Through consolation with the local community, the proposal of community development fund was generated that would be launched with an investment of $100,000 per year for the first five years from Graymont. This fund will provide grants to the community that support regional initiatives and projects.
Following discussions with a number of UP community leaders, it was determined that the Fund should prioritize the following areas:
Education – early childhood, K-12 and adult programs
Infrastructure
Conservation
Art and Culture
Human Services
Local Organizations
Health & Wellness
Community Revitalization
Business
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Limestone and other bedrock in the area are tight rock with very low porosity. This means that the rock can restrict the movement of water. By understanding groundwater bedrock conditions, we know we can use this material as a natural barrier to help block water from areas it is not wanted.
Naturally occurring karst or caves are avoided or mitigated where they affect the operation. Where small cracks may allow water ‘seeps’; these seeps are grouted-off to help prevent water from being introduced into the operations.
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Graymont looks for sources of stone that can be available for 100+ years to justify the investment required to establish and run these operations.
Based on current market demand, Graymont expects 10-20 acres to be mined per year for surface quarrying or 20-40 acres per year for underground mining (underground mining would leave ~50% of stone in place as structural pillars within the mine).
Additional buffer area established for safety is included in this acreage.
Note: Non-active surface areas will remain open to the public for existing uses. In addition, in the revised land transaction application, filed in October 2014 the State has retained the surface in the majority of the surface in underground area.
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Yes, we will need to utilize trucks to move stone from the Hendricks Quarry to the Sand Products Dock. We are working with MDOT and the local road commissions to evaluate the route and determine if any improvements should be implemented to best protect the interests of the community.
Longer term, we will evaluate other options such a conveyors and/or rail as alternate or supplemental options.
Ultimately, we want to work towards the best approach for the various transport options together with local community. If trucking is used, we will work with the road commissions to ensure resources are directed to these maintain roads as needed. We also will evaluate and choose route(s) most compatible with the communities.
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Graymont would begin when the market demand cannot be supplied from other limestone sources. Current projections for underground mining are 30 to 50 years from now after surface mining has been completed.
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Yes, access to the land associated with this project will be available for existing uses as described in the Sustainability Section. (Link to We are Listening section)
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Yes, we anticipate that this project will create job opportunities for local residents as described in the Graymont Employment Standards. (Link to Graymont)
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