Crushed stone passes through several steps before it reaches a construction site. Here is how raw rock becomes graded aggregate.
The chips and aggregates used in concrete and roads start as solid rock. Turning that rock into graded material involves a sequence of well-planned steps.
1. Extraction
Rock is loosened from the quarry face and broken into boulders that machines can handle. Work is carried out in benches (steps) to keep the quarry face stable.
2. Loading and hauling
Excavators or loaders place the boulders into dump trucks, which carry them to the crushing plant.
3. Crushing
Primary crushers break boulders into smaller pieces. Secondary crushers reduce them further to the required size range.
4. Screening
Vibrating screens separate the crushed stone into sizes such as 10mm, 20mm and 40mm, along with stone dust.
5. Stockpiling and dispatch
Each size is stored in its own stockpile so it stays clean and separate. Material is then weighed and dispatched to site.
Why each step matters
- Controlled crushing gives better-shaped stones.
- Proper screening keeps sizes consistent.
- Separate stockpiles prevent mixing and contamination.
