The industry is committed to supplying quality, cost-effective construction aggregate and industrial mineral materials and has embraced recycling of concrete and asphalt as well as utilizing fines materials that would otherwise be considered waste. Some aggregate mines are accepting clean construction and demolition debris and soil as fill thus diverting these materials from landfills.
Mining companies provide jobs, tax revenue and support for local communities. They are committed to educating the public about why aggregates are essential to our standard of living and can be removed from the Earth in a sustainable, responsible, and environmentally sound manner.
Mined land remains valuable. Once reclaimed, sand & gravel mines and stone quarries are converted to another useful purpose. Some become water reservoirs or recreational lakes and can be utilized for flood control. Others become community parks, wildlife habitat, agricultural fields, forest, or converted to attractive subdivisions for residential homes and businesses. A fine example of mine reclamation benefiting the local community can be found on the southwest side of Chicago. Palmisano Park was once Sterns Quarry and is now maintained by the Chicago Park District.
