Questions

Jobs.  Economic spinoff. Tax base.  It's too soon to promise all of the potential economic impact that the Project will have on the community until the development phase is completed over a three-year period.

• About 65 surface acres  
• About 14,000 underground acres
• 1,800 feet beneath the surface
• 1,500 feet from the lakeshore
• 5 million tons annual production
• Expansion of dock facility

Underground salt mining is one of the safest forms of mining because the material and surrounding geologic layers are stable and generally uniform.  The design will include the room-and-pillar method where salt is extracted leaving 40 feet by 40 feet support pillars to maintain structural integrity.  Salt is non-hazardous and the only processing required is crushing and screening.

Virtually none.  The limestone quarry has been in existence for over 100 years.  Other than about 65 acres of surface on the existing quarry property, all of our mining activities will take place underground.  During the exploration phase, we will drill temporary exploratory holes, but the disturbance will be restored.

All underground mining activity will take place inland at least 1,500 feet from the shoreline.  Lake Huron's depth is 32 feet just past the Breakwater Light.  The mine will be 1,800 feet below the surface. 

There will be some additional truck traffic, but the great bulk of our product will be shipped via Great Lakes freighters from the existing Port of Calcite used by Carmeuse Lime & Stone and Moran Iron Works.