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HowtoAchieve
AggregatesResourceEfficiency
inLocalCommunities

Manual


Acquire
sociallicense
forQuarrying

Improveoverall
environmental
performance

Apply
BestAvailable
Practices
forQuarrying

Facilitateaccess
toresources
Prevent
illegalQuarrying

SEE/A/151/2.4/X

Preserve
naturalresources
PromoteRecycling

Howtoachieveaggregatesresourceefficiencyinlocalcommunities

Ajointmanual,forstakeholders'decisionmakingonthelocallevel




Basedon:

thereportspreparedwithinWorkPackage3oftheSARMaProject
SustainableAggregatesResourceManagement(SEE/A/151/2.4/X)



Website:http://www.sarmaproject.eu










EditingInformation

Editing:
F.Chalkiopoulou&K.Hatzilazaridou(IGME,Greece)
CoverDesign&Photo: F.Chalkiopoulou
Printing:
TechnicalUniversityofCrete
YearofEdition
2011



Copyright

Thispublicationreflectstheviewsonlyoftheauthor,andtheSouthEastEuropeProgrammeManaging
Authoritycannotbeheldresponsibleforanyusewhichmaybemadeoftheinformationcontainedtherein.



CONTENTS


DESCRIPTION

Forward

3

1

Introductoryinformation
ScopeoftheManual
Methodology
StructureoftheManual

5
6
6
7

1.1
1.2
1.3
2

Page

Howdowemeetourneedsforaggregates?
Thesignificanceofaggregatesineverydaylife
Briefdescriptionofthepracticesappliedtoproduceaggregates
inSEEcountries

9
11
12
23

3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6

Majorissuesaffectingsustainabilityofaggregateresourcesat
locallevel
Needforsustainabledevelopment
Socialissues
Environmentalissues
Illegalquarryingissues
Recyclingissues
Permittingprocessissues

4.1
4.2

Keyparametersfortheindustrytowardssustainability
General
Goodpractice

33
34
35

5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5

Keyrecommendationstolocalauthoritiesandcommunities
Developlocalplans
Increaseknowledgeandawareness
Preventillegalquarrying
Promoterecycling
Introducenewtoolsindecisionmaking

45
46
47
47
48
49

6

Selectedtermsanddefinitions

50

7

References

52

2.1
2.2
3

4

5

24
24
25
28
30
31

P a g e |1

Contributors

AuthorsoftheManual:
Chalkiopoulou,Fotini,InstituteofGeology&MineralExploration(IGME),Greece
Hatzilazaridou,Kiki,MSc,InstituteofGeology&MineralExploration(IGME),Greece


Reviewers:
Name

Affiliation

Internal
Agioutantis,Zach,Dr

TechnicalUniversityofCrete(TUC),Greece

Blengini,GianAndrea,Dr PolitecnicodiTorino(Polito),Italy
Cibin,Ubaldo,Dr

EmiliaRomagnaRegion,Environment,SoilandCoastDefence
Department,Italy

Garbarino,Elena,Dr

SustainableDevelopmentandEnvironmentalDepartment,Envi
ronmentalImpactAssessmentService,TorinoProvince,Italy

Marinescu,Mihai,Dr

UniversityofBucharest,FacultyofGeologyandGeophysics,
Romania

Moisiu,Ledi

GeologicalSurveyofAlbania,Albania

Pelosio,Andrea,Dr

TerritorialPlanningService,ParmaProvince,Italy

Solar,Slavko,Dr

GeologicalSurveyofSlovenia,Slovenia

Simic,Vladimir,Dr

UniversityofBelgrade,FacultyofMiningandGeology,Serbia

Tamas,Hamor,Dr

HungarianOfficeforMiningandGeology,Hungary

Tiess,Guenter,Dr

UniversityofLeoben,Austria

ExternalAdvisoryBoardMembers
Brown,Teresa

BritishGeologicalSurvey(BGS),UnitedKingdom

Hejny,Horst,Dr

ExternalExpert(Consulting),Germany

OBrien,Jim

PresidentoftheEuropeanAggregatesAssociation(UEPG)Borad,
UnitedKingdom

Shields,DeborahJ.,Dr

ColoradoStateUniversity,UnitedStatesofAmerica

External
Adam,Katerina,Dr

NationalTechnicalUniversityofAthens(NTUA),Greece

Acknowledgment
SARMaprojectpartnerswouldliketothanktheEuropeanCommissionforthefundingoftheprojectthat
gavetheopportunitytoworktogether,sharecommonvisions,andachieveaveryhighlevelofcooperation
thatledtothisjointreport.

2|P a g e 

Forward
Aggregates are used in the construction of housing, com
mercial buildings, industrial developments and a variety of
publicinfrastructureprojects.SouthastEurope(SEE)coun
tries are rich in aggregates, but neither management nor
supply, are coordinated within or across the area. At the
local level, the issues are high environmental impacts, lim
itedrecycling,needforstakeholderconsultationandcapac
ity,andlackofsociallicensetooperate.
Tomeetchallengesofmakingtheseshiftstheprojectenti
tled Sustainable Aggregates Resource Management (SEE/A/151/2.4/X  SARMa)
wasapprovedbytheEUCommissionandcofundedbyERDFfundsin2009.Thetwo
mainprojectobjectivesare:
i.

To develop a common approach to Sustainable Aggregates Resource Manage


ment (SARM) across SEE, namely to move towards efficient and low socio
environmentalimpactQuarryingconsideringalsowastemanagement,and

ii.

To ensure a SustainableSupply Mix (SSM)policy inSEE,that is to usemultiple


sources,includingrecycledwastesandindustrialbyproducts(slag)thattogether
maximizenetbenefitsofaggregatesupplyacrossgenerations.

SARMa objectives comprise among others: coordination in managing aggregate re
sources, increasing the transfer of knowhow, and supporting capacity building in
firms,governmentandcivilsociety.ActivitiesimplementedwithintheSARMaproject
connectinstitutionalactors,decisionmakers,policyimplementers,economicsector,
quarryoperators,civilsociety,andNGOsthroughworkshopsandtargetedresultsat
3spatialscales.Onthelocalscale,thatisalsothecontentofthisManual,goalsare:
(a)optimisetheefficiencyofprimaryaggregatesproduction;(b)preventorminimize
environmental impacts of quarrying and improve reclamation; (c) minimize illegal
quarrying by improving knowledge; (d) promote recycling (construction, demolition
&quarrywaste),andfinally(e)increaseinterestedandaffectedgroupscapacityto
understand and correctly interpret the issues associated with aggregate quarrying
andengageininformeddialoguewithlocalauthoritiesandquarryoperators.

ProjectCoordinator
SlavkoV.Solar



GeologicalSurveyofSlovenia


P a g e |3

StructureofSARMa



WP1

WP2

Activity3.1:Environmentally
friendlyextractionpractices
5caseswerestudied.Separate
reportswereprepared.

1synthesisreporton
ExtractionandDemolition
SiteLevelActivities

WP3:Extractionanddemolition

sitelevelactivities

WP4

WP5

Activity3.2:IllegalQuarrying

Activity3.3:Recycling

5caseswerestudied.
Separatereportswerepre
pared.

9caseswerestudied.
Separatereportswere
prepared.

1synthesisreporton
IllegalQuarrying

1synthesisreporton
Recycling

Activity3.4:
PreparationofaManual
forsitelevel,basedon
the3synthesisreports
1. Individual
SARMaWP3&
WP4reports
2. Bibliography

1. Internal
reviewing
2. External
reviewing

1jointManualentitled:
Howtoachieveaggregatesresource
efficiencyinlocalcommunities
(inEnglish&nationallanguages)

DISTRIBUTION
Fig.1:Blockdiagramoftheprojectstructure&methodologyappliedfortheManual

4|P a g e 




1.

IntroductoryInformation


Resourceefficiencyisdefinedingeneralasaprac
ticeinwhichtheprimaryconsiderationofmaterial
use begins with the concept of "Reduce  Reuse 
RecycleRepair"statedindescendingorderofpri
ority.[Selectedtermsanddefinitions,chapter6oftheManual]
Applyingtheabovedefinitiontoaggregates,SARM
(Sustainable Aggregates Resource Management)
and SSM (Sustainable Supply Mix) are the key ac
tions that have to be undertaken by all involved
parties (producers, authorities, communities) in
ordertoachieveresourceefficiency.
Therefore the goals are: i) to move towards effi
cientandlowsocioenvironmentalimpactofQuar
ryingconsideringalsowastemanagement (SARM),
and ii) to use multiple sources, including recycled
wastes and industrial byproducts (slag) that to
gether maximize net benefits of aggregate supply
across generations (SSM). [Source: SARM glossary,
http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]

P a g e |5

1.1 ScopeoftheManual
The Manual How to achieve aggregates resource efficiency in local communities
representsakeypublicoutputoftheSARMaproject.Ittargetsallstakeholdersatthe
locallevel,i.e.,thequarryoperators(industry),thesociety/communityandthelocal
authorities. It comprises a set of advice, messages and recommendations, and ex
plainsrequirementsforandactionsneededtoenhanceresourceefficiencyinquarry
ingatlocallevel.Theproposedrecommendationsareaimingto:


Encouragetheapplicationofgoodpracticesforenvironmentallyfriendlyextrac
tionactivities;

Introduceideasfordevelopmentoftoolsinordertopreventillegalquarrying;

Promoterecyclingactivitiesthatcanbeusedforaggregatesproduction.

Thisdocumentisnottechnicalorlegislativeincharacteranddoesnotaimtoreplace
the existing official national or Commission legislative and guidance documents on
subjectsrelevanttoaggregatesproduction.Ithighlightskeyholdbackissuesandthe
proposedcorrespondingactionsinsimplifiedandeasytoreadmanner.
Subsequently,theManualaimstocontributetowardsthesustainabledevelopment
ofSEEbyincreasingsustainableaggregatesmanagementpracticesandpolicies,and
a sustainable supply mix in the region. These will in turn lead to social license for
firmswhichwillenablethemtostayinbusinessandmakeaprofit.

1.2

Methodology

Fifteen(15)partnersfromten(10)countriesofSEEareaparticipatedintheSARMa
project (Fig. 2). Observers representing ministries in charge of mining, regional au
thorities,chambersofcommerceandindustryalsopresent.Contributionshavealso
beenmadebygeologicalsurveys,institutesandfacultiesworkingregularlyasexperts
andpolicyadviserswithgovernmentandindustryandcombininguptodateknowl
edgeandexpertiseintheareaofaggregates.Also,eightdecisionmakingbodiesare
includedthatallhaveaggregatesundertheirrule.
TheSARMaprojectwasstructuredinfiveWorkPackages(WPs),two(2)generaland
three(3)thematic(Fig.1).Amongstthem,WP3ExtractionandDemolitionSiteLevel
Activitieswasthecorepartoftheprojectaimingtofulfillprojectobjectivesthrough
fouractivitiesfocusedonimprovingresourceefficiencyatlocallevel.
The present manual was implemented within activity 3.4 of the project and was
based mainly on the synthesis reports prepared within WP3 (Fig. 1). The following
sourceswerealsotakenintoaccount:


The individual reports prepared by the project partners within WP3 that con
cerned separate case studies from different SEE countries. Activity 3.1 cases
were selected in order to demonstrate examples of aggregates extraction with
application of environmentally friendly practices. Activity 3.2 cases were sur

6|P a g e 

veyedfortheirillegalissuesandmonitoringapproachesandwereusedinorder
to develop recommendations on how to prevent illegal quarrying in SEE coun
tries.Finally,activity3.3caseswereexaminedinordertohighlightthepotential
of producing aggregates from recycling activities in SEE countries. Besides re
ports,individualquestionnairesfilledinbythepartnerswithinactivity3.3were
alsoconsidered.Theseconcernedthecollectionofinformationrelatedtorecy
clingpracticesappliedinthecountriesinvolvedintheproject.


ReportspreparedwithinWP4,andspecificallyinactivity4.1oftheproject.This
activityincludedthestudyofthelegislationandregulatoryframeworkrelatedto
sustainableaggregateresourcesmanagementinselectedSEEcountries.

Publisheddocumentsandwebsitesrelatedtothecontentofthemanual.

Allabovesourcesarereferencedindetailinchapter7oftheManual.
Beforerelease,theManualwassubjectedtointernalandexternalreviewingprocess,
bothbyprojectpartnersandby(appointed)externalreviewers.Inthissense,itre
flects synthesis of visions of many experts from different affiliations (Contributors,
page4).

nd

Fig.2:2 ConsortiummeetingoftheSARMaprojectpartners,Split,Croatia,45ofFeb,2010

1.3

StructureoftheManual

TheManualisstructuredinseven(7)chapters.Inthischapter,introductoryinforma
tion is included concerning the scope of the Manual, the methodology applied to
prepareitanditsstructure.
Chapter2containsgeneralinformationontheEuropeanaggregatesproductionac
tivity and the Quarrying practices applied in SEE countries. Selected data from the
casestudiesoftheprojectareusedasexamples.
Chapter 3 highlights the major issues related to local level extraction activities as
they were identified from the survey conducted within the project. The goal is to
underlinetheexistingneedforoperators,localauthoritiesandcommunitiesinSEEto

P a g e |7

take measures in order to manage these issues in a sustainable manner. Again, se
lecteddatafromthecasestudiesoftheprojectareusedasexamples.
Chapters4and5highlightproposedgoodpracticesandrecommendationsaddressed
totheindustryandlocalstakeholdersrespectively.Thesesetsofproposalscomprise
synthesisofgoodexamplesfromSEEcountries,knowledgebyexperience,andwidely
acceptedpracticesinEurope.
SelectedtermsanddefinitionsrelatedtothecontentoftheManualareexplainedin
chapter6.Thiswasconsideredofimportanceinordertosupportthereadingofthe
Manualandhelpreaderstoclarify,ifneeded,certainsignificantterms.Thesources
usedforchapter6arespecifiedandmaybeaccessedforfurtherinformation.
Finally,alldocumentsreferencedintheManualarepresentedinalphabeticalorder
inchapter7.



8|P a g e 

2. Howdowemeetourneedsfor
aggregates?

Presently,some90%oftheoverallaggregatespro
duction in Europe comes from naturally occurring
resources,inquarriesandpits.Theremaining10%
of the European aggregates production comes
frommarinedeposits,recyclingofindustrialwaste,
such as slag and ashes, and recycling of construc
tionanddemolitionwaste.
The production of marine aggregates and aggre
gates produced from recycling activities will con
tinuetogrow;however,inlongerterm,some85%
of demand will still need to be covered from ag
gregatesproducedfromQuarrying.
Aggregates produced from recycling activities
should not be seen as competitors to aggregates
produced from Quarrying, but rather their joint
utilization is strategic in order to achieve the Sus
tainableSupplyMix(SSM)goal.


P a g e |9

Marine
Aggregates(Seaor
LakeDredged)
2%

Manufactured
Aggregates
(CrushedSlag,
FlyAsh)
2%

Recycledfrom
Construction&
Demolition
Materials
6%

CrushedRock
fromQuarries
49%
Sand&Gravel
fromPits
41%

Fig.3:DistributionofaggregatesproductioninEurope,persourceoforigin
GraphbyF.Chalkiopoulou,basedonfiguresandcategorisationofsources,presentedin
Planningpoliciesandpermittingprocedurestoensurethesustainablesupplyofaggregatesin
Europe,UniversityofLeoben(2010),FinalReportcommisionedbyUEPG(EuropeanAggregates
Ascociation),p.9.

Note: Aggregates are produced also from extractive (or mining) waste, as defined in chapter
2.1.Thistypeofaggregatesisnotmentionedseparatelyinthereportreferencedabove.It is
assumed that this type of aggregates is  included in the category of Crushed Rock from
Quarries

10|P a g e 

2.1

Thesignificanceofaggregatesineverydaylife

Aggregates are defined as granular or particulate materials, either naturally occur
ring(sandandgravel)orproducedbycrushing(crushedrock)which,whenbrought
togetherinabound(withcement,limeorbitumen)orunboundcondition,areused
inconstructiontoformpartorwholeofabuildingorcivilengineeringstructure.Also
theyarereferredtoasconstructionaggregatesandusedmainlyasconcrete,mor
tar,roadstone,asphaltordrainagecourses,orforuseasconstructionalfillorrailway
ballast.[Selectedtermsanddefinitions,chapter6ofthemanual]
New terms have appeared such as recycled aggregates and manufactured aggre
gates, which are used to describe products that have other than the conventional
originofaggregatesfromquarriesandpits.Recycledaggregatesareobtainedfrom
recycling of Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW), for example damaged
bricks,brokenconcrete,brickworkandmasonry,whilemanufacturedaggregatesare
producedfrom industrial activities during the processing or reprocessing of waste,
byproducts and residues. Manufactured aggregates are sometimes referred to as
secondary aggregates. Further to the above, extractive waste (or mining waste),
namely waste resulting from the prospecting, extraction, treatment and storage of
mineralresourcesandtheworkingofquarries,maybeprocessedtoproduceaggre
gateproducts.[Selectedtermsanddefinitions,chapter6ofthemanual]
Almost 65% of the aggregates consumed in Europe annually are used for building
construction purposes. This is especially so in countries with high seismicity where
buildingsneedtobeparticularlystrongandconcreteisthestandardbuildingmate
rialused.Forinstance,aGreekhouseof120m2surfacelocatedinanareawithhigh
seismicityneeds180m3 (ormorethan400tonnes)ofconcreteforitsconstruction.It
isnotedthat7080%ofthisconcreteiscomposedofaggregates.Socialbuildingslike
schools,hospitalsandsportsstadiumsrequireconsiderablequantitiesofaggregates
per construction unit. Based on the European Aggregates Association (2010) data,
some3,000tonnesofaggregatesarerequiredforeverynewtypicalschool,whilea
newsportsstadiummayrequireupto300,000tonnesofaggregates.Forthisspecific
application(i.e.buildingconstructionpurposes),aggregatesareusedeitherindirectly
intheformofcementandlime(calcinedformsoflimestone)ordirectlyasis,incon
creteandmortars.[Source:AnnualReview20102011,UEPG,http://www.uepg.eu/]
Aggregates are very important for infrastructure works as well, for example in the
constructionofroads.Around30,000tonnesofaggregatesareneededfortheover
all construction of 1km of a national scale road. In this application, aggregates are
presentintheroadbaseorinthebituminousorconcretemixesoftheroadsurfaces.
Quantitiescorrespondingto20%oftheannualEuropeanconsumptionofaggregates
refertoconstructionofroads,runways,railwaysandwaterways.
In addition to the uses mentioned above, specific qualities of crushed calcitic rock
aggregatesareusedingranulatedorpowderedforminvariousapplications:animal
feed,sugarindustry,glassindustry,chemicalindustry(paints,plastics)etc.

P a g e |11

Demandforaggregatesisalsocloselyrelatedtothelevelofmaintenanceandrepair
ofexistingbuildingsandthescaleofcivilengineeringprojects.
Aggregates transportation can add significantly to the cost of aggregates, since ag
gregates are heavy and bulky. Therefore, most markets are local or regional and
thereisrelativelylittleinternationaltrade.Thedevelopmentofanadequatenetwork
ofpitsandquarriesisrequiredinordertomeettheneedsoflocal/regionalmarkets
andreducetransportcostsandtherelatedenvironmentalimpacts,i.e.CO2emission.
The overall European aggregates demand is 3 billion tonnes per year, according to
UEPG statistical data included in their annual review of 20102011. The aggregates
sectorrepresentsaturnoverofaround20billioneurosandanaverageconsumption
of5.5tonnespercapitaperyear.Accordingtothesamedatasource,theaggregates
industry comprises some 16,000 companies (mostly SMEs, i.e. Small and Medium
sized Enterprises) operating in 24,000 quarries and pits across Europe, employing
300,000peopledirectlyandindirectly.Allthesemaketheaggregatessectorthelarg
estbyfaramongstthenonenergyextractiveindustries.
Empirical evidence shows that in the advanced economies, the annual aggregates
demandincertainEuropeancountriesmayreachupto12tonnespercapita.How
ever,thesectorhassufferedheavilyunderthecurrenteconomiccrisis,reportingan
averagedeclineofabout20%in2009comparedto2008figures.Inseveralcountries,
afurtherdeclineinproductionfiguresisreportedin2010duetorecession.
Nevertheless,itisanticipatedthattheaggregatesdemandwillsoonrecovertothe
2008levelof3.5billiontonnes,andwillreach4billiontonnesinthemediumterm,
drivenmainlybyeconomicgrowthinCentralandSouthEasternEurope.Thisgrowing
demandforaggregatesneedstobeaddressedbynationalMineralsPoliciesandPlan
ningSystems. [Source:Planningpoliciesandpermittingprocedurestoensurethesustainable
supply of aggregates in Europe, University of Leoben (2010), Final report commisioned by
UEPG,p.p.6,7]

2.2 Briefdescriptionofthepracticesappliedtoproduceaggregates
inSEEcountries
Regarding Europe (Fig. 3), some 90% of the overall aggregates production comes
fromhardrockquarriesandsand&gravelpitsrunonpurpose.Theremaining10%of
theEuropeanaggregatesproductioncomesfrommarinedeposits,recyclingofindus
trial waste, such as slag and ashes, and recycling of construction and demolition
waste(C&DW).
As documented within the SARMa project, the aggregates production practices ap
plied in SEE countries comprise: i) extraction and processing of rock from quarries,
andsand&gravelfrompits,ii)treatmentofextractive(ormining)wasteandexca
vated soils/rocks from civil works, and processing of industrial waste and C&DW.
However, the main practice for aggregates production applied in SEE countries re

12|P a g e  

mains Quarrying from quarries and pits run on purpose. Via the specific activity, a
wide range of final products is produced, suitable, according to specifications, for
various applications. Aggregates produced from activities other than Quarrying can
substitute the aggregates from Quarrying in applications such as road construction
andconcreteproduction,alwayswithrespecttotherequiredqualitystandards.
AsfarasproductionofaggregatesfromrecyclingofC&DWisconcerned,itislimited
inSEEcountriesatthemoment.

2.2.1 Crushedrockaggregatesandsand&gravel
Anumberofcasestudieswereselected,representingQuarryingofrocksandsand&
gravelfromquarriesandpitsrespectively(Table1).
Thesecaseswereusedasexamplesinordertodemonstrateenvironmentallyfriendly
extractionpracticesappliedinSEEcountries.Datawereprovidedandevaluatedfrom
5 quarries and pits that represent typical examples of aggregates producing opera
tions in SEE countries. Two of these quarries concern exploitation of sand &gravel
(TrstenikCroatiaandLancadeiFrancesiItaly),whiletheremainingthree(Araxos
Greece, Revarsarea  Romania and Kovilovaca  Serbia) are rock extraction opera
tions. [Source: Synthesis report of baseline study reports of SARMa model sites; Activity 3.1
(Bestpractices).http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]
Table1:TheSARMacasestudies
examinedforenvironmentallyfriendlyextractionpractices
SEE
country

SARMa 
CaseStudy
Partner
(Quarryorpitname)

ExtractedMaterial

Croatia

MINGORP

Trstenik

Sand&gravel

Greece

IGME

Araxos

Rock(Limestone)

Italy

ER&Parma

LancadeiFrancesi

Sand&gravel

Romania

FGG

Revarsarea

Rock(Diabase)

Serbia

RGF

Kovilovaa

Rock(Limestone)

The exploitation method that is usually applied for Quarrying of rocks is open pit
mining(Fig.4).Thecrushedrockaggregatesproductionactivityinvolvesinfrastruc
tureworksonsiteandoffsite(e.g.access/transportroads),developmentofquarry
faces,extractionofrock(ifnecessary,afterblasting),treatmentoftheextractedma
terialwithcrushingandsieving(Fig.5),storageandfinallytransportationofthefinal
productstomarket.Sand&graveldepositsareexploitedwithhydraulicexcavators
(afterremovaloftopsoil)andbydredgingbelowtheaquiferlevel.Dependingonthe
grainsizedistributionoftherawmaterial,theextractedsand&gravelmayrequire

P a g e |13

further classification in order to produce the necessary size fractions for the com
mercialaggregateproducts.

Fig.4:TheAraxosopenpitlimestonequarryinGreece
[Source:PreparatorysitereportofAraxosquarry;Activity3.1.http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]


Fig.5:Mobilecrushingandsievingplantunit,Araxosquarry
[Source:PreparatorysitereportofAraxosquarry;Activity3.1.http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]

14|P a g e  


Fig.6:Excavationofsand&gravelbydredgingattheLancadeiFrancesipitinItaly
[Source:PilotsitereportofLancadeiFrancesi;Activity3.1.http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]



Fig.7:TheTrsteniksand&gravelquarryinCroatiaFloatinggrabdredgerwithbeltconveyors
[Source:IGMSljuncaraTrstenikd.d.,Croatia;Photographer:B.Kruk]

The Lanca dei Francesi sand & gravel quarry in Italy (Fig. 6) produces silt, clay and
sandyclays.TheTrstenikquarry(Fig.7)islocatedinthefloodplainoftheRiverSava,
intheZagrebregion,Croatia.Quarriesinthatareaproducesilt,clay,gravel,sandand
peat.TheAraxosquarryinGreece(Fig.4)producesmainlycrushedrockaggregates
from a calcitic limestone. The Revarsarea diabase quarry in Romania produces
crushed rock aggregates, stones, chippings and grinder sand. Finally the Kovilovaa
limestonequarry(Fig.8)producesmainlycrushedrockaggregates.

P a g e |15

Theaverageproductionscaleoftheexaminedquarriesandpitsrangesfromaround
400,000tonnesto850,000tonnesofaggregatesperyear.Thefinalaggregateprod
uctsfindapplicationsinvariousfieldssuchasroadandbuildingconstruction,railway
ballast,intheglassindustry,inmetallurgiesandintheanimalfoodindustryasfillers
(Table2).
Table2:ApplicationsofaggregatesproducedfromQuarryinginSEEcountries
Quarryorpit

Mainusesor/andfieldsofapplication

Trstenik,Croatia

Roadandbuildingconstruction

Araxos,Greece

Roadandbuildingconstruction

LancadeiFrancesi,Italy

Cementmortars,concrete,glassindustry,brickin
dustryandroadembankments

Revarsarea,Romania

Constructionofroadsanddams,railwayballast

Kovilovaa,Serbia

Roadandbuildingconstruction(80%),metallurgy
(10%),fillerintheanimalfoodindustry(10%)

Fig.8:TheKovilovaalimestonequarryinSerbia
[Source:Preparatorysitereport,Kovilovaaquarry;Activity3.1.http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]

16|P a g e  

2.2.2 Aggregatesproducedfromrecyclingactivities
The expression aggregates from recycling is used here to describe all aggregate
productsproducedfromrecyclingoperationsandactivitiesotherthanQuarryingin
quarries and pits run on purpose. Several kinds of mineral byproducts waste and
residuescanbeeffectivelyturnedintosecondaryproductsthroughrecycling.These
productscanbeusedinsubstitutionoforinmixwithnaturalaggregatesforseveral
enduses,saving,atthesametime,nonrenewableresources andsignificantlyreduc
ingoflandtakeandsubsequent
Table3:Classificationof recyclingactivities
environmental impacts. In this
aspotentialsourcesforaggregatesproduction
sense, aggregates from recy
cling includes also aggregates
produced from extractive (or R1: Recycling of byproducts, waste and
mining)waste.
residuesfromextractiveactivities
Accordingtotheclassificationof R2: Recycling of Construction and Demoli
recyclingactivitiesproposedand
tionWaste(C&DW)
agreed among SARMa partners,
R3:
Recycling
of excavated soils/rock from
4 types of recycling activities
civilworks
were considered as potential
sources of aggregates (Table 3). R4: Recyclingofindustrialwaste(e.g.slags
fromcivilferrousmetalproduction,
The recycling activities, listed in
bottomashfromMunicipalSolidWaste
table 3, fall within the legal
(MSW)incineration,ashesfromcoal
framework of a number of EU
combustion)
Directives and Communications
related to management of such
types of waste. [Source: Synthesis report of baseline study reports of SARMa model sites;
Activity3.3(Recycling).http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]
There are quite a few differences amongst the SEE countries, regarding develop
mentsintheuseofrecyclingmaterialslikeC&DWorothertypesofwasteinorderto
produceaggregates.ConcerningespeciallyrecyclingofC&DW,boththedevelopment
andimplementationoftherelevantnationallegislations,aswellasachievementof
C&DWrecyclingtargetsisaslowprocessinmostSEEcountries.Theinformationthat
followswascollectedthroughquestionnairescompiledforrecyclingandfilledinby
theprojectpartners.


InAlbania,partofthetailingsfromthechromitesprocessingindustryistreated
fortheproductionofaggregatesfortheconstructiveindustry.

TherearenorecyclingplantsinHerzegovina,whileveryfewplantsexistinBos
nia.

InGreece,nationallegislationonrecyclingofC&DWwasenforcedveryrecently.
R1waste(extractivewaste)andR4waste(slag)areusedfortheproductionof
aggregates for road construction. R1 waste andR3 waste (excavated soils/rock

P a g e |17

fromcivilworks)areoftenusedforbackfillingworks,buttherearenoavailable
dataontonnages.


InSerbia,thequantitiesofC&DWthatarerecycledforproductionofaggregates
areverylowpresently.Industrialwaste,suchasslagandashesfromcoalcom
bustion,areusedassourcesforaggregatesproduction,butonlyoccasionally.

SloveniahasrecyclingplantsthattreatmostlyR2waste(C&DW),R1waste(min
ing waste) and R4 waste (industrial waste). Aggregates produced from these
plantsareusedforbackfillingpurposes,concreteproductionandotherconstruc
tionpurposes.

InAustria,R1waste(miningwaste)isusedmostlyasbackfillingmaterialwithin
the quarries. However, high percentages of other types of wastes are treated:
83%(5milliontonnesoutof6milliontonnes)ofR2waste(C&DW),72%(15.9
milliontonnesoutof22milliontonnes)ofR3waste(excavatedsoils/rock)and
69 % (1.1 million tonnes out of 1.57 million tonnes) of R4 waste (industrial
waste).Nearly100%ofasphalt(R2waste)isrecycled,while9095%fromused
concrete(R2waste)isalsorecycled.

Thecasestudieslistedintable4wereconsideredasexamplesforproductionofag
gregatesfromrecyclingactivitiesinSEEcountries.Thesecaseswereheterogeneous,
varyingfromprocessingofminingwastetotreatmentofC&DW,excavatedsoils/rock
fromcivilworksandindustrialwaste(e.g.slag,flyash).[Source:Synthesisreportofbase
line study reports of
http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]

SARMa

model

sites;

Activity

3.3

(Recycling).

Table4:ListofcasestudiesconsideredforrecyclingwithinSARMa
Country

SARMa
Partner

CaseStudyName

Associatedex
tractiveactivity

Typeof
Recycling

Albania

METE

Bulqiza

Chromitesmine

R1

Greece

IGME

Gerakini

Magnesitemine

R1

Italy

ER&Parma

Madregolo(Collecchio)



R2

Italy

ER&Parma

Castellarano

Sand&gravel

R1,R2,R3,R4

Romania

FGG&IGR

DevaRuschita

Marble

R1

Slovenia

GeoZS

VelicaPiresica



R2,R3

Slovenia

GeoZS

Sezana



R2,R3

Slovenia

GeoZS

Dogose



R2,R3

Slovenia

GeoZS

SmarjeSap



R2,R3

18|P a g e  

Forexample,thetailingsstemmingfromtheChromitesProcessingPlantofBulqizain
Albania (200,000 tonnes/year) are currently recycled and treated in the dressing
plantasminingwaste.Therecycledproductscompriseamarketablechromitescon
centrate (3842% Cr2O3) suitable for the chemical industry and metallurgy, and a
sandproduct(R1)suitableforconcreteproduction.[Source:StudyreportofSARMacase
study BulqizaAlbania(3.3Recycling)]
Also, in the magnesite mine of Gerakini in Greece (Fig. 9), byproducts from the
sorterunitplantofthemillandextractivewastefromthedevelopmentofthemine
are processed for the production of R1 aggregates (150,000 tonnes/year), suitable
mainlyforroadconstruction(Fig.10).



Fig.9:GeneralviewofwastematerialstockpilesattheGerakinimagnesitemineinGreece
[Source:Baselinestudyreportforrecycling.Casestudy:Gerakini.http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]


Fig.10:Aggregates(R1)producedfromtreatmentofminingwastefromtheGerakinimine

P a g e |19

Sixrecyclingplants,twofromtheEmiliaRomaniaregionofItalyandfourfromSlo
venia,wereselectedinordertodemonstratethepotentialforproductionofrecycled
aggregates(i.e.recyclingofC&DW)inSEEcountries.
TherecyclingplantofMadregolo(Collecchio)inItaly(Fig.11)isanexampleofevolu
tionfrom"traditionalquarrying"to"integratedquarryingandrecycling".Inparticu
lar,theplantreprocessestherecycledaggregatesresultingfrommillingofroadas
phalt pavements (R2) in addition with natural aggregates. Hotprocess and cold
processarethetworecyclingtechniquesadopted.Inthefirstmethod,recycledag
gregates are added with a percentage lower than 20% of the total mixture. In the
second, the recycled aggregates are added with percentages up to 50%. Medium
grade recycled aggregates for road, airport and harbor construction are produced
accordingtotheCEmarkingrequirements.Recycledasphaltconcreteisalsomanu
factured. [Source: Synthesis report of baseline study reports of SARMa model sites; Activity
3.3(Recycling).http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]


Fig.11:TherecyclingplantatMadregolo(Collecchio),Italy
[Source:BaselinestudyreportsofSARMamodelsites(Recycling).CasestudyofMadregolo]

TherecyclingplantofCastellaranoinItalyappliesBestAvailableTechnologies(BAT)
inthefieldofC&DWrecycling.Theplantislocatednearbyaplantproducingsand&
gravelinanareathatconsistspartoftheceramicdistrictSassuoloScandiano.For
thisreason,76%oftheCastellaranorecyclingplantfeediswastefromtheceramic
industry(R4).Thecapacityoftheplantis150,000tonnes/year. [Source:Baselinestudy
reportsofSARMamodelsites(Recycling):CasestudyofCastellarano]

20|P a g e  

The case study selected for Romania concerns the Deva Ruschita marble quarry.
Here,50%oftheexcavatedrockisusedfortheproductionof190,000tonnes/yearof
marbleasdimensionstone.Theexcavatedrockblocksthatareunsuitableforcutting
ofdimensionstones,aswellastheresidues(e.g.trimmings)ofthecuttingplantunit
areprocessedbyafillerscompany,locatedclosetotheDevaRuschitamarblequarry,
inordertoproducefillerproducts.[Source:Baselinestudy reportsofSARMamodelsites
(Recycling):CasestudyofDevaRuschita]

The recycling plant of Velica Piresica is located in the abandoned part of an active
dolomite quarry in Slovenia. R2 waste (C&DW) and R3 waste (excavated soil/rock
fromcivilworks)aretreatedinthisplantinordertoproducehighandmediumgrade
recycledaggregatesthatareusedforroadandrailwaysconstruction.[Source:Baseline
studyreportsofSARMamodelsites(Recycling):CasestudyofVelicaPirecica]
Similarly, the recycling plant of Seana is located in the abandoned part of a
limestone quarry in slovenia. R2 waste (C&DW) and R3 waste (excavated soil/rock
fromcivilworks)arealsotreatedintheSeanaplant.Highgrade,mediumgradeand
lowgraderecycledaggregatesareproducedhere. [Source:Synthesisreportofbaseline
studyreportsofSARMamodelsites;Activity3.3(Recycling).http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]
The third Slovenian recycling case concerns the recycling plant of Dogoe that is
locatedinanexhaustedsand&gravelpit,partlyremediated,neartheDravaRiver.
Two other plant units exist in the same area: One producing sand & gravel
aggregates and one producing readymixed  concrete. The feed of the Dogoe
recyclingplantcomprisesR2waste(C&DW)andR3waste(excavatedsoil/rockfrom
civil works), while the recycled aggregates produced are of medium to low grade,
suitableforroadconstruction,productionofconcreteandbituminousmixturesand
backfillingworks. [Source:SynthesisreportofbaselinestudyreportsofSARMamodelsites;
Activity3.3(Recycling).http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]
ThelastcaseexaminedistherecyclingplantofSmarjeSapinSlovenia,locatedinthe
abandonedpartoftheactivedolomitequarryofthesamearea.Therecyclingactivity
isaccomplishedonlyonceayearwiththeuseofrentedequipment(crusher)forthe
treatmentofR2waste(C&DW)andR3waste(excavatedsoil/rockfromcivilworks)in
order to produce low grade recycled aggregates, suitable for backfilling works.
[Source: Synthesis report of baseline study reports of SARMa model sites; Activity 3.3 (Recy
cling).http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]

Basedontheanalysisofthecasestudies,ithastobeunderlinedthatthemajorityof
therecyclingplantsreferredaboveareinstalledatexhaustedquarrysitesofactiveor
abandonedquarries/pits,inthevicinityofindustrialzonesandclosetourbanareas.
Thispracticeistotallyreasonable,since:


Recycling plants are normally fed with mixtures of extractive waste, industrial
wasteandC&DW.Thesematerialsareeasilyfoundinsuchareas.

Crushing / classifying plant units of aggregates quarries/pits are useful for and
maybeusedbyrecyclingplants.

P a g e |21


Fig.12:DustisacommonimpactofQuarrying[Source:Authorspersonalphotoarchive]

22|P a g e 









3. Majorissuesaffecting
sustainabilityofaggregateresources
atlocallevel

Aggregatesarelowcost,heavyandbulkymaterials
and it is imperative for economic and environ
mentalreasonsthatthesearesourcedclosetothe
main consumption centers, particularly where
transportbyrailorshipisnotpossible,asisusually
thecase.Sinceaggregatesaresourcedmainlyfrom
surfaceminesthereisadirectimpactontheland
scapeaesthetics.Anumberofotherpotentialenvi
ronmentalimpactsmayalsoariseduringtheopera
tionofquarries/pitsandfromtransportactivities.
Moreover, Quarrying may affect the surrounding
communities and their needs. Thus, even though
not formally, social acceptance is necessary for
Quarryinginordertooperatesmoothly.




P a g e |23

3.1 Needforsustainabledevelopment
According to the World Commission on Environment and Development report
(1987),SustainableDevelopment(SD)is"developmentthatmeetstheneedsofthe
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs".Sustainabledevelopmentimplieseconomicgrowthtogetherwiththeprotec
tionofenvironmentalquality,eachreinforcingtheother.Inessence,thetermSus
tainableDevelopmentreferstoachievingeconomicandsocialdevelopmentinways
that do not exhaust a country's natural resources. [Source: "Our common future: The
WorldCommissiononEnvironmentandDevelopment",Bruntland,G.,1987]
Authorities,industry,andsocietymustcooperateattheregionalandlocalplanning
levels for sustainable aggregate extraction to be successful. To ensure the sustain
ablemanagementandsupplyofaggregateresources,eachofthestakeholdersmust
acceptcertainresponsibilities.Theauthoritieshavetheresponsibilitytodevelopthe
policies,regulatoryframework,andeconomicincentivesthatprovidetheclimatefor
economicssuccessforquarryingcompanieswhilealsoensuringthattheneedsand
preferences of adjacent communities are respected. The industry must work to be
recognized as a responsible corporate and environmental member of the commu
nity.Thesociety(includingnongovernmentalorganizations)hastheresponsibilityto
become informed about aggregate resource management issues. All stakeholders
havetheresponsibilitytoidentifyandresolvelegitimateconcerns,byconstructively
contributing to a decisionmaking process that addresses not only their own but a
wide range of objectives and interests. [Source: Managing and Protecting Aggregate
Resources,OpenFileReport02415,U.S.GeologicalSurvey,Langer,W.H.,2002]

Nowadays, an important part of the environmental information used to interpret,
forecast or design sustainable development issues related to industrial systems is
derived from the application of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The
mining/quarryingindustryisoneofthesectorsinwhichtherehasbeenrelativelyless
use of LCAbased tools, or where consensus with respect to implementation of the
methodologyhasyettobeachieved.[Source:LifeCycleAssessment(LCA)Guidelines;Ac
tivity3.3(Recycling).http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]
Intheabovecontext,certainresponsibilities,issuesandchallengesaregeneratedfor
all stakeholders involved in the aggregates sector at local level. As demonstrated
duringtheimplementationofSARMa,regardingSEEcountriessuchissuesandchal
lenges include: achievement of social license to operate; management of potential
environmentalimpacts;preventionofillegalquarrying;promotionofrecyclingactivi
ties;eliminationofdeficienciesintherelatedlegislativeframework.

3.2 Socialissues
Itisbeyonddoubtthatsocietyneedsaggregatesforinfrastructuredevelopmentand
buildingpurposes,andthereforeamajorconcernisthecosteffectivesupplyofag
gregatesofacceptablequality.

24|P a g e 

On the other hand, the extraction of aggregates from quarries or sand/gravel pits,
consistsofalargelymechanicalprocess,involvingthetransportoflargequantitiesof
materialsandthismaydisturblocalcommunitiesinvariousways(seeparagraph3.3):
a) changing landscape of neighbouring sites, b) affecting the environment, habitats
andspecies,c)creatingcontinuousdisturbanceduetotransportofmaterialsthrough
villages,etc.Inadditiontothedisturbancescausedbytheverynatureoftheextrac
tionactivityaffectingthesurroundingenvironmentandcommunities,localresidents
and authorities are concerned about the post closure management and use of ex
haustedquarries.
Theexpansionofthesurfaceaggregatesquarryingoperationsmayberestrictedby
theexpandingcommunitiesintheabsenseoflanduseplansandthelackofrawma
terialsextractionpriorityzones.Whilemanyquarriesstartedoffontheperipheryof
communities,todaytheseareswallowedupandsurroundedbynewdevelopment
asthecommunitiesexpand.
Therefore,socialissuesatlocallevelarisefromtwoconflictingpointsofview:a)the
consumerpointofview,andb)thedisturbedcitizenpointofview.
Many citizens do not support quarrying in part because they do not recognize the
dependenceofsocietyonaggregates.Thisnotinmybackyardsyndromemayre
strict aggregate development. [Source: Managing and Protecting Aggregate Resources,
OpenFileReport02415,U.S.GeologicalSurvey,Langer,W.H.,2002]

Inrecentyears,throughthepublicconsultationstepforeseenintheenvironmental
permittingprocedureestablishedinsomeSEEcountries,therehasbeenanincreased
involvementofthelocalcommunitiesinthedecisionmakingprocessfornewand/
or existing quarries. Stakeholders such as local communities and NGOs may create
considerable obstacles in the performance of aggregates quarries, especially when
quarrying takes place near or within nature conservation areas and important ar
chaeological sites. Summarising, the aggregates production activity needs, even
thoughnotformally,socialacceptanceinordertooperatesmoothly.

3.3 Environmentalissues
The major environmental issues recognised broadly to be affecting the sustainable
developmentofaggregateresourcesarerelatedto:


Howeffectivelythepotentialenvironmentalimpactsstemmingduringallphases
ofanaggregatesextractionproject(planning,development,establishment,op
eration)areassessed,monitoredandmanaged,and

Whetherthereisanefficient,welldeveloped,soundandsitespecificrestoration
planthatcouldcompensatelocalcommunitiesfortheunavoidablelandscapeal
terationduetoextractionactivities.

P a g e |25

Environmentalimpactsvaryconsiderablyfromonequarrysitetoanother,depending
mainlyonextractionmethodsandprocessingtechniquesapplied,theoveralldesign
oftheproject,aswellasthescaleoftheextractionprocess.
Extraction sites located in a vulnerable environment, such as a wetland or near a
riverorlake,oronlandthatisofhighnaturalvalue,mayhaveapotentiallygreater
impactthanthoselocatedinanalreadyheavilyimpactedenvironment.
Landscape alteration is the direct, most obvious and common impact of Quarrying
affecting the environment aesthetically and causing disturbances not only on local
communitiesbutalsoonexistinghabitats(Fig.13).

Fig.13:GeneralviewoftheKovilovaaquarryandplantfromtheDespotovactown,Serbia
[Source:PreparatorysitereportofKovilovaaquarry;Activity3.1.
http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]

Quarriesmayrequiretheremovalofsurfacesoilsduringtheextractionprocessand
will need space for storage as well as for associated infrastructures, buildings and
accessroads.Suchactivitiescan,onoccasion,causesignificantdisturbancetowildlife
andleadtothelossordeteriorationofvaluablenaturalhabitats.Thisimpactmaybe
temporary or permanent, direct or indirect, onsite or offsite and may come into
playatdifferenttimesduringtheprojectcycle(Table5).

26|P a g e 

Table5:Overviewofpotentialimpactsonbiodiversityfromextractiveactivities
[Source:ECGuidanceonundertakingnewnonenergyextractiveactivitiesinaccordancewith
Natura2000requirements,EuropeanCommission,July2010,p.31]

Habitatloss,dete
riorationorfrag
mentation

Disturbanceand/or
displacementof
sensitivespecies

Lossofrareoren
dangeredspecies
individualsorpopu
lations

Changesinspecies
composition(local
flora&fauna)

Sitecolonisationby
alienandinvasive
pioneerspecies

Changesanddegra
dationofaquatic
ecosystems

Potentialimpactsonhabitatsandspecies

Drillingandtrenching

Road/trailconstruction

Stages/Activities

Exploration

Movementofpeopleandvehicles
Sitepreparation/Mineralextraction
Stripping/storingofoverburdenof
soilandvegetation
Infrastructuredevelopment(power
lines,roads,buildings,crushers,con
veyorbelts)

Ore/rockExtraction&stockpiling

Surface&groundwaterdischarge

Blastingtoreleaseores/rock

Drawdownofwatertable
Transportofmaterials
Processing
Crushing/grinding
Dumpsandtailingsponds
Siteclosure
Recontouringofpitwalls,quarry
facesandwastedumps
Fencingdangerousareas
Decommissioningofroads/disman
tlingofbuildings
Reseeding/revegetationofdisturbed
areas
Monitoringandpossiblewaterquality
treatments

Quarryingactivitiesmaycausechangesinwaterqualityduetowashwaterandpol
lutants diffusion into the groundwater. If dewatering of the extraction site is re

P a g e |27

quired,extractiveactivitiescanpotentiallymodifyhydrologicalconditionsintheex
tractionareasandinitssurroundings,withconsequentchangesinthedrainagenet
work caused by a temporary imbalance in surface runoff, infiltration etc. In such
cases,thiscouldleadtoimpactsonnearbyordistantspringsandwetlands,bothin
termsofquantityandquality(hydraulicdisruption).
Different kinds and intensities of noise may occur during Quarrying and vibrations
maybecausedifblastingisapplied.Bothnoiseandvibrationsmayaffecttheexisting
faunaspeciesinthesurroundings,aswellaslocalcommunitiesifsettlementsarein
theproximityofthequarry.
Dustemissionisalsoasignificantsideeffectofextractionandtransportationactivi
tiesandmayaffectairquality,soils,peopleandhabitats(Fig.12).
Nevertheless, the aggregates industry has much improved its environmental per
formanceinrecentyearsandthereisincreasingfocusinachievingbiodiversitypro
tection and excellence in nature protected areas like Natura 2000. Several quarry
cases from the ones demonstrated within SARMa (Table 1) represent examples of
operationsinthevicinityofNatureProtectedareas.TheAraxosQuarryinGreeceis
operating within a Nature 2000 area. The Lancadei Francesi in Italy is operating in
the Po River flood plains bordering a Natura 2000 area. The Kovilovaca quarry in
Serbia is operating near the Gorge of the Resava River which is a Special Nature
reservedareacalledVinatovaa.TheRevarsareaquarry(Romania)isinthemiddleof
the migration path of wild birds. [Source: Synthesis report of baseline study reports of
SARMamodelsites;Activity3.1(Bestpractices).http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]

Currently,systematicmonitoringandsoundmanagementoftheenvironmentalim
pactsdiscussed aboveare foreseen andconstitute legislative obligations for quarry
operatorsinmostSEEcountries.However,thereisstillmuchwaytogoinorderto
achievehigherlevelsofenvironmentalperformanceinthespecificregion.

3.4 Illegalquarryingissues
In spite of an existing legislative framework for Quarrying, some SEE countries are
still facing problems with illegal quarrying activities. This issue is related to severe
economic, social and environmental impacts affecting not only the restricted area
wheresuchactivitiestakeplace,butalsowiderareas.
Anumberofcasesstudieswereselectedinordertoidentifythepotentialcausesfor
illegalQuarryinginSEEcountriesandproposewaystopreventit.Usefulresultswere
concluded, based on the outputs of the specific survey. [Source: Synthesis report of
baselinestudyreports;Activity3.2(Illegalquarrying).http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]

Illegal quarrying activities vary from small scale excavations, occasionally oper
atedbyindividualsinordertoextractaggregatesfortheirownuse,toquarries
developedatvariousscales.Thelatteroperateusuallyforafewmonthsandare
noteasilycontrolledbylocalauthorities.

28|P a g e 

Itisdifficulttoestimatetheactualquantitiesofaggregatesderivingfromillegal
activities in SEE countries, since relevant official data are not always available.
Indicatively,astudyconductedbythecompetentauthoritiesoftheRepublicof
Croatia showed that around 20% of the countrys aggregate production came
fromillegalsourcesin2009.[Source:Activity3.2SSMmodelsites:SavaRiver(Trstenik)
casestudytheZagrebakacountyCroatia]

Illegalactivitiesareoftenpractisedinareasofabandonedandnotproperlyre
storedquarries.Moreover,abandonedquarriesareamenabletoillegaldisposal
ofvarioustypesofwastes(Fig.14).


Fig.14:Disposalofconstructionandhouseholdwasteattheabandonedsitesofthe
Trstenikquarry,Croatia
[Source:Activity3.2SSMmodelsites:SavaRiver(Trstenik)casestudytheZagrebaka
countyCroatia]

Illegaloperatorsdonotemployhealthandsafetyrulesforextraction.Therefore
seriousrisksstemforboththesafetyoftheillegaloperatorsaswellas,forthe
surrounding environment, settlements and habitants. Also, since they are not
professionals and authorized, they do not apply appropriate and environmen
tally friendly methods/techniques for exploitation. On the contrary, their usual
practice is predatory aggregates extraction accompanied by uncontrolled dis
posalofwaste.

P a g e |29

Illegalquarryingactivitieshavenegativeeconomicimpactsatlocal,regionaland
nationallevelsinceillegaloperatorsdonotpaytaxesorotherfees/royaltiesen
visagedforlegalquarries.

Thelackofstudiesonthemediumtolongtermmarketneedsforaggregatesat
local level in combination with complicated and time consuming permitting
processesmayencourageillegalQuarrying.

Finallyanimportantfactorthatallowsillegalquarryingactivitiestocarryonis
thepotentiallackofefficientandconsistentmonitoringprocessesandtoolsem
ployedbythecompetentauthorities.

3.5 Recyclingissues
Recyclingshouldnotbeconsideredastandaloneactivitybutitshouldbeframedina
widercontextofintegratedresourceandwastemanagement.Inthissense,produc
tionofaggregatesfromrecyclingactivities(seeparagraph2.2.2)isconnectedtothe
relevantlegislation.
TheEuropeanUnion(EU)hasadoptedanumberofDirectivesaimedatharmonising
wastemanagementanddisposalpoliciesthroughoutEuropeandguaranteeingenvi
ronmentalprotection.


TheWasteFrameworkDirective(Directive2006/12/EConwaste)

TheLandfillDirective(Directive1999/31/EConthelandfillofwaste)

TheIntegratedPollutionPreventionandControlDirective(Directive2008/1/EC)

 TheMiningWasteDirective(Directive2006/21/EConthemanagementofwaste
fromextractionindustries).
Thecasestudiespresentedinparagraph2.2.2oftheManual(Table4)wereconsid
eredasexamplesforproductionofaggregatesfromrecyclingactivitiesinSEEcoun
tries. Through these case studies it was demonstrated that the overall attitude to
recycleandthewayrecyclingactivitiesareconceivedandmanagedinordertobe
comesourcesofaggregatesappearstobeessentiallydifferentfromoneSEEcountry
toanother. [Source:SynthesisreportofbaselinestudyreportsofSARMamodelsites;Activity
3.3(Recycling).http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]

Most SEE countries do not consider in their minerals policies the production of ag
gregatesfromallpotentialrecyclingactivities.Morespecifically,productionofaggre
gatedfromthetreatmentofextractive(ormining)wasteiscommonpracticeinmost
of them. On the other hand, production of aggregates from C&DW is limited and
relevant legislation setting specific recycling targets, has not been adopted yet by
somecountries.
As a result, databases on aggregates from recycling activities are either missing or
with limited information. [Source: Synthesis report on legislation and regulatory

30|P a g e 

framework related to sustainable aggregate resources management in selected South East
Europeancountries,SARMa]

Giventhatproductionofaggregatesfromrecyclingactivitiesreduceslandtakeand
potentialenvironmentalimpacts,savingatthesametimenonrenewableresources
and thus increasing resource efficiency, challenging issues that policy makers and
public administrators are presently facing concern: i) how to organize and manage
collection and recycling of waste materials, and ii) to understand whether and to
what extent aggregates from recycling can complement aggregates from Quarrying
inordertoachieveSustainableSupplyMix(SSM).

3.6 Permittingprocessissues
WhilethereisgeneralavailabilityoflocallysourcedaggregatesinSEEcountries,ac
cesstoaggregateresourcesandsupplyisoftenconstrainedbylongpermittingproc
esses.
Inmostcases,thepermittingsystemsconcerningQuarryingareundulycomplexand
slow, unnecessarily constraining access to resources, and the validity of many per
mits eventually granted is too short to justify adequate investments. Hence, each
countryneedstodevelopasimplified,faster,justifiablepermittingsystem,ideallyas
a onestopshop, or the equivalent thereof, by rationalizing links and procedures
betweennational,regionalandlocalagenciesinvolved,whileinsistingoncontinued
industryexcellenceinenvironmentalandsocialperformance.
Public participation is usually ensured during the environmental licensing phase,
through public hearings or written views. However, the interpretation of affected
public to be invited is rather problematic, which leads to jurisdictionsby the legal
courts in many countries. [Source: Synthesis report on legislation and regulatory
framework related to sustainable aggregate resources management in selected South East
Europeancountries,SARMa]

P a g e |31


Fig.15:TheGreekquarryofAraxosislocatedwithinaNatureProtectionZone.Thearea
aroundthequarrysiteischaracterizedbyhighbiodiversityfeaturesduetoitsproximitytothe
wetlandsoftheNaturalParkofStrofiliaKotihi[Source:Authorspersonalphotoarchive]

32|P a g e 







4.Keyparametersfortheindustry
towardssustainability



In essence, the term Sustainable Development


refers to achieving economic and social develop
mentinwaysthatdonotexhaustacountry'snatu
ralresources.
A Social License to Operate exists when a mining
project is seen as having the approval and the
broad acceptance of the immediate and wider
community. It is a license which can not be pro
videdonlybyauthorities,bypoliticalstructures,or
evenbythelegalsystem,butitneedstoalsocome
from the acceptance granted by neighbours. Such
acceptabilitymustbeachievedonmanylevels,but
itmustbeginwith,andbefirmlygroundedin, the
social acceptance of the resource development by
localcommunities.




P a g e |33

4.1 General
Whenassessingthepotentialimpacts
of aggregates extraction activities on
society,andnature,itisimportantto
notethattheseimpactsmayconcern
not just the extraction site itself, but
also all associated infrastructure and
otherfacilitiessuchasaccessroads,conveyorbelts,crushers,storagesites,etc.They
alsoconcernallphasesoftheprojectfromtheinitialexplorationandactualopera
tion of the site (including site rotation/expansion)to itseventualclosure and reha
bilitation.Tothisrespect,digitalplanningofthequarrydevelopmentisagoodtool,
sinceitenablesdifferentscenariosanddiscussionstotakeplacebetweenoperators
andlocalstakeholders.
Thepreventionandmitigationofimpactsthroughoutthelifecycleofaquarryisalso
toasignificantdegreedeterminedbydecisionsreachedinthefeasibilityanddesign
phaseofaproject.Theadoptionofsuitablemitigationmeasurescanhelptoreduce
oreveneliminatesomenegativeeffectsofquarrying.Thesensitivityoftheenviron
mentinwhichtheextractionisproposedtotakeplaceisalsoofmajorimportance.
Currently, the constraints posed by the prevailing national and European environ
mentallegislationdemandimprovedenvironmentalperformancefromtheextractive
industry.Asaconsequence,theapplicationofnovel,improvedmethods/techniques
thatcontributetothereductionofcertainimpactslikenoise,dustandgasemissions
orvibrationsisrequired.
Nowadays, aggregates operators are subject also to pressures coming from local
communities and local authorities and the public image of aggregate companies is
becomingmoreandmoreimportantforthecompaniesinterests.
Summarising,theaggregatesindustryshouldtakeintoconsiderationthefollowing:


Thereisaglobalurgentneedforasustainablemanagementoftheenvironment
andconsequentlyofallhumanandindustrialactivitiesthatpotentiallyaffectit.
Withinthisframework,theaggregatessectorcannotbeleftaside;

Societyismoreinformed,moresensitiveandmoredemandingonissuesrelated
totheimpactsoftheaggregatesextractionactivities;

The legislation framework is becoming more strict especially when  protected
areaslikeNatura2000sitesareinthevicinityofquarryingactivities;

Theaggregatessectorisfacingincreasingcompetitivenessintermsofaggregates
qualityandcommercialvaluesofproducts;

Withintheabovecontext,itisimportanttonotethatQuarryinginSEEcountriesis
performedbysmalltomediumsizedenterprises,operatingwithtraditionalpractices.
Thisratherconventionalcharacteroftheaggregatessectormakesitrelativelydiffi

34|P a g e 

cult to adopt the necessary technological and management changes that will assist
theindustrytowardssustainableoperation.Asaconclusion,theQuarryingindustry
inSEEcountriesshouldimmediatelyreviewitsstrategies,methodologiesappliedand
attitudeforaggregatesproductiontowardssustainability.

4.2

Goodpractice

The term good practice is defined as the ideal strategy to counter identified ad
verse effects on procedures or processes using the Best Available Techniques (BAT).
This can apply throughout the quarry lifespan, from initial surveys through the pro
ductionphasetoclosureandaftercare.[http://www.goodquarry.com/glossary]
Inmanycasesgoodpracticeissetbylawsandregulations,withanoveralltargetof
protectingtheenvironment,andpromotingahealthierandsaferworkarea.Though,
anumberofissuesincludedingoodpracticearebasedonexperienceandscientific
work and although not covered by regulation, they are most effective in achieving
theaboveresults.Inmanycasestheapplicationofgoodpracticeshasalsoapositive
economic effect since cleanup operations or additional restoration operations are
avoided.[Source:SynthesisreportofbaselinestudyreportsofSARMamodelsites;Activity3.1
(Bestpractices).http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]

4.2.1 Startfromplanning
Comprehensive and early planning of an
aggregatesquarryingactivityisanimpor
tant key factor for successful perform
anceoftheenterprise.Itshouldconsider
all legislative, technical, environmental,
economic and social factors that may
affect the quarry operation from the de
velopment proposal phase to the post
closure stages. Good planning concludes
with a successful design of the whole
operation.Inthissense:


Existing / developing legislative constraints and land planning issues must be
assessedwellinadvance;

New technological achievements related to production methods should be ex
amined and applied in the design of the activity. Such novel techniques offer
betterhealthandsafetyperformanceandpotentialtopreventandminimiseen
vironmentalimpacts;

he possibility to use newgeneration equipment for the production should be
searched.Suchmachinerymaybemoreexpensivetobuy,butinthelongrunit
willbeprovedawiserchoicethanoldandtraditionalone,duetobetterproduc

P a g e |35

tivityrates,lessmaintenanceneedsandupgradedenvironmentalperformance,
intermsofexhaustgasesemission,energyconsumption,etc;


A sustainable operation must be established onthe continuous interaction be


tween the economicalproductive component and the environmental compo
nent.Environmentalexpertsshouldparticipateinthecoreprojectteamforthe
planninganddesignofthequarryoperation;

Exploitationplansshouldintegraterestorationdesignrightfromthestartofthe
operationactivity.Inthisframeworkitisadvisablethatlandforms,landusesand
vegetationpatternsareidentifiedthroughbaselinestudies;

Developmentofalandscapestrategybeforethecommencementoftheproject
facilitatesmitigation;

Goodpracticesfromotherssuccessfulactivitiesmaybeusefultobeadopted.

Recommendations:
Prepare early, integrated plans, taking into account legislative
constraints;identifycriticalstagesforlandusemanagement;
Preparelocallandscapeassessmentbaselinestudiesandassess
environmentalimpactsthoroughly;
Develop a landscape strategy and restoration plans from the
beginninghavinginmindtheafterclosureuseofthesite;
Applydigitaltoolsforplanning;
Designyourprojectincorporatingasmanynewtechnologiesas
possible;
Detectpossiblesocialoppositionataveryearlyplanningstage
andbeginadialoguetoaddressissuesofconcern,and
Learnfromothersuccessfulstoriesandturnproblemsanddif
ficultiesintoopportunities.


4.2.2 Blasting
Blasting is the major ex
traction process followed
inmosthardrockquarries
for aggregates produc
tion.Blastingcausesnoise,
vibrations and fumes that

36|P a g e 

mayaffectadjacentsettlements.Flyrockphenomenamayalsobenoticed.
Thedegreeoftherockfragmentationachievedduringextractionislargelydepend
ent on the applied blasting technique. This in turn affects the productivity of the
crushing equipment and the percentage of fines produced. A good blasting design
allows for controlled rock fragmentation, reduced fly rock generation and reduced
costofblastingandloading.
Good blasting practices should include application of improved techniques, like se
quentialblasting,thatgeneratemoreacceptablepatternsofvibrations.Utilisationof
novel technology is recommended in order to reduce noise. In any case, vibration
andnoiselevelssetbylegislation,ifany,mustberespected.

Recommendations:
Applysequentialblastingtoreducevibrations;
Usemoderntechnologytoreducenoise;
Generateandmaintainmonitoringrecordsofvibrationand
noise,and
Ensurethatagoodblastingdesignisdevelopedinordertore
duceflyrock,thecostofblastingandloadingandcontrolbetter
thefragmentationoftheextractedmaterial.

4.2.3 Airpollution
Inthebroaderquarryarea,airpollutionmaybecausedduetobothparticulatemat
teremissions(dust)andgasemissions.Goodpracticesshouldincludemeasuresfor
bothgroupsofpollutants,e.g.useof
dedusting systems to collect fine
waste materials, dust exhausting
systemsatthemills,etc(Fig.16).
The potential dust generation
sources such as road or pit areas
shouldbemoistened(Fig.17and19).
Internal transportation of material
should be done with covered con
veyors or trucks with slightly mois
tened material. External transporta
tion of the raw materials should be
done in covered vehicles or with
otherdustsuppressingsystems.

Fig.16:Filtercollectingdust
[Source:PreparatorysitereportofAraxosquarry;
Activity3.1.http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]

P a g e |37

Fig.17:WetnesssystemintheTaroRiverquarryinItaly
[Source:PilotsitereportCasestudy:TaroRiveralluvialfan(ProvinceofParma,Italy)]

Recommendations:
Takemeasurestoreducedustandgasemissions;
Installdedustingsystemstocollectfinewastematerials;
Usedustexhaustingsystemsatthemills;
Keeptheconveyor/crushingsystemscovered;
Keeptheroadorpitareasthatgeneratedustmoistened;
Takecarethattransportationofthematerialswithinthequarry
isdonewithcoveredconveyorsorslightlymoistenedmaterial;
Ensurethattransportationofthematerialsthroughpublicroads
isdoneincoveredvehiclesorwithotherdustsuppressingsys
tems,and
Make sure that systematic monitoring and evaluation of dust
andgasemissionsisdoneandiflimitsexceeded,check.
38|P a g e 

Systematic monitoring and evalua


tion of gas and dust emissions
should be done (Fig. 18). If regu
lated limits are exceeded, the cor
responding equipment units that
produce emissions should be
checked.


Fig.18:Dustmonitoringequipment
[Source:Preparatorysitereportof
Araxosquarry;Activity3.1.
http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]


4.2.4 Noise
Noiseinquarryingusuallycomesfromtwomajorsources:Machinery(stationary,e.g.
crushers,ormovinge.g.trucks)andblasting.Noiseisgenerallyoneofthemaincon
cerns addressed in the planning documentation for a proposed new or extended
quarry.Operatorswillberequiredtoprovideinformationonexistingambientnoise
levels, predicted noise levels at different stages of the working of the quarry, and
detailsofnoisemitigationmeasures.[http://www.goodquarry.com/glossary]
Suggestedgoodpracticesshouldincluderegularmonitoringofnoiseandcomparison
tocurrentlegislationlimitsorsiteenvironmentalterms,installationofnoisesuppres
sionsystemsanduseofappropriateblastingtechniqueandblastingmaterial.Distur
bances to residential areascould beavoided if new roads bypassingthem are con
structed.

Recommendations:
Applyregularmonitoringofnoiseandcompareresultstolegis
lationlimitsandsitespecificenvironmentalterms;
Installnoisesuppressionsystems;
Make no unnecessary noise and reduce noise emissions, e.g.:
switchoff equipment when not in use, avoid unnecessary rev
ving of engines; use rubber linings in chutes, dumpers, trucks,
transferpoints;
Avoidworkatnightnearsensitiveareas,wherepossible;
Useofappropriateblastingtechniqueandblastingmaterial,and
Considerconstructingnewroadstobypassresidentialareas.
P a g e |39

4.2.5 Quarryfinesandwaste
"Anysubstanceorobjecttheholderdiscards,intendstodiscardorisrequiredtodis
card" is WASTE under the Waste Framework Directive (European Directive (WFD)
2006/12/EC),asamendedbythenewWFD(Directive2008/98/EC,comingintoforce
in December 2010). Waste refers to materials that are not prime products (that is,
products produced for the market) for which the generator has no further use in
termsofhis/herownpurposesofproduction,transformationorconsumption,andof
whichhe/shewantstodispose.
Quarryingandtheassociatedprocessingoperationsinevitablyleadtotheproduction
ofquarryfinesandwaste.Theamountandtypeproduceddependsuponthegeology
androcktypequarriedtheefficiencyoftheextractionandprocessingoperationand
thelocalmarketforquarriedproducts.Newmarketsforthesesubeconomicquarry
materials may help to reduce the amount currently being held in stockpiles across
thecountries.[http://www.goodquarry.com/glossary]
Materials that may be classified as quarry wastes include overburden and inter
burden(materialoflimitedvaluethatoccursaboveorbetweenlayersofeconomic
aggregate material) and processing wastes (nonmarketable, mostly finegrained
materialfromscreening,crushingandotherprocessingactivities).
Wastes and fines stemming from aggregates production in SEE countries are nor
mally inert. The quantities produced vary greatly from quarry to quarry: there are
rockquarriesthatproducezerowaste,andtherearealsosandandgravelquarries
thatmayproduceclayandsiltwaste.

Recommendations:
Trytofindauseforwaste,e.g.landscaping,remediation,oras
backfillmaterial;
Landscapeandvegetatewasteheapsassoonaspossible;
Investigatethepossibilitytotreatcalciticrockfinesforproduc
tionofusefulmarketablematerials,e.g.lowgradefillers,and
Management of waste produced should be practised through
outthelifeofthequarryoperation.


4.2.6 Transport
Road haulage is a common transport practice applied in Quarrying (Fig. 19). When
thequarriesoperatewithinornearnatureprotectedareasornearresidentialareas,
transportation may affect wildlife and communities due to dust and noise genera

40|P a g e 

tion.Severalinterventionsandmeasuresshouldbeundertakeninordertoa)mini
mizeimpactstowildlifeandb)minimiseimpactstoresidentialareas.
In Araxos quarry in Greece for example, a bridge and a road bypassing the nearby
village were constructed to protect wildlife (Lutra lutra European otter) potentially
threatened from the truck transport. [Source: Preparatory site report of Araxos quarry;
Activity3.1.http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]

Recommendations:
Consider alternative routes and implement noise suppression
anddustprotectionschemestopreventandminimiseimpacts;
Reduce,wherepossible,transportationdistance;
Transport aggregates at offpeak or specific hours of the day
avoidingtrafficjams;
Seek alternatives to longer distance road haulage, e.g. rail, ca
nal,ifpossible;
Consideralternativestoroadhaulagefromexcavationtoproc
essingplant,e.g.conveyors,and
Usesurfacedroadbetweenthewheelwashandthesiteexitto
makesweepingeasierandensurenomudpickup.


Fig.19:Internaltransportwithtrucks.Roadiswetandthematerialismoistened.
[Source:PreparatorysitereportofAraxosquarry;Activity3.1.http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]

P a g e |41

4.2.7 Water
Water is a major component in all surface mining operations. Water interacts with
quarrying either as surface runoff or as part of water body near the operation or
evenintheoperationsuchasinthecaseofdredging.Moreover,inareaswherewa
terisscare,useofitorimpactsonitsavailabilitybythequarry,arecontroversial.
Waterqualitycanbedegradedduetospills(relatedtotheoperation)andtogradual
leakage(e.g.petroleumproducts).Therecommendedgoodpracticeistoavoidwater
contaminationandtocontrolthequalityofboththesurfaceandthegroundwater
relatedtotheoperation.

Recommendations:
Monitorthequalityofbothsurfaceandgroundwaters;
Setupwaterqualitymeasurementstationsandruncontinuous
measurements;
Usewaterqualityprotectionstructures(e.g.impermeablegeotex
tilestocovertheequipmentmaintenancearea)toavoidpotential
contaminationofgroundwaters,and
Conducthydrogeologicalstudiestomonitorchangesinwater
quality.
4.2.8 Goodsocialpractice
Identifying stakeholders
values, interests, goals
and the scale at which
they apply, is the first
step in resolving the
complex situations that
impact a regions ability
to maintain and secure
aggregatessupply.
Mostoftheproblemsbetweenanoperatorandalocalcommunityarisewhenthere
isanattitudeofconfrontationratherthancooperation.Insomesituations,particu
larlyinareasofexistingdereliction,itcanbedemonstratedthattherearesignificant
environmental improvements as a result of the operation and subsequent restora
tion. An afteruse which is of benefit to the community is also an opportunity to
compensatethecommunityforanydisturbanceitsuffersduringtheoperationofa

42|P a g e 

site.Socialacceptanceisdecisiveforthesmoothoperationofquarryingactivitiesand
shouldbeacquiredasearlyaspossibleduringtheplanningstage.

Recommendations:
Ensuresocialacceptanceevenfromtheplanningstage;
Considerandrespectthelocalcommunitiesneeds.Informand
educatelocalstakeholders.Engagetheminaconstructivedia
logue;
Increase and sustain communication with local stakeholders
through,e.g.aseriesofmeetings,workshops,leaflets,listening
sessionsandposters;
Understand the prior use of footpaths by people and wildlife
andretainexistingfacilitiesasfaraspossible,and
Offer/providecompensatorymeasureswheretheimpactisex
cessive.


4.2.9 Restoration
The restoration of the
affected area and its
rehabilitation is a proce
dure that starts even
before opening of a
quarry and extends to
the postclosure period.
This is a very important
phase since public per
ceptionofthequarryoperationusuallyfocusesontherestorationplans.Thesuccess
ofanyrestorationschemedependsongoodplanning,consultationwithallrelevant
stakeholders and realistic objectives and goals. It is a complex operation which re
quiresmultidisciplinaryskills,flexibilityandcreativity.
Therestorationofaquarry/mineinthepastwasbasedonthetraditionalapproach:
Firstwemineandthenwerestore.Todayanintegratedapproachisapplied:First
wedeveloptherestorationplanandthenwemine.
Restorationplansshouldbedesignedsoastoreturnthesites,afterclosureintoan
aestheticbalancewiththesurroundingarea.Inaddition,properlyrestoredquarries
have an added value compared to quarries left without restoration. In Croatia for
example,anoperatingcompanyhaspreparedaclosureplanforthetransitionfrom

P a g e |43

quarryingactivitiestowardsanornithologicalreservewhichwillbepartoftheNatura
2000 network. [Source: Activity 3.2SSM model sites: Sava River (Trstenik) case studythe
ZagrebakacountyCroatia]

Habitat creation and enhancement can never compensate for the loss of valuable
seminaturalhabitats.However,bycreatingarangeofhabitatsonproperlyrestored
quarries, the industry can make a significant contribution to national, regional and
mostimportantlylocalgoodpracticetargets.

Recommendations:
Adopt a balanced approach between nature conservation and
extractionactivities;
Startrestorationfromthebeginningofanoperationbecauseit
makestheprocesseasierandmoreeffective;
Discussrestorationplanspriorimplementationwithlocalstake
holdersandfollowtheplans;
Adjust the restoration plan in advance according to the poten
tialsubsequentuseofthequarrysiteafterclosure(ifspecified
inthelocaldevelopmentplans,incooperationwiththelocalau
thoritiesandcommunities);
Createnewfacilities,whenrestorationplanisrelatedtochange
in land use (lakes in cases of deep quarries with impermeable
bottomsorsportsfacilitiesorrecreationalparksorwetlands);
Restorethenaturalfeatures(e.g.streams,etc);
Restore the degraded land by utilizing either the topsoil re
movedandstoredduringtheinitialdevelopmentofthequarry
oreventopsoilfromotherareas;
Developplantnurseriesduringthelifetimeofthequarrytofa
cilitatetherestorationphasewithlocalspecies;
Ensurethatplantationofsuitablespeciesisapplied,and
Donotallowanyresidualcontamination.



44|P a g e 









5. Keyrecommendations
tolocalauthoritiesandcommunities

Determination of local aggregate needs and early


landplanningbythelocalauthoritiesisofgreatim
portance in order to achieve sustainable manage
ment of the potential resources and sustainable
supply mix. Raising awareness on the potential of
recyclingwillalsoenhanceaggregatesresourceef
ficiency. The local community can exercise consid
erable influence over decisionmaking authorities,
ifknowledgeandawarenessofpubliconeffectsof
Quarrying is increased. Use of Life Cycle Assess
mentbasedtoolsarerecommendedtobeusedby
localauthoritiestechnicalexpertsinordertoiden
tifyandquantifytheenvironmentalloadsinvolved
inaggregatesproduction.

P a g e |45

5.1 Developlocalplans
AsetoflawsregulatingQuarryingexistsinallSEEcountries.However,national/re
gionalmineralplanningpolicyisnotequallydevelopedinthesecountriesandgen
eralstrategydocumentsareratherthecasethanaspecificpolicy.Theplanningre
sponsibilitymaybeaccomplishedatstatelevelorlocallevel,dependingontherate
ofdecentralisationofeachcountry. [Source:SynthesisReport,WorkPackage4,Action2
Providing a Sustainable Supply Mix of Aggregates: Stateoftheart in SouthEast Europe.
http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]

Inanycase,statelevelauthoritiesshouldtakeintoaccounttheopinionsoflocalau
thoritieswhenaggregatesextractionpriorityzonesareplanned.
Accesstolandisofutmostimportancefortheaggregatessector.Accessisamatter
oflanduseplanningandmanagementpolicy/legislation.InsomeSEEcountriespub
lichearingisprescribedintheirminingacts,and/orduringthediscussionsoflanduse
plans. Almost all countries keep a national or regional inventory on aggregate re
servesandresources,usuallyasasegmentofthenational/regionalmineralsinven
tory.However,theresourcesinventoriesarenotalwaysupdatedregularlyorindigi
tal format in many countries. The resource inventory is strong in those countries
wherelanduseplanningtakesaggregatesintoaccount. Inventoriesonminingwaste
volumesareratherrare.[Source:Synthesisreportonlegislationandregulatoryframework
related to sustainable aggregate resources management in selected South East European
countries,SARMa]

Theplanningprocessatthelocallevelconcerningaggregateresourcesmanagement
andsupplyisimmaturetovaryingdegreesinmanySEEcountries,thoughtheestima
tionoflocal/regionalneedsforaggregatesbylocalauthoritiesisnecessaryinorder
toplanwellinadvancehowtocovertheseneeds.Thecompilationoflandusemaps
includingtheexistingandpotentialaggregateresourcesmayconstituteasoundbasis
for the sustainable management of these resources. Therefore, local communities
shouldbeinvolvedfromthebeginninginthelanduseplanningprocesses.

Recommendations:
Determineandestimatelocalneedsforaggregatesanddevelop
timelyplansonhowtomeettheseneeds;
Preparelandusemapsandschedulestoinformlocalcommuni
ties in order to avoid unjustified opposition and to ensure the
requiredaggregatessupply,and
Ensure the communities are aware of the local minerals plans,
andtheavailabilityofandrequirementformineralresources.


46|P a g e 

5.2 Increaseknowledgeandawareness
Localcommunitiescanbeaffectedbyallthepotentialimpactsdiscussedinchapter3
oftheManual.Thecumulativeeffectofanumberofimpactsonapersonorcommu
nitycanbeverysignificant.
Increasedpublicknowledgeandawarenessoftheenvironmental,economicandso
cial effects of mineral development means that: the local community can exercise
considerableinfluenceoverdecisionmakingauthoritiesinvariousways.
Furthertotheabove,localauthoritiesandcommunitiesshouldbepreparedforthe
postclosurephaseofquarries.Thismeansthattheymustexamineandcompareal
ternativechoicesforthefutureuseoftheexhaustedquarriesarea,atanearlystage.
Theyshouldalsorequestfromthequarryoperatorstodevelopcomprehensiveresto
rationplansandcommunicatetheseplanstolocalcommunities.

Recommendations:
Examine the overall interests of the area such as employment
aspectsandbalancethebenefitscarefullywiththeadverseef
fectsfromthequarryactivity;
Bridge communication gap between quarry operators and
community;sustainandfacilitatecommunication;
Encouragecommunityconsultationandinvolvement;
Consider the need to discuss with the operator the planning
conditions regarding: i) limit levels of vibration, noise and dust
emissions;ii)routesoftransport,andiii)monitoringmeasures;
Discusswithlocalcommunitiesanddetermine,atanearlystage,
thesubsequentuseofthequarrysiteafterclosure.
Trytobeobjectivelyinformedbeforemakingjudgments,orex
pressingvigorouslycomplaints;
Trytocooperateandnotbebiased,and
Examinethepotentialforcompensationmeasures.


5.3 Preventillegalquarrying
The state controlling systems need to be improved and the permitting processes
need to be simplified in order to prevent illegal quarrying activities. In some SEE
countriestheenforcementofveryhighpenaltiesforillegaloperators,incombination
withintensifiedinspectionsbythecompetentauthorities,hasresultedinarapidde

P a g e |47

creaseintheproductionofaggregatesfromillegalsources.Illegalquarryingmayalso
bediscouragedifacertificateontheoriginofthemineralrawmaterialusedbyei
ther public beneficiaries or private constructors is needed. [Source: Activity 3.2SSM
modelsites:SavaRiver(Trstenik)casestudytheZagrebakacountyCroatia]

GiventhefactthatthereareinadequateregistriesofquarryoperationsinmanySEE
countries,itisforeseenthatthecompilationofrelevantdynamicdatabases,thatare
regularlyupdated,couldcontributetothepreventionoftheillegalactivities.
Thenational,regionalandlocalauthoritiesshouldcombineeffortstowardsthepre
vention of illegal activities. These efforts can be more effective if the appropriate
monitoringtoolsareestablished.
Theapplicationofmodernairbornetechniquesforsurveillance(accompaniedbyon
siteinspections)mayoffertoauthoritiesavaluabletoolformonitoringlegalandille
galquarryingactivities.SuchatechniquewasdemonstratedwithintheSARMapro
ject,throughtheTaroRivercasestudy(Italy),whichisbasedonaLaserImagingDe
tection and Ranging system (LIDAR). The method allows checking both small and
wide areas and is carried out by a plane flight over the areas under inspection.
[Source: Pilot site report  Illegal quarrying. Case study: Taro River alluvial fan (Province of
Parma,Italy)]

Localcommunitiescanandshouldplayanimportantroleinthepreventionofillegal
quarrying,bycontributinginthemonitoringofillegaloperations.

Recommendations:
Develop, sustain and use efficient monitoring processes and
toolstocontrolillegalactivities;
Develop and sustain the social dialogue and communication
channelstofacilitatetheefficientmonitoringofillegalactivities;
Simplifyandspeeduppermittingprocesses;
Enforcehighpenaltiestoillegaloperators;
Restoreabandonedquarries;
Establishacertificateontheoriginofthesoldaggregates,and
ContributetothecompilationofregistriesonQuarrying.


5.4 Promoterecycling
OneofthemainchallengesofSARMaprojectwastopromoterecyclingandencour
ageSustainableSupplyMix(SSM)policies.Fromthesurveyconducted,itwasdem
onstratedthat,themajorityofSEEcountrieshaventstartedyetconsideringallpo

48|P a g e 

tentialsources,asfarastheproductionofaggregatesfromrecyclingactivitiesiscon
cerned.Alsothedatarequiredforthemanagementoftherelevantresourcesarenot
adequate.

Recommendations:
Considerrecyclingactivitiesaspotentialsourcesforaggregates
production;
Increaseknowledgeonthepotentialofrecyclingminingandin
dustrialwastefortheproductionofaggregates;
TakeintoaccountrecyclingofaggregatesfromConstructionand
DemolitionWaste(C&DW) tocomplementthelocalaggregates
supply,and
Consider installing recycling plants in nearby abandoned quar
ries,whenassessingtheirpostclosureuse.

5.5 Introducenewtoolsindecisionmaking
Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) are the scientific ap
proaches behind modern environmental policies and business decision support re
latedtoSustainableConsumptionandProduction(SCP).LifeCycleAssessmentisin
creasingly being used worldwide as a comprehensive tool to understand the envi
ronmentalimplicationsofproducts/goodsfromtheextractionofresources,through
theproduction,use,andrecycling,uptothedisposalofwaste. [Source:LifeCycleAs
sessment(LCA)Guidelines;Activity3.3(Recycling).http://www.sarmaproject.eu/]
LCA studies help to avoid resolving one environmental problem while creating oth
ers.Itisthereforeavitalandpowerfuldecisionsupporttool,complementingother
methods.

Recommendations:
Adopt a Life Cycle Thinking and approach for decision making,
and
ConsidertheuseofLCAtoolstoenhancesustainableproduction
andrecyclingofaggregates.

P a g e |49

6.

Selectedtermsanddefinitions

Aggregate: Granular or particulate material, either naturally occurring (sand and gravel) or
producedbycrushing(crushedrock)which,whenbroughttogetherinabound(withcement,
lime or bitumen) or unbound condition, is used in construction to form part or whole of a
buildingorcivilengineeringstructure[Source:SARMglossary]
Bestpractices:Methodsandtechniquesthathaveconsistentlyshownresultssuperiortothose
achievedwithothermeans,andwhichareusedasbenchmarks,i.e.,standardsagainstwhich
actionsarejudged.Thereis,however,nopracticethatisbestforeveryoneorineverysitua
tion,andnobestpracticeremainsbestforverylongaspeoplekeeponfindingbetterwaysof
doingthings.[Source:SARMglossary]
Extraction:Extractioninvolvesremovingmaterialfromthegroundanddeliveringittoapro
ductionplantinaformsuitableforprocessing;itisalsoreferredtominingaswellasquarrying
[Source:SARMglossary]
Extractive waste (or mining waste): Waste resulting from the prospecting, extraction, treat
mentandstorageofmineralresourcesandtheworkingofquarries[Source:SARMglossary]
Illegalquarrying:Illegalquarryingareallactivitiesrelatedtoquarryextractionthatarecarried
outwithoutallmandatorypermissionsoroutsideofnationalfinancialortaxationregulations.
[Source:SARMglossary]
Landuseplanning:Anactivitygenerallyconductedbyalocalgovernment,thatprovidespublic
andprivatelanduserecommendationsconsistentwithcommunitypoliciesandpublicprefer
ences.Generallyisusedtoguidedecisionsonzoning.[Source:SARMglossary]
Life cycle analysis: Lifecycle assessment (LCA) is a process of evaluating the effects that a
producthasontheenvironmentovertheentireperiodofitslifetherebyincreasingresource
useefficiencyanddecreasingliabilities.Itcan beusedtostudytheenvironmentalimpact of
eitheraproductorthefunctiontheproductisdesignedtoperform.LCAiscommonlyreferred
toasa"cradletograve"analysis.LCA'skeyelementsare:(1)identify/quantifytheenviron
mentalloadsinvolved;e.g.theenergyandrawmaterialsconsumed,theemissionsandwastes
generated;(2)evaluatethepotentialenvironmentalimpactsoftheseloads;and(3)assessthe
optionsavailableforreducingtheseenvironmentalimpacts.[Source:SARMglossary]
Manufactured aggregate: Aggregate produced from industrial activities as processing or re
processingofwaste,byproductsandresidues[Source:SARMglossary]
Mitigation:Measuresaimedatminimisingorevencancellingthenegativeimpactofaplanor
project,duringorafteritscompletion[Source:ECGuidance,2010]
Monitoring: Collection and analysis of repeated observations or measurements, to evaluate
changesinconditionandprogresstowardmeetingamanagementobjective[Source:ECGuid
ance,2010]
Naturalresource:Assetormaterialthatconstitutesthenaturalcapital(inorganicandorganic
material)ofanation.Sometypesofnaturalresources,suchasminerals,requireapplicationof
capitalandhumanresources(mentalandphysicallabor)tobeexploited(extracted,processed,
refined) for the realization of their economic value. Other natural resources, such as a cave
system,maybeassignedeconomicornoneconomicvaluebasedontheirexistence,without
theapplicationofhumanandphysicalcapital.[Source:SARMglossary]
Pit:Anopensurfaceworkingareafromwhichamineralresourceisextracted,inthiscasesand
andgravel[Source:SARMglossary]

50|P a g e 

Quarry:Aquarryisanysurfaceworkingwhereaggregates[minerals]areextracted.Itmayalso
bereferredtoasasurfacemine,openpitoropencastmine;asopposedtoamine,whichis
definedintheUKasanundergroundworking.[Source:SARMglossary]
Rehabilitation: The process of converting derelict land to usable land and may include engi
neeringaswellasecologicalsolutions.Therestorationofnaturalhabitatsisoftenincludedas
partofthesiteclosureandrehabilitationprocess.[Source:ECGuidance,2010]
Resourceefficiency:Apracticeinwhichtheprimaryconsiderationofmaterialusebeginswith
the concept of "Reduce  Reuse  Recycle  Repair" stated in descending order of priority
[Source:SARMglossary]
Resource: A Mineral Resource is a concentration or occurrence of material of economic in
terestinorontheEarthscrustinsuchform,qualityandquantitythattherearereasonable
prospects for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, continuity and
other geological characteristics of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted
fromspecificgeologicalevidenceandknowledge.MineralResourcesaresubdivided,inorder
of increasing geological confidence, into Inferred, Indicated and Measured categories (Pan
EuropeanCodeforReportingofExplorationResults,MineralResourcesandReserves,2008).
[Source:ECGuidance,2010]
Restoration: Action taken at a site following anthropogenic degradation or deterioration, to
restoreorenhanceitsecologicalvalue.Inthisguidancedocumentisoftenusedforrehabilita
tionthatisguidedbyecologicalprinciplesandpromotestherecoveryofecologicalintegrity;
reinstatement of the original (premining) ecosystem in all its structural and functional as
pects.[Source:ECGuidance,2010]
Reuse: The use of unwanted materials in another application without significant additional
processing.Italsoappliestoreuseofwaterinquarryplant.[Source:ECGuidance,2010]
SARM (Sustainable Aggregates Resource Management): Sustainable Aggregates Resource
Management is efficient, low socioenvironmental impact quarrying and waste management
[Source:SARMglossary]
Secondaryaggregates:Aggregateswhichoriginatesasawasteof[otherquarryingand]mining
operations,orfromindustrialprocesses(e.g.collierywasteorminestone,blastfurnaceslag,
powerstationash,chinaclaysand,slatewaste,demolition/constructionwastesincludingroad
plannings), but excluding chalk and clay/shale worked primarily for aggregate purposes.
[Source:SARMglossary]
SSMSustainableSupplyMix:SustainableSupplyMixusesmultiplesources,includingrecy
cledwastesandindustrialbyproducts(slag)thattogethermaximizenetbenefitsofaggregate
supplyacrossgenerations[Source:SARMglossary]
Stakeholders:Peopleororganisationsthatwillbeaffectedby,orwillinfluenceaprogramme,
projectoraction[Source:ECGuidance,2010]
SustainableDevelopment:Akeyobjectiveofsustainabledevelopmentistheneedtosecure
anadequatesupplyofmineralstomeeteconomicneeds,whilstminimisingthepotentialad
verseeffectsofmineralextractionontheenvironment.[Source:SARMglossary]
Waste:Wastereferstomaterialsthatarenotprimeproducts(thatis,productsproducedfor
themarket)forwhichthegeneratorhasnofurtheruseintermsofhis/herownpurposesof
production, transformation or consumption, and of which he/she wants to dispose. [Source:
SARMglossary] 

P a g e |51

7.

References

Agioutantis, Z., Maurigiannakis, S., Athousaki, A., 2011: Synthesis report of baseline study
reportsofSARMamodelsites;Activity3.1.,http://www.sarmaproject.eu/;
Blengini,G.A.,Garbarino,E.,2011:SynthesisreportofbaselinestudyreportsofSARMamo
delsites;Activity3.3(Recycling).http://www.sarmaproject.eu/;
Blengini,G.A.,Garbarino,E.,2011:LifeCycleAssessment(LCA)Guidelinestobeusedinthe
SARMa Project. Definition of a common methodology to boost use of LCA tools in sus
tainable production and recycling of aggregates, Romania Emilia Region, Politecnico di
Torino,http://www.sarmaproject.eu/;
Bruntland,G.(ed.),(1987):"Ourcommonfuture:TheWorldCommissiononEnvironmentand
Development",Oxford,OxfordUniversityPress;
Cibin,U.,FurinS.,RicciarelliF.,RizzatiA.R.,RomagnoliM.,ScappiniS.,SegadelliS.,BoggioP.,
Corradi A., Pelosio A., Ruffini A., 2010: Pilot site report of Lanca dei Francesi, Activity
3.1,http://www.sarmaproject.eu/;
Cibin,U.,Cera,M.C.,Spotorno,C.,Furin,S.,Pelosio,A.,Romagnoli,M.,Rizzati,A.R.,Marasmi,C.,
2011:SynthesisReport,WorkPackage4,Action2ProvidingaSustainableSupplyMixof
Aggregates:StateoftheartinSouthEastEurope,http://www.sarmaproject.eu/;
Department of Mineral Resources and Petroleum Engineering, University of Leoben, 2010:
Planningpoliciesandpermittingprocedurestoensurethesustainablesupplyofaggre
gatesinEurope,CommissionedbyUEPG;
European Commission, 2010: Nonenergy mineral extraction and Natura 2000 GUIDANCE
DOCUMENT (EC Guidance on undertaking newnonenergy extractive activities in accor
dancewithNatura2000requirements);
Hamor,T.,2011:Synthesisreportonlegislationandregulatoryframeworkrelatedtosustain
able aggregate resources management in selected South East European countries;
SARMareport;
Hatzilazaridou K., Chalkiopoulou F., Papantoni H., 2010: Preparatory site report of Araxos
quarry;Activity3.1,http://www.sarmaproject.eu/;
Langer, W. H., 2002: Managing and Protecting Aggregate Resources, OpenFile Report 02
415,U.S.GeologicalSurvey;
Lekaj,G.,Mati,S.,Moisiu,L..,Plaku,E.StudyreportofSARMcasestudy BulqizaAlbania(3.3
Recycling),SARMareport;
Marinescu M., 2010: Casestudy baseline studyreport of Revarsarea quarry; Activity 3.1 (Envi
ronmentallyFriendlyPractices).http://www.sarmaproject.eu/;
Mruniu M., Bindea, G., Marica, G.S., Coloi, O., Munteanu, M., 2011:  Synthesis report of
baselinestudyreports;Activity3.2(Illegalquarrying),http://www.sarmaproject.eu/;
Miko S., Hasan O., Kruk B., 2010: Activity 3.2SSM model sites: Sava River (Trstenik) case
studytheZagrebakacountyCroatia,SARMareport;
Simi V., ivanovi J., Belji , ivoti D., Radivojevi M., 2010: Preparatory site report of
Kovilovaaquarry;Activity3.1,http://www.sarmaproject.eu/;
http://www.goodquarry.com/
http://www.sarmaproject.eu/

52|P a g e 

KEYISSUES
 Limitedandineffectivecommunicationbetween
producersandrelevantstakeholders;
 Extendedlandscapeimpactandlimited
restoration;
 Timeconsumingandcomplicatedpermitting
processes;
 Deficientandinconsistentmonitoringofillegal
operations,and
 Incompleteexploitationofpotentialaggregates
resourcesandlimitedrecycling.

TheapplicationofSustainableAggregatesResourceManagement 
andSustainableSupplyMixpracticescansignificantlycontributeto 
thesustainabledevelopmentofSouthEastEurope

Sustainable Aggregates Resource Mnagement


http://www.sarmaproject.eu

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