Mineral Information Institute - Reclamation Successes

NSSGA’s Environmental Eagle Gold Award

The Lafarge North America Inc. Marblehead Quarry, located in Marblehead, Ohio, on the south shore of Lake Erie is one of the largest limestone quarries in Ohio. Marblehead Quarry produces approximately 4,000,000 tons of crushed limestone per year.

Despite the large production volume, Marblehead is managed by a staff dedicated to environmental stewardship, good public relations, and excellence in operational performance and production methodology. The site has been the recipient of the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Environmental Eagle Gold Award, is a supporter of Pheasants Forever, and has been a certified Wildlife Habitat Council site since 1995. The Quarry also provides scholarships to the local schools and frequently opens the quarry up for public tours.

Marblehead Quarry

The rare Lakeside Daisy is currently known to exist at only two natural sites in the United States: the Marblehead Quarry, and in Mackinac County, Michigan. Operated by the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, the Lakeside Daisy Preserve encompasses 19 acres of the old limestone quarries on the Marblehead Peninsula of Lake Erie. This preserve was established to protect the only United States population of the Lakeside Daisy, a federally threatened plant species. The Division works with Lafarge Corporation to protect the Lakeside Daisy within the active limestone quarry. This is one of Ohio’s most spectacular wildflowers. In early to mid-May, its bright yellow flowers adorn the sun-baked landscape of the Marblehead Quarry.

Endangered plant species Lakeside Daisy thrives on the Marblehead Quarry site

Lakeside Daisy Photo Courtesy of Ohio Department of Natural Resources

RECLAMATION SUCCESS

Marblehead Quarry