The Rexton Project will initially involve surface quarries and, in the future, an underground mine. Our exploration program in the region has located limestone of both suitable quality and quantity, and we continue to work to secure property access while proceeding with applications for the required permits. Exploration may continue, as needed, to further characterize the limestone in the Rexton Project areas.
MDNR Land Transaction Following a recommendation from senior department officials, DNR Director Keith Creagh approved the Graymont land transaction application during meeting of the Natural Resources Committee held in Roscommon, MI This land transaction application approval authorized the following land and /or mineral transactions
Reduction of ~84% from original November 2013 proposal
Surface ownership remains with MDNR
Similar value land provided in exchange
• 1,007 Acres as direct sale
• 671 Acres transferred as an exchange for land of equivalent value.
transferred as an exchange for land of equivalent value.
Direct purchase of sub-surface interests and rights to make limited use of the surface to support underground mine operations (Ventilation, mine access, etc.).
• State retains ownership of the surface.
Underground Mine Model
To support transportation infrastructure within the project area. Note: Graymont was successful in reducing the easement designation by 66% to 18.9 acres from original option.
Direct purchase of land adjacent to the underground mine area.
Graymont also submitted an application to the MDNR proposing an exchange of mineral rights involving areas in the Hendricks and Trout Lake townships. This exchange was completed March 26, 2015.
As per the application, Graymont transferred its mineral rights on approximately 1718 acres under State owned forest land near the Fiborn Quarry. The State already owned the surface of these properties and wished to consolidate its ownership interests, by owning both the surface and the mineral rights.
The State transferred mineral rights on an equivalent area, approximately
1712 Acres,
located in the Hiawatha National Forest to Graymont.
The surface of these properties is
owned by the Federal Government,
represented by the USFS.
Of the total area will be at the surface.
There will be no more than 400 Acres of active surface mining at any time. (Including areas undergoing active reclamation).Quarry development is expected to advance around 10-20 acres each year. Mined areas will be reclaimed concurrently as the quarry progresses.
Of the total area is mineral rights only, and in the proposed underground area.
The state will continue to own & maintain the surface.
Designation of 50 acres within the Borgstrom Road Quarry (Former Hendricks Quarry) was made with the MDNR on December 23, 2015. Extraction from this quarry has supported evaluation for current and future limestone processing while also meeting additional local limestone market needs.
Following required permitting, Graymont's Eastern Quarry commenced operations in April of 2018. Activities in this quarry have continued to support stone evaluation for a limestone processing facility as well as supply some stone for local aggregate needs.
Graymont submitted an air permit application in March 2021 for a lime manufacturing facility to be located adjacent to the Eastern Quarry. The planned operations would include some of the latest, high efficiency limestone processing technology along with the best available control technology intended to minimieze emissions.
Additionally, a wetland permit was applied for and has been issued to support future rail infrastructure for less than 5 acres of future impact. Over 17 acres of new wetlands are being created while over 41 acres of wetlands are being placed under a conservation easement with the state of Michigan.