Fig. 5: Lakka s open pits A, B, C, D. Quarry site B C

Transcription

1 Fig. 5: Lakka s open pits A, B, C, D A Quarry site B C D Fig. 5a: open pit A Fig. 5b: open pit B Fig. 5c: open pit C 8

2 9

3 2. GEOLOGICAL SETTING AND RESOURCES 2.1 Type of aggregates The geological setting of the Lakka area is mainly build up by Pleistocene and Oligocene fluvial-torrential deposits which were formed through sedimentation of loose unsorted material eroded and outsourced from upstream carbonate, ultra basic and volcanosedimentary basement rocks (Fig.6). Fig. 6: Geological map of Lakka quarry area More specifically the basement formations consist of, 1. Mesozoic carbonate rocks with limestones, dolomitic limestones and ash- and pinkcolored dolomites 2. Mesozoic ultra basic rocks with pillow lavas and dolerites 3. Volcano-sedimentary formations and volcanic tuffs of Pleistocene to Miocene age The young sedimentary deposits in the area of Lakka comprise consolidated talus cones of torrential origin and Pleistocene age and more recent fluvial-torrential and alluvial deposits. The open pit area in Lakka, where illegal quarrying activities have taken place for some years now, is dominated by torrential talus cones. They consist of sub-rounded pebbles ranging in size from about 1 to 20 cm and more rarely to 50 cm (Fig.7). 10

4 Fig. 7: Grain size of extracted material Their mineralogical composition varies from calcitic to dolomitic. The pebbles are quite cohesively consolidated with secondary calcite and terra rossa cement (Fig. 8). The graded and sorted size classification of the material is linked to the overall process of fluvialtorrential sedimentation and the related coned-shaped doline structure, which in a way does not favor any clay deposition. Fig. 8: Typical section of the Lakka fluvial deposit 11

5 2.2 Structural geology conditions No data available 2.3 Estimated reserves and ore resource potential In order to reduce the environmental impact from illegal operations the local authorities (Prefecture of Pella) are planning to perform a restoration work which is estimated to result in around tons of material which could find application as aggregate. The estimation of this resource potential though needs to be confirmed with further work which will involve data collection as to the ownership status of the surrounding land, topographic surveys, mapping e.t.c.. 3. OPERATIONAL AND MARKET CHARACTERISTICS 3.1 Quarry infrastructure The Lakka quarry site is situated in an area very well accommodated by the local and regional road network. A dense network of internal temporary access roads has been developed in the past to facilitate the extraction activities. No other facilities exist (Fig. 9). Internal road network External access roads Fig. 9: Quarry infrastructure 3.2 Extraction methods and processing techniques From collected information it is assumed that the raw material was extracted using wheel excavators. Generally no processing was applied. Occasionally some crushing and screening was performed on site for the removal of oversized material. The aggregates after extraction were loaded on trucks and directly transported to the consumption centers. 12

6 3.3 Existence of codes of practice to achieve technical excellence Not existing due to the illegal status of the activities performed. 3.4 Providing an overview of production figures It is estimated that around tons of material has been illegally extracted from the Lakka site. 3.5 Uses and present market destinations All the extracted material has been used for road construction, mostly for local public roads as well as for the construction of the nearby located Egnatia highway. 3.6 Operating system for remote monitoring of illegal quarrying There is no operating system for remote monitoring of illegal quarrying. According to the Greek legislative framework (articles of Law 1428/1984as modified by article 13 and 24 of Law 2115/1993, article 8 of law 2702/1999 and Ministerial Decision 7/Α/Φ1/21801/2001), the exploitation of aggregate quarries runs under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Energy and the Inspectorate of Mining is the relevant responsible authority, on national level, to inspect, control, place charges and impose any additional measures needed, through on site inspection. On justified cases of serious violation of the relevant legislative framework, the Inspectorate of Mining may impose constraint measures and the temporary cease or closure of the quarry operations. The inspections, on behalf of the Mining Inspectors, on the licensed quarry operations run normally once a year. Shortage in relevant personnel though, to carry out inspection on a regular basis, drives eventually to a deficient monitoring of illegal operations. In parallel, systematic inspections concerning compliance on environmental issues are carried out by another recently developed national authority of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Energy, the Special Office of Environmental Inspectors. The Environmental Inspector may perform on site inspections on all public or private projects or activities (extraction activities are included), that falls under the regulatory framework for the protection of the environment and may carry out tests and measurements and collect any useful in their opinion data. Their inspections are carried out regardless of any other authority competent to conduct similar audits. The regulatory framework for environmental inspections is the relevant law and procedures laid down in the Recommendation 2001/331/EC of the Council and European Parliament which adopted the 'minimum requirements for conducting environmental inspections. It has to be underlined here that the aggregate resources from Lakka quarry site were used mainly for infrastructure works (see previous paragraph) serving the needs of the local and regional communities. The illegal quarrying activities were carried out for more than 4 decades obviously under the tolerance of the local communities and competent authorities due to the absence of other nearby authorized aggregate quarries in operation at that time. 13

7 4. WASTE AND POST-CLOSURE MANAGEMENT 4.1 Disposal and handling of quarry waste Extraction activities in Lakka quarry site did not produce any wastes. All the extracted material was used as aggregate. 4.2 Quantification, characterization, feasibility and potential applications of recycled wastes Zero waste production Fig. 25: Bag-filter Fig. 26: View of de-dusting system 4.3 Fit-to-purpose re-use opportunities of wastes/by-products As above 4.4 Remediation practices Lakka quarry site is a long abandoned site. In cases like this the remediation and restoration is and will be undetaken by the local authorities. No remediation has been applied so far for various reasons. One of the main reasons involved is lack of available funds. 4.5 Restoration, post-closure planning and immediate aftercare works Remediation and restoration of contemporary and legal quarry operations in Greece is ensured by specific terms set out in the approved Environmental Impact Assessment Study that the quarry operator is by law obliged to submit in order to be granted the exploitation permit. The restoration plan forms an integral part of the quarry permit and its application is the responsibility of the legal quarry operator. Inspections and audits are undertaken, financial guarantees are required and sanctions imposed where necessary. The quarry operator is obliged to restore the quarry site through the gradual implementation of an integrated and progressive restoration plan carried out through the lifetime of the quarry operation. On the other hand, restoration of public abandoned quarries is the responsibility of the relevant Prefecture where the quarry site is located. The situation is more complicated in cases of privately owned abandoned quarries where the consent of the owner is needed in order the site to be restored. The Prefecture of Pella is the competent authority responsible for the restoration of the Lakka quarry site. It is expected that within Sarma project new ideas and/or better solutions will be developed related to the sustainable environmental management of such quarry sites. The outcomes of SARMa and the experience shared with other partners facing similar problems is expected to help the Prefecture of Pella to elaborate alternative ideas and most feasible solutions for the restoration and rehabilitation of the Lakka site. 14

8 The general plan for the restoration work will involve landscaping of slopes which in some instances are very steep, almost vertical and as high as 18m, posing safety risks to the peaple (see Fig. 5a and Fig. 8). The landscaping of slopes is also imposed by the regulatory framework. It is anticipated that no planting of trees will be needed since the surrounding area is characterized by low herbaceous vegetation. 4.6 Presence of quarry closure, rehabilitation and after-use plans Restoration/rehabilitation of public abandoned quarry sites is practiced in Greece for quite some time. Although a broader planning for the best usage of abandoned quarries at local, regional and central level does not exist, the increased sensitivity of the people in environmental issues and the stricter regulatory framework urges the competent authorities to look at alternative solutions and plan restoration of abandoned quarry sites more often than they used to in the past. This is particularly obvious for abandoned quarry sites that are located close to large urban areas. A wide range of rehabilitation schemes has been applied by the local authorities in various old quarry sites so far such as: the creation of open theaters and athletic centers (Fig.10), municipal storage and parking facilities for heavy vehicles, cemeteries, creation of waste transfer stations e.t.c. Fig. 10: Restoration/rehabilitation of an old quarry in Athens (Attikon Alsos) 15

9 There are no specific rehabilitation plans developed at this stage for the public abandoned Lakka quarry. 5. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 5.1 Geomorphologic exposure and visibility aspects The quarry site is visible from local settlements (<5km away) and especially from the nearby Lakka village (<1km). 5.2 Protected areas status There is no proximity to protected areas. 5.3 Water (surface and groundwater), soil and air quality conditions The water flow into the loose sediments of the south lowland area of SW Paiko Mountain is discharged and supplied from the Paiko Upper Cretaceous limestones of the volcano sedimentary formations (volcanic tuffs) and the Neogene and Quaternary sediments. The aquifer is enriched during the winter semester raising the hydrostatic level and drained during the summer semester with a gradual lowering of the level mainly due to over pumping of drilling water. The maximum range of fluctuations that were observed in the underground aquifers is on the magnitude of about 10 m and the mean standard deviation is 3.5. The hydro geological units are the ones located by the wells consisting of Quaternary coarse depositions at surface, underlain by alternation of sand-clayish and clayish sediments as well and volcanic tuffs. The main aquifer area is found at intermediate depth in the loose formations of the Quaternary sedimentary deposits. They comprise dense alternations of coarse sandy layers with clays or mixtures in various proportions. In certain places, mainly east of Lakka, there are occurrences of thin marls or marly limestone layers. This hydro geological unit is characterized by a strong heterogeneity, both in the vertical and horizontal direction, due to frequent alternations of litho logical units with different coarse-grained gradation. The total thickness of this unit can be more than 150 m. Another hydro geological unit is the one made of the volcano sedimentary formations. It consists of volcanic tuffs. The tuffs include alternating layers of gravels, clays and sands. In some areas, strongly altered and considerably porous volcanic tuffs may be rich in water resources. The thickest water bodies are found south of Lakka and Plagiari villages with hydrostatic levels ranging in depth from 12 m. to 36 m during the wet season and almost m. during the dry summer period. Taking into account the present enrichment the physical discharge and the water exploitation the conditions could be considered as normal including the water balance. 16

10 5.4 Existence of codes of practice to achieve environmental excellence The Lakka quarry site is an example of a long abandoned site that has been illegally operated by numerous contractors. Therefore the procedures that authorized operators are normally obliged by law to follow in order to achieve environmental excellence (Environmental Impact Assessment Study and compliance to approved Environmental Conditions) were not applied in Lakka s case. 5.5 Systematic operation of environmental monitoring and control programme See paragraph above. 5.6 Engineering geology issues The illegal extraction activities left behind almost vertical and up to 18m high slopes which pose landslide risk issues. 5.7 Noise, visual impacts, dust and emissions and aggregates extraction vs. environmental management and pre-, syn -, and post-quarrying land use The under study quarry site is abandoned and therefore noise and dust emissions issues are not considered. The visual impacts though are considerable. 6. SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS ASSESSMENT 6.1 Local/regional employment situation The inhabitants of the nearby settlements are mainly engaged in agricultural activities and farming. 6.2 Workforce directly and indirectly related to local aggregates extraction As it was mentioned in previous paragraphs, two legal quarry operations are active in the local area since late 90 s. These quarry operations are currently operating under their potential capacity since no major construction projects are under development in the area. No additional data are available concerning the related workforce engaged in such activities. 6.3 Health and safety aspects (on- and off-site) See paragraphs 4.1, 4.5 and

11 6.4 Local communities engagement and involvement in decision making and available mechanisms to increase communication and discussion between stakeholders. The local authorities are very active in promoting cooperation with local communities in issues related to the environmental management of the Lakka quarry site through communication on a personal basis. It is well understood that in their efforts to eliminate the illegal extraction activities and the environmental impact must have on their side the local communities. Thus, promotion of the communication and information on safety and health hazard issues imposed by the present status of the Lakka site are considered and adopted as best practice approach. 7. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS 7.1 Early stage evaluation with respect to the seven questions framework to sustainability 7.2 Way forward e.g. LCA study approaches It is not a common practice especially in aggregates extraction industry to perform LCA study approaches. 8. BEST PRACTICES APPROACH 8.1 Possibilities for new technology applications The Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration of Greece has conducted a five years project, within the 3nd Community Support Framework programme aiming to provide a methodological tool for use by the competent authorities in order to acquire a priority intervention list and select the most appropriate rehabilitation solution for abandoned quarries located in their region, taking into account environmental, social and economic criteria based on their priorities and economic and technical potential. 8.2 Sought operational improvements Inactive operation 8.3 Expected impacts towards sustainability As demonstrated in previous paragraphs the unauthorized illegal operations as carried out in Lakka site can lead to serious negative impacts to the environment. On the other hand the operation of the Lakka quarry, although illegal, satisfied the demand of the regional/local market for aggregates in rational cost. From this point of view we could consider it had a temporary positive impact to local economy. 18

12 8.4 Optimising the efficiency of primary aggregates production e.g. water & energy consumption, transport Lakka is an abandoned quarry area. 8.5 Targeting better practises that can help achieve a better relationship between protected areas and other land uses, such as how to incorporate areas of known aggregates potential into decision-making about new protected areas The issues discussed in this report are related to illegal extraction activities and the restoration/rehabilitation of long abandoned quarry sites. To this respect best practices should be targeted towards avoidance of such activities according to the sustainability framework and application/selection of the appropriate restoration/rehabilitation plan. To this sense the following could comprise best practice approaches: o Identification of medium- long- term market needs for aggregates on local/regional level is of ultimate importance in order to take at an early stage the necessary actions (e.g definition of legal quarrying areas) to safeguard/secure the adequateness and appropriateness of the raw materials and prevent illegal activities from unauthorized sites. o Long-term spatial & land use planning and infrastructure work plan that takes into consideration available aggregate resources. o o o Incorporation of areas of known aggregates potential at the regional/local level to land use plans at the national level (strategic level). Restoration/rehabilitation of public abandoned quarries by applying the most appropriate restoration/rehabilitation plan that takes into account environmental, social and economic criteria Incorporation of the restoration/rehabilitation plans of abandoned quarry sites, especially those located around large urban areas and those posing health and safety hazards into the regional development plans 8.6 Collect information on best practices and failures for aggregates extraction, e.g. environmental management Aggregates quarrying activity creates severe alteration of the natural relief and affects the surrounding environment (soil, vegetation, biodiversity features). The negative impact of the environmental degradation is maximized when abandoned quarries are located in urban or sub urban zones, near nature protected areas or are visible from sites of special interest (e.g. archaeological sites). Abandoned quarries may pose safety and health hazards due to their high and steep slopes and for being sometimes used as unauthorized waste dumps. Restoration of abandoned quarries has been practiced for quite a few years in various places in Greece and there are many examples of successful restoration/rehabilitation case studies of long abandoned (e.g. Lavrion Technological and Cultural Park) as well as of contemporary quarry and mine sites (e.g Bauxite mine in Parnassos mountain in the 19

13 Prefecture of Fokida and Magnesite mine in Gerakini in the Prefecture of Chalkidiki) (Fig. 11 & 12). Fig. 11: Restoration of mined out areas in the active magnesite mine in Gerakini Fig. 12: Restoration/rehabilitation of an abandoned quarry in Attica 8.7 Develop guidelines for post quarrying restoration See paragraph

14 8.8 Determine impediments to best practice e.g. lack of knowledge, regulatory blocks Identification of medium- long- term market needs for aggregates on local/regional level is of ultimate importance in order to take at an early stage the necessary actions to safeguard/secure the adequateness and appropriateness of the raw materials. Deficient or inconsistent controlling systems and time consuming permitting procedures may allow illegal quarrying activities to carry on thus creating an artificial distortion of competition, enhancing environmental impact and bringing the legally operating aggregates industry into disrepute. However the legal framework is extremely strict in cases of illegal quarrying of aggregates, since quarrying of aggregates without permit constitutes criminal breach and the liable is punished with confine of at least 3 months, and administrative penalties and fine from euro, imposed by the Mining Inspector. Lack of long-term spatial & land use planning that takes into consideration mineral resources results in conflicted interests between aggregates extraction activities and other land uses. Restoration of abandoned quarries is not practiced on a regular basis from the competent authorities due mainly to lack of available funds. 8.9 Prepare recommendations for industry and government actions to encourage best practice The aggregates industry should: Operate in compliance with the regulatory framework and the Environmental Conditions set which cover all the aspects of the environmental impact of the extraction activities. The government should: Raise awareness of society s needs for aggregates and consider them a strategic resource not available in abundance as is often assumed Enhance authorization of the industry s compliance to the regulatory framework in order to minimize environmental impact related to extraction activities Update and integrate the legislative framework that regulates aggregates extraction activities Speed up the licensing procedures. Speeding up procedures will have a positive side effect in preventing illegal quarrying activities Make a mid and long term estimates of aggregates demand and complete the designation of aggregate quarrying areas in the whole Greek territory Always consider alternative sources for aggregates production Incorporate the designated aggregates quarrying areas at regional/local level (Prefecture level) to land use plans at the national level (strategic level) Grand permission with a duration in line with the lifetime of the deposit thus allowing extraction activities to carry on in a sustainable way Record all abandoned quarries at regional level and prioritize their restoration/rehabilitation using multi criteria analysis (e.g intensity of the pollution problem, safety hazards, visual disturbance, adequacy of the quarry site for communal facilities e.t.c) 21

15 9. References 1. Hagiou E., Konstantopoulou G., 2010 Environmental planning of abandoned quarries rehabilitation - A methodology, Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece, proceedings of the 12 th International Congress, Patras, Greece 2. Planning Policies and Permitting Procedures to Ensure the Sustainable Supply of Aggregates in Europe, June 2010, Final Report commissioned by UEPG, Department of Mineral Resources and Petroleum Engineering, University of Leoben, Austria 3. Hagiou E., 2009, Development of environmentally friendly techniques for the exploitation of abandoned public quarries and their products, Final Report issue I, Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration, Athens, Greece 22