Page 53 - 2020 Sustainability Report

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Land Reclamation Activities

Our approach to reclamation includes the protection of the The result is a landscape that blends in with the
environment while we are quarrying as well as its surrounding undeveloped land, enhances wildlife habitat
restoration after mining, both of which we typically plan and habitat diversity, and provides winter forage for elk
before we open a new site. In so doing, we commit to and mule deer. Once mining is completed on the site, a
activities that include minimizing impacts to neighboring large reservoir will remain, which will serve as a source of
properties, wildlife and fauna, adjacent streams and water municipal water for the region and may also serve as a
quality. We are generally required by state or local laws, or recreational feature.
pursuant to the terms of an applicable lease, to reclaim
quarry sites after use, which usually includes a requirement Although concurrent reclamation is our usual practice,
to post a reclamation bond to guarantee performance of there are times when reclamation must be brought
that work. During the process of applying for permits, we current after a period of mining has occurred. At our
include extensive information regarding our reclamation Garwood, Texas sand mine, in 2020 the team completed
activities, and consider any concerns expressed by local three phases of reclamation on almost 1500 acres that had
communities and other stakeholders. previously been mined over the past 30 years. This project
involved the movement of more than 5 million cubic yards
We own or lease more than 250,000 acres of land and of material at a cost of approximately $3 million. The
have developed reclamation or restoration management landowner is exploring post-mine land uses including
plans for approximately 90 percent of our operating recreation and water storage at the site west of Houston.
quarry sites. Generally, we perform reclamation activities
on an ongoing basis as an integral part of the normal
quarrying process.

An important aspect of reclamation is returning the
land to beneficial use. Lands that are reclaimed are
often improved by a more diverse plant community and
weed control. As such, reclaimed lands often provide
valuable wildlife habitat. Other common land uses for
our reclaimed quarries post-mining include water storage
and reservoirs, parks and other recreational uses and
sometimes commercial development.

A prime example of this approach is found in the
reclamation activities at our Specification Aggregates
Quarry in Golden, Colorado, which have been featured on
ReclamationColorado.com. The quarry is situated on the
eastern edge of the foothills with much of the quarry area
visible from many parts of the Denver metropolitan area. A
primary goal for reclamation of the mining area is to
minimize visual impacts by creating a topographic and
ecological setting that is similar to that of the hillside areas
surrounding the quarry. The landscape of the surrounding Concurrent reclamation
area is dominated by grassland communities interspersed at our Specification
Aggregate Quarry
with patches of scrub oak and scattered evergreen trees.

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