Sustainable Assessment in Dolostone Mining Management more

Sustainable Assessment in Dolostone Mining Management Julija Šommet, Jüri – Rivaldo Pastarus Department of Mining, Tallinn University of Technology julija@vaopaas.ee, pastarus@cc.ttu.ee Abstract- The paper deals with problems of sustainable mining assessment in conditions of Estonian mining’s, dolostone mining’s. The mining processes impacts on the environment, economy and people, although there may be positive endowments to the economy and social progress through mining and there may also be negative impacts to the environment and other scope activities. The aim of this study is to elaborate sustainability assessment methodology, which will be suitable for mining´s in Estonia (dolostone). An exergia analyze is applied to measure the mining influence on the scope activities. It allows to define hazardous influence on environment, society and economic dimensions. It is conveniently and quickly analyze, which helps to find optimum decisions for existing problems in different mining stages. For aspects comparison were used recourses evaluation for 1 worker by 5 point scale including the zero point value. As the fact this analyze is easy comparative and has an analogy with the workplace safety risks estimation. Identification of the main problems of company activity and possible solutions supplying Company activity long – term plan development. 1. Environmental Parameters The long – term viability of the natural environment should be maintained to support long – term development by supplying resources and taking up emissions. This should result in protection and efficient utilization of environmental resources. Environmental sustainability refers to the ability of the functions of the environment to sustain the human ways of life [4]. The environmental impacts associated with mining productions, as the mining methods used to extract aggregates by open and underground methods result in different environmental impacts. The objective is to include all activities that usually take place around a mining site. In this study, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool is used to analyze and assess the environmental impact of oil shale mining. The inputs and outputs identified for all the technological chains of mines and open casts under investigation. This part contributes in preventing undesired collapses and hazards related to them, emission to atmosphere and aquifer [3]. The results of investigation are presented in Table I. Where an overview of indicators used in the exergia analyze is described and shown step – by – step. Aspects were measured by risk level from zero to five (0 – very minimal or no impact and 5 – no outcome activity or no activity in this aspect, for example no pumping at all). I. INTRODUCTION Mostly the energy sector is working with EMAS Easy program (a step – by – step system ecological and environmental approach) in European Union. Why it should be applied in Estonia in mining sectors? Working together optimizes resources and amplifies the results. It is also the great experience and information exchange between countries, companies and collaboration among the organizations, projects, new developments in business [1]. To organize an optimal analyze it is proposed to use an exergia table analyze with a values matrix which is partly based on EMAS Easy system where a final product considered as a process. The expected result of the study is to explore a new analyzing methodology firstly for sustainable assessment in dolostone mining management. A specific monitoring tool and indicators will be developed in order to access each branch of mining (Economical, Environmental, Technical Feasibility and Social–cultural indicators – for more see Fig. 1.) [3]. It should provide a qualified image for end user and for company owners as well. If it system works well then it will be worked for limestone mining´s also or oil shale. To achieve this goal it is necessary to solve the following research tasks: To investigate theoretical material, to promote the principles of related products and services; as well as company strategy development To examine economic and marketing activities and analyze them Fig. 1. Sustainability assessment methods. 2. Socio – Cultural Aspects This part provides diminishes the risk of accidents and casualties in mining, low emissions technologies. Socio- efficiency describes the relation between a firm’s value added and its social impact [3]. This section implies an exhaustive Risk Analysis of the work safety and also safety manuals. For more information see an analyze Table I below. Sociocultural aspects should be measured by risk level from zero to five (0 – very minimal or no impact and 5 – no outcome activity). 3. Economic Parameters Economic sustainability implies paying for itself, with costs not exceeding benefits of the company. However, in practice most analyses include only the financial costs and benefits. Economic parameters are clearly identified information by company income statement [3]. For more information see a Table 1 below, which shows summarized trading income for all company or for certain deposit, different operating expenses and activity profit or loss. All data should be real and it is easy to follow by book records program. Total values is shown in euro. Deposit – filial branch economical parameters depends on total company economical aspects. If labor persons percentage in filial is 15 %, it means that another parameters in the overview table should not be less than 15, in other case the risk is critical for the filial and production should be suspended (see Table I). TABLE I AN OVERVIEW OF INDICATORS USED IN THE EXERGIA ANALYZE Economical indicators Summarized Trading Income Operating Expenses * Goods, Commodities, Aggregate, Service * Office miscellaneous operating expenses * Labor costs Labor persons Depreciation Economical Activity Profit/Loss The presence risk of competitors within 50 km Total risk is less than the average Environmental indicators Petroleum content in the water Suspended soils in water Dust contamination in the air Noise level Vibration level Water pump The energy cost Average petroleum use The volume of unused material/risk of exhaustion Soil contamination Max annual rate, thousands m3 Mining allotment area, ha Mining clime area, ha Residues /wastes Chemicals in use Mining closure project Validity of extraction permission Existence of new extraction permission Total risk is less than the average Technical indicators Risk Level 2 2 1 1 0 4 3 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 1 3 2 2 1 2 5 0 5 2 Kareda filial branch, % 19,7 20,9 17,9 9,7 15,4 29,2 23,2 Average Technical Durability Endure seasonal effects Flexibility/adaptability of techniques Frequently maintenance Reliability/security Total risk is more than the average, supporting measures should be taken* Social–cultural indicators Awareness/participation in tenders Competence/information requirements Web activity Quality requirements Work Safety Manuals Labor accidents Work Safety Risk Assessment Reclamations Total risk is minimal * too many techniques for such amount of labor/ unused material * techniques needs to be upgraded or replaced by new one to avoid maintenance 5 5 3 4 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 II. SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT METHODS Sustainability assessment is a comprehensive, integrated and far-sighted approach to decision making. Its basic demand is that all significant undertakings must make a positive contribution to sustainability [3]. A sustainability assessment will not limit itself to a process but will rather be an integrated assessment over a whole chain of processes that provide a certain service. This wide view makes it possible to compare a large variety of integral solutions, for instance, comparison of exergia large – scale and small – scale. The definition of sustainability indicators is an important step, as the selection of sustainable solutions is based on these indicators. A sustainable solution means limited use and limited degradation of resources through harmful emissions, at the same time avoiding the export of the problem in time or space. It is possible to distinguish three types of resources: economic, environmental and socio-cultural. The multidimensional character of sustainability is fundamental [4]. In this paper all data is real and was taken from the book records program and environmental annual report of Väo Paas OÜ mining company Kareda dolostone deposit over October, 2011. III. THE METHODOLOGY OF ANALYZE An exergia analyze is applied to measure the mining influence on the scope activities. It allows to define hazardous influence on environment, society and economic dimensions. It is conveniently and quickly analyze, which helps to find optimum decisions for existing problems in different mining stages. For aspects comparison were used recourses evaluation for 1 worker by 5 point scale including the zero point value. As the fact this analyze is easy comparative and has an analogy with the workplace safety risks estimation or Live Cycle Assessment or EMAS Easy system. IV. CONCLUSION The urgency of the research consists in management efficiency in the current market conditions. It is necessary requirement of the activity improvement, creation, development and company competitive advantages. For more accurate data research should be continued. The work would be also to develop the scientific output of the optimal activity analyze, which can also be used in other EU countries. Work is to ensure the practical output of the company's competitiveness in Estonia on the basis of the consumer's wishes and needs. To provide an optimal assessment of the capacities of different groups based on the company needs. The sustainability assessment methods can be used for different purposes and at different levels: as a basis for decision-making when selecting among different remedial actions for a mined out area within time and financial restraints. For successful development in the long-term of the company profound recognition of external and internal factors is required: dynamics of demand of consumers, formations of corporate culture and negotiation of weak aspects by optimal and effective use of internal resources in particular. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The research was supported by Estonian Science Foundation (Grant “Backfilling and waste management in Estonian oil shale industry” No ETF8123 and Grant “Conditions of sustainable mining” No ETF7499) and by the project DAR8130 “Doctoral School of Energy and Geotechnology II” for interdisciplinary research topic “Sustainable mining”. REFERENCES [1] M. Passalacqua, “EMAS implement experience and the best practices from Spain”, Estonia EMAS conference, Tallinn, 3. October 2011 [2] M. L. P. van Meeche, “Sustainable development strategies in Europe and environment management systems”, Estonia EMAS conference, Tallinn, 3. October 2011 [3] Sabanov, S.; Pastarus, J.-R.; Šommet, J. “Sustainability Assessment Methods in Oil Shale Mine Closure”, Environment. Technology. Resources: Environmental Protection and Monitoring, pp. 271 - 275. Latvia, Rezekne Augstskola Izdevnieciba, June 2011. [4] Heinz A. Preisig, Annelies J. Balkema, „Indicators for the Sustainability Assessment of Wastewater Treatment Systems“, Urban Water 4, 2002, pp. 153–161.