Quarrying is the process of extracting stone from a quarry, where specialized techniques are employed to remove large blocks of stone safely and efficiently. This process can involve controlled explosions or more precision-oriented methods such as cutting and drilling.
One common method involves using a diamond belt saw to cut large blocks from the quarry face. These blocks can be about 50 feet long and 12 feet high. After the initial vertical cut, drilling is performed at the base of the block. Subsequently, rubber airbags are inflated within the vertical cuts to gently push the block over onto a bed of stone chips, which cushions the fall and prevents cracking.
Following the toppling, steel wedges are hammered into shallow holes drilled along the desired lines of separation. This helps in breaking down the large block into smaller, more manageable pieces. Another technique uses a jet burner, which applies intense heat to create thermal stress in the rock, causing the surface to crack and flake off. By continuously moving the flame over the same area, a channel forms that allows the block to be detached from the bedrock.
Once extracted, the rough stone blocks are transported to a mill where they are further cut into slabs, divided into smaller sections, and finely shaped or smoothed. Some blocks may also be rotated on a lathe for cylindrical shaping, preparing them for various construction and architectural uses.
