Waste Generation and Minimization: A Study of Marble … of Marble Mines of Rajsamand deposit. 6.67 % said it is due to lack of machines and 8.33% highlighted some other causes like

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Research Paper

International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research ISSN (Online): 2347-1697

Volume 2 Issue 9 May 2015

Abstract

Mining of minerals has been an old act of the mankind. Accordingly marble extraction has also been an old task of mining people. In the ancient era it used to be within the reach of emperors has been seen from the era of ancient temples and Tajmahal of Agra. Marble now days has become the need of the common people. As the marble industry grew up in early eighties, the new industry was welcomed by all sectors of society with the hope that there will be prosperity, employment, market upliftment and industrialization of the region. The expected results were also seen for few years but thinkers and society very soon realized the problems and drawbacks of the much liked industry. The problem was the ecological, environmental, and sociological and pollutant hazards of the waste generated in mining and processing by the snow falling numbers of the mining and processing units in Rajasthan. The paper is outcome of the research study done in the selected mines of the Rajsamand area of southern Rajasthan. The study explains dimensions of the waste generated in mining of marble in the research area and has identified the various techniques to minimize the waste.

1. Introduction

Commercially marble is a crystalline rock composed predominately of calcite, dolomite, or

serpentine that hardness of 3 to 4 on Mohs scale and capable of taking good polish. Chemical

impurities may be present in marble in the form of Silica (SiO2) as free quartz or silicates, iron

oxides as hematite (Fe2O3), Limonite (2Fe2O3.3H2O), Manganese oxide (MnO2), and Alumina

Waste Generation and Minimization: A

Study of Marble Mines of Rajsamand Paper ID IJIFR/ V2/ E9/ 021 Page No. 3049-3058 Subject Area

Chemical

Engineering

Key Words Marble mining ,Waste generation, Minimization

Dr. Pallavi Mehta 1 Associate Professor Department of Management PAHER, Udaipur-Rajasthan

Vinod K. Mehta 2 Research Scholar, Department of Management PAHER, Udaipur-Rajasthan

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ISSN (Online): 2347-1697 International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research (IJIFR)

Volume - 2, Issue - 9, May 2015 21st Edition, Page No: 3049-3058

Dr. Pallavi Mehta, Vinod K Mehta :: Waste Generation and Minimization-A Study of Marble Mines of Rajsamand

(Al2O3) in form of aluminium silicates. Presence of impurities generally imparts decorative patterns

and colours to marble.

2. Mining and Processing of Marble

The marble industry can be divided into mining, processing & marketing. The mining involves

production of blocks/Khandas, whereas processing segment involves slabbing, sizing and polishing

operations. The end products can be 8/18/20 mm slabs / tiles (polished, unpolished) or special

monuments, articles, crazy, chips and waste. Marble being a dimensional stone is mined out and

processed in a completely different manner then any conventional mining and processing activity.

The quarrying of marble is different from the mining of other minerals. In marble quarrying large size

of blocks are excavated. Earlier extraction of marble was done manually by using jack hammer and

jib crane. But now mechanization has started and one of the Indian mines has achieved the target of

highest production in the world. Due to mechanization production as well as recovery of marble has

increased and it has reduced the waste generated at the quarry site.

The whole mining operation is highly dependent upon natural crack pattern, which decides the

direction of cut to get the maximum size of blocks. This phenomenon makes marble mining a highly

selective nature of mining which causes very low percentage of extraction thus leading to large

volumes of waste production.

3. Types of marble waste

The marble waste generation during extraction of marble blocks can be estimated at 30 % to 40 % of

the production (in mechanized mines using methods such as wire saws) and at 60 % to 70 % in

mines using conventional techniques of blasting. This waste includes odd blocks of various sizes and

shapes, unwanted blocks and rock fragments produced during trimming and shaping of mined out

blocks before dispatch to processing units. This leads to uncontrolled stripping of vegetation cover

and subsequent soil erosion. Dust generated during quarrying can also blanket surrounding areas

leading to vegetation die-off and adversely affecting the fertility and quality of top soil. While

marble waste may be useful in many industries, but it is still not practiced due to economic

considerations.

Mining industry produces large amount of waste, in terms of small blocks, small tiles, or broken

tiles etc., which is indirect waste along with the normal processing direct waste.

4. Objectives of the study

i. To study the extent of waste generated at various levels in marble mining and processing.

ii. To find the causes of generation of waste in marble industry.

iii. To know the various modes of waste disposal and problems faced by the mine owners.

5. Research Methodology

A survey was conducted at 120 marble mines of the Rajsamand area. Primary data was collected

with the help of a schedule and responses were recorded. The data was analyzed and following

results were found out.

6. Data Analysis & Interpretation

6.1:General information about marble mines of the research area

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Table 1: Marble Deposit Type (Topography)

Deposit Type N %

Hilly 117 97.50

Flat 2 1.67

Depressing ground 6 5.00

Compact 13 10.83

Partial cracked 8 6.67

Fractured 2 1.67

It is evident that almost all mining area is located in hilly region. The topographical favour of this

kind is a blessing to the mining people for safe and quick production of the mineral wealth.

Table 2: Approx Depth of Present Mining

Depth N %

Up to 50 m 82 68.33

51 m to 100 m 37 30.83

101 m to 150 m 1 0.83

More than 150 m 0 0.00

Total 120 100.00

More than 60% mines under research study are up to 50 m. deep and about 30% is in the range of 51

to 100 meters. Higher depths cause less production.

Table 3: Depth of Marble Reserves (Estimation)

Response N %

Up to 50 m 44 36.67

51 m to 100 m 58 48.33

101 m to 150 m 16 13.33

More than 150 m 2 1.67

Total 120 100.00

Graph 1: Depth of Marble Reserves (Estimation)

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Although it is rare in private sector to invest on exploration of the reserves whatever the type of

deposits may be. The research area belongs to marble mining and about 35% of the research area is

proved up to 50 m. and about 50 % is declared to be up to 100 m. not by exploration but by the

depth of their workings. Only few areas are proved or worked up to 150 m and more than that.

Table 4: Mining Machinery Deployed at the Marble Mines

Response N %

Manual 2 1.67

Semi mechanized 99 82.50

Mechanized 15 12.50

highly mechanized 1 0.83

No Response 3 2.50

Total 120 100.00

Most of the mines are semi mechanized in nature. It means those mines are partially being worked

by machine and partially manual workings. Few about 12% mines are mechanized and less than one

percent is highly mechanized where no manual work is performed.

6.2 Information for Estimating Waste Generation in Mining

Table 5: shows that about 50% respondent reported that their mine produces less than 30% fresh

and high value blocks. About 30% mines producing 30% to -40% high value blocks. Only few

mines produce more fresh and high value blocks and less than 1 % mining area produces more than

50% fresh blocks.

Table 5: Percentage of - Fresh / Large (High Return Blocks)

Response N %

Less than 30% 58 48.33

30% to 40% 37 30.83

40% to 50% 16 13.33

More than 50% 1 0.83

No Response 8 6.67

Total 120 100.00

Table 6: Percentage of - Medium Return blocks

Response N %

Less than 30% 76 63.33

30% to 40% 31 25.83

40% to 50% 1 0.83


No Response 12 10.00

Total 120 100.00

Table 6 depicts the mining of medium return blocks .More than 60% mine owners produce less than

30% medium return value blocks of their average production in quantity. The range of 30 to 40 % of

medium value blocks are produced by about 25 % of the mines. About 10% people failed to

respond on the question regarding production of medium return block at their mines.

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Table 7: Percentage of - Laffers

Response N %

Less than 40% 48 40.00

40% to 50% 28 23.33

50% to 60% 2 1.67

More than 60% 35 29.17

No Response 7 5.83

Total 120 100.00

Table 7 shows that less than 40% Laffers are generated in about 40% of the research area,.

Table 8: Percentage of - Khandas

Response N %

Less than 20% 58 48.33

20% to 30% 11 9.17

30% to 40% 15 12.50



Total 120 100.00

Average generation of Khandas in about 50% of the research area is in the range of less than 20

%.Remaining area generates more Khandas ranging from 20% to 40%.

Table 9: Convertibility of low value blocks / Laffers / Khandas to high value small blocks

Response N %

Less than 10% 79 65.83

10% to 20% 1 0.83

20% to 30% 2 1.67

More than 30% 37 30.83

No Response 1 0.83

Total 120 100.00

Table 9 shows the convertibility of low value blocks /laffers/khandas to high value small blocks and

more than 65% of the mine owners in the research area realized that less than 10% convertibility is

possible of low valued or cracked large blocks to high value small blocks

Table 10: Cause of generation of waste in marble mining

Causes N %

Due to Fractured Deposit 99 82.50

Due to Blasting for making Block 1 0.83

Due to improper Method of working 2 1.67

Due to lack of sufficient mining machines 8 6.67

Other 10 8.33

Total 120 100.00

The response to causes of generation of waste in mining of marbles is depicted in table 10. 82.5%

mines owners realized that the main cause of generation of waste in marble mining is fractured

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deposit. 6.67 % said it is due to lack of machines and 8.33% highlighted some other causes like

careless mining and human errors.

Table 11: Stage of mining at which waste generation is maximum

Location N %

Prospecting 0 0.00

Overburden removal 119 99.17

Block preparation 1 0.83

Total 120 100.00

Table 11 shows the stage of mining at which waste generation is maximum. Almost all respondents

(99.17%) are in the view that overburden removal is the only stage in mining when maximum waste

is generated.

Table 12: Efforts made to minimize waste generation

Response N %

By Avoiding Unnecessary Blasting Practices 50 41.67

By Adopting Proper Methods mining 40 33.33

By Deploying Proper mining machines 22 18.33

By Handling the Blocks Properly 51 42.50

Graph 2: Efforts made to minimize waste generation

The response to the query about what efforts should be done to minimize waste generation in the

stage of mining of overburden removal is noted in table 12 and maximum 42.5% respondents

reported that if proper care is taken in handling the blocks it can reduce the waste to a great extent.

41.67 % say that waste can be minimized by avoiding blasting practices in marble mining, 33.33 %

are in the opinion that waste can be minimized by adopting proper mining methods. 18.33 %

relieved that proper use of mining machines can also reduce generation of waste to a great extent.

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Table 13: Mode of disposal of marble waste

Response N %

At earmarked site for disposal 12 10.00

At nearest to mine site 9 7.50

In mined out area within the mines 9 7.50

Anywhere barren land around the area 1 0.83


Total 120 100.00

Graph 3: Mode of Disposal of marble waste

The disposal of waste generated is to be disposed off properly. When the respondents were asked the

mode of waste disposal 74% of the respondents did not responded to this important question

regarding the means of disposal as they do not adopt proper methods of timely disposal and 10%

accepted to dispose it on earmarked site which clears that waste is not disposed off in productive

ways which is the main reason of degradation of land and the environment nearby the mining and

processing area

Table 14: Problem in proper Disposal of marble waste

Response N %

Non availability of earmarked site 66 55.00

High cost of transportation to earmarked area 15 12.50

Easy availability of free land nearby the plant site 33 27.50

Availability of free area within the plant for disposal 3 2.50

Other specify 2 1.67

No Response 1 0.83

Total 120 100.00

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Graph 4: Problem in proper Disposal of waste

When the respondents were asked that what problems do they face in waste disposal 55 % of the

respondents realized the most important problem is non-availability of the earmarked site near their

mines, more than 27 % accepted that free dumping land is available near their site and so to save

time and money they dump the waste in that area without knowing the after effects of it.. One more

problem which was identified is high cost of transportation of waste to earmarked site as reported by

12.5% respondents.

Table 15: Various methods of waste utilization

Response N %

Road / building construction 56 46.67

Filling of mined out area 15 12.50

Preparation of marble chips and powder for industrial use 2 1.67

Other 36 30.00

Graph 5: Various methods of waste utilization

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The various methods of waste utilization are shown in table and graph 5. Due to increase awareness

to protect environment nowadays more than 46% mine owners of the research area utilize the waste

in road and building construction.12.5% use the waste in filling the mined out areas. Whereas

30.00% adopted other methods to utilize the waste generated in mining.

6.3 Hypothesis Testing

There is no significant amount of waste generation in Marble Mining and processing and the waste

which is generated is also used to minimize the harm to surroundings. The average amount of waste

generated while processing high return blacks, Medium return blocks, Laffers and Khandas is

approximately 30%.

H0: The amount of waste generated while processing marble is at normal level

HA: The amount of waste generated while processing marble is below normal level (Low Level)

N Mean SD Z Result

120 33.02 13.21 14.08 ***

Inference: The test results shows that the amount of waste generated is significantly low than the

normal level (Z = 14.08, p < 0.001), hence our null hypothesis of amount of waste generated at

normal level is rejected and it is concluded that amount of waste generated while marble processing

and mining is at significantly low level and it can be further minimized by proper mining.

7. Conclusion

Necessary measures to reduce the waste of the mining area and vicinity are needed to be taken to go

a long way to enhance the value of the environment in marble mining sector. Proper mines waste

disposal methods should be adopted. Better technique of mining with least blasting and deployment

of mining machineries is to be adopted so that least waste is generated in mining operations. Proper

land area be identified and allotted closer to the marble processing centres, for disposal of the

pressed marble slurry cake. This land should be developed as a proper landfill site for which

competent consultants should be engaged. It should be ensured that the marble slurry is disposed off

only at the above earmarked site. Sufficient land is to be earmarked around this landfill site for

allotment to entrepreneurs and units may be developed in a cluster for producing building

construction material from marble slurry . The mine owners and processors must be bound to

dispose the waste at such sites so that it can be reused by various clients to manufacture building

material, filling material or ornamental bi- products out of the waste irrespective of the dumping cost

or disposal cost. Regular maintenance of mine-machinery etc. & stress should be laid on systematic

development of mining pit for block mining. Introduction of pollution control measure at various

levels (especially for dust and noise) and environmental control measures should be implemented

through regular monitoring and assessment with respect to changes in surrounding land quality,

workers health, surface and underground water, flora and fauna etc. The mining area should be

developed in such a way that the harm to the environment is minimized and the waste should be

used profitably by entrepreneurs.

References

Bapna, R.K.; Marble Waste Minimization; Department. of Mines & Geology Newsletter; Vol. 23- 3;

July-Sep.2002.

Rathore, S. S.; Gainful Utilization of Marble Waste for Environmental protection; XIX National

Convention of Environmental Engineers-2003;Organized by The Institution

Engineers(India);Udaipur Local Centre, Udaipur; Oct. 16th

-18th

2003.

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Surana, S.L.; Utilization of Marble Slurry as Binder: A Solution to the Problem”;Reduction of Waste

generate in Mining and its Utilisation; National Workshop organized by Mining Engineers of India;

Rajasthan Chapter, Udaipur; May 18th

,2008.

Bhatnagar, A.; Study for Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of Waste Generated in Indian

Marble Mining and Processing; Symposium of Marble Wastes and Decreasing Environmental

Effects; Itlay;16-17 Oct.2009.

Rathore, S.S.; Environmental Effects and Gainful Utilization of Marble slurry Including Solid Waste;

Symposium of Marble Wastes and Decreasing Environmental Effects;Itlay;16-17 Oct.2009.

Documents

Waste Generation and Minimization: A Study of Marble … of Marble Mines of Rajsamand deposit. 6.67 % said it is due to lack of machines and 8.33% highlighted some other causes like