Aggregate mining in urban sites: integrated planning and environmental rehabilitation

Abstract

Natural aggregates are the prime raw material for the construction industry. Due to their low aggregate value mining sites must be as close as possible to urban areas. Expansion of the urban areas eventually surrounds the once distant mining sites bringing about problems related to environmental restrictions. This may require mining developments to move out for new areas in the city vicini¬ties leaving behind cavities in the site remaining as derelict land. Many of the resulting voids proved useful dumping grounds for disposal of inert materials, especially those close to urban developments. A good example of this after use of quarries as landfills is the Inert Landfill of Itaquera, in the eastern region of the city of São Paulo: in addition to rehabilitating the area once occupied by the Itaquera Quarry it will allow the site for a better and adequate use of the land in an urban environment.