Evolution of quarries . In the early 20th century limestone was quarried mostly by hand and the available machinery was steam-driven. Then 50 men could produce 500 tons of gravel a day, but today 10 to 20 workers can produce 5,000 tons per day. Earlier, most quarries were short-lived but now they are around for decades. Compared with early days, mines are noisier, dustier, larger, and located closer to population centers .
Some quarries are open-pit, others are in tunnels.
By far the largest user is the state of West Virginia which maintains about 35,000 miles of roads. Anyone who has traveled to Elkins in the last several decades and has seen the unreclaimed Century Limestone quarry or who has passed the Greer limestone facility outside Morgantown is familiar with the scarred landscape left by quarries . The Eastern Panhandle counties know the effects of quarries quite well. A Pocohontas County quarry's planned expansion in 1999 - 2000, not far from Snowshoe resort, has proved to be a focal point for controversy, pitting an extractive industry against the state's preeminent tourist recreational attraction. Weaknesses include fees too small to fund the program, less than stringent bonding requirements, and a 5-acre quarry exemption.