Quarries in Abu Dhabi

Quarries are large excavations which are used for extracting minerals, stone aggregates and coal from natural rock beds. This is different from mining as mining involves the extraction of metals and precious stone from ores which are dug into the ground. Engineers and contractors inspect a site thoroughly before extracting minerals to ensure that the site is rich in minerals and other similar materials. Open quarries will supply stone for an average of 25 years. They yield good building stones and other construction materials. Most stone aggregates and minerals are extracted from excavations using different heavy equipment.

Quarry contractors use different mining equipment and heavy mining machinery such as conveyors, crushers, forklifts, front-end loaders, saws, trucks and wheel loaders. They ensure that all operations involve low capital cost and low mechanization. They are best suited for small deposits, easily accessible loadings, stable wall benches, good equipment and good safety. Contractors take the following facts into consideration for open pit mining. They ensure that the ultimate pit depth is reached at the end of the quarries life and they also ensure that the bench height is determined by the economic reach of the mining equipment.

Most quarries have small vertical benches which have a high wall of around 300 meters. Excavations are used to extract different metals such as cinder, chalk, China clay, coal, coquina, construction aggregates, and granite. They are also used in the extraction of gritstone, limestone, gypsum, limestone, ores, phosphate, sandstone, slate and marble. Quarries go through three different stages before reaching the stage of production. The three stages are prospecting stage, development stage and production stage. The prospecting stage or the exploration stage is the place where all mining and extraction procedures are conducted. At this stage, quarry contractors inspect the site to ensure that there are no flaws or cracks present at the site. Cracks can lead to quarry flooding and water inundation which could result in soil degradation. In the development stage, contractors install required equipment such as heavy mining equipment and construction equipment at the site. They also set up cutting and mineral processing equipment which aids in transporting finished products. In the production stage drill and blasting equipment are placed to extract stubborn rock and other similar materials.

Quarry contractors and engineers use drilling and blasting hoses to extract metals. There are two methods which are commonly used. These methods include wedges method and plug and feather method. Compressed air and water explosives are also used to blast stone aggregates which are present in the ore. Quarries can be subjected to reclamation to enhance its overall design and increase productivity. Some main tasks performed in the process of quarry reclamation area stability monitoring, grassland establishment, tree establishment and landscape assessment. Quarry sand is produced by crushing rock and other stone based aggregates. It is used in rivers and agricultural farmlands to prevent soil erosion and soil degradation. Quarries are the main source of raw materials for many interior design companies, industrial power plants and other manufacturing industries. Some popular locations to find Quarries in Abu Dhabi are Musaffah Industrial area, Marina Square, Reem Island, Rolla and Electra Street.