19. Mining Waste Dramatically Increases Road Wear
Most of the material extracted from Jefferson County mines is not zinc, but waste rock that must be hauled on county roads. Zinc makes up only 2.5% to 3.5% of the ore actually mined, while 96.5% to 97.5% becomes limestone waste that significantly increases truck traffic and road wear. Quote: “Zinc represents only 2.5%–3.5% of the ore; the remaining 96.5%–97.5% becomes limestone waste hauled on county roads.”
20. Heavy Trucks Cause Exponential Damage
One loaded truck equals thousands of passenger cars in road wear. Quote: “One pass of a fully loaded 20‑ton truck causes as much pavement damage as 9,600 to 10,000 passenger cars.”
