Omya in Vermont

Join us for the Middlebury Marble Quarry Open House 2009!

Date: Saturday, October 17th, 2009
Time: 10 am – 4 pm (last tours into quarry 3pm)

Tours into the marble quarry

Activities:
• Examine large trucks, loaders and other equipment
• Learn about rocks and minerals
• Add your artwork to a 24 ft. mural
• Win a prize by finding correct answers in a scavenger hunt
• Play in sand pile with toy trucks and front loaders (young visitors)
• Have refreshments
• Etc.

FAQ

Who is invited?
The open house is free and designed for all ages. Bring your kids and your grandparents for a fun and educational day.

How will I get into the quarry?
Visitors will be transported into the quarry by shuttle buses. There are three locations in the quarry where visitors may disembark and where there will be experts to show and explain aspects of geology and mining.

How long will the tour take?
The time necessary for the tour will depend upon at how many stops the visitor wishes to disembark. Those disembarking at all three stops should plan on at least 1 ½ hours.

What happens if it rains?
The event will take place rain or shine. The activities, other than the quarry tours, will take place in and around the crusher building. Since activities can take place inside (not heated) dress accordingly and join us for a fun day!

What amenities will be available?
There will be refreshments and port-a-johns (one handicapped accessible). You will also see the Middlebury Rescue Service present, but we hope never to need their services.

Will I or my friend be able to participate if handicapped?
One of the three buses will be handicapped accessible. The floor in the quarry at the three stops is relatively flat but is gravel covered as is the activities area around the crusher building. We welcome you to come and participate.

May I bring a group such as Scouts or Seniors?
Groups are welcome, but we suggest that you let us know at 802-770-7267. We may be able to supply a special guide or assist in other ways.

Where is the quarry?
The OMYA Middlebury Quarry road is on US7, (southbound) 2.5 miles south from the Middlebury Inn and (northbound) 1 mile north of junction of 125/116 East Middlebury turnoff. The quarry road is on the east side of US7 just north of Foster Motors (the turn onto the quarry road will be marked with balloons and a temporary sign on day of the event). Continue straight on this road at the first stop sign. The second stop sign is at the quarry. Please park where instructed.

How can I get more information?
Email: Alice.blount@omya.com
Phone: Jerilynn: 802-770-7217 or Alice: 802-770-7267

Welcome to the Middlebury Quarry

Today, you have the opportunity to tour a working quarry.  Safety is first!  While in the quarry, you must wear the hard hat provided and stay within designated areas.  There is one bus stop for discharging and pickup.  Three information/activity stations are in walking distance. Below is a brief description of each.

 Quarry Station A (blue)

At this stop you will have an opportunity to collect minerals and rocks and to discuss them with experts.

Marble originated as an organic or inorganic calcium carbonate sediment in an ocean or sea. This sediment formed limestone (a sedimentary rock) which was changed into marble (a metamorphic rock) during mountain formation. The white sparkly grains are individual crystals of calcite.

More about the origin of marble and limestone at:  www.omya.com.au (click on products).

Quarry Station B (red)

You will see drilling equipment and discuss drilling and blasting with miners and geologists.  After blasting, the rock is hauled up to the crusher building where today’s activities are taking place.

Quarry Station C (white)

The quarry geologist will review the history of the quarry, and how stone, water, and farmland resources of the site are carefully used to benefit the local environment.

The original Middlebury Quarry was opened in the 1850’s as a potential source of marble dimension stone (blocks). This nineteenth century venture was short lived because the marble was too unsound (fractured) to hold together as blocks.  The current Middlebury Quarry was reopened in 1965 as a source of marble ore for ground calcium carbonate and has operated and expanded pretty much continuously since that date.  There is enough marble for the quarry to continue operating for many years.

Highway trucks

The different qualities of stone from the quarry are crushed, screened to various sizes, and placed in large stockpiles.  The highway trucks are then loaded from those piles according to specific recipes to maintain a consistent feed to the Omya plant in Florence, VT.  The Ground Calcium Carbonate produced there enhances the properties of paper, plastics, and paints that are in home, work, and school use daily.