A quarry is a type of open-pit mine from which rock or minerals are extracted. Quarries are generally used for extracting building materials, such as dimension stone. Quarries are usually shallower than other types of open-pit mines.
Contents |
Quarries in level areas often have special engineering problems for drainage. The Coquina Quarry is excavated to more than 60 feet (18 m) below sea level. To reduce surface leakage, a moat lined with clay was constructed around the entire quarry. Ground water that seeps into the pit is pumped up into the moat.
Many quarries fill with water after abandonment and become lakes. Others are made into landfills.
Types of rock extracted from quarries include:
|