Responsible Mining
Drill and Blast Schedule
- May occur 1-2 times per week
- Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Will NOT occur on weekends or holidays
- A blast event will last approximately 2 seconds
Responsible Mining Practices and Worker Safety
Over 13 years accident-free
A combination of Cemex’s commitment to safety and strict environmental and labor regulations has driven notable improvements in the extraction, processing, and transportation of aggregates.
Many mining practices, like the use of dynamite, are obsolete today and have been replaced by better practices that keep our employees and contractors safe and protect the environment.
The quarry has been a good neighbor for more than 100 years, and this commitment will continue for generations to come.
Modern Blasting Techniques
The hard rock beneath the sand and gravel base is fractured through controlled blasting before being loaded into trucks for transport to the processing plant.
- No use of dynamite; outdated and imprecise methods are obsolete.
- Current methods involve drilling small holes in a predetermined pattern into the rock, then implanting electronically controlled and synchronized explosive agents.
- Approximately 96% of blast energy is contained within 20 feet of the blast hole, reducing ground and air vibrations, and dust. Vibra-Tech Engineers. Inc “Blast Impact Analysis” 2019.
- Modern blasting agents fully consumed upon ignition, posing no risk to the soil, air, or water sources.
- All safety measures are in place prior to a blast.
Worker Safety
13 years accident-free operations – an operational excellence achievement!
Cemex’s top priority is the safety of our people, contractors, vendors, and the community. The company implements numerous policies and procedures to ensure a safe working environment.
Cemex has dedicated safety managers who collaborate with plant managers to educate and implement safety programs, and monitor progress and performance among employees, so everyone goes home safe and healthy each day.
The Rockfield quarry is regulated by both the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and Cal/OSHA Mining and Tunneling.