Stone Quarries Research Articles

Results of Remote Monitoring of the Technological Potential and Ecology of Open-pit Mining at Mineral Deposits for the Production of Crushed Stone

Based on the results of remote monitoring, the state of mining operations in quarries for the extraction of mineral raw materials consumed by crushed stone plants in Russia was investigated. The indicators of integrated mechanization of crushed stone quarries based on the presence of operating mining and transport vehicles have been identified. The production capacity of each quarry in terms of rock mass and the total production potential of the crushed stone plants in Russia, estimated at 285 million tons per year, have been determined. The environmental indicators of disturbed lands during the development of mineral deposits for use in the crushed stone plants are presented.

An assessment of the immune status of some stone quarry workers in Ondo state, Nigeria.

Stone quarry activities in Nigeria are mostly unregulated such that the workers in these quarries are continuously exposed to the inhalation of silica dust. It has been observed that silica dust particles negatively impact the health of stone quarry workers which usually manifest as respiratory difficulties, asthma-like illnesses and other adventitious events of the lungs. The study was designed to evaluate the probable immunological impact of silica dust inhalation from stone crushing by workers. Blood samples were collected from consenting workers and analyzed for total white blood cells and their subsets. Absolute CD4 cells numbers were also determined. The results indicated that neutrophils and eosinophils numbers increased significantly (P < .05) and CD4 counts declined significantly (P < .001). Alteration in these proportions is a pointer to the injurious impact of silica dust on the immune system of these workers. The findings in this study should spur actions in the education of these workers on the need for the use of proper personal protection equipment and the establishment of a scheme to periodically carry out a health assessment check to identity those at most risk of developing chronic illnesses.

Cost modelling for dimension stone quarry operations

Dimension stone mining is Increasing because of growing demand from the building and construction industries. Diamond wire saw cutting is a popular dimension stone mining technique around the world. Estimation of the production cost for this method is critical for these operations. In this research a production cost model was developed for the mining of granite using a diamond wire saw. Cost and production data were collected from a granitic dolerite operation in Pakistan for a 4.5-year period, and analysed to identify the cost components. Fuel (34%), labour (15%), consumables (40%), and maintenance (5%) were found to be the four major cost components in this operation. A regression-based dimension stone production cost model incorporating statistically significant variables was developed. The data presented a strong correlation of production cost with fuel, labour, and consumables costs. Finally, a production cost model based on the consumption cost of diamond wire is presented. The model was verified using actual production cost data, which indicated 95% (R2 = 0.95) variance in the data between the predicted and actual production cost values. The model may help field engineers in computing their dimension stone operational cost during the cutting phase.

GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS AND PRODUCTION PLANNING BY IDENTIFICATION OF THE DISCONTINUITIES AND ROCK MASS BLOCKS IN DIMENSION STONE QUARRIES: A CASE STUDY

The dimension stone industry faces a significant environmental challenge due to the large amount of waste produced during the production process. About 51.3% of the materials extracted from dimension stone quarries worldwide end up as quarry waste. The presence of discontinuities and fractures primarily causes this waste. However, by examining the characteristics of these discontinuities and fractures and identifying in-situ blocks of the rock mass, it is possible to reduce the amount of waste produced during dimension stone quarrying. This study focuses on an abandoned quarry bench of the Lashotor quarries complex in the Isfahan Province, Iran. Due to high waste production, the quarry bench was left unused. The study aimed to identify the in-situ blocks of the quarry bench by examining the characteristics of the rock mass’s discontinuities and fractures. The authors used a modified algorithm to identify and grade all the quarry bench blocks based on the target market. The study revealed that some blocks in the abandoned quarry bench could be supplied to the target market, and the bench has the potential for block extraction. The algorithm’s modification based on the shape factor of blocks is an important innovation that increases the accuracy of block determination compared to previous methods. Overall, this algorithm can be used as a decision-making tool in extracting or not extracting the quarry bench of dimension stone quarries and implementing an optimal cutting pattern to reduce waste production.

Characteristics of airborne particles in stone quarrying areas: Human exposure assessment and mitigation

This investigation aims to assess the levels of human exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) in various locations of a natural stone quarry for the first time based on simultaneous measurements of both PM mass and number concentrations (PMC and PNC). A quarry located in Danang city, Vietnam, considered to be a “hotspot” of air pollution in the city, was selected for detailed investigations. Both PMC and PNC were found to be significantly higher (1.2–6.0 times) within the quarry compared to surrounding areas. Mechanical activities during mining, notably crushing, screening, hauling, and loading stones, contributed to increased emissions of PM in the coarser mode (1–10 μm) compared to the accumulation mode (0.1–1 μm) and thus increased deposition of PM1-10 in the human upper respiratory tract. In contrast, combustion activities, especially the diesel engine exhaust from various machines and vehicles used in the quarry, resulted in increased emissions of small particles in the accumulation mode that dominated the PNC and in their deposition in the lower respiratory tract. Simultaneous measurements of PNC and PMC revealed that the PM counts were strongly associated with PM deposition in the alveolar region (accounting for ≈ 76% of total PNC of particles less than 10 μm, N10), while the PM mass concentration was a better indicator of the deposition of PM in the head airway region (≈92% of total PMC of PM10). Overall, this study demonstrates the significance of measuring both PNC and PMC to assess PM exposure levels, regional respiratory doses, and potential health effects associated with human exposure to PM generated from stone quarrying activities. The novelty of this work is the integration of real-time mass and number concentrations of PM over the size range from 20 nm to 10 μm to provide insights into respiratory deposited doses of size-fractionated PM among quarry workers.

RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON OBTAINING LOW- CEMENT WALL MATERIALS FROM WASTE OF SAMING OF LOCAL LIME STONES

The results of experimental studies are presented on the production of single low-cement modified dry-pressed bricks from limestone stone sawing waste from Martakert stone quarries. The technological parameters for the manufacture of these bricks and their physical and mechanical properties have been established. A high convergence of the properties of the resulting wall material was determined in comparison with ceramic and silicate bricks used in construction. Using the method of analogy, the compliance of the quality indicators of experimentally obtained bricks with the requirements of regulatory documents was proven. The fundamental possibility of producing low- cement bricks from stone sawing waste from local quarries, as well as their use in construction, has been established. The production of low-cement bricks makes it possible to increase construction efficiency and reduce the cost of operating completed facilities. This also leads to a reduction in environmental risks from the accumulation of stone sawing waste in large areas and pollution of the air and water basins of the region.

Dry stone walling. Rural artisan enterprise in the urban economy

Usually, dry stone walls are a feature of rural locations but this paper presents a case story of how two experienced dry stone Wallers were commissioned to build a dry stone wall in an urban location. Through narrative story telling using photographs, this work charts the progress of the construction of the Wall from the commissioning process in December 2021 from visiting stone quarries to search for appropriate stone in January 2022, to the building of the wall itself in May–June 2022.The paper demonstrates how engaging in simple artisanal tasks, such as building a dry stone wall, is a source of fascination to the observer and also a process of discovery. Methodologically, it uses a Dramaturgical lens (Goffman, 1959) to capture the experience of both the construction of the wall itself and the lenses which the casual observer uses to understand the process of walling.The paper explores the significance of what are perceived to be ‘rural’ ‘creative enterprise’ and artisanship but transported to an urban environment. It expands an earlier work of a case study of two dry stone wallers, based in North Yorkshire, a region of the UK (McElwee, 2022).By so doing, it demonstrates how creative enterprise skills in the rural economy can be transported into the urban environment. By this simple process the paradox is that more actors are able to enjoy and appreciate a rural skill, than they would in a more ‘traditional’ environment. One further consequence of this is that urban-based actors are able to appreciate at first hand, the beauty of a well-constructed dry stone wall.Importantly it points to the significance of the dry stone wall for the continued sustainability of rural regions. In the UK, the dry stone wall is perceived to be a ‘Public good’. Indeed, the UK Domestic Agricultural Policy (DAP) is centred around the idea of ‘public money for public goods’, which incentivises farmers for providing services that the public can benefit from i.e., countryside access, sustainable farming practices and increasing biodiversity (Defra, 2021).

Status of occupational health and safety in the informal sectors in Tanzania: the case of stone quarrying and soil brickmaking

Objectives. The informal economy in Tanzania, as in many other developing countries, presents numerous workplace safety issues. This study was conducted in stone quarrying (SQ) and soil brickmaking (SBM) sites to assess workers’ awareness and perceptions of safety practices, identify common workplace risks and hazards, and evaluate challenges hindering the implementation of workplace safety culture. Methods. A total of 173 workers responded to a semi-structured questionnaire and 15 workers were interviewed. Data were summarized using Stata (version 15). Results. More than 95% of the SQ and SBM workers were exposed to ergonomic hazards and related health risks, due to low awareness (90%) and unavailable leadership structures (>96%) for enforcing and overseeing the implementation of workplace occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations. Conclusion. Due to the lack of regulation and oversight, workers in the informal sector in Tanzania often face hazardous conditions that put their health and safety at risk. Workers use self-intuitions, observations, injuries and near miss incidences to improvise control measures and minimize hazardous risks. This study provides baseline information that can be used for evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation to safeguard workers’ safety and health in the informal sectors of Tanzania.

Environmentally sustainable mining in quarries to reduce waste production and loss of resources using the developed optimization algorithm

The study of natural resources in the earth sciences focuses on the sustainable management of valuable materials like dimension stones. the quarrying of dimension stones is associated with environmental challenges such as significant amounts of waste production, and resource loss, mainly caused by discontinuities and fractures in the rock mass. Quarry optimization requires an optimal cutting pattern to increase the production of larger blocks while minimizing parameters that affect operational costs such as energy consumption. The algorithms used in the quarrying only focus on the number of blocks extracted, ignoring other factors such as energy consumption in the cutting of blocks. To address this issue, a new algorithm was developed in this study. The algorithm aims to optimize the quarrying process by analyzing the impact of discontinuities on waste production and cutting surfaces. It then provides an optimal cutting pattern for the quarry face based on the optimal value of these parameters. As a result, the use of this algorithm can serve as an efficient and valuable tool in dimension stone quarries. By implementing this algorithm, production costs, energy, and water consumption, cutting tools consumption, and waste production can be significantly reduced, leading to increased quarry profitability and decreased environmental problems.

Strikes and stones: stone quarries in the Southern Triangle as a site for shaping ethnic segregation, industrial relations, and labor militancy in Israel, 1949-1952

ABSTRACT In the early years following Israel’s establishment, the country’s stone industry was set to advance key Zionist objectives: supplying construction materials to house Jewish immigrants and creating employment opportunities for them. However, this policy faced a significant challenge when quarry owners preferred to hire cheaper, unorganized Palestinian workers. This was particularly pronounced in the Southern Triangle region, where Palestinians lived in close proximity to Israeli Jewish urban centers. These Palestinian quarry workers, who were compelled to endure harsh working conditions, discrimination, and exploitation, are the focus of this article. By focusing on Palestinian quarry workers in the Southern Triangle between 1949–1952, the article aims to explore the origins of the political and economic inferiority of Palestinians in Israel. It delves into how this inferiority was constructed and the underlying motivations. Furthermore, the article uncovers previously overlooked Palestinian labor mobilization in the face of rigid oppression by employers and the state. This mobilization, it is argued, led to a shift in government and labor union policies towards Palestinians – from establishing and justifying a racial wage gap between Jewish and Palestinian workers to striving for wage standardization.

Environmental impact of quarrying on air quality in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

AbstractThe insatiable demand for rock supplies has enticed numerous building and construction enterprises to participate in stone quarrying. This paper examines the environmental impact of quarrying on air quality in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. To achieve the main aim of the study, an objective was set to detect air pollutants at the quarry sites. A total of 220 air samples were measured from six points around the quarry locations and recorded in situ for analysis. The samples were measured three times a day (morning, afternoon, and evening) for three days. Gas monitors were used to monitor air pollutants. The generated data were subjected to completely random design (CRD) sampling techniques. The separation of means and tests was performed using Fisher's Least Significant Difference (FLSD) at a significance probability level of 5%. Based on statistical analysis, the findings detected significantly higher concentration levels of particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, chlorine, volatile organic compounds, ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide in the quarry areas than the value detected in the control area. The findings also confirmed higher noise levels in the locations. It was also observed that the concentration levels of the parameters differed from point to point and at different times of the day. This really means the occurrence of a high rate of air pollution in the study locations. Based on the above findings, it is highly recommended that air pollution control equipment be installed at quarry sites in order to reduce gaseous (pollutant) emissions.

Renal Impairments in Stone Quarry Workers

Renal Impairments in Stone Quarry Workers

Environmental impact of quarrying on air quality in Ebonyi state, Nigeria

BackgroundThe insatiable demand for rock supplies has enticed numerous building and construction enterprises to participate in stone quarrying. However, this has had an environmental impact on air quality. This paper examines the environmental impact of quarrying on air quality in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. To achieve the main aim of the study, an objective was set to detect air pollutants at the quarry sites. A total of 220 air samples were measured from six points around the quarry locations and recorded in situ for analysis. The samples were measured three times a day (morning, afternoon, and evening) for three days. Gas monitors were used to monitor air pollutants. The generated data were subjected to completely random design (CRD) sampling techniques. The separation of means and tests was performed using Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (FLSD) at a significance probability level of 5%.ResultsBased on statistical analysis, the findings detected significantly higher concentration levels of particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, chlorine, volatile organic compounds, ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide in the quarry areas than the value detected in the control area. The findings also confirmed higher noise levels in the locations. It was also observed that the concentration levels of the parameters differed from point to point and at different times of the day. This really means the occurrence of a high rate of air pollution in the study locations.ConclusionsBased on the above findings, it is highly recommended that, (i) if situation is not timely addressed, it will lead to a severe environmental disaster or hazard, as nobody selects the air he or she breathes; (ii) air pollution control equipment be installed in-situ at quarry sites where free air flow is available in order to reduce gaseous (pollutant) emissions, and (iii) the seasonal effects, meteorological parameters and time that were influenced by the activities of quarry should be put in check.

Stone Quarries and Hydrological Regime of Roshi with Emphasis on Sedimentation

Stone Quarries and Hydrological Regime of Roshi with Emphasis on Sedimentation

Research of borehole drilling parameters for determining the optimum size of granite stone blocks

The optimal geometrical parameters of boreholes in dimension stone quarries, whose impact on granite blocks separation and splitting efficiency, are determined, taking into account the stress-deformed state of rock massif. The crack initiation process is analysed considering the flat problem of elasticity theory. Determine destruction parameters of natural stone by borehole methods using the calculations of the required distance between the boreholes in the row along the splitting line with the specified borehole diameters, and created forces of stone destruction are proposed. The optimal shape of splitting block from massif depends on the specific plane of splitting is determined. The possible directions of borehole deviation from ideal ones, their extension due to drilling and tensions in the boreholes are studied. The introduction of the borehole’s overlapping coefficient, which influences the weakening of the massif along the directed (designed) split line, is proposed to define further necessary tensions for mechanical ways of separating blocks. The equations for determining drilling operations parameters at granite blocks splitting from dimension stone quarries massifs are proposed. The coefficient of limit values of deviation angles is defined.

Remote sensing and GIS based approach to evaluate the impact of stone quarrying and crushing activities on land resources

Remote sensing and GIS based approach to evaluate the impact of stone quarrying and crushing activities on land resources

Impact of stone quarries on groundwater quality at Achenkovil River Basin, Southern Western Ghats, India: Investigation using WQI and GIS

AbstractThe quality concern of groundwater owing to human activities is mounting at a shocking rate in many of the river basins in Southern India. A study was carried out in this work to determine the quality of groundwater in the Achenkovil River Basin (ARB) in the Southern Western Ghats region of Kerala, India. A total of 25 dug well water samples were collected from the vicinity of aggregate quarries during the pre and post monsoon seasons of 2020–2021. The water quality index has been applied to categorize the water quality, namely, excellent, good, poor, etc. to infer the quality of water to the people and policy makers in the concerned area. The WQI results showed that 12% of the water samples in good and 28% depict in very poor category. The Hill‐Piper Trilinear diagram reveals that the groundwater of the study area falls under Ca2+/Mg2+, and HCO3− and SO42−, Cl−, Mg2+ types. The hydro‐chemistry of the rock‐dominant water type of the quarrying area is inhibited by geogenic‐processes along with the percolation of prevailing quarry leachate and infiltration into the nearby wells. The correlation matrix has been created and analyzed to observe their significant impetus on the assessment of groundwater quality. The overall quality of groundwater systems in the quarrying area, according to the various indices, is not fit for domestic consumption without mandatory quality treatment, but is suitable for irrigation.

KORELASI KEMACETAN LALU LINTAS DENGAN EMISI KENDARAAN PADA RUAS JALAN CILEUNGSI – CIBEET JAWA BARAT

The Cileungsi – Cibeet road section is one of the provincial road sections that is passed by quite dense vehicles, is passed by sand and stone quarrying, and is close to a cement factory. Based on health data, several districts around this road segment are affected by respiratory diseases. The research objective was to examine the correlation between traffic jams and air pollution levels, to find the causes of air pollution. The results of the study, the Cileungsi - Cibeet road section has an uneven degree of traffic saturation (DS). Degree of Traffic Saturation at the start of the segment (Sta. 0+000) with a value of 1.06, poor service conditions, vehicles running slowly and tend to get stuck and walk on the shoulder of the road. At Sta. 6+700 (Cibarusah junction), poor service conditions, vehicles running with lots of obstacles. Gradually approaching the end of the segment (Cibeet) the level of road service is getting better with a value of 0.68. Air pollution caused by motorized vehicles consists of CO, Pb, and TSP gases. The highest carbon monoxide (CO) gas is at Sta. 0+000 which is 4,938 μg/Nm³ but still below the quality standard. This is the same as White Lead (Pb), which is also the highest at location 1 Sta. 0+000 which is 0.14 μg/Nm³ but still below the air quality standards. In contrast, the highest dust (TSP) is at location 3 (Sta 21+200), namely 342 μg/Nm³ which is above the air quality standards. The correlation between traffic jams and air pollution due to vehicle emissions from CO, Pb, and TSP gases has a different value. The correlation coefficient (r) between traffic density and CO is equal to 0.949, meaning that it has a very strong correlation. While the correlation coefficient (r) between traffic density and CO is equal to 0.874, it means that the correlation is very strong. Unlike the case with TSP gas (dust) has a correlation coefficient (r) - 0.120, giving a negative correlation. The results of this study indicate that on the Cileungsi - Cibeet road section the higher the level of road service, the greater the levels of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Lead (Pb). As for dust (Total Suspend Particulate/TSP), an increase in the level of road service does not show an increase in dust levels.Keywords: Correlation, Degree Of Saturation, Traffic Congestion, Vehicle Emissions

Cumulative Effect of Quarry Dust on Respiratory Health of Stone Quarry Workers

Cumulative Effect of Quarry Dust on Respiratory Health of Stone Quarry Workers

Temporal status and change detection of stone quarrying and crushing activities using multi-temporal google earth images

Stone quarrying and crushing (SQC) activities under mining operations normally produce a destructive landscaping impression during the period from start to end. Spatio-temporal data, downloaded from Google Earth Pro s/w, coupled with remote sensing, GIS, and GPS has been used to evaluate time series (2003, 2008, 2015 and 2021) analysis of stone quarrying and crushing activities in a part of Jhansi Tehsil. Results shows that the variability and pressure on land resources due to stone quarry and crushing activities were found linear increments during the time. There was annual heavy exploitation record during 2003-2008 (30.83%) of stone from quarry sites and total increments of SQC activities were found 277.64% since last 18 years. This study exhibited the prospective advantage of annual monitoring over period and support to make the possible preparations/ management for destructive mining operations. This study exhibited the prospective advantage of annual monitoring over period and support to make the possible preparations/ management for destructive mining operations.