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The overview report draws on the information in the twelve reports
which have been produced as part of the thematic review of
Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) research projects for
land-won minerals. It puts them into the context of the quarry
life-cycle, specifically in relation to the various elements of
environmental footprint and the stages in the supply chain for
land-won aggregates. In particular, the report helps to
emphasise some of the major findings of the ALSF research and
describes some of the complex inter-relationships between
environmental footprints at different stages of a quarry’s life.
Environmental Footprint
The overview report builds on the concept of environmental
footprint and, drawing on the twelve themes, shows how the
design and management of the quarry has a key role to play in
determining the overall balance of negative and positive
environmental effects.
The table below summarises the main “receptors” or “sources”
that need to be considered as part of this process. Each of
these elements of the environmental footprint, aligns strongly
with one or more of the
themed reviews.
| Receptors of
environmental effects of quarrying
|
Sources of
environmental effects of quarrying |
|
Potential for temporary or permanent adverse
environmental effects of aggregate quarrying
that must be mitigated |
- Water environment
- Archaeology/historic
environment (Heritage)
- Biodiversity
- Geodiversity
- Visual amenity/landscape
character (Restoration)
|
- Dust, noise and
vibration
- Transport
- Quarry wastes and
by-products
|
|
Potential for temporary or permanent beneficial
environmental effects |
- Water environment
- Archaeology/historic
environment
- Biodiversity
- Geodiversity
- Visual amenity/landscape
character
|
- Use of quarry wastes and by-products
- Biodiversity
- Geodiversity
|
The overview examines the relevance and importance of
all of these environmental effects in relation to each
of the stages in the supply chain for land won
aggregates:
The quarry life-cycle
Using the concept of the environmental footprint the
report examines the change in emphasis in the design and
management of the quarry as it moves through the three
distinct phases of its life-cycle:
- planning and design
- operational
- post closure
The report explores the role of the Environmental
Statement (ES) and Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA). It emphasises the central role the EIA plays in
the quarry design process in order to meet the key
environmental objectives of the planning and
design phase of the quarry life-cycle. Many
ALSF projects have shown that it is at the early stages
of quarry planning and design that potential adverse
effects can be “designed out” and maximum benefits can
be incorporated.
In the operational phase of the quarry
life-cycle, the emphasis shifts from prediction of
environmental effects (and design of management and
mitigation approaches to limit adverse effects) to
monitoring and management of actual effects within a
legal and planning framework.
In the post-closure phase the focus
will now be on delivering maximum benefits from the
agreed restoration scheme and ensuring that the site is
suitable for the proposed after-use. Attention may still
be given to monitoring and management of any continuing
effects following cessation of excavation and
processing.
Characterising the environmental footprint
Having established the conceptual framework described
above, that brings together the twelve themed reports,
the overview report aims to:
- Provide a non-technical description of each of
the environmental footprint elements relevant to the
supply chain for land-won aggregates
- Identify specific environmental effects
associated with each stage of the supply chain
throughout the quarry life-cycle
- Describe how adverse effects are avoided or
mitigated and how positive effects can be
incorporated in the delivery of long, medium and
short term environmental benefits
- Provide a descriptive summary of the ALSF
research relevant to each environmental footprint
element
- Provide sources of further information
(primarily the relevant thematic review or reviews)
Health and safety & stakeholder engagement
Two further sections consider the importance of
health and safety and stakeholder engagement to
achieving effective management and mitigation of the
environmental footprint throughout the quarry life-cycle
and supply chain. While some projects have dealt
specifically with these topics, they cut across, and are
relevant to, the entire ALSF land-won aggregate research
and development programme.
To view and download the full overview
report "An overview of
design and management approaches to reducing the environmental
footprint of the supply chain for land-won aggregates."
please go to the
Reviews & Project Reports
section of this website.
Quick-link to view report - Please note clicking
this link will open a 3-5MB PDF file.
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