Montpelier, VA

The Montpelier plant mines Aplite, formed from igneous rock deposits that are unique to this location. Our surface mines in Montpelier use fuel oil and electricity to produce Aplite through hard rock mining. The reserves are part of an igneous rock complex that is unique to this location. The Aplite processed at the Montpelier plant is utilized by the container glass, insulation fiberglass and recreational sand industries. 

In 1993, U.S. Silica acquired the plant and has since invested over $3 million in improvements to the facility and equipment for silica production. 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 crushing and sizing, washing, fluid bed drying and grinding. 

The facility is located approximately 20 miles northwest of Richmond and is accessible by major highways including U.S. Interstates 64 and 95.

Montpelier employees are committed to the ideal of stewardship toward their neighbors and volunteer their free time to the Community and Arts Center and the "Adopt a Highway" program. Additionally, the Montpelier plant is dedicated to minimizing its impact on the environment. The plant maintains strict adherence to the Department of Environmental Quality's regulations, recycles process water and creates wildlife habitats through the reclamation process.

Mining at the Montpelier location has been part of the local economy for more than 55 years, with the majority of the workforce employed there for more than 20 of those 55 years.