofold: to size and separate material ahead of crushing or washing circuits; and to size and separate material in preparation for final product stockpiling. More... Take the Quiz
Chapter 15: Washing/Classifying
Sand has had a long and useful history for mankind. For example, sand was used as early as 6,000 B.C. to grind and polish stones that made tools shaper. Around 3,000 B.C., the first glass beads appeared in Egypt, made in a process that used melted sand. More... Take the Quiz
Chapter 16: Vehicle Scales
For aggregate producers, the decision to purchase a vehicle scale requires consideration of a number of factors. Most businesses find the purchase of a vehicle scale to be a significant investment and one that requires substantial research to ensure the scale purchased will provide a satisfactory return on their investment. More... Take the Quiz
Chapter 17: Components
Components, such as idlers, motors and bearings are important in plant operations. There are many options for these types of components, depending upon the kind of equipment being used. Take the Quiz
Chapter 18: Oils and Lubes
When considering the importance of reliability in lubricant performance, there is always room for improvement when it comes to house-keeping issues with. Keeping lubricants in machinery clean can be compared to the work of the kidneys in the human body. When the blood is efficiently cleaned, the body runs efficiently and lasts longer. More... Take the Quiz
Chapter 19: Off-Highway Tires
Tires play a major role in any quarry's productivity and, ultimately, its profitability. Simply by knowing and observing simple basic tire facts and techniques a quarry can make a noticeable difference in the life of its tires and the performance they deliver while in operation. More... Take the Quiz
Chapter 20: On-Road Hauling
If your aggregates operation is in the market for an on-road truck, such as a rear-dump truck, it's important to do your homework. Unlike some other vocations, dump-truck specifications are very regionalized. What works in one area of the country will not work in another. More... Take the Quiz
As a way to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens has proposed investing billions to harness wind power in the Great Plains states. Do you agree with his plan?
