Our surface mines in Mapleton Depot use natural gas, fuel oil and electricity to produce whole grain silica through hard rock mining. Medium-grain, white quartz sandstone is mined from tightly cemented sandstone deposits originating from the Oriskany sandstone.
Since acquiring the facility, we have renovated and upgraded its production capabilities to enable it to produce multiple products through various processing methods, including hydraulic sizing, fluid bed drying, scalping and a low iron circuit. The facility services multiple end markets, such as glass, specialty glass, building products, recreation, and oil and gas proppants.
Sand mining has been a part of south central Pennsylvania's economy for more than 100 years. The Mapleton Plant was originally constructed between 1923 and 1924, with the workforce in Mapleton made up of several generations of local families.
The facility is located approximately 40 miles northwest of Harrisburg and is accessible by major highways including U.S. Interstates 99, 80 and 76 and U.S. Routes 22 and 322.