# Quarry > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Quarry > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Quarry.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarry > Source revision: 1343018595 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Place where geological material has been excavated For other uses, see [Quarry (disambiguation)](/source/Quarry_(disambiguation)). Not to be confused with [Query](/source/Query_(disambiguation)). This article needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Quarry" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2007) (Learn how and when to remove this message) [A quarry at Carrara](/source/Carrara_marble) in [Tuscany](/source/Tuscany), Italy A [Portland stone](/source/Portland_stone) quarry on the [Isle of Portland](/source/Isle_of_Portland), England An abandoned [construction aggregate](/source/Construction_aggregate) quarry near [Adelaide](/source/Adelaide), South Australia An abandoned [construction aggregate](/source/Construction_aggregate) quarry with [turquoise](/source/Turquoise_(color)) pond near [Thouars](/source/Thouars), France An abandoned stone quarry in [Kerala](/source/Kerala), India Stone quarry in [Soignies](/source/Soignies), [Hainaut (province)](/source/Hainaut_(province)), Belgium [Matera](/source/Matera) quarry in [Basilicata](/source/Basilicata), Italy Donnerkuhle Quarry, near Hagen, Germany [Prospect Quarry gap](/source/Prospect_Hill_(New_South_Wales)) in [Sydney](/source/Sydney), Australia A **quarry** is a place where rock and earth materials—like limestone, granite, marble, sand, and gravel—are excavated. The operation of quarries is regulated in some jurisdictions to manage their safety risks and reduce their environmental impact.[1][2] ## History Stone industry is one of the oldest in the world. Creation of [stone tools](/source/Stone_tool) ([microliths](/source/Microlith) industry) in the region of South Africa has been dated to about 60,000–70,000 years ago.[3] Granite and marble mining has existed as far back as [ancient Egypt](/source/Ancient_Egypt).[4] Crushed stone was used extensively by the first great road building civilizations, such as [ancient Greece](/source/Ancient_Greece) and [ancient Rome](/source/Ancient_Rome).[5] In the eighteenth century, the use of drilling and blasting operations was mastered.[6] ## Stone industry **Stone industry** refers to the part of the [primary sector of the economy](/source/Primary_sector_of_the_economy), similar to the [mining industry](/source/Mining_industry), but concerned with excavations of [stones](/source/Stone), in particular [granite](/source/Granite), [marble](/source/Marble), [slate](/source/Slate) and [sandstone](/source/Sandstone). Other products of the industry include [crushed stone](/source/Crushed_stone) and [dimension stone](/source/Dimension_stone). ## Types of rock Types of rock extracted from quarries include: - [Chalk](/source/Chalk) - Chert - [China clay](/source/China_clay) - [Cinder](/source/Scoria) - [Clay](/source/Clay) - [Coal](/source/Coal) - [Construction aggregate](/source/Construction_aggregate) ([sand](/source/Sand) and [gravel](/source/Gravel)) - [Coquina](/source/Coquina) - [Diabase](/source/Diabase) - Flint - [Gabbro](/source/Gabbro) - [Granite](/source/Granite) - [Gritstone](/source/Gritstone) - [Gypsum](/source/Gypsum) - [Limestone](/source/Limestone) - [Marble](/source/Marble) - [Ores](/source/Ore) - [Phosphate rock](/source/Phosphate_rock) - [Quartz](/source/Quartz) - [Sandstone](/source/Sandstone) - [Slate](/source/Slate) - [Travertine](/source/Travertine) ## Methods of quarrying See also: [Surface mining](/source/Surface_mining) The method of removal of stones from their natural bed by using different operations is called quarrying. Methods of quarrying include: - [Digging](/source/Digging) – This method is used when the quarry consists of small and soft pieces of stones. - Heating – This method is used when the natural rock bed is horizontal and small in thickness. - Wedging – This method is used when the hard rock consists of natural fissure. When natural fissures are absent then artificial fissures are prepared by drilling holes. - [Blasting](/source/Drilling_and_blasting) – It is the process of removing stone using controlled explosives placed in drilled holes. Line of least resistance plays a very important role in the blasting process. The following steps are used in the blasting process: - [Drilling](/source/Drilling) holes – Blast holes are drilled by using drilling machines. - Charging – Explosive powders are fed into the cleaned & dried blast holes. - [Tamping](/source/Tamping) – The remaining portion of the blast holes are filled by clay, ash, fuse and wirings. - Firing – The fuses of blasting holes are fired by using electrical power supply or match sticks. ## Slabs Many quarry stones such as [marble](/source/Marble), [granite](/source/Granite), [limestone](/source/Limestone), and [sandstone](/source/Sandstone) are cut into larger slabs and removed from the quarry. The surfaces are polished and finished with varying degrees of sheen or [luster](/source/Lustre_(mineralogy)). Polished slabs are often cut into [tiles](/source/Tile) or [countertops](/source/Countertop) and installed in many kinds of residential and commercial properties. Natural stone quarried from the earth is often considered a luxury and tends to be a highly durable surface, thus highly desirable. ## Problems Extraction work in a marble quarry in [Carrara](/source/Carrara), Italy Quarries in level areas that are located in flat terrain or in places where groundwater sits close to the surface often face significant drainage challenges [groundwater](/source/Groundwater) or which are located close to surface water often have [engineering](/source/Engineering) problems with [drainage](/source/Drainage). Generally the water is removed by pumping while the quarry is operational, but for high inflows more complex approaches may be required. For example, the [Coquina quarry](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Coquina_quarry&action=edit&redlink=1) is excavated to more than 60 feet (18 m) below sea level. To reduce surface leakage, a [moat](/source/Moat) lined with [clay](/source/Clay) was constructed around the entire quarry. [Groundwater](/source/Groundwater) entering the pit is pumped up into the moat. As a quarry becomes deeper, water inflows generally increase and it also becomes more expensive to lift the water higher during removal; this can become the limiting factor in quarry depth. Some water-filled quarries are worked from beneath the water, by dredging. Many people and municipalities consider quarries to be eyesores and require various abatement methods to address problems with noise, dust, and appearance. A well-known effective and famous example of successful quarry restoration is [Butchart Gardens](/source/Butchart_Gardens) in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.[7] A further problem is pollution of roads from trucks leaving the quarries. To control and restrain the pollution of public roads, [wheel washing systems](/source/Wheel_washing_system) are becoming more common. ### Quarry lakes Main article: [Quarry lake](/source/Quarry_lake) Many quarries naturally fill with water after abandonment and become [lakes](/source/Lake). Others are made into [landfills](/source/Landfill). Water-filled quarries can be very deep, often 50 ft (15 m) or more, and surprisingly cold, so swimming in quarry lakes is generally not recommended. Unexpectedly cold water can cause a swimmer's muscles to suddenly weaken; it can also cause [shock](/source/Shock_(circulatory)) and even [hypothermia](/source/Hypothermia).[8] Though quarry water is often very clear, submerged quarry stones, abandoned equipment, dead animals and strong currents make diving into these quarries extremely dangerous. Several people drown in quarries each year.[9][10] However, many inactive quarries are converted into safe swimming sites.[11][12] Such lakes, even lakes within active quarries, can provide important habitat for animals.[13] An abandoned limestone quarry in Rummu, Estonia ## See also - [Automated mining](/source/Automated_mining) - [Building material](/source/Building_material#Stone_or_rock) - [Clay pit](/source/Clay_pit) - [Coal mining](/source/Coal_mining) - [Collecting fossils](/source/Collecting_fossils) - [Dry stone](/source/Dry_stone) - [Fair Stone standard](/source/Fair_Stone_standard) - [Gravel pit](/source/Gravel_pit) - [List of minerals](/source/List_of_minerals) - [List of quarries](/source/List_of_quarries) - [List of quarries in the United States](/source/List_of_quarries_in_the_United_States) - [List of rock types](/source/List_of_rock_types) - [List of stones](/source/List_of_stone) - [Miner](/source/Miner) - [Mining](/source/Mining) - [Mountaintop removal mining](/source/Mountaintop_removal_mining) - [Opencast mining](/source/Opencast_mining) - [Quarries (biblical)](/source/Quarries_(biblical)) - [Quarry lake](/source/Quarry_lake) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Quarrying English View"](https://www.epiroc.com/en-us/applications/construction/quarrying-and-surface-construction/quarrying). *epiroc.com*. Retrieved 2026-02-06. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** US EPA, OW (2014-03-10). ["Mineral Mining and Processing Effluent Guidelines"](https://www.epa.gov/eg/mineral-mining-and-processing-effluent-guidelines). *US EPA*. Retrieved 2020-06-30. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-AndreaMcGeough2011_3-0)** [Alfred J. Andrea](/source/Alfred_J._Andrea); Kevin McGeough; William E. Mierse; Mark Aldenderfer; Carolyn Neel (28 February 2011). [*World History Encyclopedia*](https://books.google.com/books?id=saMDq9eARUcC&pg=PA145). ABC-CLIO. p. 145. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-85109-929-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-85109-929-0). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Nemerow2009_4-0)** Nelson L. Nemerow (27 January 2009). [*Environmental Engineering: Environmental Health and Safety for Municipal Infrastructure, Land Use and Planning, and Industry*](https://books.google.com/books?id=VO-Unp1sFAMC&pg=PA40). John Wiley & Sons. p. 40. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-470-08305-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-470-08305-5). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Jr1995_5-0)** John J. McKetta Jr (14 November 1995). [*Encyclopedia of Chemical Processing and Design: Volume 54 – Steam Reforming: Operating Experience to Storage Tank Explosion Safeguards*](https://books.google.com/books?id=YXsPHcd7tXwC&pg=PA281). CRC Press. p. 281. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-8247-2605-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8247-2605-8). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Raymond Perrier: Les roches ornementales. Ternay (Edition Pro Roc) 2004, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [2-9508992-6-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/2-9508992-6-9), p. 443–447. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["BCMEMPR, BCMTH, and NRC. (1995). Reclamation and Environmental Protection Handbook for Sand, Gravel and Quarry Operations in British Columbia. British Columbia Ministry of Energy Mines and Petroleum Resources Ministry of Transportation and Highways Natural Resources Canada"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220121233451/https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-and-transportation/transportation-infrastructure/contracting-with-the-province/documents/archive-unoffical-tender-documents-90-days/12626-0002/t3-5-reclamation-and-environmental-protection-handbook-1995.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-and-transportation/transportation-infrastructure/contracting-with-the-province/documents/archive-unoffical-tender-documents-90-days/12626-0002/t3-5-reclamation-and-environmental-protection-handbook-1995.pdf) (PDF) on 2022-01-21. Retrieved 2020-11-03. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-ACA_8-0)** ["American Canoe Association explanation of cold shock"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120616161846/http://www.enter.net/~skimmer/coldwater.html). Enter.net. Archived from [the original](http://www.enter.net/~skimmer/coldwater.html) on 2012-06-16. Retrieved 2012-05-14. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-USDoL_9-0)** ["US Dept. of Labor list of mine related fatalities"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120309155406/http://www.msha.gov/SOSA/previousfatalstats.asp). Msha.gov. Archived from [the original](https://www.msha.gov/SOSA/previousfatalstats.asp) on 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2012-05-14. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-GEO_10-0)** ["on quarry drownings"](http://geology.com/articles/abandoned-mines.shtml). Geology.com. 2007-11-03. Retrieved 2012-05-14. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Centennial Beach - History"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220409092922/http://www.centennialbeach.org/history). *www.centennialbeach.org*. Archived from [the original](http://www.centennialbeach.org/history) on 9 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["City of Coral Gables - Venetian Pool"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220628055200/https://www.coralgables.com/departments/CommunityRecreation/venetian-pool). *www.coralgables.com*. Archived from [the original](https://www.coralgables.com/departments/CommunityRecreation/venetian-pool) on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Sievers, Michael (19 May 2017). ["Sand quarry wetlands provide high-quality habitat for native amphibians"](https://doi.org/10.5194%2Fwe-17-19-2017). *Web Ecology*. **17** (1): 19–27. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2017WEco...17...19S](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2017WEco...17...19S). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.5194/we-17-19-2017](https://doi.org/10.5194%2Fwe-17-19-2017). [hdl](/source/Hdl_(identifier)):[10072/411143](https://hdl.handle.net/10072%2F411143). S.K Duggal "Building Materials" (2003) 3rd revised edition [Quarries](https://www.atlasobscura.com/categories/quarries) ## External links - [The state of the world stone industry, 2004](http://www.stoneworld.com/articles/83006-world-stone-industry-data), Stone World - [Stone Industry Statistical Data (US)](http://www.marble-institute.com/data/) - [World statistical data](http://www.stoneworld.com/stats) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161228182508/http://www.stoneworld.com/stats) 2016-12-28 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Quarries](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Quarries). Look up ***[quarry](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Special:Search/quarry)*** in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. v t e Mining techniques Surface Open-pit Quarrying Strip Placer Dredging Hydraulic mining Mountaintop removal Sub-surface Classes Hard rock Soft rock Directions Drift Slope Shaft Bell pit Borehole Stoping Room and pillar Longwall Retreat Other Abandoned Automated Deep sea mining Prospecting Seabed mining Reclamation v t e Stonemasonry Types Ashlar Rustication Carving Dry stone Letter cutting Masonry Post-tensioned stone Massive precut stone Monumental Rubble Sculpture Slipform Snecked Materials Artificial stone Brick Cast stone Decorative stones Dimension stone Fieldstone Flagstone Gabion Granite Grout Lime mortar Limestone Marble Types Mortar Sandstone List Slate Stone veneer Tools Angle grinder Bush hammer Ceramic tile cutter Chisel Diamond blade Lewis (lifting appliance) Trowel Non-explosive demolition agents Plug and feather Stonemason's hammer Straightedge Techniques Flaming Flushwork Knapping Polygonal masonry Repointing Scabbling Tuckpointing Veneer Brickwork Wythe Products Castle Hardstone carving Headstone (Footstone) Mosaic Sculpture Stone wall Machicolation Organizations International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland Mason Contractors Association of America Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association Worshipful Company of Masons v t e Human impact on the environment General Anthropocene Ecological footprint Environmental impact assessment Environmental issues list of issues Human impact on marine life List of global issues Impact assessment Planetary boundaries Social ecology (ethics) Causes Causes of climate change Agriculture animal agriculture cannabis cultivation irrigation meat production cocoa production palm oil (US) Bitcoin AI Corporate behavior Deforestation and climate change Energy industry biofuels biodiesel coal electricity energy fashion fracking (US) nuclear power oil shale petroleum reservoirs transportation Genetic pollution Environmental crime Explosives Industrialisation Land use Manufacturing cleaning agents concrete fashion plastics nanotechnology paint paper pesticides pharmaceuticals and personal care Marine life fishing fishing down the food web marine pollution overfishing Mining Overconsumption Groundwater depletion Overexploitation Overgrazing Particulates Pollution Quarrying Reservoirs Tourism Transportation aviation rail roads shipping Urbanization urban sprawl War Effects Biodiversity threats biodiversity loss decline in amphibian populations decline in insect populations Climate change runaway climate change in the United States Defaunation Deforestation Desertification Ecocide Ecological crisis Effects of climate change on agriculture Effects of climate change Multiple breadbasket failure Effects of climate change on livestock Environmental degradation Environmental insecurity Environmental issues in the United States Coral reefs Erosion Externalities of cars Externality Forest dieback Freshwater cycle Greenhouse gas emissions Habitat destruction Holocene extinction Nitrogen cycle Land consumption Land degradation Land surface effects on climate Loss and damage (climate change) Loss of green belts Ocean acidification Ozone depletion Phosphorus cycle Resource depletion Technofossilization Tropical cyclones and climate change Water degradation Water pollution Water scarcity Mitigation Alternative fuel vehicle propulsion Bioswale Birth control Blue roof Cleaner production Climate change mitigation Community resilience Cultured meat Cycling advocacy Decoupling Ecological engineering Ecological restoration Environmental engineering Environmental mitigation Green building Green roof Industrial ecology Mitigation banking Organic farming Rainwater harvesting Recycling Reforestation urban Renewable energy Reuse Sustainability Sustainable architecture Sustainable consumption Sustainable energy Sustainable transport Urban forest Urban forestry Waste minimization Water conservation Commons Category by country assessment mitigation Authority control databases National United States Czech Republic Spain Israel Other Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Quarry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarry) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarry?action=history)). 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