Criteria for quarry development in southeastern Ontario

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 82, No. 922, 1989

C.P. Verschuren, and P.W. Kingston, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, W.F. Caley, Technical University of Nova Scotia

In recent years, there has been rapid growth in the use of natural stone building and construction products. The largest growing markets are for pre-fabricated natural stone panels for interior and exterior wall facing and flooring. This increased demand is attributed to advanced quarrying and processing technologies, renewed appreciation for the aesthetic appeal of natural stone, and to the superior durability of natural stone when compared to glass, steel, and concrete. Geologically, plutonic rocks, and to a lesser extent marble and limestone/dolostone, are used extensively for these applications. This paper details the economic structure of the dimension stone industry, describes the necessary characteristics of a stone quarry, and outlines the geological criteria which favour an economic quarry.

Keywords: Dimension stone, Granite, Marble, Sheeting, Jointing, Waste utilization, Geology, Quarry