Modern Quarries Research Articles

From Quarry to Monument: Considering Mardin Stone (SE, Türkiye) as the Symbol of Architectural and Cultural Heritage

The cultural and architectural significance of stone becomes evident as one traces its journey from quarry to monument. Located in southeastern Türkiye, Mardin City presents an urban landscape characterized by stone-built heritage. This transforms Mardin into an open-air museum where the final stone products are exhibited. In addition to its cultural and historical significance, the present study explores the geological, physical, mechanical, mineralogical, petrographic, and chemical properties of the Mardin Stone through the samples collected from the Artuklu, Midyat and Savur districts of Mardin. The Mardin Stone is represented by two different types of limestone deposited during the Cretaceous-Eocene period, categorized as fossiliferous micritic limestone and micritic limestone. The physicomechanical and thermal characteristics suggest that the samples collected from the Artuklu district exhibit better engineering properties than those from the Midyat and Savur districts. The study mapped ancient and modern quarries, illustrating the significance of the stone extraction and crafting techniques used to produce the Mardin Stone. Additionally, it emphasized the ongoing use of stone in contemporary structures, its vital role in heritage conservation, and its export to various countries, notably for use in the Syriac diaspora churches. The evaluations demonstrate that the Mardin Stone, with its diverse architectural applications and symbolic element of the collective memory, meets the essential standards and criteria of the International Union of Geological Sciences-Heritage Stone Subcommission (IUGS-HSS) as a potential candidate for designation as Heritage Stone.

Magnetic Prospection in the Eastern Lower City of Artashat-Artaxata in the Ararat Plain of Armenia

In March of 2021, the Berlin-based company cmp continued geophysical prospection works at the ancient city of Artashat-Artaxata (Ararat Province, Armenia). The city was founded by Artashes-Artaxias I in the early 2nd century BC and served as his capital. First magnetic measurements were conducted by the Eastern Atlas company in September 2018. In 2021, during the 5-day survey a total surface of approximately 19.5 ha was investigated by use of the LEA MAX magnetic gradiometer array. This system was configured with seven fluxgate gradiometer probes, similar to the system used in the first survey of 2018. The investigated areas of the Eastern Lower City of Artaxata, located to the south of the investigated field of 2018, had good surface conditions with a moderate amount of sources causing disturbance. However, the general level of the magnetic gradient values measured was significantly lower compared to the 2018 data. Despite the lower magnetic field intensity, a continuation of linear structures towards the south was observed. These lines, most likely reflecting streets and pathways, criss-cross the central part of the Eastern Lower City in a NW–SE and NE–SW direction and exhibit partly positive, partly negative magnetic anomalies. Attached to them, some isolated spots with building remains were identified. The negative linear anomalies point to remains of limestone foundations, as detected in the northern part of the Lower City. The low magnetic intensity and fragmentation of the observed structures are most likely due to severe destruction of the ancient layers by 20th-century earthworks for agricultural purposes. Moreover, the southern part of the surveyed area was affected by major changes caused by modern quarries at Hills XI and XII. In general, the results of the two magnetic prospection campaigns greatly aid our understanding of the archaeological situation in the area of the Eastern Lower City of Artaxata, justifying further investigations that will surely contribute to greater contextualization of the identified archaeological structures. The full data sets are also published in open access on Zenodo.

Working conditions, occupational morbidity, risks of violation health of drivers of mining machines in quarries

Introduction. Recent studies have shown that working conditions at mining enterprises remain harmful and dangerous. We characterize the working conditions by a set of factors of the production environment that affect the functional state of the body of workers and their working capacity. It depends on the equipment used, technologies, objects, products of labor. They are specific to each enterprise. In these conditions, the definition of occupational risks of violation of the health of miners becomes particularly relevant. The study aims to assess the current working conditions, the state of professional performance, to determine the risks of health disorders of the drivers of mining machines at ore quarries. Materials and methods. The researchers have conducted hygienic studies to assess production factors at ore quarries. We have presented an analysis of materials for a special assessment of working conditions at workplaces for ore quarries belonging to the Mining and Metallurgical Trade Union of Russia. Experts have summarized materials on occupational morbidity of employees over the past five years. The researchers have performed a cross-sectional epidemiological study to assess the risk of developing chronic general somatic diseases in mining machine drivers. Results. The article provides a hygienic assessment of working conditions in modern quarries, shows the complex impact on workers of the dust and gas factor, noise and vibration, microclimate. The authors present classes of working conditions for employees of the main professions, the results of a special assessment of working conditions. We have given an analysis of occupational morbidity in the quarries included in the GMPR and GOK “Lebedinsky” over the past five years. Researchers have found that diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue, as well as diseases of the circulatory system are production-related in workers engaged in open-pit mining. Conclusion. In the conditions of using high-performance mining equipment for open-pit mining of ores, a complex of production factors affects workers of leading professions. The authors give a general assessment of the working conditions at the workplaces of these professions: this is a harmful third class with varying degrees of harmfulness. The current set of production factors determines the level of occupational morbidity, which has been trending downward in recent years. The leading place belongs to vibration sickness, it is closely related to the increased values of the maximum permissible levels and the equivalent adjusted level of vibration velocity at the workplaces of drilling rig drivers, excavators and drivers of heavy-duty dump trucks. The high prevalence and risk of developing chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue and diseases of the circulatory system, as well as a significant increase in indicators with an increase in work experience in harmful working conditions, allow us to speak about the production conditionality of these diseases in workers engaged in open-pit mining. Ethics. This study did not require the conclusion of the Ethics committee.

Control of natural fractures in historical quarries via 3D point cloud analysis

This paper applies remote sensing techniques and 3D point cloud (3DPC) analysis to the study of historical quarries and the relationship between old quarry landscapes and the natural fracture systems of rock massifs. Ancient quarry landscapes present particular characteristics and different features from those of modern quarries. Consequently, specific considerations are needed when historical extractive places are studied. The proposed method is based on terrestrial 3D laser scanners and the structure from motion technique with remotely piloted aircraft systems. Additional specific fieldwork is required to identify and characterise quarry faces from old, blurry outcrops. A case study of the 18th century “Rambla Honda” quarries in La Romana (Alicante, SE Spain) is presented. The comparison between the fieldwork and 3DPC analysis enables the numbers and orientations of both (1) the discontinuity sets within the rock mass facilitating extraction and (2) the planes resulting from block extraction (traditional quarry faces) to be determined. The comparative analysis reveals how the stonecutters managed the extraction. The results show that structural and stratigraphic discontinuities act as planes of weakness for block extraction and determine the optimum orientation of the quarry face for minimising efforts and rock waste. The final quarry landscape is formed from the superposition of natural and artificial surfaces, but currently they appear eroded and partially covered by silting and plants. The proposed methodology contributes to distinguishing both natural and artificial discontinuities and to achieving a comprehensive knowledge of these cultural places.

Eruptive and magma feeding system evolution of Sośnica Hill Volcano (Lower Silesia, SW Poland) revealed from Volcanological, Geophysical, and Rock Magnetic Data

The Sośnica Hill volcano is part of the Oligocene to Miocene (30.9–20.0 Ma) Strzelin volcanic field. It is located 100 km east of the Ohře Rift in the eastern part of the Fore-Sudetic Block, south of the town of Strzelin, Poland. Modern quarrying has exposed the sub-volcanic magma feeder system of the central part of the volcano and an extrusive volcanic succession that includes a 40 m thick sequence of lava flows and pyroclastic deposits that collectively form a complex scoria cone. Geophysical data (ground magnetometry and electric resistivity tomography (ERT)) reveal sharp linear anomalies that are interpreted to reflect normal faults dissecting the volcano. The ERT data map both high and low resistivity bodies, likely representing coherent clay-free dry rocks and partly argilized volcaniclastic deposits, respectively. Paleomagnetic data from 20 intrusive sites reveal two populations of reverse polarity site mean data; 11 sites are of low dispersion and yield a group mean direction that is discordant to the expected field direction, while six sites are highly scattered. Three sites did not yield interpretable results. We interpret the 11 sites as time-averaged field directions that are discordant to the expected field. The high dispersion of the remaining six sites are interpreted to indicate sub-volcanic deformation associated with the growth of the volcanic construct or multiple magma pulses over an extended period of time relative to secular variation. AMS data from 35 sites show a range of flow directions that vary across the quarry without an orderly pattern of fabric orientations. The flow pattern identified from dike paired margin data exhibits sub-vertical upward flow, sub-vertical downward, and moderately inclined northwest flow. Field observations and mapping indicate a complex development of the system in terms of styles of eruptive activity and structure of the final volcanic edifice. The activity included Strombolian and effusive phases, followed by phreatomagmatic, Hawaiian and again effusive eruptions. Such diversity of eruptive styles shows that the origin of the volcano is more complex than a simple, ‘textbook’ monogenetic scoria cone. Palaesoil on top of Strombolian deposits document a longer break in activity, after which eruptions resumed with different style; this is also not typical of monogenetic cones. The lateral variation in the volcanic succession suggests eruptions from several smaller, local vents. The complex subvolcanic magma flow patterns recorded in dikes match the variation of surface eruptive products and documents dynamically changing magma distribution paths in the near-surface and intra-cone part of the feeding system of the volcano.

The Effects of Small-scale Stone Quarrying on Poverty Reduction among Youths in Zamfara State, Nigeria

The paper examined the effects of small-scale stone quarrying on poverty reduction among youths in Zamfara State. The paper is based on the argument that small-scale stone quarrying has the potentials to reduce poverty in low income settings. Zamfara is one of the poorest states in Nigeria where youths are engaged in small-scale quarrying. The paper examined the extent to which small-scale quarrying has been able to reduced poverty among youths in the State. The sample size of the study comprised of 400 respondents. Structured interview was used as the primary instrument of data collection. Purposive sampling techniques was used to select quarry sites while simple random sampling technique was used to select respondents for the study. Data collected was presented in tables and percentages for better understanding. The outcome of the study revealed that youths between ages of 26-35 years were actively involved in small-scale stone quarrying in Zamfara State. The study found out that small-scale stone quarrying had a positive effect on poverty reduction among youths in Zamfara State. This is because after joining small-scale stone quarrying, majority of youths had improved access to food, healthcare facilities, housing, sleeping materials, clothing and ownership of means of transportation. The major factors limiting youth involvement in small-scale stone quarrying were lack of modern quarrying equipment, absence of personal protective gadgets and ignorance about government regulations in the mining industry. The study therefore recommends that government should assist quarry workers with modern quarry equipment, personal protective gadgets and sensitization on government regulations in the mining industry.

ЭКОЛОГО-ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКИЙ ЭФФЕКТ ОСВОЕНИЯ ТЕХНОГЕННЫХ ОБРАЗОВАНИЙ ТВЕРДЫХ ПОЛЕЗНЫХ ИСКОПАЕМЫХ СИБИРИ

Annotation. Some features of the development of industrial deposits of ore minerals are outlined, a review of economic and environmental factors affecting the efficiency of mining of such deposits is conducted. A high percentage of the open-cut mining developing Russian mineral deposits indicates the specificity of this development direction of the mining industries. The production of open cast mining accompanied by the formation of dumping embankments, tailing dumps, hydro dumps. At the same time, the environmental impact of modern quarries and man-made massifs acquires a regional character. The article analyzes the scientific experience of Russian and foreign researchers in this field. The most significant provisions of the method of environmental and economic assessment of the efficiency of the development of industrial deposits are given. The comparative characteristics of various industrial deposits are indicated, areas for their storage, the maintenance of useful components in dumps, the possibilities of their development, and the estimated difficulties in processing are highlighted. The existent methods of processing of similar raw material are considered, their description is given On the example of industrial deposits the simplified ecological and economic evaluation of processing production is conducted with the use of innovative technology.

Insight of the environmental awareness on waste rock disposal at Heidong Quarry dated 1000 years ago in SE China

Similar to coal or metal ore mining, the stone quarrying industry needs to achieve reasonable waste disposal to relieve the possible damage of waste to the environment. It is believed that not just the modern quarries, but also the ancient ones, are required to deal with the waste disposal issue. A large underground stone quarry dating back to the Sui dynasty is located at Zhejiang province, southeast China. The quarry, named Heidong Quarry by locals, consists of 21 individual caverns and occupies an area of 27,500 m2. It was observed that about 170,000 m3 of waste rocks are stacked in piles on the floor of almost all the caverns. This paper investigated the geometry of the waste rocks including dimension and volume, as well as inquired into the distinctive quarrying technique, Digging Holes for Quarrying Stone Slab, employed in the quarry. The rock mass characteristics in the quarry are surveyed and the excellent rock mass quality is verified using engineering geological and laboratory testing methods. Possible motives for stacking the waste rocks inside the quarry were analyzed, taking account of the social system and economy in that time. It is concluded that the ancient quarrymen chose to stack the waste rocks in quarry for eliminating farmland occupation by waste rocks. It is clarified that the waste disposal method adopted by the ancients actually reflects their simple idea of minimizing human-introduced destruction on the environment, when the concept of environment protection was not even proposed.

Origin of post‐Minoan caves and volcaniclastic cave fill, Thera (Santorini), Greece

AbstractThe Aegean island of Thera (Santorini) was covered by tephra from its cataclysmic Late Bronze Age (ca. 3600 yr B.P.) eruption. Vertical exposures of the eruptive sequence show secondary, nonvolcanic, circular (in cross section) features composed of stratified sediment. Many are inaccessible from the floors of modern quarries and appear to be caves filled with younger sediment, but show no connection to the land surface. A filled cave was found in the wall of a modern gully outside the modern quarries, and a filled cave was found in a terrace scarp, well above the modern gully. Natural (and probably rapid) incision by gullies into the thick tephra deposit left many locations with lateral access to tephra. Inhabitants from post‐Minoan to recent times excavated tephra for materials and buildings, and caves were subsequently filled by sporadic (possibly seasonal) flood events that deposited sediment. These gullies may have provided access for modern tephra removal that isolated the filled caves high on the modern quarry walls. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Carbon and Oxygen isotopic compositions of marbles from ancient and modern quarries in the neighbourhood of Istiklalbağı (Central Anatolia, Turkey)

La provenance des marbres blancs, exploités pendant l'Antiquité classique comme pierres de taille et de sculpture, est d'une importance capitale pour l'histoire de l'art et l'archéologie. Une méthode très performante pour identifier l'origine des marbres est l'analyse des isotopes stables du carbone et de l'oxygène. Elle présente, en outre, l'avantage de pouvoir être appliquée à un échantillon très petit (une dizaine de milligrammes tout au plus) sans compromettre pour autant la représentativité de l'échantillonnage et les caractéristiques matérielles de l'objet. La première étude concernant la composition isotopique des marbres de la région et du site de Pessinonte a eu lieu en 1997. Elle a été suivie par une deuxième série d'analyses effectuées dans le cadre des fouilles de l'année passée (fin août 2001). Jusqu'à ce jour une cinquantaine d'échantillons recueillis dans un ensemble de carrières antiques, situé à la sortie nord-ouest du village de Istiklâlbaği, et treize blocs de marbre provenant d'exploitations modernes à Istiklâlbaği et Tekören ont été étudiés à Gand (Fig. 1-2). En même temps, sept pièces archéologiques mises au jour dans le contexte d'un temple romain et d'une citadelle hellénistique du site de Pessinonte ont été analysées. Dix autres, déposées actuellement au musée de Balhhisar, sont en cours d'étude. Grâce aux études menées en 1997 et 2001, le champ isotopique des marbres affleurant dans les carrières antiques de Istiklâlbaği est maintenant bien défini (Fig. 3). Quand on compare la composition isotopique des roches de ces exploitations avec celles qui caractérisent les principales provinces marbrières de l'Antiquité classique, on remarque bien vite que la variation des valeurs δ18O est particulièrement grande. Selon les premières observations de terrain, celle-ci résulterait, d'une part, des transformations métamorphiques qui ont touché la région il y a plusieurs millions d'années et, d'autre part, de phénomènes d'altération plus ou moins récents. Superposons au diagramme de la figure 3 un autre établi pour les marbres classiques du bassin méditerranéen (Fig. 4), on constate que les marbres des carrières antiques de Istiklâlbaği se situent très nettement dans les champs isotopiques se rapportant à des roches de plusieurs provinces marbrières de l'Italie, de la Grèce et de la Turquie. L'identification des pièces archéologiques taillées en marbre de Istiklâlbaği sera donc toujours problématique, à moins de pouvoir recourir conjointement à d'autres techniques d'analyse (microscopie en lumière polarisée, analyse chimique, cathodo-luminescence). Signalons, enfin, que les valeurs δ13C enregistrées pour les marbres des carrières antiques de Istiklâlbaği se différencient nettement des rapports obtenus pour les échantillons originaires de carrières modernes situées à Istiklâlbaği et Tekören. Cette différence est sans doute due à la nature lithologique et au mode de formation des calcaires transformés en marbres.

Human‐induced hazardous debris flows in Carrara marble basins (Tuscany, Italy)

In Carrara marble basins, the long and intensive quarrying activities (which began in the first century BC) have produced extensive dump deposits, locally known as ravaneti. Ravaneti are of such large dimensions and diffusion as to make them a widespread landform of the Apuane Alps (Tuscany). In recent years these quarry dump deposits have been affected by frequent debris flows, more than 50 in 1996/97. This phenomenon is the most significant currently active geomorphological process in this landscape. The evolution of quarrying techniques produced a variety of sedimentological compositions of ravaneti. The debris flows analysed involve only the surface layers where debris is mixed with fine material with a lower permeability (active ravaneti) than the coarser underlying debris (older ravaneti). The presence of different permeability layers causes a wetting front to move downwards. Source area observations indicate a soil slip movement in the initial phases of the failure. The transformation of landslides into debris flow occurs by means of both soil contractive failure and an increase of granular temperature. The morphological and sedimentological analyses of depositional lobes resulted in a classification of three types of lobe, based on fabric–morphometry relationships allowing the identification of different flow dynamics: (1) type A lobe (platy form), matrix-supported and well developed fabric with general tendency of ab clast plane strikes to lie generally parallel to flow direction as a consequence of laminar flow; (2) type B lobe (elongated form), clast-supported and random fabric as a consequence of both turbulent flow and coarser composition of starting material; (3) type C lobe, intermediate type A–B morphometry, tendency for ab clast plane to lie in a semi-circle around the main flow direction determined by the presence of secondary flow lines divergent from it in the stopping phase. In Carrara marble basins, the anomalous frequency with which debris flows tend to be triggered by medium-intensity rainstorms (about 30 mm h−1 rainfall) is due to the recent increases in silt dump produced by modern quarrying techniques. This represents a significant example of debris flows as an environmental problem in major anthromorphized landscapes. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Human-induced hazardous debris flows in Carrara marble basins (Tuscany, Italy)

In Carrara marble basins, the long and intensive quarrying activities (which began in the first century BC) have produced extensive dump deposits, locally known as ravaneti. Ravaneti are of such large dimensions and diffusion as to make them a widespread landform of the Apuane Alps (Tuscany). In recent years these quarry dump deposits have been affected by frequent debris flows, more than 50 in 1996/97. This phenomenon is the most significant currently active geomorphological process in this landscape. The evolution of quarrying techniques produced a variety of sedimentological compositions of ravaneti. The debris flows analysed involve only the surface layers where debris is mixed with fine material with a lower permeability (active ravaneti) than the coarser underlying debris (older ravaneti). The presence of different permeability layers causes a wetting front to move downwards. Source area observations indicate a soil slip movement in the initial phases of the failure. The transformation of landslides into debris flow occurs by means of both soil contractive failure and an increase of granular temperature. The morphological and sedimentological analyses of depositional lobes resulted in a classification of three types of lobe, based on fabric–morphometry relationships allowing the identification of different flow dynamics: (1) type A lobe (platy form), matrix-supported and well developed fabric with general tendency of ab clast plane strikes to lie generally parallel to flow direction as a consequence of laminar flow; (2) type B lobe (elongated form), clast-supported and random fabric as a consequence of both turbulent flow and coarser composition of starting material; (3) type C lobe, intermediate type A–B morphometry, tendency for ab clast plane to lie in a semi-circle around the main flow direction determined by the presence of secondary flow lines divergent from it in the stopping phase. In Carrara marble basins, the anomalous frequency with which debris flows tend to be triggered by medium-intensity rainstorms (about 30 mm h−1 rainfall) is due to the recent increases in silt dump produced by modern quarrying techniques. This represents a significant example of debris flows as an environmental problem in major anthromorphized landscapes. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Old Yorkshire Stone Crafts

In 1938–40 I recorded several old Yorkshire stone crafts which were either dying out or had already ceased to be followed. These records were published as articles in The Quarry Managers' Journal during the years 1940 and 1941. As few students of folk life would have easy access to that material, some of the articles are now being reprinted here, without revision.Yorkshire, on account of its size and the diverse nature of its geological structure, boasts a wide variety of quarry products. Old industries have become decadent and new ones are taking their places; districts which were important quarrying centres a century ago are now almost without evidence of their former activity, whilst other areas are being eaten away by the gaping excavations of which modern quarrying is capable. Historical records of the quarrying industry are rare and the old craftsmen who treasured memories of their forefathers' activities are fast disappearing. (Fig. 1) By this survey it is intended to place on permanent record a brief historical account of the old stone industries which flourished in the county of Broadacres.

Limestone quarrying and quarry reclamation in Britain

Limestones have been worked for many thousands of years — initially for building stone and agricultural lime and more recently for a wide range of construction and industrial uses. In most industrialized countries limestone quarries represent the most visually obvious and, in both process and landform terms, the most dramatic anthropogenic impact on karst terrain. However, quarrying has, to date, received surprisingly little attention from karst scientists. Research in the English Peak District suggested that the postexcavation evolution of quarried limestone rock faces was in part a result of the methods used in their excavation, and this led to the development of a technique designed to reduce the visual and environmental impacts of modern quarries by “Landform replication. ” This involves the use of controlled “restoration blasting” techniques on quarried rock slopes to construct a landform sequence similar to that in the surrounding natural landscape. The constructed landforms are then partially revegetated using appropriate wildflower, grass, and/or tree species.

Durability of a sandstone used as a principal building and decorative material in ancient Abdera, Xanthi, N. Greece

Stones have been used as a construction material in Greece, since the 7th century B.C. Most of the public and other important buildings in ancient greek cities were made of stones. Various types of rocks have been used, from soft rock like travertine, soft sandstone, marl limestone, etc., to hard rocks like maarble, hard limestone, schist, etc. Some of these rocks, especially the soft ones, created problems of deterioration, through the time. One such a case, the deterioration of a soft sandstone used in Ancient Abdera, N. Greece, is examined in this paper. This sandstone is a molassic origin rock, used both as a building and decorative material since the antiquity. Sampling were made both from modern quarries (fresh rock) and the ancient settlement. The mineralogy, the granulometry, the physical and technical properties, the salt resistance and durability of the rock were examined in order to elucidate the possible causes of its deterioration in construction works.

Chalk and limestone quarries as wildlife habitats

Natural recolonisation by volunteer species of chalk and limestone quarries has led to the development of attractive and species-rich communities in many parts of the United Kingdom. These communities have a basic similarity in floristic composition wherever they occur, but they also show a great deal of individual variation resulting from differences in the location, history and variability of the quarry itself and in the nature of the surrounding habitats. The interest of old quarries may be enhanced by the presence of individually rare or local species and especially by their refuge status in relation to the loss of semi-natural calcareous grassland in the district. It is suggested that some sites play an important role in wildlife conservation and that this factor should be considered in any programme of land reclamation. Natural regeneration is very slow compared with the rate of land use in modern quarrying but the development of ecological techniques may make it possible to rehabilitate derelict and barren sites for amenity and conservation purposes using older quarries as models.

Rock mechanics problems in modern quarries. In German. 3F, 11R : Vandar, M L. Muller 65 Anniv. Publication, Univ. Karlsruhe, Germany, 1974, P177–185

Rock mechanics problems in modern quarries. In German. 3F, 11R : Vandar, M L. Muller 65 Anniv. Publication, Univ. Karlsruhe, Germany, 1974, P177–185