Obligations of the Industry

Limestone is processed into useable products at the site where it is quarried. Strict engineering requirements require the limestone to be subjected to crushing and screening to meet product specifications. This mining and processing activity is tightly controlled to reduce its environmental impact and is monitored by federal and state regulatory agencies.

The primary environmental considerations are (1) control of dust emissions into the air; (2) control of storm water erosion; and (3) reclamation of mined land. All of these can be addressed in a responsible manner. For example, recent figures released by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources show that crushed stone operations generate only 0.4% of the air emissions reported by all regulated facilities in the state.

The quarry operator must also give attention to community concerns, such as truck traffic patterns, noise, and blasting.