Geology and the Aggregate Industry: The Role of Geologists

Transcription

1 Geology and the Aggregate Industry: The Role of Geologists Donald G. Mikulic Illinois State Geological Survey Prairie Research Institute University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

2 Outline Importance of geology in the aggregate industry History of the crushed stone industry in Illinois Historical role of geologists in the industry Geologists for the producer A company program for geologic education

3 Why is geology important to the aggregates industry? Aggregates are geological resources Geology controls the availability and quality of these resources

4 Geology determines the character and availability of aggregates Determines source Determines type of products Determines quality Determines quantity Determines methods of extraction Determines methods of processing Determines investment

5 Expensive Geologic Mistakes No long term plan based on geology Non-avoidance of geological problems Burial of reserves with stripping, waste rock, trash, etc. Placement of buildings, haul roads, tunnels, sumps, etc. in wrong areas Wrong purchase of property Zoning of unsuitable areas Investment without proving reserves

6 Changes in the Stone Industry Major change in products around 1900 Everything made of stone before 1900 is now made of concrete Extraction rates and methods Processing rates and methods Transportation systems Quality standards Population growth: needs and limitations

7 Midwestern Use of Stone 1800s Building design: load bearing walls Construction using wood, brick, or stone No Portland Cement, steel, etc. Crushed stone was a minor product, used mostly macadamizing roads Limited transportation: water, road, rail Quality was less important than proximity to market

8 Midwestern Use of Crushed Stone 1900s Portland Cement and concrete replaced lime and building stone Concrete created a larger market for crushed stone Quality becomes more important Improving transportation network Urban growth expands market and covers reserves

9 Limited Importance of Geology to Early Producers Limitless reserves because of slow production and open lands Extensive room for expansion at shallow depths Quality issues were minimal Regulation was minimal

10 Changing Northeastern Illinois Quarry Locations

11 Aggregate Production

12 Geology Limiting Access to Crushed Stone Resources

13 Urban Expansion Limiting Access to Stone Resources

14 How have stone resources been discovered? Historically, most were found by accident

15 Outcrops and Excavations 1800s

16 Research and Exploration 1900s

17 Geologist in the Aggregate Industry Early operators and quarrymen developed knowledge through experience Few professional company geologist before 1970s Problems: Limited plans for utilization Non geologic tasks Decline in employment

18 Rock Products 1926 Company Geologist This is said to be the first time that a geologist has been permanently employed by a crushedstone producer, although other companies have employed them to do prospecting work and to solve special problems. The biggest part of his time is spent in the field either where core drilling is going on or in the quarries, noting new developments at the face.

19 Local Understanding

20 Regional Understanding

21 Geologist and the Modern Aggregate Industry Company Geologist Private Consultants University Geologist Government Geologist Need a specialist and expert

22 Who is not a geologist? Mining Engineer Environmental Scientist Quality Control Testing Specialist Surveyors

23 Engineering Geology

24 Company Geologist Determine and revise geology through operations and study of regional geology = research Should be the expert on the geology of company properties Advantage: on-site and long term connection Disadvantage: limited regional access

25 What is not a geologic task? Stock pile inventory Permitting Reclamation Public relations

26 Private consultant Address certain geologic questions and quality issues through specific short-term studies Advantages: Have testing equipment and facilities not available to producers Experience in testing Special training, and manpower Disadvantage: Applied geology Limited site-specific expertise and absence of long-term regional or general research

27 University Geologist Basic research on geology and regional relationships Geologic framework Advantages: Regional research and experience Disadvantages: Very few available, lack of time and funding

28 Government Geologist Basic research on geology and regional relationships Develop and update geologic framework Advantages: Comprehensive regional research and experience Disadvantages: Few available, limited time, limited funding

29 Illinois State Geological Survey ISGS objectives and duties by 1905 legislation: A study of geological formations of the state with special references to its products, ores, clays, building stone, cement materials for construction. prepare reports which include general and detailed descriptions of the geological and material resources of the State.

30 Illinois State Geological Survey Assisting the aggregate industry since 1905 Basic geologic research Maintains large collection of samples, field notes, unpublished reports, and records of sample analysis Only organization that conducts long term, broadbased, basic research on Illinois geology Does not do quality testing but research on how geology effects quality

31 ISGS Sample Collections Records on over 900,000 wells and sites Cutting sets for 70,000 wells Samples from 15,000 cores Over 200,000 feet of core from NE Illinois Large collections of rock and mineral samples 150,000 fossils

32 Basic knowledge for a company Geologist How were rocks formed? How were rocks altered through time? How might rocks change in area? How do these to factors effect site-specific aggregate production?

33 What kind of geologist does a company need? Focus of training on general geology Field and specimen geologist Understanding of the geologic history of the area Site-specific knowledge Regional knowledge

34 Education for the Aggregate Geologist Basic Geology Mineralogy Petrology Stratigraphy Structural Geology Regional geology Field Geology Geochemistry Hydrogeology Environmental Geology Geophysics Local geology Remote sensing

35 Company Geology Program Management and general staff Half-day course General geology pertinent to region If a producer can t afford a staff geologist it should have one person that has some knowledge of geology