Despite the collapse of a 134-foot section of conveyor gallery last spring, Carmeuse Lime & Stone finished with strong shipping numbers. Lance Olsen, vice president of sales, aggregates and metallurgical stone, said the Calcite plant made a great comeback in 2011 to send out 5.1 million tons of limestone in 2011. It was right at 5 million tons in 2010. Olsen reported favorable economic conditions on the Great Lakes and around the country.

“The steel mills all did a little better for the year. They are running at about 75 percent above capacity,” said Olsen. “I believe we broke 95 million tons of steel for the year as a country, in production. A lot of that steel is made in the Great Lakes basin. “The aggregate side of the business was steady, but still remains well below the historic highs of the last decade, some 45 to 50 percent,” he said. Olsen is based out of Homewood, Illinois, south of Chicago. The conveyor collapsed April 30 after 1 a.m. There were no injuries as a result or major structural damage to the mill building. More than 65 workers were laid off for a time, but later worked overtime and on the weekend to finish ’11 strong. The company is celebrating its 100th year of shipping limestone from the shores of Lake Huron.