Quarrying of Stone

Stone extraction uses controlled explosions or precision methods like diamond belt saw cutting and drilling. A diamond belt saw cuts large blocks (approximately 50 feet long and 12 feet high) vertically from the quarry face. After cutting, drilling occurs at the block's base, followed by inflating rubber airbags within the cut to gently topple the block onto stone chips that cushion its fall, preventing damage.

The diamond belt saw creates a vertical cut to separate large stone blocks from the quarry face. Blocks typically measure around 50 feet long and 12 feet high. Once the vertical cut is complete, drilling occurs at the block's base, and rubber airbags are inflated within the saw cut to push the block onto a cushioning layer of stone chips, enabling safe separation.

Steel wedges are hammered into shallow drilled holes along predetermined separation lines to break large stone blocks into smaller, manageable pieces. This technique follows the initial toppling of the block and provides controlled fragmentation. The wedges create precise fracture points, allowing quarriers to divide rough stone blocks into distinct sections for further processing at the mill.

A jet burner applies intense heat to rock surfaces, creating thermal stress that causes the surface to crack and flake off. By methodically moving the flame over the same area repeatedly, a deep, slender channel forms in the bedrock. This channel weakens the bond between the block and the main bedrock, allowing the block to detach safely without explosives or mechanical cutting.

Extracted rough stone blocks are transported to a mill for further processing. At the mill, blocks are cut into slabs, divided into smaller sections, and shaped or smoothed according to specifications. Some blocks may be rotated on a lathe for cylindrical shaping, preparing them for various construction and architectural applications in stone masonry projects.

Stone chips cushion the fall of large blocks after they are toppled by inflated rubber airbags, preventing cracking and damage to the extracted stone. This protective layer absorbs the impact energy from blocks weighing thousands of tons, ensuring the stone remains intact for subsequent processing. Without cushioning, the force of impact could fracture valuable blocks and reduce their usability.

Drilling at the block's base creates holes where rubber airbags are inserted and inflated to gently push the block over onto a bed of stone chips. This controlled toppling method prevents sudden, uncontrolled falls that could damage the stone. The drilling and airbag system ensures safe, predictable separation of large blocks from the quarry face with minimal waste.