Introduction to ‘Aggregates 101’

The Pit & Quarry Operations Handbook is designed to provide an overview of the aggregates mining process and the business of running a crushed-stone quarry or sand-and-gravel operation. This is basically “Aggregates 101,” with several additional tips from industry experts.

The first Handbook was published in 1907, nine years before Pit & Quarry magazine first debuted. Published from time to time through the following decades, the Handbook was a textbook-style resource guide. It has since become a source for basic industry information that has helped industry managers, new hires, students and others learn about the business of producing aggregates for roadbuilding, construction and other end uses. Several copies of this publication are on their way to universities with mine-engineering curriculums.

Beginning with the 2000 edition of the Handbook, this information has been made available online as Pit & Quarry University, where it still educates website visitors.

We would like to thank the dozens of companies, agencies, associations and individuals who contributed their time, resources, information, photos and more. And a special thank you goes out to our offical Handbook sponsor, Kleemann, and the other advertisers who have made this edition of the Handbook possible.

A team of editors with decades of industry experience helped to put this all together, and I offer thanks to them, as well as the Pit & Quarry team for taking on this large project.

This year’s edition features a great deal of new information, including a Business chapter (beginning on page 208), which offers tips on the business side of running a crushed-stone or sand-and-gravel operation.

In addition to this print edition of the Handbook and the online Pit & Quarry University, keep your eyes open for an eBook version coming soon.

We begin with an Industry Overview from Gus Edwards, former president and CEO of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association.