Review Topic - Reducing the Environmental Effect of Aggregate Quarrying: Dust, Noise and Vibration

The wide range of ALSF projects connected with the three environmental footprint elements of dust, noise and vibration have been considered in one review project. The projects include assessments of potential impact, development of new monitoring equipment and methods, and application of new operational systems and techniques to mitigate any effects. The review has also included an extensive literature review from non-ALSF sources in each of the subject areas and commented on the applicability of emerging techniques and technologies to the UK quarry industry.

Dust monitoring, modelling and validation

Dust is defined as particulate matter, 1 – 75 µm (micron) in diameter, and is carried by moving air when there is sufficient energy in the airstream. An ALSF-funded project has assessed a newly developed method for dust monitoring and compared it with other available systems. New directional dust thresholds have been proposed and initial work has been carried out on dust characterisation to help identify the source.

ALSF projects have also collated a comprehensive review of the fugitive dust emissions that may be generated from surface mining operations and summarised the range of conventional mitigation technologies and strategies that may be applied to control these emissions. One project has then gone on to conduct a series of preliminary dust dispersion measurement and modelling studies at a major UK limestone quarry. An ALSF project has also considered the specific effects of dust on the historic environment.

Site generated noise

No noise mitigation research studies have been funded from the ALSF MIST/SAMP programmes, but a number of projects have collated information and good practice and one project has considered the potential noise impacts of quarry operations on the historic environment.

Blasting vibrations and air-overpressure

The levels of vibration from UK quarry blasts have been shown to be well below the levels that could give rise to damage in domestic buildings. However, blasting remains a major cause of complaint due to the disturbance that can be felt by individuals.
 
ALSF projects have been concerned with minimising the ground vibration levels radiating from a quarry blast, to prevent disturbance to local residents. One project has developed a standard database that enables all blast and vibration parameters to be recorded and reported in a standard format to demonstrate compliance with planning conditions. The use of the database by regulators can help to build up a large body of data, giving more robust background to the setting of planning conditions. When used on site, it gives the blasting engineer increased control over the blast and enables modifications to be made to the blast design to minimise vibration levels.

These modifications to blast designs may involve the use of electronic detonators. These have been the subject of other ALSF projects which have assessed their benefits and developed an effective procedure for their application. This system is now in commercial use in a number of quarries.

Another ALSF project has developed new monitoring equipment that enables simultaneous recording of ground vibration, air overpressure and noise caused by blasting. This should enable the cause of any disturbance to be identified and then mitigated more effectively.

To view and download the full review "Reducing the Environmental Effect of Aggregate Quarrying: Dust, Noise and Vibration" please go to the Reviews & Project Reports section of this website.

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