The Quarrying of Soapstone

 

The soapstone quarry operation 10 years ago.

 The blue and white buildings you see in the distance once belonged to Luzenac, the the previous owners of the soapstone quarries. Les Pierres Stéatites Inc has moved its operation to 770, rang 7 Nord, East Broughton, Quebec, GON 1H0

 

 

 
 A pile of soapstone blocks stand behind the truck that brought them.
Later, one of these blocks will then be taken into the mill using a front end loader.

 

 

 
 My wife, Rita, standing beside a couple of blocks awaiting their turn to be cut.

 The first cut is made with a motorized crosscut saw. This gives a flat base to work with on the band saws.