Getting to Know About Quarrying: The Industry's Own View

The most obvious environmental impact of aggregate mining is the conversion of land use, most likely from undeveloped or agricultural land use, to a (temporary) hole in the ground. This major impact is accompanied by loss of habitat, noise, dust, blasting effects, erosion, sedimentation and changes to the visual scene.

Aggregate mining alters the geologic conditions, which in turn alters the dynamic equilibrium of the area. Rest assured, people who oppose aggregate mining will identify any possible, and perhaps even some impossible, environmental impacts.

Industry’s View of Reclamation

• Reclamation of mined-out properties may result in a land use that equals or exceeds the original land use.
• There are many potential end uses for an exhausted pit or quarry. These include land preparation for commercial or residential building, construction of recreational facilities, with the water-filled pit accommodating swimmers and boaters, or land conditioning to provide a home and breeding ground for wildlife.
• Popular uses for reclaimed sites include industrial and commercial properties, office parks, golf courses, parks and recreation areas.

Compare these statement with Southdown history.

Industry's Advice Before applying for a permit
1. Begin goodwill towards the community. For example, donate sand or dirt to a community park or ballfield.
2. Research what types of groups or organizations already exist that may oppose your project.
3. Find respected business people in the community to use as a sounding board for your project.
4. Have prepared solutions and alternatives for any possible objections.
5. Be open about your plans and tout the economic benefits to the community. Be proactive, not defensive.

Industry’s Strategy Toward Minimization

A public that plays on reclaimed land is a public less likely to complain about active operations. Recreational end-use of mined-out sites comes in many forms- most associated with lakes. Pits and quarries below the water table naturally fill with water. Even those that aren't leave a big hole that has to be filled with something.

In addition, few other land uses present the opportunities to create new and productive wildlife habitats, marshes and wetlands than exist through mining.

Who is Southdown?

• #2 U.S. Cement Producer and #11 U.S. Aggregate Producer
• Southdown Inc., 2601 Saturn St., Suite. 200, Brea, CA, 92821
• Phone: (714) 985-4000; Fax: (714) 985-4063; Web: www.southdown.com; Peter Brewin, V.P.
• Sites: 32. States with operations: Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kenntucky, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas
• Southdown is the second largest U.S. cement producer with 11.6 million tons of capacity. The Company has a geographically diverse base of 12 cement plants and 41 rail or water-served terminals supplying markets in 27 states. Southdown's manufacturing asset base comprises one of the most technologically advanced networks of cement manufacturing capacity in the U.S.

Southdown’s View of the Future

• By mid-2001, 88% of Southdown’s cement capacity will employ the highest level of production technology. Innovative
• Positions the Company as a low cost producer in its principal marketing regions. Efficient
• Generates operating margins that are among the highest in the industry. Profitable
• Opportunity to reduce manufacturing costs by an additional $1.00 to $2.00 per ton over the next three years. Efficiency
• Add 1 million tons of capacity with little capital requirements. Efficiency
• Generate potential incremental earnings in excess of $50 million, or $.75 to $1.00 per share. Profitable
• New management team has implemented several profit-enhancing initiatives.
  - Improved equipment utilization which has allowed for a reduction in truck counts while increasing sales volumes. (more conveyors and crushers?)
  - Substantially reduced operating and administrative overhead. (Less focus on safety and environment?)
  - Market share growth while achieving price improvement. (profit at our expense?)
• Result has been a doubling of operating margins and strong growth in operating earnings which reached $20 million in 1999, before gains on asset sales.

Cement and the Environment

Cement Production and the Environment: General Effects
• Air Pollutants
• CO2 Poisoning --Multiple Chemicals
• Silicosis
• Water Dangers
• Pollutants
• Decreased availability (Very little groundwater already)
• Noise Pollutants: Crushers, Transportation, Blasting, Destroy Aesthetics