Using the remains of well drilling

We are in the process of having Geothermal (ground source heat pump) heating/cooling installed to replace our oil furnace. As part of that, we had a ~500ft deep well dug. So now we have 500' worth of fine stone dust sitting in a heap. What do you all think about the viability of using it for a soil to plant in? I suppose it would be closest to sand at this point, only much finer than any sand I've ever touched. When wet, it feels like cement on your fingers, but doesn't ever set.

Any other ideas besides planting? I was also thinking of possibly using it in place of gravel on a dirt road on the property. not sure how well it resists being washed away, as we haven't had much rain this summer.

Let me know your thoughts! (I'll try to get some photos tomorrow when its light out)

That's a big investment. I hope it works well.

What sort of rock are you drilling through? I wonder if it has use as a sharpening abrasive or polishing compound.

Its mostly a mica schist of some kind.

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:That's a big investment. I hope it works well.

We were initially quoted 80k by a local company, but a new company started in our state and quoted 28k. At 28k, itll pay for itself in 4 years at current oil prices. In a year or two we plan to go solar as well and get down to just one bill (the mortgage/tax/insurance payment to escrow)

Bag it up and sell it on Craig's list for play sand.

It seems like I remember our daughter talking about buying drilling mud, I just don't remember what she suggested using it for.

It might be a stretch, but I wonder what would happen if you could mix the “sand” with some finely ground wood chips—like really shredded chips—some compost and maybe a little Biochar.  This might be a lot of work and probably too much for all that sand but maybe you could use some of it for a base upon which to grow crops.

Eric

I use sand in my misting beds. Or under mushroom logs. Thats a great find.