Quarry Operations Research Articles

Jodhpur Sandstone: an Architectonic Heritage Stone from India

Jodhpur Sandstone, used extensively in several regional heritage buildings in north-western India, geologically belongs to the Ediacaran-Cambrian age Marwar Supergroup. The Marwar Supergroup has been subdivided into Jodhpur (arenaceous facies), Bilara (carbonate facies) and Nagaur (argillaceous facies) groups (in stratigraphically ascending order). The brown, red, pink and creamish pink varieties of Jodhpur Group Sandstone are the most preferred dimension stone varieties, excavated from several open quarries in the region between Jodhpur and Satrava in western part of Rajasthan State, NW India. The region has an old quarrying history, dating back to the use of sandstone in the fourth century temples in Mandor, eighth century Osian Temple Complex (also called as Khajuraho of Rajasthan for its intricate carvings in sandstone) and several historic monuments, such as Mandore Fort, Royal Tombs at Mandore Garden, Mehrangarh Fort, Clock Tower, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace, etc. Several present day institutions/corporate houses of national eminence, such as the Rajasthan High Court, Indian Institute of Technology (Jodhpur), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (Jodhpur), Umaid Heritage Residential Complex and Hotel Radisson (Jodhpur) etc. exemplify continued use of Jodhpur Sandstone in contemporary times. Buildings of the Karachi Municipal Corporation and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in southern Pakistan attest to the international usage of Jodhpur Sandstone. The Jodhpur Sandstone can be classified as ‘quartz arenite’ comprising rounded to sub-rounded quartz grains with ferruginous cement. Its mature, mineralogy and moderate to high endurance, resistance to weathering, etc., render it suitable for intricate carving. Owing to these characteristics and its aesthetic appeal, it is used in a range of artefacts and handicrafts within India and overseas. The Jodhpur Sandstone fulfils the criteria laid down by the Heritage Stone Sub-commission for designation as a Global Heritage Stone Resource and we propose a case for its consideration and accreditation as a Global Heritage Stone Resource from India.

THE EFFECT OF GEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF DIMENSION STONES ON THE PREDICTION OF SPECIFIC ENERGY (SE) DURING DIAMOND WIRE CUTTING OPERATIONS

Given the increasing demand for dimension stones, mining operations in quarries have always been an important branch of mining engineering. Among different techniques, diamond wire cutting is one of the most common methods of dimension stone mining. A reliable assessment and accurate prediction of diamond wire cutting performance are essential for feasibility analysis and operational planning in this area. This performance depends on factors such as physical, mechanical, and textural properties of the rock and the characteristics of cutting operations which can be evaluated by criteria such as specific energy, production rate, efficiency, and diamond bead wear rate. This study aims to develop a method for predicting the specific energy of diamond wire cutting in dimension stones based on rock properties. For this purpose, the specific energy of diamond wire cutting in 11 different igneous rock samples was measured. Given the high strength and abrasivity of igneous rocks, cutting operations in these rocks generally requires a great amount of energy. In a series of tests performed on the samples, rock properties such as uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), Brazilian tensile strength (BTS), Young’s modulus, density, textural properties, abrasivity and operating factors such as pullback amperage were measured. The measured parameters were divided into four groups of physical, mechanical, textural, and operating parameters. After determining the specific cutting energy of each sample, the relationship of the energy with each individual property was investigated. This investigation showed that density, abrasivity, and p-wave velocity respectively had the highest correlation with specific energy. Using the correlation results, four input parameters (one from each of the four considered parameter groups) were selected for inclusion in the prediction model. These parameters were density, abrasivity, wave velocity, and amperage. Multivariate linear regression was then used to analyse the effect of rock properties and operating parameters on specific energy. The developed regression model showed that once the rock properties are known, the specific energy can be predicted with an accuracy of 85.8%. The proposed model can be used to estimate the specific energy of diamond wire cutting operations in dimension stone quarries in advance, and predict the amount of energy consumption, the required energy source, and the optimal cutting machine accordingly.

Modeling and Optimization of Truck-Shovel Allocation to Mining Faces in Cement Quarry

Truck and shovel are the most common raw material transportation system used in the cement quarry operations. One of the major challenges associated with the cement quarry operations is the efficient allocation of truck and shovel to the mining faces. In order to minimize the truck and shovel operating cost, subject to quantity and quality constraints, the mixed integer linear programing (MILP) model for truck and shovel allocation to mining faces for cement quarry is presented. This model is implemented using the optimization IDE tool GUSEK (GLPK under SciTE Extended Kit) and the GLPK (GNU Linear Programming Kit) standalone solver. The MILP model is applied to an existing cement quarry operation, the Kohat cement quarry located at Kohat (Pakistan) as a case study. The analysis of the results of the relating case study reveals that significant gains are achievable through employing the MILP model. The results obtained not only show a significant cost reduction but also help in achieving a better coordination among the quarry and quality department.

Wolfgang Beyer: A Groundwater Scientist from Dresden.

Wolfgang Beyer: A Groundwater Scientist from Dresden.

Technical Review of Land Usage of Former Limestone Mine for Rubber Plantation in PT Semen BaturajaTbk for Sustainable Mining Environment

Limestone mining activities at PT Semen Baturaja Tbk in Ogan Komering Ulu Regency of South Sumatera Province is conducted on an open quarry mining system. Limestone is the main raw material needed in the manufacture of cement in PT Semen Baturaja Tbk. Open-pit mining activities at the end of their activities will leave ex-mining land. The ex-mining land must be used for the mining environment remains sustainable. The ex-mining land can be used for various purposes such as rubber plantations, oil palm plantations, teak forests, pine forests, fruit orchards, and others. The former land of limestone mine of PT Semen Baturaja Tbk as stated in its post mine plan document, one of which is for rubber plantation. The research uses a survey method. The purpose of this research to assess the technical utilization of limestone mined land PT Semen Baturaja Tbk for rubber plantations for sustainable mining environment. The results are expected to benefit stakeholders, academics, researchers, practitioners and mining associations, and the environment.

Neanderthals at the frontier? Geological potential of southwestern South Scandinavia as archive of Pleistocene human occupation

Preservation and exposure of sediments is a prerequisite for finding archaeological traces. Regional geological history plays a significant and potentially biasing role in the reconstruction of the biogeographical distribution of Pleistocene hominins, particularly in previously glaciated regions. Here we present a digital geoarchaeological approach to a qualitative assessment of this archaeological bias in southwestern South Scandinavia. First, we identify time periods where the region was accessible and suitable for past humans. Our results show that only the longer Pleistocene interstadials offered terrestrial access in combination with potentially suitable habitats. Second, we present an extended digital geoarchaeological prospection of lacustrine, fluvial and palaeosol deposits and relict landscape features. This review guides the identification of preserved sediments of Pleistocene origin and confirms that Pleistocene deposits and landscape features are present in the study area, however, generally in a poor state and low quantity/quality. Third, we map the modern occurrence of sediment exposure through natural processes and anthropogenic activities. Triangulating the cumulated results of these three steps we identify three target areas which offer promising combinations of these factors: A) the Holsted and Rødding hill islands in Central South Jutland; B) the moraine landscape of Central East Jutland, and C) the intersections of buried valleys on the east coast of Jutland. To test the robustness of our prediction, it is necessary to regularly survey open quarries and exposures in these target areas. This should be the aim of future studies, ideally conducted, we suggest, using citizen science approaches that include relevant stakeholders.

Application of Remote Sensing Data for Evaluation of Rockfall Potential within a Quarry Slope

In recent years data acquisition from remote sensing has become readily available to the quarry sector. This study demonstrates how such data may be used to evaluate and back analyse rockfall potential of a legacy slope in a blocky rock mass. Use of data obtained from several aerial LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and photogrammetric campaigns taken over a number of years (2011 to date) provides evidence for potential rockfall evolution from a slope within an active quarry operation in Cornwall, UK. Further investigation, through analysis of point cloud data obtained from terrestrial laser scanning, was undertaken to characterise the orientation of discontinuities present within the rock slope. Aerial and terrestrial LiDAR data were subsequently used for kinematic analysis, production of surface topography models and rockfall trajectory analyses using both 2D and 3D numerical simulations. The results of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based 3D photogrammetric analysis enabled the reconstruction of high resolution topography, allowing one to not only determine geometrical properties of the slope surface and geo-mechanical characterisation but provide data for validation of numerical simulations. The analysis undertaken shows the effectiveness of the existing rockfall barrier, while demonstrating how photogrammetric data can be used to inform back analyses of the underlying failure mechanism and investigate potential runout.

A baseline study of an abandoned mine site in Purnapani, Odisha: a step towards ecological restoration

The human influences on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning have deleterious impacts resulting in significant changes in land and resource sustainability. Ecological restoration is the process of overcoming damage caused by humans to the diversity and dynamics of an ecosystem. This can be done more successfully using artificial interventions if they mimic and accelerate the natural processes. A holistic approach is required to mitigate the impact of anthropogenic activities such as mining operations on the natural habitats. Purnapani, a valley situated in Sundargarh district of Odisha had an abandoned open cast limestone and dolomite quarry; without any restoration efforts for the last about 40 years. In order to initiate an effective restoration effort, community analysis was conducted to generate a base line status of the degraded abandoned site. Two sites were selected viz., a 40 years old abandoned overburden dump and a nearby stabilized area as a reference site. The analysis of community structure revealed a general decrease in species richness with an increase in disturbance. Species composition markedly varied among both the sites. Invasive plants like Chromalaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob., Parthenium hysterophorus L. and Ludwigia octovalvis L. sp. were the dominant taxa to invade the over-burdened site. Also, it was evident that Margalef and Menhinick indices along with rank-abundance curve were the useful indicators for detecting and quantifying the extent of damage to the disturbed site.

Radiometric characterization of zeolite minerals used in many industries and assessment of radiological risks

Zeolites are important additives materials which are widely used in different industries such as construction, paper, paint, agriculture, textile, and fertilizer. In this study, radiometric characterization of natural zeolite samples collected from four zeolite open quarries in Western Anatolia in Turkey were determined using a gamma-ray spectrometry with high purity germanium detector. The radiological risks due to the use of zeolite samples as raw materials in cement and concrete production was assessed for adult people by estimating activity concentration index and annual effective dose due to external exposure in indoor. Also, annual effective radiation dose in outdoor and the corresponding lifetime cancer risk were estimated for quarry workers. Average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K measured in seventy-seven zeolite samples were found as 85 ± 4, 129 ± 2 and 1030 ± 24 Bq kg−1, respectively. The radon emanation factor and radon mass exhalation rate of zeolite samples varied from 1 to 9% with an average of 4% and 1.8–15.1 μBq kg−1 s−1 with an average of 7.2 ± 0.3 μBq kg−1 s−1, respectively. The data were compared with criteria or limit values. The results revealed that usage of the examined zeolite samples as building raw materials would not cause any significant radiological risk.

Повышение эффективности работы щебеночных карьеров на основе оптимального обеспечения фронтов балластировочных работ

Objective: To develop a theoretically justified methodology for transshipping process parameters determination as well as to improve ballast quarry operational efficiency on the basis of optimal provision of ballasting job operation fields. Methods: Operation of crushed quarries and ballasting facilities was studied through the methods of mathematical statistics as well as correlation analysis of technical and economic as well as organizational process parameters. Results: Areas of effective interaction of ballast quarries and ballasting facilities were determined. Operation lengths of shuttle-service trains running with engineering materials from loading terminal to detraining point were optimized. Effective load values of shuttle-service trains were estimated. The results are presented in table and graphic forms. Practical importance: Effective cost value area for ballast materials is recommended in contractors for practical application. Profitability of deliveries from crushed quarries was improved by providing ballasting job operation fields; guidelines on bedding of lines at railway stations and station blocks were developed as well as standards for October railway were introduced.

Hydrogeological characterization and modelling of weathered karst aquifers. Applicability to dewatering operations in limestone quarries

Limestone aquifers represent an important part of groundwater resources in the world. They are usually considered as fractured karstic rock formations. However, a different type, called ‘weathered’ or ‘ghost-rock’ karst aquifer has recently been highlighted. In this particular type of aquifer, the karst is not expressed as open conduits but consists in zones made of a residual alterite, resulting from the in-situ partial dissolution of limestone. These particular structures are crucial in some areas because they actually govern groundwater flow and transport in the aquifer. They have, however, never been studied from a hydrogeological perspective. In this study, we present a methodology to characterize and model such aquifers. Results show that the ghost-rock features are usually organized into networks, and that their hydraulic properties are variable within each feature, according to the limestone weathering intensity. Measurements in a specific aquifer in Belgium are presented. The modelling approach, derived from the common Equivalent Porous Medium approach, enables to spatially distribute the variable hydraulic properties within the features, from the hard fresh rock to the alterite, in finite difference grids. The method allows creating models including thousands of features and respecting correct connectivity relations. The approach is considered at different scales with varying grid cells sizes. Results show that the induced error increases significantly when the size of the grid cells exceeds the width of the main features controlling flow. The approach is applied on a case study consisting in dewatering operations in an exploited quarry located in a weathered karst aquifer. Presented results provide new insights regarding characterization and modelling of this kind of aquifers, and highlight their importance in hydrological studies.

Assessment of dust pollution related to granite quarry operations in Kef Bouacida, Annaba (Algeria)

Assessment of dust pollution related to granite quarry operations in Kef Bouacida, Annaba (Algeria)

Overburden determination for quarry prospecting using seismic refraction: a case study

Aggregate is one of quarry product that is widely used in constructions industry. This raw material that produced from the fresh rock under the earth surface is the most important materials in construction that come from quarry. In order to obtain the quality material of quarry product the overburden material on the top of the fresh rock should be removed. However before going to this production stage the amount of the quality material should be determined. Overburden removal is very important to help the quarry operator to identify the only area that will be actively used for extraction. This paper presents the technique used in determining the thickness of the overburden for quarry prospecting using a geophysical method called as seismic refraction method. The non-destructive technique of seismic refraction was applied in producing the subsurface profile of the potential quarry area. Based on the seismic image the layer of bedrock and the thickness of overburden to be removed was determined. Result from borehole drilling also showed that the lithology of borelog data matched to the seismic result, to proved that seismic refraction can be used as a method in identifying the depth of bedrock.

Monitoring of Quarry Drill Rig Costs and Proposals for Their Reduction

This article deals with issues of the quarry drill rigs operation. They are the rigs with top hammer, or down the hole hammer drills, primarily used during the preparation of blasting. The article is focused on the monitoring of costs and economic management. The introductory part of the article provides a description of all costs, and their division to fixed and variable costs. In the next part, figures of particular costs are provided for specific selected locations in the Czech Republic. Also, the article deals with proposals for the monitoring, evaluation, and reduction of the costs. Separately, the fixed costs are covered, with the evaluation of turn points in various conditions. The proposals for the reduction of variable costs are provided separately. In the article conclusion, summary of recommended measures is provided. Key words: drill rig, costs monitoring, blasting.

ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКИЙ РИСК РАЗРАБОТКИ ПЕСЧАНОГО КАРЬЕРА В РУСЛЕ РЕКИ

The article describes the potential negative consequences of hydraulicking a sand quarry in the Irtysh channel: vibration and noise impact on fish and hydrobionts, changes in the bathymetric and hydrological characteristics of the riverbed, increased turbidity, secondary pollution of water and bottom sediments, and deterioration of the hydrochemical regime. The projected quarry will be located in the riverbed of the Irtysh in the Tobolsk District of the Tyumen Region, at a distance of 5 and 10 km upstream from two wintering holes - Nizhne-Filatovskaya and Nadtsinskaya, which are of great importance for preserving the aquatic biological resources. To prevent possible negative consequences for the fish population, including sturgeon species, it has been proposed to conduct monitoring studies. There is given a list of physical, chemical and biological indicators that should be monitored during the quarry operation: fish density, proportion of fish taxonomic groups and size groups, content of oxygen dissolved in water, content of heavy metals and oil products in water and sediments, turbidity, bathymetric characteristics. Using Horiba, a multi-parameter system of water quality assessment, and AsCor and PanCor hydroacoustic complexes there have been studied the initial indicators of water turbidity and fish density in the water area adjacent to the site of the projected quarry, as well as taxonomic composition of the fish population. Additionally, in order to minimize damage to fisheries, it has been proposed to limit the period of quarry operation by the time of its drying in the period of low water - from 2d decade of August to October.

Feasibility study of choosing the diameter of borehole charges for drilling and blasting operations in quarries

It has been established that the issue of choosing the effective diameter of the downhole charge of an explosive for the destruction of rock formation in quarries has not been fully investigated. Existing methods for calculating the diameter of wells for the same conditions for drilling and blasting operations in quarries show different numerical results. It has been proposed to use a technique based on a technical and economic assessment of drilling and blasting indicators of a rock mass for the determination of a rational diameter of a wellbore when conducting drilling and blasting operations in quarries. A calculation formula for determining the diameter of the borehole charge is presented, which relates the cost parameters of well drilling, blasting, as well as the characteristic of the fracturing of the rock mass. This allows for specific mining, geological and technological conditions of field development to determine the rational diameter of borehole charges for drilling and blasting operations in quarries. The graphical dependence of determining the optimal diameter of the well for certain technical and economic indicators at various degrees of fracturing of the rock mass was obtained. It has been established that for the destruction of an almost monolithic rock mass, the diameter of the borehole charge is less than that of a strongly fractured one.

Applying Electrical Resistivity Tomography in Ornamental Stone Mining: Challenges and Solutions

In this study, the use of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) as a tool to guide ornamental stone extraction is investigated. ERT is not conventionally used in highly resistive environments, such as on rock faces, due to the high contact resistances that can impede current injection. Here, the challenges of conducting ERT in such environments are discussed and possible solutions suggested. For this, an example of the application of ERT in a deep and narrow marble quarry is used. The marble deposit is affected by fracturing and karstification. Due to the nature of these features, they present a significant resistivity contrast to the background resistivity of the marble and thus excellent targets to test the application of ERT. Their location was mapped using field observations and complementary ground penetrating radar data. By using an appropriate sensor deployment, a suitable resistivity meter, and advanced data processing routines, the derived 3D resistivity model is in good agreement with the independent observations. This shows that despite the challenges, ERT can be used as a non-invasive tool to obtain information on the stone properties prior to extraction. This will help in guiding quarry operations and will allow for a targeted, safe and efficient extraction of high quality stone, thereby increasing sustainability and economical competitiveness.

Dependence of magnitude evaluation of chemical exposure characteristics at industrial careers within the boundaries of the Ukrainian Shield

Within the boundaries of the Ukrainian Shield; the main sources of induced seismicity are numerous blasting operations at open and underground minerals mining enterprises. Seismic stations of the Main Center for Special Control of the State Space Agency of Ukraine (GTSSK DSAU) and a network of seismic stations of the Institute of Geophysics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine annually record thousands of industrial explosions in open quarries and mines; whose magnitude mb exceeds 0;5. Based on the analysis of seismic signals registered by the stations of the seismological network of the Main Center for Special Control; the State Space Agency of Ukraine; the ratios of magnitudes ( M ) and capacity ( Y ) of explosions were determined on industrial quarries of Kyiv; Zhytomyr; Vinnitsa; Rivne; Khmelnytsky and Cherkasy regions. According to the analysis of the dependence M = f ( Y ) for each of the investigated quarries; the average ratio between the magnitudes and the explosive capacities was calculated. This ratio can be considered fair for the conditions of the Ukrainian Shield and further used in assessing explosive work on people and the environment.

Evaluation of initiating system by measurement of seismic energy dissipation in surface blasting

Enhanced demand for coal and minerals in the country has forced mine operators for mass production through large opencast mines. Heavy blasting and a large amount of explosive use have led to increased environmental problems, which may have potential harm and causes a disturbance. Ground vibrations generated due to blasting operations in mines and quarries are a very important environmental aspect. It is clear that a small amount of total explosive energy is being utilized in blasting for breakage of rock mass, while the rest is being wasted. The amount of energy which is wasted causes various environmental issues such as ground vibrations, air overpressure, and fly rock. Ground vibrations caused by blasting cannot be eliminated entirely, yet they can be minimized as far as possible through a suitable blasting methodology. A considerable amount of work has been done to identify ground vibrations and assess the blast performance regarding the intensity of ground vibrations, i.e., peak particle velocity and frequency spectrum. However, not much research has done into reducing the seismic energy wasted during blasting leading to ground vibrations. In this paper, the blast-induced ground vibrations in three orthogonal directions, i.e., transverse, vertical, and longitudinal, were recorded at different distances using seismographs. An attempt has been made for the estimation of the percentage of explosive energy dissipated in the form of seismic energy with electronic and non-electric (NONEL) initiation system. signal processing techniques with the help of DADiSP software is used to study the same.

Safety Consideration in the Development of Improved Stone Jaw Crusher for Quarry Operations

Safety Consideration in the Development of Improved Stone Jaw Crusher for Quarry Operations - written by Omiyale B. O , Adebiyi K. A , Raheem W. A published on 2018/06/25 download full article with reference data and citations