Lesson 2/Learning Event 2
hauling from the quarry. In some cases, surge piles will be planned to sustain operations much longer,
as for an entire winter or monsoon season. Often, such piles are planned to allow for late arrival or early
release of some elements of the operation.
Bins. When possible, you should store quality, product-size material in elevated or inclined storage bins
rather than in open stockpiles. Bins prevent contamination of the material by wind-blown dust and trash
and allow complete recovery of the product without double handling. Rock fed into the top of a bin
from the crusher may be discharged into hauling units through a trap door in the bottom of the bin. If
bins are not available, they may be constructed of wood or metal.
Stockpiles. If bins are not used, place product-size materials in open stockpiles. If more than one
product is being produced, each product pile will be separated by distance or headwalls from all others
to prevent contamination. Specially screened or washed products will be stored upwind from the plant
to minimize contamination by windblown dust. Material from the plant may be placed on the stockpiles
by conveyors, dozers, trucks, or some combination of these. When planning stockpile locations, be sure
to allow adequate space for storage. Plan enough room on the front side of the piles to load out units
without causing traffic congestion.
Other Facilities
Water Supply. Water may be required for washing aggregates. If there is no stream or lake nearby, drill
a well and dig ponds for storage water. For a recirculating water system, two ponds are needed. One
pond will be a reservoir and one a settling basin. Water from the reservoir is pumped to the washing
unit, used, and then discharged into the settling basin. Dirt, fines, and organic material are allowed to
settle out in this basin. Clean water from the settling basin is then allowed to overflow back into the
reservoir. A similar arrangement may be required where stream flow is unreliable and a dam is used to
create the needed reservoir. Even where permanent streams or lakes are used as reservoir, you should
construct a settling basin to protect surface water supplies from contamination.
Maintenance Areas. Maintenance hardstands, work shelters, and repair parts storage facilities should
be convenient to both the quarry and plant areas. They should be upwind from all major sources of dust.
They should be located on the internal road net so that heavy plant equipment will not have to be taken
out onto primary roads for repair.
Quarry Office. Provide a building or shelter along the access road to the plant. The plant officer will
use this area to keep records on plant production, maintenance, and deliveries.
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