USG recently hosted a public tour of its newly opened gypsum quarry in Alabaster Township, Michigan.

Guests gathered for a short presentation at the garage/office, and tour groups were transported into the quarry using large passenger vans.

USG has hosted free quarry tours in the summer for years. Plant manager Jon Blazic said the tour days are locally popular, drawing hundreds of visitors interested in the local geology, company history and USG’s work in the area.

“We want people to know what we do, how we do it and why it matters,” Blazic said. “The operation will be running during the tour day, so people can see how it works. The Avery Quarry was years of hard work in the making, and we are excited to show it off to neighbors and interested visitors.”

The Avery Quarry, named to honor longtime USG president and Michigan native Sewell Avery, began production in May. It is expected to produce up to 750,000 tons of native gypsum annually.

The company’s Detroit-area plant produces Durock brand cement board, and its Otsego, Michigan, operation makes paper for drywall boards.

“We’ve been proud to be part of the Sunrise community since USG began in 1902,” Blazic said. “We look forward to hosting the community for a look at our next new chapter, the Avery Quarry.”

To get to the quarry, visitors are asked to go west on Gypsum Road from US-23 in Alabaster and follow the signs. Close-toed shoes are required.