Assessing the environmental impacts of stone quarrying activities :

Abstract

Stone as one of the valuable mineral extract has always been used since the beginning of civilization to make early tools and weapons (Hartmann, 1992). Stone quarrying is a form of land use method concerned with the extraction of non-fuel and non-metal minerals from rocks. It is usually done by open-cast method using rock drills, explosion of dynamite and use of other methods. Nevertheless, this sector of the economy surrounded by much enthusiasm has a lot of problems, which has plagued it; poor health and safety, wasted, mineral resources, and environmental degradation (Noronha, 1998). Mukono district is among the areas in Uganda where such quarries exist because of the abundance of granite deposits in that area as well as the rise in urban construction which makes use of stones, and they pose a blatant disregard for the environment. The purpose of the study was to assess the environmental impacts of stone quarrying activities taking a case study of Mukono District- Buntaba Sub County. The data was collected mainly using questionnaire and interview guide. Data was collected from 30 respondents. Data was then analyzed mainly using excel and tables with-the help of percentages, relevant interpretations were made. The study found the highest noise level was from stone quarry which is inclusive of the drilling area and the crushing unit where the extracted rock were transferred to primary. crusher and screening facilities, resulting in the desired product sizes. The lowest level of noise was recorded at main office and the waiting area. It was found out that the concentration of dust varied at the three working areas. The concentration ranged from 60.0mg/m3 at the quarry pit, 70.0mg/m3 at the crushing plant, 95.0mg/m3 at drilling and 83.0mg/m3 in the residential areas. An action plan for the management of the quarrying activities at Seyani International Company was designed containing all the possible mitigation measures that can be undertaken so as to minimize the environmental impacts as well as the responsible personnel and the scheduled time for the activity. To a large extent, the impacts of stone quarrying activities were immense and there was minimal community participation in the environmental matters on quarrying activities. The findings were in accordance with the objectives of the study. Poverty, low income earning were the major factors which necessitate stone quarrying in the area. Most of the activities were not consistent with the