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Vulcan Construction Materials’ Lawrenceville Quarry is an excellent example of the
conscientious use of environmental control and concurrent reclamation to minimize the
impacts of mining on its surroundings. Located in Brunswick County, Virginia, the facility
is one of the State’s eastern most quarries. The company supplies the coastal plains
of Virginia and North Carolina with granite aggregates ranging in size from quarry sand to
sixteen-ton riprap boulders. The Lawrenceville Quarry was nominated for the 2001
Interstate Mining Compact Commission’s reclamation aware. The operation won the
annual reclamation aware sponsored by the Virginia Aggregates Association and the Virginia
Division of Mineral Mining.
 New wetlands
lie between the edge of the bank and
the old farm pond in the background
Mature vegetation around the base of a disposal area
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Over the years this quarry has put a tremendous amount of time,
effort and money into protection of the environment. This operation, and its overburden
disposal piles, is bordered on nearly all sides by streams and wetlands. The company has
developed and maintained good management practices that have effectively controlled runoff
and prevented sedimentation of neighboring sensitive areas. As soon as each new disposal
site is cleared of vegetation, approved sediment control facilities are constructed to
control and treat all runoff from the area. As material is placed in these fills, berms
are maintained around the top edge of all out slopes to prevent runoff and slope erosion
from the top surface of the fill. Seeding and planting are started within seven days of
completing grading in new wetlands areas. A special wildlife mix is used in its
revegetation efforts. It is intended to attract deer turkey, doves, quail and a variety of
songbirds.
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The Lawrenceville Quarry is in a rural environment. The area surrounding the
quarry consists of farms, streams, wetlands and forests. The post-mining land uses chosen
for this site not only compliment the surrounding environment, but also will provide both
ecologic and economic value for the community, the quarry and the company. The reclamation
that has been completed has provided habitat for a number of wildlife species in the
surrounding area. It has reduced the company’s operating expenses by eliminating the
need for regular maintenance within those areas that have been reclaimed and it will
provide a return on the investment put into the reclamation by showing neighbors,
regulatory agencies, and other concerned parties that the company operates responsibly and
is a good steward of the land. |
One of the 16 sediment ponds |
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