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Sustainable closure planning for the Steelpark Clay Quarry
Integrated closure planning incorporated the utilisation of waste to create a sustainable landform. (SEF in conjunction with Brian Rademeyer)
Summary
Environmental management of quarries, and mining in general, needs to take into account our future generations during planning for closure. The minimisation of waste and the development of a landform that can benefit the local community and future generations is a crucial step towards sustainable development.
The key challenge facing the project team was to determine the most appropriate procedure to achieve the closing of the clay quarry. Very little spoil material was available on site to help with the construction of a stable landform. An innovative approach to the problem was required. It was proposed that reject and broken tiles could be disposed of in the existing quarry. A waste stream from the ceramic factories was integrating into the final landform design.
The closure plan was implemented as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment undertaken for the quarry. In addition to specialist studies undertaken for the site, extensive public consultation was required due to the location of the quarry adjacent to an established residential community. The final landform that has been developed for the Steelpark Clay Quarry will consist of an open space system that could be used for recreational purposes by the local community.
A site with a legacy of environmental impacts, left by a former mining concern and recently taken over by one of the largest manufacturer of ceramic products, was transformed through a process of integrated environmental planning and strategic outlook into a fine example of sustainable landform design.
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