MIDDLEBURY — Omya Inc. will host a free open house at its Middlebury Quarry on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on at the open-pit quarry, buses will shuttle visitors into the quarry while expert guides detail history, drilling, blasting and land reclamation operations. People can ride through the entire tour or disembark from the bus to take an up-close look at geological formations and scout the area for a marble souvenir.
There is something for everyone. Huge trucks, loaders and other quarry equipment will be on display. A marble sand pile complete with toy trucks and shovels is a favorite spot for children. Visitors can use a microscope and learn about rocks and minerals from Omya mineralogists, geologists and chemists. An exhibit will show how the extracted marble is crushed and milled at Omya’s Verpol facility in Florence for use in thousands of diverse applications and products consumers use everyday.
Omya employees from every facet of the mineral processing business, along with contractors from Shelburne Limestone Corp. (SLC) and L.F. Carter Inc., will be on hand to greet visitors, rain or shine. “Sharing the work we do at Omya with our community is a pleasure for us and the open house is a great opportunity to meet our neighbors, answer questions and simply enjoy the energy and excitement of everyone present,” Jim Stewart, Verpol plant manager, said. “This is Omya’s 12thopen house and every year the event has grown increasingly popular.”
Depending on the weather, the gravel-covered quarry ground can rival mud-season like conditions so appropriate footwear is recommended. There will be a handicap-accessible tour bus and a complimentary lunch will be served.
Omya’s Middlebury Quarry access road (1975 Private Road) is located on the east side of Route 7, 2 miles south of Middlebury, or 1 mile north of the Route 125/Route 7 intersection in East Middlebury. The turn (between Connor Homes and Foster Motors) will be prominently marked on the day of the event.