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Caprock Stemming at Stelco

Sticks of dynamite pop out of the ground in rows. In the background are cars, heavy machinery and piles of stone.

August 24, 1950

Source: Beachville District Museum Reference Library

In this image, a layer of rock has been cleared of overburden, and workers plan to blast through the “cap rock,” which lies over the desired limestone reserves. The image shows a practice of caprock stemming, as undertaken at Stelco quarry in 1950. A steam shovel is visible in the backdrop.