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Carmeuse Lime & Stones' Calcite Plant, the world's largest limestone open pit quarry, celebrates 100 years in 2012! The plant, located in Rogers City, covers 12.5 square miles and employs 115 hourly and salaried workers.
The Calcite Plant held an open house for members of the community on Sunday, June 23, 1912, and began operations shortly thereafter. That June, the first shipment of Limestone from Calcite was loaded, by hand, on to the steamer Manola. The 2154 tons of limestone were destined for the South Chicago Works for the Illinois Steel Company. In the 1940s and 50s it was not uncommon to load well over 1000 vessels per year. In recent years, between 225 and 300 vessels enter the port each year.
Calcite has shipped 880,943,995 tons of limestone since the quarry opened! The most tons shipped in one year was 16.6 million in 1953. Approximately 5.6 million tons were shipped in 2011.
Congratulations to the Calcite Plant and all of its employees!
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