The main types of rock that are crushed and used as sources of crushed stone aggregate include limestone, granite, traprock, quartzite and gneiss. The suitability of a particular rock type depends on its hardness, durability, mineralogy and abundance. Crushed stone aggregate comes in a variety of sizes depending on the end use.
• Granite - Granite is an igneous rock composed of feldspar, quartz and mica. It forms when lava cools within the Earth's crust. Granite weathers well and is very hard, making it a good source of crushed stone aggregate.
• Limestone - Limestone is the most commonly quarried rock type for producing crushed stone aggregate. It is sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate. Limestone is abundant, durable, and easy to crush, making it suitable for construction uses.
• Basalt - Basalt rock formations are common in parts of eastern and southern Ethiopia. Basalt is used for producing crushed stone for road base materials, drainage applications, and railway ballast.
• Quartzite - Quartzite is a metamorphic rock formed from sandstone. It is predominantly made of quartz minerals. Quartzite is very hard, making it suitable for crushing and use as aggregate.
• Marble - Marble is a metamorphic rock that forms from limestone. It is made up mostly of calcite and dolomite minerals. Though softer than some other stones, marble's chemical resistance and aesthetic properties make it useful for crushing.
• Granite - Granite is an igneous rock composed of feldspar, quartz and mica. It forms when lava cools within the Earth's crust. Granite weathers well and is very hard, making it a good source of crushed stone aggregate.
• Limestone - Limestone is the most commonly quarried rock type for producing crushed stone aggregate. It is sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate. Limestone is abundant, durable, and easy to crush, making it suitable for construction uses.
• Basalt - Basalt rock formations are common in parts of eastern and southern Ethiopia. Basalt is used for producing crushed stone for road base materials, drainage applications, and railway ballast.
• Quartzite - Quartzite is a metamorphic rock formed from sandstone. It is predominantly made of quartz minerals. Quartzite is very hard, making it suitable for crushing and use as aggregate.
• Marble - Marble is a metamorphic rock that forms from limestone. It is made up mostly of calcite and dolomite minerals. Though softer than some other stones, marble's chemical resistance and aesthetic properties make it useful for crushing.