CASE STUDY FILE

BASELINE STUDY REPORT (BSR) OF IACOBDEAL QUARRY

Activity 3.1 (Environmentally Friendly Practices)

Final Version
October 2010

DISCLAIMER FOR CASE STUDY REPORTS

The present report was prepared in the framework of the project SARMa
Sustainable Aggregates Resource Management, which is co-financed by the EU within
the South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme.
The information reported is accurate according to the best knowledge of the
authors and is the sole responsibility of the authors of this report.
The publication reflects the views only of the authors; and therefore the rest of
project partnership and the South East Europe Programme Managing Authority cannot
be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained
therein.
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DELIVERABLE SUMMARY
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project acronym:
Project title:
Contract number:
Starting date:
Ending date:
Project website address:
Lead partner organisation:
Address:
Project manager:
E-mail:
DELIVERABLE INFORMATION
Title of the deliverable:
WP/activity related to the
deliverable:
Type (internal or restricted or
public):
Location (if relevant):
WP leader:
Activity leader:
Participating partner(s):
Author(s):
E-mail:
DELIVERY DEADLINES
Contractual date of delivery
to the JTS:
Actual date of delivery to the
JTS:

SARMa
Sustainable Aggregates Resource Management
1. 5. 2009
31. 10. 2011
www.sarmaproject.eu
Geological Survey of Slovenia
Dimieva ulica 14, SI-1000 Ljubljana
Slavko V. olar
Slavko-Vekoslav.Solar@geo-zs.si
Activity 3.1 Baseline study report of Iacobdeal Quarry
WP3 / Activity 3.1 Environmentally friendly extraction practices
Public
Institute of Geology & Mineral Exploration, Greece
Department of Mineral Resources Engineering, Technical University of
Grete, Greece

FGG
Mihai Marinescu

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BASELINE STUDY REPORTS (BSR) OF IACOBDEAL QUARRY

1. Description of location
Geographical data/coordinates
The area of the Iacobdeal deposit is a south-western branch of the Macin
Mountains, which are part of the higher unit of North Dobrogea, limited by the
Danube and the Peceneaga Camena fault. The Iacobdeal quarry carries out their
activity on the right bank of Macin channel, east from the Turcoaia village, Tulcea
County.

Administrative and legal framework (e.g. permit process for extraction)

The perimeter of the Turcoaia - Iacobdeal quarry is located on the territory of the
Turcoaia village, Tulcea County. The Iacobdeal quarry represents the perimeter for
exploitation of the mineral resources (granite) created under Exploitation License
no. (no data), issued by the National Agency for Mineral Resources (N.A.M.R.).
Exploitation license no. (no data) was obtained under article 46 from Mines Law
no.61/1998 by the SC TARMAC ROMANIA SRL Bucharest. The availability of the
exploitation license is (no data) years starting with signing date (no data).

Demographic issues
The population is aging and declining. Young people go to cities in search of jobs.

Infrastructure
The access to the area is by using the Macin Tulcea Constanta National Road and
the Danube, on the Turcoaia Macin Braila route.

Land use planning (e.g. spatial relation to protected areas)

The quarry area lies within ROSPA0073 Macin-Niculitel site and is limited to west by
ROSCI0012 Bratul Macin.

Presence of integrated land-planning framework seeking to balance competing

interests between national and local levels, and between quarrying and
conservation.
No

Biodiversity features
The Iacobdeal quarry is in the ROSPA0073 site which is important for monitoring
the breeding population of the species:
Falco cherrug
Coracias garrulus
Ciconia ciconia
Accipiter brevipes
Burhinus oedicnemus
Oenane pleschanka
Circaetus gallicus
Buteo rufinus
Emberiza hortulana
Caprimulgus europaeus
Hieraaetus pennatus
Lullula arborea
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The ROSPA0073 Macin-Niculitel site is important for the following species migration
period:
Ciconia ciconia
Accipiter brevipes
Circaetus gallicus
Buteo rufinus
Hieraaetus pennatus
Lanius collurio
Gyps fulvus
Ficedula parva
Galerida cristata
Lullula arborea
Falco vespertinus
Neophron percnopterus
Pandion haliaetus
Nycticorax nycticorax
Ciconia nigra
Himantopus himantopus
Haliaeetus albicilla
Recurvirostra avosetta
Tringa glareola
Pelecanus onocrotalus
Pelecanus crispus
Ardea purpurea
Plegadis falcinellus
Platalea leucorodia
Chlidonias hybridus
Pernis apivorus
Anus campestris
Aquila pomarina
Aquila heliaca
Aquila chrysaetos
Aquila clanga
Circus macrourus
Circus aeruginosus
Falco peregrinus
Milvus migrans
Phalacrocorax pygmaeus
Egretta alba
The ROSCI0012 Bratul Macin site is characterized by:
Habitat types:
3130 - Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of Littorelletea
uniflorae and/or Isoto-Nanojuncetea;
3140 - Strong oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation species of Chara;
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3270 - Rivers with muddy banks with vegetation of Chenopodion rubri and
Bidention;
62C0* - Pontosarmatian steppe;
6430 - Communities skirt with tall higrofile grasses from the plains level to the
mountain and alpine;
6440 - Alluvial grasslands with Cnidion dubi;
6510 - Low-altitude grasslands (Alopecurus pratensis Sanguisorba officinalis); 92A0
Forests with Salix alba and Populus alba
Species of amphibians and reptiles:
1188 - Bombina bombina;
1220 - Emys orbicularis;
1993 - Triturus dobrogicus
Fish species:
1130 - Aspius aspius;
1149 - Cobitis taenia;
2511 - Gobio kessleri;
1145 - Misgurnus fossilis;
2522 - Pelecus cultratus;
1134 - Rhodeus sericeus amarus
Plant species:
1428 - Marsilea quadrifolia

Operational status (e.g. active or abandoned, legal or illegal)

Active and legal

2. Geological setting and resources

Type of aggregates (e.g. crushed rock or sand or gravel composition)
According to the physical and mechanical features, the Iacobdeal granite is
classified, pursuant to the regulations in force, into:
- heavy rocks (density ranging from 2.65 to 2.78 g/cm3)
- very little porous rocks (porosity ranging from 1.19 to 4.50 %)
- very little absorbing rocks (water absorption at normal pressure and
temperature ranges from 0.07 to 0.61 %)
- high mechanical strength rocks (143 to 255 N/mm2)
- rocks resistant to mechanical shocks (4.4 to 10.9 N/m2)
- low wear rocks (0.028 to 0.056 g/cm2)
Type of aggregates: crushed rock.
From the analysis of the quality parameters the fields of use for the
resources/reserves in the Turcoaia Iacobdeal deposit result:
- rubble stone
- crushed stone
- chipping and other varieties needed for wearing courses, road repair works,
foundations and reinforcement.
Structural geology conditions
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The granite deposit is located on the top of the Iacobdeal hill and it extends in the
east-west direction for approximately 3.3 km, and in the nord-south direction
respectively for approximately 1.1 km.
The Macin Mountains in the western area of North Dobrogea consist of Paleozoic
formations, partly metamorphosed, displaying volcanic granite structures that
appear as hillocks and ridges, both covered by Quaternary deposits composed of a
loess layer approximately 40 m thick.
The Paleozoic is made up of:
1. the series of Mesozoic and Cambrian crystalline schists, represented by
amphibolic schists, mica schists with muscovite, biotite and quartzite;
2. the series of quartzitic phyllite, represented by alternating weakly sericitic
phyllite and quartzite, chloritic and sericitic phyllite, assumed to belong to
the Ordovician.
3. the series of the Lower Devonian, composed of quartzitic sandstone,
limestone, and clay and slate schists.
4. the Carapelit formation, belonging to the Permo-Carboniferous period, made
of a conglomerate horizon and a phyllite and gauwache horizon, is
inconsistently placed over various horizons of the Paleozoic.
The Quaternary is represented by loess deposits placed on a pre-existing relief and
it covers large areas.
Volcanic rocks:
Both the Devonian, as well as the Carapelit Strata are crossed by granite
intrusive rocks, sometimes accompanies by porphyry separations; the
petrographical diversity is assumed to be due to the magmatic differentiation.
The magmatic rocks in the Macin Mountains include the carapelit varieties as the
following are deemed to be:
1. the ones before the deposition of the carapelit formation, as the following
are deemed to be:
the biotite gneissic granite in Gavaran, Vacareni, Pricopan, Mircea Voda,
Hamcearca and Balabancea;
the massive granite in Luncavita, Gilmele and Coslungea;
2. the ones after this formation, as the following are deemed to be:
the Greci granite with leucocrate minerals, quartziferous diorite, gabbro,
granodiorite, granite and porphyry;
the Turcoaia-type alkaline granite, developed in south-west of North
Dobrogea into alkaline porphyry, exemplified by the laccolithic massive in
Turcoaia Iacobdeal Iglicioara, on the Piatra Rosie Hill, on the Cerna
Valley, on the Sacar Bair and Ciucurova Hills.
Porphyry formations are developed on the Iglicioara Gill, Manoles Hill and in
Cirjelari, flanking the alkaline granite structures. According to their colour, the
porphyry formations are classified into two types:
black, found in the Iacobdeal massive.
red, found on the Iglita Hill, Manoles Hill and in Cirjelari.
The Macin Mountains have an anticlinal structure, with tight faulted folds, crossed
by intrusive formations; here a western anticline structure is distinguished, the
Mengina anticline line followed from Macin to Mircea Voda, with the Macin borders
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as axis and an eastern anticline structure, noticing also the Taita synclinal line,
between Bugeac and Balabancea.
Between the two anticline structures a synclinal faulted structure is developed,
with filling material from the Carapelit formation.
Along the Peceneaga Camena fault, the Paleozoic and Mesozoic deposits are over
thrust by greenschists, and on a parallel line the alkaline granite massive of
Turcoaia, Sacar Bair, Ciucurova are developed and the porphyry formations of
Cirjelari Camena and Manoles Hill.
The current structure is the result of several stages, the oldest of which taking
place before the deposition of the Carapaelit formations and after the deposition
thereof the Hercynian movements of the Sudetic phase took place.

Estimated rock reserves and resource potential

Following the geological survey performed with respect to the deposit and based on
the documentation drawn up for the purpose of obtaining the Exploitation Licence,
the following balance geological reserves listed according the reserve category
were reapproved on 01 January 1999 by means of the judgment number 30 of 1999:
111 (B category reserves) 74,244 thousand tons
121+122 (C1 category reserves) 70,508 thousand tons
333 (C2 category reserves) 5,161 thousand tons

3. Operational and market characteristics

Quarry infrastructure (e.g. road network, transportation facilities)
Transportation from quarry to port is on an inclined plane and from there
conveyors to transport the material to the barges. Also transportation by road is
possible .

Extraction methods and processing techniques (e.g. energy aspects)

The mining method used in the Iacobdeal quarry is basically downward bench
mining by blasting. Explosives are placed in drilled boreholes, and the procedure is
with fully mechanized.
The geometrical elements of the active fronts are in compliance with the provisions
of the Development Plan of the documentation on the basis of which the
Exploitation Licence is granted, namely:
height of bench 15 m
angle of working slope 70
final angle of slope - 60
width of safety berm minimum of 7 m
The processing of the granite is carried out in the current crushing screening
installation, which includes equipment necessary to obtain the fractions requested
by the beneficiary and which are stipulated in the exploitation licence. The
processing losses amount to 10% and belong to the 0 25 mm fraction, which is not
sold and is evacuated in the waste rock dump.
The water used for industrial purposes is pumped from the Danube and it reaches
the screening washing station. Moreover, the tanks used for wetting the roads and
platforms in the crushing stations are supplied using water from the Danube.
Electric power supply: At the Turcoaia quarry there are 6 substations and the
monthly registered consumption amounts to approximately 170 MWh.
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Existence of codes of practice to achieve technical excellence

No code of practice for technical excellence.

Providing an overview of production figures (e.g. volume of extracted rock)

In the 1880-2010 period, some quarries from the Iacobdeal area extracted granite
in the order of hundreds mil. Tons
For 2010 the exploitation of approximately 1,748,000 tons of mining products is
expected.

Uses and present market destinations

According to the physical and mechanical features, the Iacobdeal granite is
classified, pursuant to the regulations in force, into:
- heavy rocks (density ranging from 2.65 to 2.78 g/cm3)
- very little porous rocks (porosity ranging from 1.19 to 4.50 %)
- very little absorbing rocks (water absorption at normal pressure and
temperature ranges from 0.07 to 0.61 %)
- high mechanical strength rocks (143 to 255 N/mm2)
- rocks resistant to mechanical shocks (4.4 to 10.9 N/m2)
- low wear rocks (0.028 to 0.056 g/cm2)
From the analysis of the quality parameters the fields of use for the
resources/reserves in the Iacobdeal deposit result uses:
- rubble stone
- crushed stone
- chipping and other types needed for wearing courses, road repair works,
foundations and reinforcement.

Operating system for remote monitoring of illegal quarrying

No operating system for remote monitoring of illegal quarrying.

4. Waste and post-closure management

Disposal and handling of quarry waste
The hydrographical regime is advantageous for the Turcoaia Iacobdeal quarry, no
special measures for the deposit protection are needed. On the other hand, for the
waste rock dump, stabilisation and confinement works are needed because due to
the torrential summer rains, which are quite rare, the waste rocks are carried and
deposited along the surrounding valleys. For this purpose a project for the
stabilisation of the waste rock dumps was ordered and drawn up by S.C. IPTANA.
Quantification, characterization, feasibility and potential applications of recycled
wastes (e.g. by-products from natural stone quarrying)).
In the Turcoaia-Iacobdeal area there exist many quarry wastes. They can be
recycled to obtain by-products from natural stone quarrying.

Fit-to-purpose re-use opportunities of wastes/by-products ( e.g. waste rock from

ornamental stone quarries can substitute other aggregate production)
No data

Remediation practices
The impact on the environment shall be considerably reduced by the constructive
measures taken during the design and execution phases of the mining works and
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subsequently by the environmental restoration measures scheduled on an annual

basis and upon completing the activity.
The soil that shall be removed off the quarry area shall be deposited separately
and used for the ecological reconstruction of lands affected by the mining works
through slope and quarry berm covering.
The influences of the activity concerned on the environment are mainly in the form
of dust emissions produced by the operating machines and by the slime resulted
from the washing of the aggregates obtained.
In order to decrease such influences, case enclosing measures are taken for the
places where the permissible limits of dust emissions are exceeded, as well as
permanent maintenance measures of slime pits.

Restoration, post-closure planning and immediate aftercare works

No data

Presence of quarry closure, rehabilitation and after-use plans

No access at these plans

5. Environmental impact assessment

Geomorphologic exposure and visibility aspects (e.g. landscape change)
The Iacobdeal quarry is placed at the top Iacobdeal Hill. Others old quarries there
are at big height (100-250 m), on the hill slopes.
As for landscaping, the perimeter in discussion is represented by an anthropic
steppe, consisting of degraded pasture land and small patches of vegetation.
Perimeter vegetation is characteristic of steppe habitats.
Iacobdeal and others old and smaller quarries changed strong the landscape. These
modified are visibly at big distance.

Protected areas status

The quarry area lies within ROSPA0073 Macin-Niculitel site.

Water (surface and groundwater), soil and air quality conditions

At approximately 1.5 km west of the Iacobdeal quarry the right arm of the Danube,
called Macin can be found. The hydrographic regime is advantageous for the
Iacobdeal quarry because there are no rivers.
Since the Iacobdeal deposit is mined at a high altitude in the region, there are no
hydrogeological problems. Meteoric water infiltrations along the fissures and
fractures of granite rocks may become an issue when exploitation works reach a
level lower than the minimum levels of the area.
The soil is barren and has a small thickness. He is removed off the quarry area shall
be deposited separately and will used for the ecological reconstruction of lands
affected by the mining works.
The possible sources of air pollution are as follows:
- toxic gases discharged into the atmosphere due to the operation of internal
combustion engines of equipment and machines corresponding to the
quarry-specific process;
-

SiO 2 powder resulting from the borehole drilling process (in small quantities
due to the dust collecting system);
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Iacobdeal Hill
-

SiO 2 powder resulting from the useful rock boring process using light and
heavy boring machines (also in small quantities due to the permanent dust
wetting system);

SiO 2 powder and dust resulting from the loading of rock into motorized
transport;

SiO 2 powder and dust resulting from the processing of the useful rock in the
crushing and screening station, also reduced due to the use of technological
water sprayers for dust wetting in all processing steps;

SiO 2 powder and dust and toxic gases following the blasting of explosives in
the quarry.

The transportation equipment used in the exploitation and transport process of

useful rocks and of finished products shall also contribute to the pollution of the
air through the gases and powders resulted following the burning of the liquid fuel
(Diesel oil).
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Existence of codes of practice to achieve environmental excellence

There are no codes of practice to achieve environmental excellence.

Systematic operation of environmental monitoring and control program

SC TARMAC SRL complies with all provisions of Romanian legislation on the
environment, monitor quarterly and annually the air quality, soil, water, noise and
vibration from the operating process to ensure that maximum values of these
parameters are not exceeded and to take all measures to reduce the operating
machine gases emissions.

Engineering geology issues (e.g. landslides risk assessment)

The landslides risk in and out of quarry is low.

Noise, visual impacts, dust and emissions

Visual impact is very low, due to positioning versatile quarry on the northern hill.
Noise blasting activity is assessed annually and the noise is assessed every semester
- values falling within the legislated maximum values. Dust emissions are also
evaluated yearly, their values were lower than the maximum permissible limits. SC
TARMAC SRL in order to reduce dust emissions of the installation have hooded the
conveyor crushing / screening and moisten permanently the area of the industrial
processing.

Aggregates extraction vs. environmental management and pre-, sin -, and postquarrying land use
The land on which the Iacobdeal quarry is located, before opening the mine, was
used only as pasture without livestock industry in the area to be developed.
Because high power regeneration of damaged vegetation cover mining operation,
after completing exploitation, the area will be reintegrated into the natural
environment as a pasture or anthropic meadow as it was before the opening of the
operations.

6. Socioeconomic impacts assessment

Local/regional employment situation
In the Turcoaia village residents deal with land cultivation, animal husbandry and,
in a lesser extent, fishing. The only industrial activity takes place in connection
with the Iacobdeal quarry.

Workforce directly and indirectly related to local aggregates extraction

Much of the work force used in extraction activities, processing, transportation and
loading of aggregates derive from the Turcoaia village.

Health and safety aspects (on- and off-site)

The Iacobdeal quarry is found in the hilltop Iacobdeal. The Turcoaia area is situated
at the hill bottom, at a sufficient distance, in order not to influence safety and
health of inhabitants. Inside quarry, measures to ensure the safety and health of
the workers are very strict and problems are minor.

Capacity building (e.g. training courses and quarry visits)

SC TARMAC SRL conducts training courses for the workers and allows quarry visits.

Relevant vulnerability issues (e.g. human health risk assessment)

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No data

Local communities engagement and involvement in decision making

Exists, but relatively low, through village mayor.

Benefits of improving the knowledge base at a local level should be mentioned and
highlighted
No data.

Presence of effective and regular dissemination of information to particular

stakeholder groups
No data.

Available mechanisms
stakeholders.
No data

to

increase

communication

and

discussion

between

7. Sustainable development options

Early stage evaluation with respect to the seven questions framework to
sustainability
No data

Way forward e.g. LCA study approaches (maximise the benefits and minimise the
impacts)
No data

8. Best practices approach

Possibilities for new technology applications
Yes.

Sought operational improvements

No data

Expected impacts towards sustainability

Not evaluated

Optimising the efficiency of primary aggregates production e.g. water & energy
consumption, transport
No data access.

Targeting better practises that can help achieve a better relationship between
protected areas and other land uses, such as how to incorporate areas of known
aggregates potential into decision-making about new protected areas
No data

Collect information on best practices and failures for aggregates extraction, e.g.
environmental management
In time, when there were not any legal reglementation for environmental
rehabilitation, post Iacobdeal career activities, in cities and near areas and of
activity of other old quarries, landscape has been severely changed. Presently there
are concerns for improving the environment during operation and post exploitation
file about Iacobdeal quarry.
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Develop guidelines for post quarrying restoration

Are provided in the environmental remediation plans.

Determine impediments to best practice, e.g. lack of knowledge, regulatory blocks

Money, lack of knowledge.

Prepare recommendations for industry and government actions to encourage best

practice
New legislation and application directive.

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