News

Stone quarrying plays a crucial role in modern construction and everyday life, supplying essential materials like sand, gravel, and stone for building roads, homes, and infrastructure.

In this guide, we will delve into the intricacies of quarrying, including what exactly it is, quarrying processes, and the materials produced.

What is Quarrying?

Quarrying is the extraction of stone or other materials from the earth, primarily to be used for construction. This process involves removing large blocks of stone or other raw materials from the ground, which are then processed and used in various construction projects.

It’s important to note that quarrying is different from mining, although people often confuse the two. Quarrying involves the extraction of non-metallic materials, whereas mining is the extraction of minerals and metals. 

At Armstrongs, we extract materials such as sand, gravel, and various types of stone, collectively known as aggregates, which are essential for construction.

The Quarrying Process

Extraction Methods

Extraction methods in quarrying can vary significantly based on the type of stone being quarried and the intended use of the material. The most common method involves drilling and blasting to break the stone into manageable pieces.

Crushing and Screening

After extraction, the stone undergoes a process called crushing and screening. Crushing reduces large blocks of stone into smaller pieces, which are then sorted by size through screening. This process ensures that the aggregates produced meet specific size and quality requirements for various construction applications. 

Crushing and screening are essential steps in producing materials like sand, gravel, and different sizes of crushed stone, which are used in concrete, asphalt, and other building materials.

Types of Quarry Stone

Sandstone

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized mineral particles or rock fragments. Its characteristic layers and variety of colours, ranging from tan to yellow and red, make it a popular choice for both construction and decorative purposes. 

Sandstone is highly durable and resistant to weathering, making it ideal for use in building facades, garden walls, and paving stones. At Armstrongs, our quarries produce high-quality sandstone that is used in various prestigious projects, such as the completion of the Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona.

Granite

Granite is an igneous rock known for its hardness and durability. It is composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica, which give it a distinctive appearance. Granite is widely used in construction due to its strength and aesthetic appeal.

Our unique pink granite can be found at our Shap Quarry. This stone is used in both structural and decorative applications, including building facades, monuments, and countertops. 

The high grade material is also high in demand for rock armour to build up the UK’s sea and river defences. Shap quarry recently received visitors from Balfour Beatty and Wyre Council when they came to witness the blast that would produce the stone for their latest coastal defence project as part of the Wyre Beach Management Scheme.

Gritstone

Gritstone is a type of sandstone that is popular for its strength and durability. It is typically used in construction projects requiring robust and long-lasting materials. Gritstone’s rough texture makes it suitable for non-slip surfaces, and it is often used in road construction, paving, and as a base material for buildings.

Armstrongs’ Montcliffe Quarry produces high-quality gritstone, which is processed using traditional methods of crushing and screening to meet specific project needs.

Armstrongs’ Quarries

Brinscall Quarry

Brinscall Quarry covers 40 acres near the town of Chorley and has been operational for over a hundred years. This quarry produces a highly desirable sandstone known for its quality and aesthetic appeal. 

The sandstone from Brinscall is used in various construction and decorative projects, including the ongoing building of the Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona. The quarry operates using traditional methods of extraction, crushing, and screening to produce top-quality aggregate materials.

Montcliffe Quarry

Montcliffe Quarry spans 64 acres near the town of Horwich, Greater Manchester, and has been in operation for over a century. This quarry is known for its high-quality gritstone, a durable and versatile stone used in construction projects. 

The gritstone from Montcliffe is ideal for road building, paving, and as a foundation material due to its strength and resistance to wear. The quarry uses traditional methods of crushing and screening following blasting to produce aggregate materials of exceptional quality.

Pilkington Quarry 1 & 2

Pilkington Quarry, covering 53 acres near Horwich, includes both operational and non-operational sites. Pilkington Quarry 1, now exhausted, is used for inert waste disposal, while Pilkington Quarry 2 remains unmined and contains highly durable pale buff/brown gritstone.

Shap Quarry

Shap Quarry, located on a 53-acre site near the village of Shap, has been operational since 1950. It is renowned for producing Shap pink granite, a highly sought-after decorative building stone.

The quarry also yields light and dark Shap granite, each serving different purposes. Light Shap granite is primarily used as aggregate, while dark Shap granite is used architecturally, as seen in the historic Midland Hotel in Manchester. 

Waddington Fell Quarry

Waddington Fell Quarry, covering 66 acres near Clitheroe, has been operational since the 1960s. This quarry produces a variety of sandstones, known for their strength and range of colours.

The sandstone from Waddington Fell is used in numerous construction projects, including cut products such as fireplaces, lintels, and even complete houses. The quarry employs traditional methods of crushing and screening following blasting to produce high-quality aggregate materials.

Uses of Quarried Stone

Construction

Quarried stone plays a crucial role in various construction projects. It is used to produce essential building materials such as aggregates for concrete and asphalt, bricks, and dimension stones for structural and decorative purposes.

Armstrongs’ stone is renowned for its quality and durability, making it a preferred choice in construction. For example, our sandstone from Brinscall Quarry is used in the Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona, showcasing its high quality and aesthetic appeal.

Decorative Applications

In addition to its structural uses, quarried stone is also widely used in decorative applications. Armstrongs’ stone is crafted into fireplaces, nameplates, and bespoke architectural features. 

Our Shap pink granite and Waddington Fell sandstone are particularly popular for their unique colours and textures, enhancing the beauty of homes and public spaces. Decorative stone from our quarries adds elegance and a natural touch to various projects.

Infrastructure

Quarried stone is essential for infrastructure projects, providing the necessary materials for road construction, railway ballast, and sea and river defences. Armstrongs’ gritstone from Montcliffe Quarry and granite from Shap Quarry are used to build robust road foundations and protect coastal areas from erosion.

These projects demonstrate the importance of durable and high-quality stone in maintaining and developing infrastructure.

Environmental Considerations

At Armstrongs, we are committed to sustainable quarrying practices to minimise our environmental impact. We implement various strategies to reduce our carbon footprint and preserve natural resources.

This includes efficient extraction methods, recycling water used in the quarrying process, and rehabilitating quarry sites after extraction is complete. Our commitment to sustainability ensures that we operate responsibly and contribute to environmental conservation.

FAQs about Stone Quarrying

What is a stone quarry?

A stone quarry is a site where natural stone is extracted from the earth. The stone is typically used for construction and decorative purposes. Quarries can produce a variety of stone materials, including sandstone, granite, and gritstone. These materials are essential for building infrastructure, homes, and various other applications.

How does a quarry work?

A quarry operates through several key steps, starting with the selection of a suitable site with abundant stone reserves. The site is then prepared by clearing vegetation and setting up infrastructure.

Extraction methods such as drilling, blasting, and cutting are used to remove the stone from the ground. The stone is then crushed, screened, and sometimes treated to meet specific requirements before being distributed for use.

What types of stone are quarried?

Various types of stone are quarried, including sandstone, granite and gritstone.

What are the uses of quarried stone?

Quarried stone has a wide range of uses. One of the primary uses is for construction, with quarried stone playing a key part in the production of concrete, asphalt, bricks, and building stones.

Quarried stone also has decorative applications, where it is used for fireplaces, nameplates, and architectural features.

Finally, you can expect to see quarried stone used in road construction, railway ballast, and sea and river defences.

What is the difference between quarrying and mining?

Quarrying and mining are both methods of extracting materials from the earth, but they differ in the types of materials extracted and the processes used.

Quarrying primarily focuses on extracting building materials such as stone, sand, and gravel, whereas mining is used to extract minerals and metals such as gold, coal, and gemstones. The tools and techniques used in quarrying are also typically different from those used in mining.