This document summarizes research on mitigating the negative effects of noise and dust from extracting peat, sand, and gravel. Measurements of dust and noise were taken at extraction sites in Estonia. For peat extraction, dust levels were between 0.002-0.448 mg/m3 and noise levels averaged 58 dB at sites. Preserving surrounding forests at least 50 meters wide was found to effectively reduce dust and noise impacts. Modeling showed dust dispersed to only 300 meters from sites and noise decreased below limits within inhabited areas. Mitigation methods recommended preserving bordering forests and controlling vehicle speeds and loads to minimize dust.

1. Possibilities for mitigating
negative effects of noise and
dust caused by extraction of
sand, gravel and peat
Ingo Valgma, Department of Mining, Tallinn University of
Technology, Estonia
M. Orru1,2, H. Milvek1,2, A. Anepaio1, S. Vendla1 and I. Valgma1
1Tallinn University of Technology, Department of Mining, Estonia
2Geological Survey of Estonia
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2. • For mining permit, an environmental impact
assessment (EIA) is needed, including
assessment of noise and dust.
• Gravel
• Sand
• Peat
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4. Peat, 700 kt/y
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5. Study area
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6. Peat dust
Peat production (milling and collection)
Peat dust measurements
Fine particle PM10 measurements were carried
out following the Ambient Air Protection Act (RT
I, 31.12.2010, 31)
Fine particles PM10 were measured using the
Dust Trak II HC dust analyzer, 60 min sycles
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7. Peat field, collectors
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8. Measuring dust
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9. Peat dust
• Measurements of peat dust (fine particles
less than 10 micrometer, PM10) diffusing in
the ambient during an operating period of 30
minutes gave results between 0.002 and
0.448 mg/m³.
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10. Peat dust
• Diffusion of dust is proportional to the distance
from the source and the spreading distance
itself is in exponential dependence. Therefore,
critical quantities of dust spread only close to
the source.
• Based on the acquired knowledge, it is certain
that the amount of peat dust will not cause a
health hazard to the surrounding population.
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11. Peat production noise
• Noise caused by the peat transport from peat
production areas was measured during
summer.
• Production area had the average noise level of
40 dB.
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12. Peat field
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13. Noise measurements for pits
• Noise levels were measured following the
noise measurement method (RTL 2002, 38,
511) and each point was measured with TES
1254.
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16. Noise
•
•
•
•
•
Modelling with the CadnaA 4.1 software.
Noise of the machinery
Impact of forest
Transportation noise
Size and location of spoils
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17. Noise model for pits
• One excavator (80 dB), one mobile crusher
(90 dB) and a dump truck (70 dB) were placed
in every pit in the model.
• Model shows that the noise from the pit
decreases below 40 dB before reaching
inhabited areas
• The model indicates that pit noise will be
marginal. The main sources of noise are the
highway and other surrounding roads.
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23. Dust modelling for pits
• Dust modelling was done with the CadnaA 4.1
software
• fieldwork results, impact of forest, wind
direction and speed, location of spoils
• Excavator, mobile crusher and truck
• Results show that already 300 meters away
the dust level will be reduced below the upper
limit of allowed levels
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26. Cumulative dust model
• Dust from the Tatramäe II, Kruusa and
Audevälja gravel pits spreads up to 300
meters away. As the Tatramäe II gravel pit is
located 300 m away from the Kruusa and
Audevälja pits, it is considered as separate
dust source
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28. • The Estonian Minister of Social Affairs sets
the noise levels tolerable for life (4 March
2002, Regulation No. 42 "Standard Noise
Levels for Residential and Recreational
Areas, Residential and Public Buildings, and
Noise Measurement Techniques").
• This regulation permits noise level below 40
dB during the day and below 30 dB at night.
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29. Gravel pit noise + rally
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30. Cumlative noise leval
• Measurements and modelling results
indicate that when gravel pits are
simultaneously operating, the noise level
increases by 10 dB
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32. MITIGATING METHODS
– Peat dust
• Preserving the surrounding forest
(preferably to the width of at least
50 meters).
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33. • Peat transportation machinery must ensure that
the load is well enough closed to minimise the
impact of dust to the environment.
• Also, for the protection of employees’ health,
peat mining machinery cabins have to be
inaccessible for dust.
• Pit roads should be moistened regularly and the
maximum speed of transporting vehicles limited
to 30km/h.
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34. Peat noise
• The most important aspect in peat noise
minimisation is the preservation of
neighbouring forests, which ideally should
be at least 50 meters wide.
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35. • The results of this study show that the usual
average noise level in peat fields is 58 dB.
• If residential houses are at some distance
from the production area and separated by a
protective forest the noise level there will be
low (35–40 dB).
• The average content of fine peat dust (<10
μm, PM10) is usually 0.002–0.448 mg/m³ per
30 minutes during operation.
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36. • Measurements in sand and gravel pits show
that the average content of fine dust (<10 μm,
PM10) in ambient air is 0.011 mg/m³ per 60
minutes during operation. Permitted daily
average limit is 0.5–2 mg/m3 for working
environment and 0.05 mg/m³ for living
environment.
• An important measure is preserving the
surrounding forest (50 m).
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37. Thank You
• Ingo.valgma@ttu.ee
• mi.ttu.ee/mining
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