Have you ever wondered where construction materials come from? In Michigan, the mining of sand and gravel is essential to the successful completion of any development involving cement and asphalt. Streets, homes, parks – the sand and gravel harvested from our great state is in almost everything we see, but the process through which we acquire these elements essential for our daily needs comes with a cost.

Extraction requires lots of space and time and inevitably occurs where the reserves are most abundant. Over time, the growth and development of Michigan has closed the gap between the mine sites and our neighbors. Today, we find that these reserves are now located among residential communities, parks, and agricultural sites. My company, Edw. C. Levy Co., is one of the leading aggregate extraction companies in Michigan that supply the materials necessary for said development efforts. Many of Levy’s properties were purchased over a decade ago, and since then development and expansion has brought our neighbors right up to our properties’ edges. As we go forward with current and future extractions, we as a company aim to execute our practice with the least impact to the community, while maximizing the efficiency and access to the essential elements these communities need to grow and develop.

The extraction and construction industry has come a long way with communal and environmental stewardship and innovation over the past 50 years, and, with more ground to cover (no pun intended), Levy remains at the forefront of these efforts practicing community awareness, impact analyses, efficiency, and mindful selections of property.

This is where I come in. My main objective is to help determine how to effectively implement reclamation strategies during the initial phases of the mining process to determine and optimize the “second harvest.” The “second harvest” refers to the process by which we prepare a property to be reincorporated into the community, township, and county after all mining operations have been completed. The vision of this “second harvest” is driven by—and consciously designed to be in harmony with—the surrounding community, respecting the mission, values, and intentions set forth by the master plan of its respective location. Currently, reclamation is a post-mining task, intended to leave the site in a condition that meets the requirements of the township (i.e. specific slopes grades, zero waste and toxins, etc.). My department, however, has been developing a procedure to implement reclamation strategies before the mining begins. Early preparation of the property for the “second harvest” is an important step towards preparing the property to re-contribute to the economy faster than previous properties.

This year has been an exciting and very educational experience. I have had the joy of working with passionate individuals who have given me invaluable opportunities to develop my skills and knowledge about mining, development, planning, operations, communication, and much more. I can’t wait to see what’s next.