IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jrpoli/v74y2021ics0301420721004050.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Environmental and economic optimization for block cutting of dimension stones in a limestone quarry

Author

Listed:
  • Şirin, Ece
  • Bonduà, Stefano
  • Elkarmoty, Mohamed

Abstract

The paper presents the evaluation of quarrying operations as specified by the Eco-Label standards for hard coverings, while it develops the work done by (Elkarmoty et al., 2020a). The economic and environmental optimization of the quarry activities were analysed taking in to account several parameters: production costs, obtainable revenues, waste production, dust and CO2 emissions, water and energy consumption, and the Eco-Label ‘natural resource’ criteria for hard coverings. For the dust and CO2 emissions, water and energy consumption, the research presents a comparison between a chain saw cutter machine and a diamond wire cutter machine. The research’s objective is to evaluate the optimal sustainable engineering and optimization practice in terms of economy and the environment by means of block dimensions and block cutting machinery choices. The research was implemented in a case study of limestone quarry bench in Italy. The highest obtainable recovery ratio was detected as 53%, while the obtainable revenues were found in correlation with the recovery ratio, decreasing with increasing block surface area. However, the lowest production costs were obtained for the block dimension that reflected the lowest recovery ratio, hence, highest waste volume. The dust emissions, energy consumption and carbon footprint of the block cutting operations of the quarry were lower when the diamond wire cutter was used, compared to the chain saw cutter, respectively. For the block cutting of the bench, using blocks with lower surface area were found to have higher recovery ratios than the threshold value which Eco-Label natural resources criteria indicates. The excellence level of the Eco-Label criteria can be obtained in the presented case study only by one block dimension. Each criterion was evaluated in order to find the best practice for the quarry in terms of environment, economy and sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Şirin, Ece & Bonduà, Stefano & Elkarmoty, Mohamed, 2021. "Environmental and economic optimization for block cutting of dimension stones in a limestone quarry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:74:y:2021:i:c:s0301420721004050
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2021.102396
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301420721004050
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.resourpol.2021.102396?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Careddu, Nicola & Siotto, Giampaolo & Siotto, Riccardo & Tilocca, Caterina, 2013. "From landfill to water, land and life: The creation of the Centre for stone materials aimed at secondary processing," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 258-265.
    2. Careddu, Nicola, 2019. "Dimension stones in the circular economy world," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 243-245.
    3. Elkarmoty, Mohamed & Bonduà, Stefano & Bruno, Roberto, 2020. "A 3D brute-force algorithm for the optimum cutting pattern of dimension stone quarries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    4. Badeeb, Ramez Abubakr & Lean, Hooi Hooi & Clark, Jeremy, 2017. "The evolution of the natural resource curse thesis: A critical literature survey," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 123-134.
    5. Elkarmoty, Mohamed & Bonduà, Stefano & Bruno, Roberto, 2020. "A 3D optimization algorithm for sustainable cutting of slabs from ornamental stone blocks," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    6. Federico Vagnon & Giovanna Antonella Dino & Gessica Umili & Marilena Cardu & Anna Maria Ferrero, 2020. "New Developments for the Sustainable Exploitation of Ornamental Stone in Carrara Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-23, November.
    7. Inglesi-Lotz, Roula & Dogan, Eyup, 2018. "The role of renewable versus non-renewable energy to the level of CO2 emissions a panel analysis of sub- Saharan Africa’s Βig 10 electricity generators," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 36-43.
    8. Magnus Ericsson & Olof Löf, 2019. "Mining’s contribution to national economies between 1996 and 2016," Mineral Economics, Springer;Raw Materials Group (RMG);Luleå University of Technology, vol. 32(2), pages 223-250, July.
    9. Prno, Jason, 2013. "An analysis of factors leading to the establishment of a social licence to operate in the mining industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 577-590.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Elkarmoty, Mohamed & Bonduà, Stefano & Bruno, Roberto, 2020. "A 3D brute-force algorithm for the optimum cutting pattern of dimension stone quarries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    2. Li, Aimin & Zhou, Shuyu, 2024. "Role of mineral-based industrialization in promoting economic growth: Implications for achieving environmental sustainability through financial management," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    3. Wu, Linfei & Sun, Liwen & Qi, Peixiao & Ren, Xiangwei & Sun, Xiaoting, 2021. "Energy endowment, industrial structure upgrading, and CO2 emissions in China: Revisiting resource curse in the context of carbon emissions," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    4. Yıldız, Taşkın Deniz & Kural, Orhan, 2020. "The effects of the mining operation activities permit process on the mining sector in Turkey," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    5. Weldegiorgis, Fitsum S. & Dietsche, Evelyn & Franks, Daniel M., 2021. "Building mining's economic linkages: A critical review of local content policy theory," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    6. Careddu, Nicola & Di Capua, Giuseppe & Siotto, Giampaolo, 2019. "Dimension stone industry should meet the fundamental values of geoethics," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 1-1.
    7. Elkarmoty, Mohamed & Bonduà, Stefano & Bruno, Roberto, 2020. "A 3D optimization algorithm for sustainable cutting of slabs from ornamental stone blocks," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    8. Zeeshan Arshad & Margarita Robaina & Anabela Botelho, 2020. "Renewable and Non-renewable Energy, Economic Growth and Natural Resources Impact on Environmental Quality: Empirical Evidence from South and Southeast Asian Countries with CS-ARDL Modeling," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 10(5), pages 368-383.
    9. Edouard Mien & Michaël Goujon, 2022. "40 Years of Dutch Disease Literature: Lessons for Developing Countries," Comparative Economic Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Association for Comparative Economic Studies, vol. 64(3), pages 351-383, September.
    10. Ostadzad, Ali Hossein, 2022. "Innovation and carbon emissions: Fixed-effects panel threshold model estimation for renewable energy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 602-617.
    11. Mehmet Balcilar & Daberechi Chikezie Ekwueme & Hakki Ciftci, 2023. "Assessing the Effects of Natural Resource Extraction on Carbon Emissions and Energy Consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa: A STIRPAT Model Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-23, June.
    12. Ran, Qiying & Yang, Xiaodong & Yan, Hongchuan & Xu, Yang & Cao, Jianhong, 2023. "Natural resource consumption and industrial green transformation: Does the digital economy matter?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    13. Tadadjeu, Sosson & Njangang, Henri & Asongu, Simplice A. & Kamguia, Brice, 2023. "Natural resources, child mortality and governance quality in African countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    14. Calzada Olvera, Beatriz & Iizuka, Michiko, 2020. "How does innovation take place in the mining industry? : Understanding the logic behind innovation in a changing context," MERIT Working Papers 2020-019, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    15. Barrak Algharabali & J. S. Butler & Stacy Closson, 2021. "The Oil Curse Validated: Evidence from Eurasia and Latin America," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 11(3), pages 494-501.
    16. Adekoya, Oluwasegun B. & Olabode, Joshua K. & Rafi, Syed K., 2021. "Renewable energy consumption, carbon emissions and human development: Empirical comparison of the trajectories of world regions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 1836-1848.
    17. Bin Amin, Sakib & Taghizadeh-Hesary, Farhad & Khan, Farhan & Manal Rahman, Faria, 2024. "Does technology have a lead or lag role in economic growth? The case of selected resource-rich and resource-scarce countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    18. Ishak, Phoebe W. & Gradstein, Mark, 2021. "We Don't Need No Education: The Effect of Persistent Income Shocks on Human Capital," VfS Annual Conference 2021 (Virtual Conference): Climate Economics 242368, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    19. Guan, Jialin & Kirikkaleli, Dervis & Bibi, Ayesha & Zhang, Weike, 2020. "Natural resources rents nexus with financial development in the presence of globalization: Is the “resource curse” exist or myth?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    20. Muhamad, Goran M. & Heshmati, Almas & Khayyat, Nabaz T., 2021. "How to reduce the degree of dependency on natural resources?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:74:y:2021:i:c:s0301420721004050. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/inca/30467 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.