Legal quarries curb high building costs
Without sites from which to excavate materials, the cost of construction for homeowners will become unaffordable
DESPITE complaints of dust and noise by community members living around Zululand’s quarries and open cast mines, well-managed legal pits are vital for the economy.
Without sites from which to excavate stone, rock, construction aggregate and other materials, the cost of construction for homeowners will become unaffordable and will stifle deliveries for infrastructure such as roads and hospitals.
This is the message from Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of Southern Africa (Aspasa) Director Nico Pienaar, stating it is important to raise awareness of the importance of quarries near towns.
‘Quarries are essential for the legal extraction of sands and aggregates used in the manufacturing of concrete structures, as well as base and top courses of roads and ballast for railways.
‘If for any reason the materials for construction projects needs to be sourced from too far away (no more than 100km), the cost of transport can become prohibitive and dramatically increases the price of building products.’
Good neighbours
‘All too often residents only see the negative side of quarrying, such as the use of heavy equipment on site, blasting or increased heavy vehicle traffic and get upset at the mere thought of having a ‘big, dirty quarry’ nearby,’ Pienaar said.
‘Little do most people know that formal registered quarries belonging to the association are far from being bad neighbours.
‘These legal quarries have to obtain mining, water usage and environmental permits and have to abide by the strictest regulations possible to begin quarrying operations.
‘Once in operation they are heavily regulated and have to comply with the strictest possible regulations relating to noise, dust and water pollution, among others.
‘An additional benefit is the creation of direct and indirect jobs that are sustainable over a long period of time.’
Illegal quarrying
Pienaar explained that the aggregates and sand quarry industry has never been more responsible and committed to the communities they operate in.
‘With the government’s commitment to building new homes and the rising population growth, a strong demand for infrastructure development is required and this needs to be supported by legal quarry operations in every town and city.
‘Residents should, however, remain vigilant and report quarries that are not being responsible, since they may be illegal operations that operate outside of all laws of the country.
‘These operators sometimes operate pits that cause severe damage to the surrounds and rather than creating sustainable work for residents, they often exploit workers and scar the environment.
‘If residents suspect that quarrying is being carried out in a manner that is harmful or being illegally operated, we strongly encourage them to contact Aspasa, their local police and the Department of Mineral Resources.’
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