Before aggregate production can begin, the area is stripped of all vegetation and overburden (original ground on top of the gravel reserve). This is done not only for better crusher production but so that we can reclaim our pits using all of its natural top soil and vegetation when operations are completed. Most gravel deposits are located next to rivers. Because of the high water table, we install a pumping system to remove the water during excavation. This water is pumped into a series of holding ponds to facilitate removal of any sediment before the water is discharged offsite.
 
Elam Construction has three portable rock crushers that are used for the production of aggregate. This aggregate is used in our asphalt products, road base products, and also for use in concrete.
           
After excavation, a loader fills the feeder with raw material. The feeder is regulated by the foreman for maximum production as it feeds jaw crushers that crush all rock up to 30 inches in diameter down to a proper handling size of approximately 5 inches. The material then goes through a series of screens and cone crushers that further pulverize it to the desired sizes, between 1/4 inch and 3 inches. The separated material is then transported using conveyors into piles to be either transported offsite or stockpiled for future use.