Phase 1: Inventory and planning

Aggregates can only be extracted where nature has placed them. Thus, the local geological setting is the first and most essential condition for locating a quarry. This means that quarries may have to be located in the countryside where constraints against any form of development are intense. Alternatively quarries will have to be located in densely populated or industrialized areas where constraints against dust, noise, vibration and truck traffic are not less intense. The final alternative for the consumer/society may have to be import of aggregates from more remote sources, which involves heavy traffic load over long distances and at the same time the above mentioned constraints at the locations of production.

During the initial stage of resource inventory and quarry planning, several issues need to be considered and objectives need to be met as a basis for the future quarrying activities:

• Geological mapping
  
• Regulatory issues
  
• Planning of the future exploration and quarrying
  
• Planning of the future land reclamation

In order to meet the objectives above, the inventory and planning phase should include:

• Identify resources
  
• Identify potential conflicts.
  
• Provide vital information for planning
  
• Identify future options as to reclamation
  
• Identify specific means for reducing the environmental impact
  
• Location of the quarry

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