Quartzite on the Rails?

OAKLEY, Idaho – Supplies of local quartzite may be headed to more of the United States if rail access improves here.
The Twin Falls Times-News reports that Sawtooth Stone Co. is lobbying for help from an intermodal commerce authority to ease shipping from Oakley, a small town in south-central Idaho.
Sawtooth’s six-year-old business in in Oakley Stone, a micaceous quartzite that began appearing in the domestic market more than 50 years ago. The stone is known chiefly for its thinness in stone veneers; the rock can cover 150-300 ft² per ton, compared to the 60 ft² or less per ton from other stone veneers.
Bruce Mitchell, Sawtooth’s owner, expects to have up to 70 workers at the quarry this year. He notes that California customers are eager to ship the stone via rail for delivery.