Rogers Group Experts in Crushed Stone, Aggregates, Gravel, Asphalt Paving, Road Construction, Quarries for 100 Years

How Aggregates Are Made

Rogers Group works with geologists to locate large sources of aggregate in the earth called reserves. Geologists are scientists who specialize in the study of earth sciences and rocks and minerals. Usually, companies will take test samples from the rock core with a large drill. Geologists help analyze the stone's quality and structure. (Activity: A Tasty Core Sample) Second, a quarry must receive appropriate zoning and permits. Throughout the operation of the quarry, mining companies must follow laws governing safety and the environment.
Next, dozers remove the top layer of grass, dirt and rock called overburden. Near the rocks outer edge, long holes are drilled downward and loaded with explosive. The rock is blasted to loosen and break the rock into pieces. Workers follow special safety precautions, rules and regulations when blasting occurs in a quarry. (Activity: Making a Quarry Shot)
	A haul truck transports rock to the crushing plant. Rocks can be crushed into many different sizes of aggregate with a machine called a jaw crusher. The machine works like a jaw by crushing and chewing large rocks into small rocks. It is usually stationed in a permanent place at the quarry. (Activity: Chocolate Chip Cookie Mining) Another kind of machine, called a portable crusher, can be moved to where the rocks are. It takes large rocks and makes smaller rocks of different sizes, too.
Next, crushed stone passes through vibrating screens. Screening sorts and separates the rock into the different sizes which our company produces. (Activity: Studying the Properties of Stone)
	Some stone will be washed with water to clean it so it can be used in cement and other types of building products. Washing removes fine grains of sand, clay and dirt from the rock.
After crushing, screening and washing, the crushed stone is conveyed or hauled to stock piles.
	Loaders move the rock and place it into customer trucks when the rock is sold.
Trucks or rail cars loaded with stone products deliver to our customers. Customer trucks are weighed at the scale office to make sure they are in compliance with weight laws and payment and billing arrangements are made. Trucks bring aggregates safely from the quarry to the building site.