MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- A new shale quarry is expected to open near Gerrardstown in the spring after a state board upheld its permit.

The West Virginia Surface Mine Board's order came Wednesday in an appeal of North Mountain Shale LLC's permit by Potomac Riverkeeper Inc., Gerrardstown Presbyterian Church and Washington Herald Trail.

The order says the quarry's impact on the area's viewshed will be minimal.

The order adds several conditions to the permit. One prohibits the company from disturbing more than 2 acres of the mineral area during the first year of operation.

The shale will be transported to a brick production plant in Martinsburg owned by North Mountain Shale's sister company, Continental Brick.

Continental Brick vice president Don Sult tells The Journal that the companies proposed most of the new conditions.