Forces of nature shape the surface of the earth, but there are also the manmade industries that can largely reform and alter the landforms. Quarrying is also one of the men invented industry that has a different impact on the people and the environment at large. Focusing on the problems associated with the environmental effects, it can largely impact the health of the people through inhalation of dust and listening to loud, noisy sounds. Indirect problems of the quarrying include the calamities that can cause greater damages such as through land sliding and flash floods. Major negative effects of the quarrying include air pollution, particularly due to the dust particles that are the most extensive air pollutants (McAllister, Walton, Coggan, & Wetherelt, 2013). Researches indicate that dust is generated from the mechanical handling processes such as grading and crushing process, blasting of the site, and haulage, etc.
The noise generated from quarrying and mining activities is overwhelming. The noise starts right from the beginning processes such as the construction of infrastructure, road establishment and digging, etc. it increases gradually as the work proceeds to the next steps. Moreover, the mineral evacuation process generates more noise since it involves the process such as crushing and grading. Other methods used for quarrying, such as blasting, cause a huge amount of noise and needs a monitoring process to control the aftermaths of the activity. It has been observed that great numbers of people are impacted from these different kinds of pollutions, which often happens due to the fact that standards established by law are not compiled by the mining and quarrying companies.
Another major problem associated with mining and quarrying activities is damage to biodiversity. The activities severely affect the natural habitat and the species. The observations show that it is nearly impossible to stop the destruction of natural habitat that is caused as a result of these activities. However, the damage to the environment can be minimized of it is ensured that when the quarry or mining site is closed, the site is completely reclaimed, and habitats are fully recovered. In order to mitigate these risks to natural habitat, there is dire need of conducting a detailed study of the ecosystem so that the natural habitat can be safeguarded. There should also be the buffer zones in between the natural habitats and the working environment to have a better working and restoration, and to transplant valuable floras as the final hope.
There are many other potential ways in which wastes from quarrying and mining activities can be utilized. It can be done through the minimizing production of wastes by using the waste material as a part of the restoration program, cementation of waste, and the utilization of waste materials for the productive purposes. Hence, right management and planning can play a great role in minimizing the impact of mining and quarrying activities on the environment (Trudel, Nadeau, Zaras, & Deschamps, 2015).
The governments should also play the role by setting and establishing standards and laws to provide the methods for enhancing the mitigation processes. Hence, by adopting such activities, it is not impossible to restore the land after the quarry activities are ended. The research into the different studies has shown that there is a lack of qualitative and quantitative evidence on what policies and standards should be set by governments that could prove to be the most effective.
Occupational hazard associated with mining and quarrying profession have been well researched in the past by many studies and shows that emissions of dust particles from quarrying operations is quite high and have a significant negative impact on the health of the labors (Nwibo, Ugwuja, Nwambeke, Emelumadu, & Ogbonnaya, 2012). Many studies have indicated that there is a strong connection between occupational exposure to dust particles and the respiratory impairment. The workers who work in quarries and mines have a high risk of carrying the inhaling particulates, such as silica, that can result in adverse respiratory diseases, including emphysema, bronchitis, and lung cancer, etc. (Mashaallah, Mohammad, & Ali, 2006). Furthermore, the workers at mining and quarrying sites are not given appropriate training for health and safety measures which is one of the biggest reasons for the increase in the percentage of accidents (Rosner & Markowitz, 1994).
Although many studies have been conducted to research the health issues of the mine workers, no major work has been done yet on the social and psychological impact on the lives of mine and quarry labors. Also, no appropriate measures and solutions have been yet forwarded any study to overcome the health and social issues faced by the labors.
Mine and quarry labors are the most deprived and neglected sector in the majority of the countries. They usually do not enjoy the equal rights and benefits as that of the other sections of the society Although these workers are responsible for generating millions of rupees for the nation, their working conditions are pathetically poor and unsafe which in turn causes the accidents, leaving the workers dead or handicapped for the rest of their lives (Carnegie, Katsiaouni, & Labonne, 2000). Although these workers are well aware of the risks they take with their lives while undertaking the dangerous work, they are left with no other option due to heavy unemployment and poverty. Various studies have shown that they are looked upon as third rate citizens and have no civil rights. Although many oppressions and protests take place around the globe for the rights of these workers, no significant change has yet been observed in the living standard of these labors (Lahiri-Dutt, 2011).
The problems identified in the above statement give rise to the following questions:
What are the long term and short-term negative effects of the quarrying on the environment?
How do the quarrying and mining activities affect the labor and people living in the nearby areas?
What sort of problems does the people living near the working site experience?
What are the socioeconomic risks to which the quarry and mining workers are exposed?
What are the health risks to which the quarry and mining workers are exposed?
Are there any measures taken by the mine owners and quarry owners to reduce the negative impacts of the quarrying and mining on the environment and on the labors? If yes, what are those measures and how effective they are?
How successful have been the steps taken by the governments to reduce the negative impacts of mining and quarrying operations? Is there any room for development in the steps taken by the governments for the safeguard of environment and labors?
What practical steps are required to provide the equal rights to the quarrying and mining labors?
References
Carnegie, J., Katsiaouni, O., & Labonne, B. (2000). Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Livelihoods:Focusing on Artisanal Mining Communities. New York: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).
Lahiri-Dutt, K. (2011). Gendering the Field: Towards Sustainable Livelihoods for Mining Communities. Acton: ANU E Press.
Mashaallah, A., Mohammad, R., & Ali. (2006). Prevalence of Silicosis among workers in stone-cutter and Silica Powder Production Factories. Tanaffos, 5, 31-36.
McAllister, R., Walton, G., Coggan, J., & Wetherelt, A. (2013). A legacy slope failure in Penlee Quarry - a warning to others. Journal of Geoscience in South-West England, 13, 190-193.
Nwibo, A., Ugwuja, E., Nwambeke, N., Emelumadu, O., & Ogbonnaya, L. (2012). Pulmonary Problems among Quarry Workers of Stone Crushing Industrial Site at Umuoghara, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 3, 178-185.
Rosner, D., & Markowitz, G. (1994). Deadly Dust: Silicosis and the Politics of Occupational Disease in Twentieth-Century America. Princeton : Princeton University Press.
Trudel, B., Nadeau, S., Zaras, K., & Deschamps, I. (2015). Managing equipment innovations in mining: A review. Occupational Ergonomics and Safety, 51(4), 731-746.
