Rock-It Natural Stone (LEED)
1-800-371-4219

Rock-it Natural Stone, Inc. is a quarrier of dimensional stone via the non-coal mining method. Standards for disturbing the earth are set by the Oklahoma Department of Mines, but more than that, as land owners ourselves, the bar has been set very high to assure that all lands are reclaimed in such a manner that in many cases the property is in a better state than before quarrying began and all safety requirements are met as well. Typically before the mining process can begin, a Lease Agreement is made between our company and the landowner - then a request for a Non-Coal Mining Permit is submitted to the Oklahoma Department of Mines and a bond ($1,000.00 per acre) is set in place to ensure that once the mining process is completed all regulations for the Oklahoma Department of Mines and the Department of Environmental Quality are met. All of these documents are a matter of public record and the Oklahoma Department of Mines can be contacted at any time concerning any requests for information. The contact number is as follows: Doug Schooley , Minerals Administrator (405-427-3859) and their website is: www.ok.gov/mines/Minerals_Program/index.html.

After the permit has been granted, the excavation process begins according to department regulations. Topsoil is removed after the vegetative cover that could interfere with the use of topsoil is cleared. The topsoil is then stockpiled to be redistributed over the backfilled area at the completion of the mining operations. If necessary to control dust, water is sprayed on the stockpiles, haul roads and parking area as determined by the mine operator and department standards. Sediment ponds are built to control run-off and eliminate contamination of nearby streams, lakes, ponds, etc.

These bonded areas are inspected monthly by the Oklahoma Department of Mines and any corrections that need to be made are done at that time. When reclamation begins, the landowner has the option of returning the property to lakes, ponds and pasture land or it may be planted with pine seedlings or a combination of each to restore the property to be environmentally friendly. The topsoil will be redistributed, leveled, smoothed and soil samples will be collected and analyzed to determine the nutrient and lime deficiencies. Soil samples will be analyzed for pH, buffer index, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Any deficiencies will be corrected, according to Soil Conservation Service recommendations and the appropriate grasses will be planted depending on the season and type of grass to be planted.

Once reclamation has been completed in the permitted area, the Department of Mines, all landowners within a one mile radius of the property and county officials are notified regarding the request to release the bonded area. A date is set to officially protest any negligence committed on Rock-its part and any necessary corrections are noted. Rock-it has never been denied a bond release due to reclamation deficiencies.

Rock-it Natural Stone Inc., is very proud of its working relationship with the Oklahoma Department of Mines and the Department of Environmental Quality. We would be very happy to have anyone contact these departments and be assured that our company goes above and beyond the regulations to insure that our natural resources are preserved for generations to come. Each year that we have been in business, we have received a "Sentinel of Safety" award from the U.S. Dept. of Labor (M.S.H.A.) and various other safety awards from the state. We are very conscious not only of our planet but also of our employees who make all this possible.

Billy Baldwin
President
Rock-it Natural Stone, Inc.