|
|
Quarry
design
The designs for quarries, and the plans for their restoration,
are as varied as the number of locations where quarrying takes
place. However, some basic principles apply to all quarries
to ensure safe and efficient sites during extraction, restoration
and subsequent use.
Quarries operate within a strict planning system and the issues
of safety, visual appearance, environmental protection and
the future use of the site will be investigated and incorporated
into the quarry design before a planning application is submitted.
An artist impression of a quarry re-development.
|
Quarry
operators have to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment
as part of this planning process, and develop a sustainable
plan for the closure and restoration of the site. The quarry
design will incorporate the quarry layout, extraction methods
and operating procedures. In particular, it will establish:
- the quarry boundaries, and the extent
of the extraction within those boundaries;
- the required procedures to ensure the safety of
all people within or around the site, including the methods that
will be used to stabilise slopes and protect against rockfall;
- the position of any slopes and banks during
extraction and those that will remain as part of the restoration;
- the method of accessing all part of
the site and the location of access ramps, both during and after extraction.
The quarry design will also include a detailed plan for restoration
and subsequent after use, environmental management procedures,
a method of working, details of infrastructure such as roads
and buildings, and the requirements for processing equipment. |
