A Brief History of Asbestos Mining in North America

Before asbestos mining came to the United States, it was already commonplace in Canada. Quebec was a large mining area, though mines operated in cities throughout Canada.

At one point, Canada had several dozen mines in operation and was the largest exporter of asbestos to the U.S. and many other countries. Canada’s last asbestos mine closed in 2011 and the country announced a nationwide ban of asbestos in 2016.

U.S. asbestos mining peaked around 1973, a few years before the federal government issued warnings about the mineral and began to regulate its use. Unfortunately for most of the miners, many were already exposed, and the restrictions came much too late.

Asbestos mining in the U.S. began just before the turn of the 20th century. The first mine opened in the Sall Mountain area of Georgia. Eventually, about 60 mines were operating in the eastern U.S., while many others were thriving in California, Oregon and Washington.

The last operation to close on the East Coast was the Lowell chrysotile quarry in Vermont, which ceased operations in 1993. The King City Asbestos Company (KCAC) mine in the Coalinga asbestos district of San Benito and Fresno Counties in California was the last asbestos operation in the U.S., closing in 2002.

If you have any concerns about potential asbestos in your home or business, please give us a call at 617-774-8527 and we’ll be happy to help.