RECLAMATION SUCCESS

Operated by Martin Marietta, the Anderson Creek Quarry is located 12 miles northwest of Richmond, Virginia. The quarry is an open pit surface mining operation. Granite is drilled and blasted from the pit and crushed in the plant to produce construction aggregates for the surrounding community.

The state of Virginia has recognized Anderson Creek Quarry for a successful environmental project. The creek relocation effort was honored with 2004 Overall Winner and Best Reclamation – Quarry awards from the Virginia Aggregates Association and the Virginia Department of Mineral Mines. It was also nominated for the 2005 Interstate Mining Compact Commission Reclamation Award in the non-coal minerals category.  

As a smaller site, roughly 162 acres, every inch of usable ground at Anderson Creek is valuable. In 2002, the quarry requested government approval to relocate approximately 2,150 linear feet of Anderson Creek, a seasonal stream flowing along the edge of the property, to create access to an

additional 11 years of reserves.  The creek project included moving the existing streambed, planting trees and grasses, and creating a habitat for native plants and animals. When the task was over, Company employees had successfully recreated the creek.

The stream relocation project allowed the company to develop a valuable resource while maintaining a natural habitat for the plants and animals in the Anderson Creek watershed. In addition to developing additional reserves relocating the creek helped complete reclamation of two overburden disposal areas on the permit.

Moving Anderson Creek involved many people, including Martin Marietta environmental engineers, quarry employees, local contractors and government agencies. All of these elements worked together to provide a natural habitat for plants and animals.

Photos from Martin Marietta Website and IMCC