Mines, quarries, crushers and mineral processing plants change landscapes and generate some of the most visible environmental impacts: dust from blasting, crushing, screening, stockpiles and haul roads; noise and ground vibration from blasting and heavy equipment; large volumes of overburden, waste rock and tailings; and effects on groundwater, wadis, vegetation and wildlife. These operations need environmental approval under the Environmental Law and its Implementing Regulations alongside the conditions attached to their mining licences.
Quarries supplying aggregates and building materials are often close to growing cities and road corridors, which puts them under close attention for dust and noise. Larger mines and processing plants carry additional obligations for tailings management, water use, process chemicals and emissions, and may require coordination with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) and the National Center for Wildlife (NCW).
Rehabilitation and closure are part of the licence from the start. Operators that plan progressive rehabilitation, keep monitoring data and maintain good records are better placed during inspections, licence renewals and community engagement, and face lower closure costs at the end of operations.
Environmental challenges
Environmental challenges
01
Dust from multiple sources
Blasting, crushing, conveyors, stockpiles and haul roads release dust that must be controlled and monitored at site boundaries and nearby receptors.
02
Blasting noise and vibration
Blasts and heavy plant create noise and vibration that affect neighbours and structures, and need measurement and blast management practices.
03
Overburden, waste rock and tailings
Large mineral waste volumes need stable storage, drainage control and, for tailings, careful management of seepage and chemistry.
04
Water and wadis
Dewatering, process water and stormwater can affect groundwater and wadi systems and require monitoring and drainage controls.
05
Rehabilitation and closure
Disturbed land must be progressively rehabilitated and a credible closure plan maintained throughout the life of the operation.
Typical requirements
Typical requirements
Requirements vary by activity, location and permit conditions. We confirm the applicable requirements for your project at the start of every engagement.
Environmental impact assessment and environmental permit, aligned with mining licence conditions
Dust and ambient air monitoring around pits, crushers and stockpiles
Noise and blast vibration monitoring at sensitive receptors
Groundwater and surface water monitoring for dewatering, process water and runoff
Management of mineral wastes, tailings and hazardous wastes such as used oils under MWAN regulations
Progressive rehabilitation and closure planning
How Selorin supports
How Selorin supports
EIA and permits
We prepare impact assessments with baseline surveys of air, noise, water, ecology and land use, and permit packages for new and expanding sites.
Dust, noise and vibration monitoring
We design boundary and receptor monitoring networks, run measurement campaigns and report results with practical control measures.
Water and waste management
We monitor groundwater and runoff and help structure the management of waste rock, tailings and hazardous wastes.
Management and closure plans
We prepare environmental management plans and rehabilitation and closure plans that set out measures, responsibilities and monitoring.
Construction and operating permits, renewals and modifications — from permit strategy and document preparation to submission and responses to authority comments.
Key benefit: Fewer resubmissions and a clearer path to permit decisions
Construction and operational environmental management plans that define mitigation, monitoring, responsibilities and KPIs for contractors and operators.
Key benefit: Approval commitments translated into practical, auditable site controls
PM1, PM2.5, PM10 and TSP monitoring for construction, quarries, cement, ports and industrial fence-lines, with real-time alerts and compliance reporting.
Key benefit: Dust controlled on site before it becomes a compliance issue
Baseline, construction, boundary and occupational noise surveys, continuous noise monitoring terminals and vibration measurement, with reports and practical mitigation recommendations.
Key benefit: Fewer noise complaints and clear evidence for authorities
Sampling and monitoring of effluent, treated wastewater, groundwater and seawater, with on-site measurements, laboratory coordination and compliance reporting.
Key benefit: Confidence that discharges and reuse meet permit conditions
Design and delivery of multi-media environmental monitoring programmes: sampling plans, field work, laboratory coordination, data QA/QC and periodic compliance reports.
Key benefit: Defensible environmental data that keeps permit reporting on track
Compliance audits, gap assessments and ISO 14001 internal audit support, with structured reports that rank findings by significance and recommend practical actions.
Key benefit: An objective view of where you stand and what to fix first
Explore service
Frequently asked questions
Our quarry is receiving dust complaints. What should we do first?
Establish the facts with monitoring at the boundary and at the complainant's location, then identify the main sources. Haul roads, crushing and stockpiles are common contributors. We combine monitoring with a site review and recommend targeted controls.
Do we need to monitor blast vibration?
Where blasting takes place near homes, structures or infrastructure, vibration and air overpressure monitoring provides evidence that blasts are managed responsibly and helps resolve damage claims. We design monitoring around your blast programme and nearest receptors.
When should closure planning start?
At the start of operations. Planning early allows progressive rehabilitation of worked-out areas, which reduces the final closure burden and cost. We prepare closure plans that are updated as the operation develops.
Discuss the environmental requirements of your facility
Share your project details and an environmental specialist will review your requirements.