Living

Quarries play an important role in our day- The quarrying industry operates to strict conditions
to-day lives. They provide the stone, sand and is committed to minimising the impact of its
and gravel that’s used to build our roads, operations on local communities and environments.

near a
hospitals, schools and our homes. But if you live close to a hard rock quarry, you may
notice occasional noise or vibration arising from
To ensure this important infrastructure remains quarrying activities.
affordable, it’s important these natural materials are

quarry sourced locally – close to where they are The following information will help to explain
used. That’s why you find quarries operating why this occurs, and what quarry managers and
in and around the communities that use their government regulators do to minimise any impact

BLASTING MANAGEMENT
products. For the most part, you wouldn’t know on those living nearby.
they are there.

HOW IS ROCK
EXTRACTED WILL I HEAR OR FEEL A BLAST? WHAT SAFEGUARDS ARE IN PLACE
IN A QUARRY? Depending on how close you live to the quarry, you
may notice some slight vibration or noise associated
DURING BLASTING?
Strict safety regulations apply with handling
There are a number of ways, but a common with blasting. When blasting is undertaken at a quarry,
explosives. In addition, quarries implement
and effective method is controlled blasting. two types of vibration occur - ground vibration and
blast impact abatement measures to protect
overpressure. Ground vibration radiates away from
neighbouring homes, buildings and public places.
The factors that determine whether the blast site with the effect reducing as the distance
blasting is necessary are the hardness of from the site increases. Overpressure is an airborne
Blasts are monitored at different locations with
the rock, the amount of weathering and the vibration in the form of airwaves, and can cause a
sensitive ground and air vibration equipment
presence of weaknesses in the vibration response in structures such as residences.
to ensure they remain within regulations. All
rock structure. While it can be felt, it’s not always heard. Airborne
blasts are monitored and exceedances must be
waves tend to travel slower in the atmosphere and
reported to the relevant regulatory authority by
Blasting is a very precise and carefully therefore arrive later than ground vibration.
the quarry operator.
planned operation that involves drilling
into the rock in a specified pattern It’s actually in the best interests of quarry management
and placing explosives in the holes. to reduce both these types of vibrations because
The explosives are then detonated in a they substantially decrease the efficiency and
precise sequence, designed to maximise economy of the blasting operation. However, even
the efficiency of rock breakage while
minimising noise, vibration and dust.
the best designed and executed blasts will generate
some vibration.
CAN IT DAMAGE MY PROPERTY?
Blasting operations have prescribed limits stipulated
One of the advantages of blasting is that it Your individual response to a blast will depend by the relevant regulatory authority that are well
reduces the need to operate large, largely on the vibration’s magnification, duration and below vibration levels that could cause structural or
heavy equipment to extract the rock, frequency. However, because the vibration magnitude cosmetic damage. The limits stipulated in quarry
which in turn reduces noise and varies from site to site, no common threshold exists. licence conditions are well below the levels that
greenhouse gas emissions. Your age, health, and to a large extent, previous could cause damage.
exposure to similar blasts can be influencing factors,
as can the activity you’re performing at the time of the These limitations are applied at any point within
blast, for example, a person walking is less likely to feel the grounds of noise sensitive locations, such as
vibrations when compared to a person sitting still. residences or schools or hospitals.

ARE THERE ANY Apart from vibration, the energy used in

blasting to move and break rocks may also

OTHER IMPACTS result in some noise and dust. The further you
are away from the quarry, the less you will

I SHOULD notice these impacts. A quarry’s strict operating

conditions require that every action be taken to
KNOW ABOUT? reduce these impacts to safe levels.

IS THERE SOMEONE I CAN TALK TO IF I HAVE FURTHER CONCERNS?

Your local quarry will have community engagement strategies that include consultation with local residents. This
provides a mechanism to raise any concerns you might have and at the same time allow the quarry manager to
explain the operation in detail and provide assurances that its operations are safe and proper. You can find out more
by contacting your local quarry.
Visit www.ccaa.com.au to find out more.