What Lehigh Hanson does and where to find their quarries

Lehigh Hanson is one of the largest aggregates producers in North America, meaning they extract and sell crushed stone, sand, gravel, and other materials used in construction, concrete, and asphalt. The company operates dozens of active quarries across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. If you live near a quarry listed under their name, the operation you see is likely extracting stone for regional construction projects, road building, or concrete manufacturing.

Lehigh Hanson is a subsidiary of HeidelbergCement, a German multinational cement and aggregates company. The parent company owns and operates quarries worldwide, but Lehigh Hanson specifically handles North American operations. You can find their quarry locations through their website or by searching your county's mining or land use records, which list all active extraction permits in your area.

Key Takeaways

  • Lehigh Hanson extracts crushed stone, sand, and gravel from quarries for use in construction, concrete, and road materials.
  • Quarry operations require permits from your county or state, and those permits are public records you can review.
  • Active quarries generate noise, dust, and truck traffic during operating hours, which vary by location and permit conditions.
  • If a quarry expansion or new operation is proposed near you, your county planning office will hold a public hearing where you can comment.
  • Reclamation plans are required by law and describe how the land will be restored after mining ends, though timelines can span decades.

How quarry extraction and processing works

Quarry operations begin with surveying and mapping the stone deposit, then removing the overburden — the soil and rock layers above the material worth extracting. Once exposed, the stone is drilled and blasted into smaller pieces, then loaded into trucks or conveyor systems. The raw stone moves to on-site crushers and screens that break it into different sizes: large aggregate for concrete, smaller gravel for road base, and sand for various construction uses.

The entire process runs during permitted hours, typically daytime and early evening on weekdays. Some quarries operate on weekends depending on local permits. Water is used throughout processing to control dust, and the water either recirculates through settling ponds or is treated before discharge. Finished material is either stockpiled on-site, loaded directly onto trucks, or moved by conveyor to a nearby facility for further processing or sale.

Permits, regulations, and what you can find in public records

Every active quarry operates under a mining permit issued by your state's mining or natural resources department, and often requires additional permits from your county or local government. These permits specify the boundaries of the extraction area, the depth of mining allowed, operating hours, dust and noise controls, and requirements for water management and reclamation. All permits are public records, meaning you can request and review them at your county planning or mining office.

The permit process also includes a reclamation plan — a detailed description of how the land will be restored after mining ends. Plans vary widely: some quarries become lakes, others are filled and returned to forest or grassland, and some become recreational areas or wildlife habitat. The timeline for reclamation is often 20 to 50 years or longer, depending on the size of the deposit and the rate of extraction. You can request the reclamation plan from the same office where you find the mining permit.

If Lehigh Hanson proposes to expand an existing quarry or open a new one, your county will hold a public hearing. You will receive notice by mail if you own property within a certain distance (usually one-quarter to one-half mile), and you can attend and speak during the comment period. Even if you do not receive notice, you can find hearing dates through your county planning office or the company's public notices.

Noise, dust, and traffic impacts from active quarries

Quarry operations produce three main impacts on nearby properties: noise from blasting and machinery, dust from crushing and screening, and heavy truck traffic on local roads. Blasting typically occurs once or twice per week during daylight hours and can be felt as vibration several miles away. Crushing and screening equipment runs continuously during operating hours and generates noise comparable to heavy highway traffic. Dust is controlled by water spraying and sometimes by fabric screens or berms, but some dust escape is normal and permitted.

Truck traffic depends on the quarry's output and the distance to its markets. A large, active quarry may send 50 to 200 trucks per day down local roads, which increases wear on pavement, creates noise, and raises safety concerns on residential streets. Permits typically specify truck routes and sometimes limit the number of trucks per day or restrict hours when trucks can leave the site. If you believe a quarry is violating its permit conditions — for example, operating outside permitted hours or exceeding truck limits — you can file a complaint with your county or state mining office.

What happens when a quarry closes and the land is reclaimed

When a quarry reaches the end of its permitted life or the stone deposit is exhausted, the operator must follow the reclamation plan filed with the permit. This typically involves grading the pit floor, stabilizing slopes, replanting vegetation, and sometimes creating water features. The timeline varies: some sites are reclaimed within a few years, while others take a decade or more. During reclamation, the site may look like active construction for months or years, with heavy equipment moving soil and planting trees or shrubs.

After reclamation is complete, the land is inspected by the mining agency to confirm it meets the approved plan. The operator's financial bond — money held by the state to may provide reclamation — is released once the work passes inspection. Some reclaimed quarries become public parks, wildlife areas, or fishing lakes; others return to private use as pasture or forest. You can ask your county mining office what the approved reclamation plan is for any quarry in your area and what the expected timeline is.

How to find information about a specific Lehigh Hanson quarry

Start with your county planning or mining office. Tell them the location of the quarry you are asking about, and they can provide the operator name, permit number, and approved conditions. You can then request the full permit file, which includes the mining plan, reclamation plan, and any amendments or violations. Many counties now post permits online through their planning department website.

You can also contact Lehigh Hanson directly through their website to ask about a specific site. The company maintains a public affairs office and can provide information about operating hours, product types, and future plans. If you are concerned about a proposed expansion or new quarry, contact your county planning office to learn when the public hearing will be held and how to submit written comments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a quarry operate near my house?

Yes, if the land is zoned for mining or if the quarry was permitted before zoning restrictions were put in place. Existing quarries are often grandfathered in, meaning they can continue even if new mining is no longer allowed in that zone. You can check your county zoning map and ask the planning office whether a quarry near you is permitted and what its approved boundaries are.

What should I do if a quarry is making excessive noise or dust?

Document the date, time, and nature of the disturbance, then file a complaint with your county mining or environmental office. Include details like whether it occurred during permitted operating hours and whether it seems to violate the permit conditions. The agency will investigate and can require the operator to take corrective action or face fines.

How long does a quarry usually stay open?

That depends on the size of the stone deposit and the rate of extraction. A small quarry might operate for 10 to 20 years, while a large one can operate for 50 years or more. The permit specifies the expected life of the quarry, and you can find that information in the mining permit filed with your county.

What happens to the pit after mining stops?

The operator must follow the reclamation plan approved with the permit. Common outcomes include restoring the land to forest or grassland, creating a lake, or returning it to agricultural use. The plan is part of the public permit file, so you can review it to see what is planned for any quarry in your area.

Can I attend a hearing if a new quarry is proposed?

Yes. Your county planning office will announce the hearing date and location. You do not need to live nearby to attend or submit written comments, though property owners within a certain distance receive direct notice by mail. Contact your planning office to find out when the hearing is scheduled.