Quarry Operations Research Articles

Environmental and Socioeconomic Impact Analysis of Quarry Operations in General Santos City on its Host Communities

Several international policies have been formulated to address the environmental and social impacts of the quarrying industry. However, this multifaceted issue persists, particularly in the Buayan River System in General Santos City. This study examined the environmental and socioeconomic repercussions of quarry operations in General Santos City, focusing on 14 commercial sand and gravel quarries along the Buayan River system. A mixed-methods approach was employed, collecting quantitative data through structured questionnaires, direct observations, and secondary data analysis, and incorporating qualitative insights from key informant interviews. Stakeholders within a 500-meter radius of the quarries were sampled using Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) to ensure representation. The findings revealed significant environmental impacts, including increased dust levels, soil erosion, and changes in water quality, which have adversely affected the local ecosystem and residents' health. The socioeconomic effects were mixed: while quarrying created jobs and improved infrastructure, it also showed deficiencies in community engagement and training programs. Regulatory analysis identified strengths in collaboration but highlighted weaknesses in enforcement, fee systems, and monitoring. The results indicated that although quarrying provides economic benefits, enhanced regulatory enforcement and sustainable practices are imperative to mitigate associated costs. Recommendations include strengthening enforcement, improving community engagement, updating fee structures, and implementing sustainable quarrying practices in General Santos City. By incorporating these recommendations, General Santos City can ensure the quarrying industry operates responsibly, balancing economic benefits with environmental and social well-being.

Scheduling and Management of Sand Excavation Quarry

Abstract: With an emphasis on scheduling tactics and operational effectiveness, this study explores the crucial area of sand excavation quarry management. This study provides useful insights for the optimization of sand quarry operations by a thorough investigation of scheduling strategies, resource allocation practices, and management approaches specifically designed for the complex dynamics of quarry excavation

Model based impact assessment on groundwater vulnerability during aggregate quarry operation

A general methodological approach is proposed for the preliminary assessment of the potential impact on groundwater during the operation of quarries for aggregates. The practical application and effectiveness of this approach are by using a numerical model to predict groundwater and soil contamination during the implementation of a project in the region of Breznik, Western Bulgaria. The spread of highly mobile pollutants in both the unsaturated and saturated zones of the rock complex is simulated after emergency spills and prolonged discharges of contaminated water in the quarry area. The forecast is made for a period of 100 years. The numerical model was compiled using the VS2DI program.

Injuries in the landscape: The Suseni quarry – A case study from Transylvania, Romania

Abstract Mining and quarrying operations exert a substantial influence on both the environment and nearby communities. Plenty of them can be found in mountainous areas of Transylvania. These activities, which involve the excavation of expansive open pits and the disruption of soil and vegetation, can lead to adverse consequences such as soil erosion, deforestation, habitat degradation, and water contamination. Mining and quarrying operations carry notable consequences for both the environment and the nearby communities. The interventions of contemporary humans have changed the landscape on an unprecedented scale. The signs of human involvement are apparent in numerous locations in the Giurgeului Depression; the Suseni quarry site is an example of a place that necessitates a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.

INVESTIGATING THE REASONS FOR QUARRY SHUT-DOWN IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF AFRI-MINE QUARRY AND JOLEX CONSTRUCTION

Background: Quarry operation is one of the surface mining activity carried out in Nigeria. It involves different stages of operation such as blasting, crushing and lots more but due to financial loss, many quarry business has shut down while very few is still in operation. This research aim at identifying the reason(s) behind the incessant folding up of quarry business in Nigeria through comparative study between Afrimine Quarry and Jolex Construction. Results: Data was obtained through interactive interview with the staff in the quarry and after collation and data analysis, the following results were observed. Afrimine sells her granite within the price range of N3,300 to N5,200 for sizes of 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 3/8 inch, stone dust and makes a monthly profit of N36, 484,859.375 with a total volume of 15,000 tons per month and a unit price of N2,291.61/ton while Jolex Construction sells her granite within the prices of N7,500 to N8,000 and makes a monthly profit of N58, 295,000 at total volume of 9,000 tons per month with a unit price of N1022.78/ton. Conclusions: Quarry business is quite capital intensive but with the right managerial scheme, it can be a very profiting business.

Impact of Particulate Matter as an Air Quality Pollutant Released from Quarry Activities in Akamkpa, Cross River State, Nigeria

This study examines the impact of particulate matter (PM2.5) and (PM10) as an air quality pollutant released from quarry operations at a quarry site in Akamkpa, Cross River State, Nigeria. Rock quarrying is the practice of obtaining quarry materials, typically rocks, from above or below land surfaces and crushing or grinding them into fragments to produce various rock sizes. For air quality assessment, concentrations of the air pollutants were measured at different locations within and around the quarry site, from a height of 1.5m above ground level. Highly sensitive digital portable meter was used for the measurement of PM2.5 and PM10. The Inverse Distance Weighted model (IDW) tool in ArcGIS was used to perform a spatial interpolation analysis on the data measured from the field monitoring during the dry and wet seasons. The findings indicate that during the dry season, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations ranged from 292µg/m3 to 127.33µg/m3 and from 377.67µg/m3 to 222.67µg/m3 respectively, while during the wet season, they ranged from 239.67µg/m3 to 92.00µg/m3 and from 276.33µg/m3 to 124µg/m3. The findings suggest that residents of the study area should limit their exposure, especially during the dry season.

Assessment of particulate matter exposure on ambient air and its impact on workers at two granite quarry mines at Njuli, Southern Malawi.

Quarrying activities are among the significant sources of pollution caused by particulate matter (PM) in ambient air. Besides affecting the environment, PM exposure is one of the leading causes of respiratory illnesses worldwide. The current study, unique to Malawi, aimed to understand the impact of particulate matter on ambient air and the possible effects on workers' health at Njuli in Blantyre and Chiradzulu districts. The study measured concentrations of particulate matter in ambient air, conducted a chemical analysis of fallen dust, and surveyed respiratory symptoms. Results showed higher exposures to particulate matter at a Terrastone mine (126µg/m3 highest exposure) than a Mota Engil mine (83µg/m3 highest exposure), attributed to poor management practices at Terrastone mine. Higher PM readings (0-85.98µg/m3) were observed for sites located downwind of the mines than sites located upwind (0-59µg/m3), demonstrating the impact of quarrying operations at the mines; differences were, however, not statistically significant (P 0.165, Terrastone, P 0.678 Mota Engil). The observed amount of PM in ambient air was consistent with the scale of quarrying and processing operations at both mines, 0-56.2µg/m3 in pre-operational phases, 0-126.1µg/m3 during operations, and 0-56µg/m3 after closure of operations; differences were statistically significant only at Terrastone mine P 0.003. The impact of season variation was observed following lower PM readings recorded during the rainy season than those obtained during the dry season at both mines. Analysis of health symptoms revealed that a higher proportion of workers at the Terrastone mine experienced respiratory symptoms compared to the Mota Engil mine.

A NON-LINEAR OPTIMISATION APPROACH TO IN-PIT HAUL ROAD DESIGN

Truck haul costs, as one of the predominant operational costs for mining and quarrying operations, are known to be heavily dependent on the design parameters of haul roads. Furthermore, in-pit haul road design parameters determine the pit limits and therefore, the potential feasibility of the mining operation. Thus, when in search of an optimal solution in terms of in-pit haul roads, one should primarily consider the location of the in-pit haul road, its design features and the deriving operational costs regarding extraction and haul costs. A suitable objective function in this case may be the undiscounted profit for the ultimate pit design. However, for each considered scenario, truck and excavator operational costs can be calculated using simulation techniques for better accuracy. Furthermore, finding an optimal solution requires the execution of a reliable and efficient algorithm, depending on the shape of the objective function. Hence, a non-linear optimisation approach was proposed in this paper for solving the in-pit haul road optimisation problem, based on a simulation of the materials allocation, which was used for calculating the objective function. Design parameters were assumed to be predetermined, while the only variable used for finding an optimal solution was the location of the in-pit haul road inside the pit contour. In addition, two 1-D algorithms were compared for finding the optimal solution (Search with accelerated step size and 1-D Simplex method). Furthermore, two regression models are proposed (Multiple Linear Regression – MLR and Non-Linear Regression - NLR), which could identify the more feasible region for the in-pit haul road location and reduce the number of iterations required for convergence.

Circular Mining Wastes Management for Sustainable Production of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze

Mining operations have a significant negative impact on the surrounding ecosystems. The operation of mines and quarries creates a large amount of waste that accumulate and are practically unrecyclable in the environment. The involvement of these wastes in economic activity is an extremely urgent task. This can make the economy more sustainable and reduce its influence on ecosystems. This work presents the attempts of using quarry wastes as a fertilizer applied for growing tea crops. The novelty of this research involves revealing the quarry wastes as a fertilizer when growing Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze and assessing changes in the productivity of this plant when applying these calcium wastes. The waste of a quarry intended for extracting crushed stone was studied in this article. The composition of the waste was analyzed. Fertilizers used for manuring the soil were prepared based on the waste. Two experimental sites were selected. One of them was a control, where Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze was grown without using fertilizers. Fertilizers obtained from the waste were applied on the second site. The experimental work proceeded for 10 years. When discussing the results, special attention was paid to climatic conditions. This was caused by the need to show that it was the use of the fertilizer that influenced the change in the yield, not the climatic conditions. As a result of using calcium fertilizers based on the waste, the productivity of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze was increased. The application of the fertilizers based on the quarry wastes was shown to provide an increase in the yield. The possibility of using calcium fertilizers to overcome unfavorable agroclimatic conditions during the tea cultivation was also demonstrated. To assess the climatic impact of applying new fertilizers, three-dimensional modeling in the “gnuplot v.5.4” software was used. As a result, an increase in the average annual precipitation, from 1000 to 1980 mm/year, in the range of the average annual air temperature, from 14 to 16 °C, was found to lead to an increase (when using a new fertilizer) in the yield of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze up to 4.8 times (from 20 to 95 centner/ha). The results have shown that applying fertilizers based on the quarry wastes is also possible in unfavorable climatic conditions.

Study on explosion in different cross-sectional shape charge cavity in tensile stress field

Purpose. To study nature and patterns of main cracks development in a solid medium during an explosion of explosive charge in charge cavity with longitudinal symmetrical incision and various cross-sectional shapes Methodology. Experimental methods were used to study process dynamics, nature and direction of cracks development during the explosion of explosive charge of various shapes and their transformation into a clear optical image under the influence of a focused laser beam through an optical system – the method of caustics. Study on stress field changes under the combined effect of static and dynamic loading on fracture medium by polarisation-optical method. Based on correlation analysis methods, study results are analysed. Findings. It is experimentally proved that changing angle from 0 to 45° between longitudinal cut and plane jointly affected by tensile stresses and explosion action promotes opening of main cracks both parallel and perpendicular to cut direction. Dependences of propagation of main cracks caused by an explosion in model under different loading conditions are constructed. Calculations of stress intensity coefficients in medium under explosion and tensile stresses were performed. Originality. Improved research methodology for establishing the mechanism of explosive loading of solid media by explosion of explosive charge of different cross-sectional shapes is proposed. Physical mechanism of main cracks formation and propagation in blast cavity under action of explosive charge of different shapes under different conditions of dynamic loading is revealed. Dimensions of symmetrical longitudinal incision and spatial location of crack along direction of tensile stresses are substantiated. Also, an idea of using a directed explosion to form a protective strip in the rock mass was further developed. Practical value. The research results received can be necessary for developing new technical solutions to provide additional protective measures in the field of environmental and seismic safety of protected civil and industrial facilities during blasting operations in quarries and mines.

Data Analyses of Quarry Operations and Maintenance Schedules: A Production Optimization Study

In this research, data analytics and machine learning were used to identify the performance metrics of loaders and haul trucks during mining operations. We used real-time collected data from loaders and haul trucks operating in multiple quarries to broaden the scope of the study and remove bias. Our model indicates relationships between multiple variables and their impacts on production in an operation. Data analysis was also applied to ground engagement tools (GET) to identify key preventative maintenance schedules to minimize production impact from capital equipment downtime. Through analysis of the loader’s data, it was found there is an efficient cycle time of around 35 s to 40 s, which yielded a higher payload. The decision tree classifier algorithm created a model that was 87.99% accurate in estimating the performance of a loader based on a full analysis of the data. Based on the distribution of production variables across each type of loader performing in a similar work environment, the Caterpillar 992K and 990K were the highest-yielding machines. Production efficiency was compared before and after maintenance periods of ground engaging tools on loader buckets. With the use of maintenance and production records for these tools, it was concluded that there was no distinguishable change in average production and percentage change in production value before and after maintenance days.

Geological Complications and Environmental Hazards of the Cement Raw Materials Quarry Sites in Yemen

Extensive field and site investigations were conducted to assess and evaluate the situation in the presently exploited quarries of cement raw materials in Yemen. These quarries have several geological complications represented mainly by high elevations, steep slopes, rugged topography, heterogeneity in bed thickness, lithologic composition and quality, presence of igneous sills and dykes, intensive fracturing and jointing and abundance of karstification features. Moreover, the processes of quarrying and related operations have several negative environmental impacts the most important of which are soil failure, overburden and land sliding, toppling and rock falls (which result in considerable mass wasting) and emission of dust and noise. Generally, quarrying operations are more hazardous in quarries of gypsum and basement rocks than in those of carbonates and volcanics. Furthermore, the quarries have problems related to the conservation of natural resources. These are represented primarily by the excavation of the valuable agricultural and reclaimed lands and improper exploitation of the cement raw materials and the fresh and underground waters the reserves of which decreased drastically. To deal with the above-mentioned problems, a number of recommendations are outlined. They comprise mitigation measures which must be strictly implemented. Also, it is of almost importance to conduct prospecting for new occurrences of the presently exploited cement raw materials and their possible substitutes as well as additional groundwater resources.

Mechanical and GWP assessment of concrete using Blast Furnace Slag, Silica Fume and recycled aggregate

Demolition waste and cement production is responsible for 36 % of total waste produced on earth and 8 % of the worlds CO2 emissions, respectively. Due to limited research on concrete mixes containing ternary cementitious mixes (Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS) and Silica Fume (SF)) and demolition waste, the paper reviewed the mechanical properties of concrete, and structural performance of reinforced beams. Thereafter, life cycle analysis (LCA) was investigated to understand the true environmental impact, focusing on Global Warming Potential (GWP). Results show that recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) had no significant negative impact on the compressive strength, tensile strength, and modulus of rupture of concrete. The inclusion of GGBS and SF in mixes containing RCA eliminated any negative impact and for all mixes produced greater strengths in comparison to the control mix, due to the secondary reaction of Ca (OH)2 and pore refinement. The flexural behaviour of the concrete beams with 0 %, 25 %, 50 % and 100 % RCA, 25 % GGBS and 5 % SF is similar. LCA results showed that replacing NA with 25 %, 50 % or 100 % RCA has no significant impact on the GWP emissions. This is because of the similar emissions associated with manufacturing and processing of recycled and natural aggregates. However, replacing cement with 5 % SF and 25 % GGBS improves the GWP environmental response of concrete significantly. Additionally, natural aggregates have a higher GWP contribution than that of recycled concrete aggregates by almost 80 % since the process of NA required quarry operation and transportation while the RCA are produced on site from an existing building waste.

Adverse Effects: Thirteen Homeowners Near A Blasting Quarry Bought Out By Quarry Owner

In Ontario, a blasting quarry operation, once established, is allowed to effectively operate indefinitely, as a licence to permit aggregate extraction has no expiry date. Once established, the prospect of terminating a quarry operator’s licence is virtually non-existent, regardless of the nature or number of site plan and quarry violations or adverse impacts (e.g., flyrock, noise, toxic fumes, fugitive dust, vibrations, drain or damage domestic wells), all due to a lack of effective government oversight (e.g., government staff shortage exacerbated by allowing self-reporting of the aggregate industry). Before a blasting or non-blasting quarry operation is permitted, the owner of the quarry should be compelled to purchase potentially impacted properties, provided that in doing so the environmental impact is reduced to a “trivial” level and the surrounding community is not destabilized. Otherwise, once a quarry is operational, the only remedy available to the municipality and impacted property owners is to launch a civil action at considerable time and expense, a process that can drag on for years with no guarantee of success. Sometimes, a quarry operator will voluntarily commit to purchase adversely impacted properties, but sometimes the acquisitions are undertaken surreptitiously, and require the property owner to sign a non-disclosure agreement. This case study pertains to a number of adversely effected homeowners whose homes were bought out by the owners of the Acton Quarry in Halton Hills, Ontario. They concealed their true identity through the use of numbered companies and one with the delightful sounding name (Snowfarm Ltd.) when purchasing the houses and in the process destabilized the community.

Influences of digitalization on sustaining marine minerals: A path toward sustainable blue economy

This study's target is to experimentally discover the influence of the digital revolution, both for the public and private industries, on the sustainable development of marine mineral resources. As part of this initiative, it aims to demonstrate its influence on the development of a sustainable blue economy. Several measures are used to measure the blue economy sustainability of European countries. These measures include value added at the factor costs of crude oil extraction; gas extraction; activities related to oil and gas production; crushed stone or rock mining, clay or kaolin mining; salt extraction; as well as supporting activities engaged in the mining and quarry operations. We also use various indicators to capture digitalization performance in both the private and public sectors. During the 2009–2020 period, the European region will benefit from digital transformation in terms of improving marine minerals sustainability. Nevertheless, this effect is likely to be more apparent over the long term. Particularly, over a longer period, some aspects of digitalization in public services do have an empirically measurable effect on any components of marine minerals.

Environmental effects of marble quarry operations in Burdur Lake Basin (Burdur-Turkey)

Marble is the most important natural material because of its structural features and its long durability. It is mined at operated quarries on hill slopes. The original landform is permanently altered, and vegetation cover is destroyed. Another important feature of marble quarries is the large amount of waste materials released during the quarrying process. In the last decades, together with the visible effects of global warming and climate change, fresh water resources are rapidly depleted and polluted due to careless land use. Quarrying operations are among the most important stakeholders of this process. Environmental effects of quarry activities depend on the location of the site in the landscape, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the excavation, the methods used to excavate the marble, and the formation of the geological structure. Furthermore, the region's seismicity, microclimate conditions, ecological condition, and surface and groundwater conditions are all factors influencing environmental degradation. Additionally, numerous serious environmental impacts associated with quarrying activities near the site, such as visual pollution, water, dust, noise, air pollution, vibration, land subsidence, and landslides, will cause health issues and unpredictable biodiversity loss. Quarrying operations have the potential to impact pre-existing ecosystems, including groundwater depletion, loss of fertile topsoil, forest degradation, and human health. This article aims to draw attention to various serious environmental impacts, health problems and biodiversity loss resulting from quarrying operations in Burdur Lake Basin.

Blasting efficiency in granite aggregate quarry based on the combined effects of fragmentation and weighted environmental hazards

Purpose. Mine and quarry operators determine blasting efficiency by the sizes of fragments, while regulatory agencies evaluate the same from the level of environmental discomfort. Thus, a conflict of interest exists. This research distinguishes fragmentation efficiency from blasting efficiency. It proposes a new approach for evaluating blasting efficiency to break the conflict of interests between the quarry operators and the regulatory agencies. Methods. Five blasting events in the FYS granite aggregate quarry have been studied, and design parameters have been obtained. As an indicator of blast-induced environmental discomfort, vibrations and air blasts are measured using a seismograph. The WipFrag desktop and Kuz-Ram model are used to assess the resulting fragmentations. Blasting efficiency is evaluated as a function of fragmentation and environmental constraints. Findings. The powder factor affects the fragment size distribution and the environmental hazards of blasting but in a conflicting manner. Increased powder factor enhances good fragmentation but results in further environmental discomfort. Blast event 4 has the highest fragmentation efficiency of 46.53%, while 3 has the highest environmental control efficiency of 69.47%. Cumulatively, blast event 4 has the highest overall blasting efficiency of 45.43%. Future research is expected to standardise this novel approach and incorporate more blasting effects. Originality. This work is the first attempt to quantify the efficiency of blasting operations in the aggregate quarry by combining the fragmentation produced and the resulting environmental hazards in a single model. Practical implications. The model proposed in this research can be adopted by quarry operators and regulatory agencies for sustainable quarrying and mining to address identified conflicts of interest between them.

Effects of Blast Design to the Environment in Limestone Quarry

The demand for construction materials produced by quarry rises in tandem with urbanization. The enormous number of complaints, however, has put the quarry owner under constant pressure to ensure safe blasting operations and minimal blasting effect on the environment. Due to the fact that limestone naturally dissolves in water and creates numerous weak spots in rock masses, it has always been thought that limestone quarry operations are more risky than common granite quarry operations. The goal of the study was to identify the rock mass properties of limestone and how they related to the consequences of blasting operations. For a systematic study, the quarry face was divided into four (4) Sections i.e., Section A, Section B, Section C, and Section D. The preliminary study was involved site investigation for quarry face evaluation and data collection as well as results from blast monitoring program for two months in a row was also recorded. The analysis was started with calculation of Blastability Index (BI) of the study area based on rock mass properties data and Blastability Quality System (BQS). The new predicted site constant (rock mass properties), κ and β were calculated based on two globally recognized empirical equations i.e., USBM and Langefors-Kihlstrom and the results was employed as indicator for future blasting operations. The SPSS Regression Model analysis graphs shown USBM predictor was inversely proportional to the PPV, while, the Langefors-Kihlstrom predictor graph was proportional to the PPV. The calculated K and β values for USBM predictor was 40 and 1.0 respectively. Based on the analysis, the rock mass properties at this limestone quarry have high influence to blasting effects and the effect can be aggravated at certain study sections. From all sections, Section A was deemed the most sensitive area or has the highest risk of generating excessive environmental effect with the lowest BI value (higher rock strength) at 49.18%, located closest to sensitive public buildings and recorded the most joint sets. It is can be concluded that the blasting activities in this quarry although at maximum charge per delay (Wmax) was being carried out safely with very minimal effects to the surrounding areas and in accordance to the limits set by the relevant authorities i.e., JMG and DOE Malaysia.

Extraction strategies and technological tradition at late pre-Hispanic quarries, southern Peru (ca. 1000–1532 CE)

Studies of Inka quarry operations have focused on large-scale quarries in the Inka imperial heartland, with emphasis on finishing techniques and geochemical sourcing. To assess diachronic variation in the technological organization of late pre-Hispanic building stone extraction, we compare survey data from the Chuquibamba District (Arequipa Region) – an Inka provincial context – and the Sacred Valley, a vital part of the Inka imperial heartland. Our sample (n = 41) includes small- and large-scale quarries that supplied material for Inka state and elite projects as well as local vernacular construction during the Late Intermediate Period and Late Horizon (ca. 1000–1532 CE). To chronologically contextualize quarry sites, we assess use periods based on scale, diagnostic technology, and building stone provenance. We deploy a multilinear approach using archaeological data, colonial chronicles and dictionaries, and analogies to ethnographic and modern cases to analyze the knowledge, decision-making process, and mechanics that facilitated material extraction. The results demonstrate that Inka building stone quarrying techniques developed out of widely shared vernacular knowledge and practice. This study articulates a new approach to late pre-Hispanic Andean architecture while providing a case study to evaluate the relationship between political organization and technological systems.

Effect of seasonal variations on quarry operations in Southwest Nigeria

This study assessed the seasonal effects on quarry operations and productivity in South-Western, Nigeria. Data were collected through oral interview, supplemented with well structured pre-tested questionnaires. The findings show that seasonal changes had effect on all quarry operations. The results revealed that aggregate production was higher during the dry season across all the quarries with Samchaze quarry having the highest production of 54,460-64,000 tons attributing to reduced downtime from rainfall and higher aggregate demand due to increased engineering projects rate in the dry season. With regards to sales, the findings showed a decrease in aggregate sales in the wet season in all the quarries with Western quarry making the lowest sales of 2,700-6,000 tons while Samchaze quarry made the highest sales of 11,000-15,000 tons. Health challenges like respiratory infections and heat stress were greater in the dry season while common cold, malaria and typhoid, cough and catarrh were common during the wet season. Eye infections, chest and hearing problems were felt in all the seasons. Appropriate recommendations were made to mitigate these seasonal changes impacts.