Perspective Chapter: Ways to Improve the Ecological State of Abandoned Quarries in Countries with Mountainous Terrain

Abstract

The wall stone of a correct form is one of the main construction materials used in Armenia and other countries with mountainous terrain. The current technology of stone cutting using rail-mounted machines is ineffective due to various reasons. These include excessive cutting forces, vibrations, formation of chips and cracks, incomplete cutting of benches resulting in remnants left at the quarry bottoms, and significant accumulation of waste. These problems have severe environmental consequences. In countries with mountainous regions and limited quarry lengths, the problem of inefficient stone cutting is even more pronounced. Over the past few decades, and particularly after the devastating earthquake of 1988, stone quarries have been operated without considering environmental regulations. Many quarries have been abandoned as well. The author proposes two approaches to improve the mountain ecosystem: the conversion of abandoned quarries into a connected network of small reservoirs and the development of new trackless stone-mining machines equipped with wheels instead of rails. These innovations enable the extraction of the wall stones minimizing waste and reducing harm to the ecosystem. The addition of forest zones around the reservoirs can further mitigate the environmental impact of quarries by reducing stone dust release into the atmosphere.