Quarries & the Environment
RECOGNISING OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
The AQA takes its responsibilities regarding the environment very seriously. Quarries today aims to be as unobtrusive as possible to their surrounding habitats, be they in a rural or urban area.
Unlike the industry of the past newly established quarry and pit sites are established in a manner which minimizes, as far as possible, the visual impact of the operation. Quarry operators take pride in the fact that new sites are established with a strong emphasis on minimizing visual amenity, and extensive landscaping is undertaken to reduce the visual impact of quarries and extraction pits. Wherever possible, existing sites are being landscaped and screen planting introduced in order to reduce their visual presence.
Methods now being employed to shield operations from public view include the construction of raised earth banks or "bunds", and the planting of trees or shelterbelts along the margins of the site. Painting site buildings and equipment in colors to harmonize with the surrounding landscape also serves to reduce visual impact.
Quarries are also required to comply with various resource consent conditions issued under the Resource Management Act and District Plans. These conditions are for the protection of matters pertaining to land, air and water quality. Discharges to air are stringently controlled within the extractive industry, to ensure both a healthy work environment and minimal visual impact.
The only byproduct from the quarrying or aggregate production process is quarry overburden (the ground overlying a rock formation which cannot be used for the production of aggregate). This is normally placed into overburden disposal sites in a managed manner, contoured and re-vegetated to blend with the surrounding landscape. Quarry overburden is a 100% natural product and offers no pollution risk.
All machinery is fitted with effective mufflers, and techniques used to dampen noise that results from processing activity. Noise is minimal outside the immediate site boundaries, and is stringently monitored to ensure compliance with noise limits set by district plans. Quarry blasting is undertaken by fully trained and qualified blasters under a code of practice. Impulse and ground vibration resulting from blasting is required to comply with limits set in the district plan. In sensitive or urban areas, neighbours are informed of any explosive work beforehand as part of the ongoing consultation process.
Rehabilitation of quarries and other extraction sites continues to be a key issue within the aggregates industry. The Association provides assistance and advice to its members on matters relating to the Resource Management Act 1991. An industry sponsored Environmental Award is available annually in "Recognition of Excellence" within the industry for exhibiting outstanding examples of pollution management, rehabilitation, beautification or other environmental work.
New Zealand has all encompassing legislation relating to "land use". The Resource Management Act 1991 requires each quarry and pit owner to prepare detailed Quarry Management Plans, which incorporate all aspects of a quarrying operation; environmental controls, future development and details of good practice for the efficient and safe operation of the site. The Resource Consent application process allows public submission by interested, affected or potentially affected parties on matters of concern relating to the application. These concerns are then addressed as part of the process of obtaining resource consent, and the Quarry Management Plan must take any consent conditions into account for the proper management of the site.
If you have any questions at all relating to environmental issues relating to quarrying please do not hesitate to contact us.
RECYCLING OF CONCRETE & AGGREGATES
The Aggregates & Quarry Association endorse the recycling of concrete and aggregates as environmentally and financially responsible use of New Zealand's resources. The AQA has produced Best Practice Guidelines for the quallity production and use of recycled aggregate, specifications that parallel international standards but adopt the New Zealand GAP standards.
More information
Please see the following publications;
- AQA Environmental Code
- Recycled Best Practice
available from
the publications page.