Types of Quarries
1. Surface Quarries
- Materials are extracted from the surface of the earth.
- Types:
- Open-pit quarries: Large, open excavations where materials are mined from the top.
- Strip mines: Long, narrow excavations where overburden (soil and rock) is removed to expose the underlying material.
2. Underground Quarries
- Materials are extracted from underground.
- Types:
- Room-and-pillar mines: Underground tunnels with supports (pillars) left to hold up the roof.
- Longwall mines: Underground excavations where a continuous mining machine cuts a wide swath of material.
3. Marine Quarries
- Materials are extracted from the seabed.
- Types:
- Dredging: Using a machine to remove sand and gravel from the bottom of bodies of water.
- Trawling: Using a net to collect materials from the seabed.
4. Dimensional Stone Quarries
- Extract large blocks of natural stone, such as marble, granite, and limestone, for use in construction and decorative purposes.
- Types:
- Open-face quarries: Single, large excavations where materials are extracted from the face of a mountain or cliff.
- Underground quarries: Underground excavations where materials are extracted with minimal disturbance to the surface.
5. Aggregate Quarries
- Extract crushed stone, gravel, and sand for use in construction, road building, and other industrial purposes.
- Types:
- Open-pit quarries: Similar to open-pit mines, but smaller and focus on extracting aggregate materials.
- Riverbed quarries: Extract materials from dry or low-flow areas of rivers.
6. Precious Metal Quarries
- Extract precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum, from the earth.
- Types:
- Surface mines: Similar to open-pit quarries, but focus on extracting precious metals.
- Underground mines: Similar to underground quarries, but focus on extracting precious metals.
7. Industrial Mineral Quarries
- Extract industrial minerals, such as clay, gypsum, and phosphates, for use in manufacturing and various industries.
- Types:
- Open-pit quarries: Similar to open-pit mines, but focus on extracting industrial minerals.
- Underground quarries: Similar to underground quarries, but focus on extracting industrial minerals.