My thoughts on sustainability
Sustainable aggregate resource management
(SARM) is an appropriate framework for
addressing the complex issues associated
with aggregates development. But to be
effective, SARM must be a pragmatic pursuit,
not an ideological exercise.
Sustainability commonly begins with policy
statements that commit a company to
identifying and addressing environmental,
societal, operational, and economic concerns.
Objectives and actions commonly evolve from
policy. Objectives describe what is intended
to be accomplished. Actions describe the
approaches to reach the objectives. Examples
of paired objectives and actions include:
Maximize availability of, and access to,
aggregate – by forward planning that
protects important resources from
sterilization; by mine planning that allows
for extraction of as much aggregate as
possible from an area; by using products
for the most valuable application
appropriate for the aggregate quality; and
by facilitating use of recycled aggregate.
Minimize environmental impacts – by
following best management practices; by
providing for the conservation of natural
surroundings by management of buffer
areas that maintain or enhance
•
Total land area in operation compared
to amount of saleable products.
•
Total number of reportable
environmental incidents.
•
Total land area reclaimed as a
percentage of land area in operation.
•
Energy consumption per ton of
saleable product.
•
Total number of events arranged for
neighboring communities.
The SARM process can be refined through
monitoring, regular evaluation, and
reconsideration of requirements as events
develop. The establishment of a joint
monitoring process presents an opportunity
to forge partnerships with communities and
involve citizen groups.
vegetation; by allowing for reclamation as
an integral part of the quarry/pit design
process ; and by allowing enough
flexibility in reclamation design to
incorporate advances in technology and
changes in local needs.
Minimize societal impacts and maximize
societal benefits – by forward planning
that separates incompatible land uses; by
creating community benefits for areas
impacted by aggregate development; and
by involving the local community in
planning activities, monitoring, and
outreach.
Reduce embodied energy and
greenhouse gasses – by increasing
blasting and production efficiency, and
reducing fuel consumption.
Identify and resolve legitimate
stakeholder concerns – by
constructively contributing to a decision-
making process that addresses not only
the interests of the company, but a wide
range of other citizens’ interests.
Indicators measure progress toward
reaching objectives and the effectiveness of
actions taken. Examples of indicators include:
