Aggregate Ready To Resume Quarry Operations

Selectmen renewed Aggregate Industries' earth removal permit last week after a public hearing.

Gene Barden of the town Earth Removal Advisory Committee told selectmen that the committee has no concerns about the Danvers Road operation.

The company sweeps the street clean and keeps the site clean, as well.

The operation's noise and dust levels are is subject to local, state and federal standards.

Scott Colby, an Aggregate manager, and company Chris Drucas said mining operations — drilling and blasting ledge and crushing stone  — had been silent for 18 months.

They plan, however, to resume these activities on a regular basis soon to meet business demands.

Workers blasted ledge at one part of the quarry a week ago. It was the first blast in 18 months, the spokesmen said.

The quarry has been in operation for about 100 years and covers about 160 acres.

The site's total land is about 210 acres, and the attorney estimated that the company pays about $120,000 a year in real estate taxes.

Half of the mine is located in Salem.

The operation's crushed stone is used in asphalt and concrete. It is also sold as crushed stone. Very fine sand is made from stone dust, as well.

Colby and Drucas said it is not too early to start thinking about a closure plan for the mine.

The quarry has about 50 to 60 years of mining operations left.

The easiest — and simplest — closure plan calls for allowing the quarry to fill with water, Colby said.

Barden suggested that a committee be formed to begin thinking about a closure plan.