An insight into rock quarry waste management in Tamil Nadu, India
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Sanjay Kumar Shukla: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4685-5560
Abstract
The depletion of natural aggregates in construction has driven the development of manufactured alternatives, particularly M-sand, which is produced by crushing stones from quarries. Even though these quarries contribute to the economy and thus to construction, they present a lot of environmental issues in terms of waste generation. This paper presents a study on the environmental impacts of quarrying, with a focus on Tamil Nadu, India, where these stone crushing units significantly contribute to the local economy. It highlights the advantages of quarrying for construction but gives emphasis to the need for cautiousness to avoid environmental concerns. The production process of M-Sand is examined, with the high-speed VSI crushing method being employed to produce sand from various raw materials. Screening is vital for classifying significant particles and aggregate size. The primary issue associated with excessive waste generation in quarries is the production of quarry dust, which leads to soil degradation and poses significant threats to environmental sustainability. This study considers several key factors, including the type of quarry site, the quantity of M-sand produced, the volume of waste generated, water requirements for processing, waste disposal methods, transportation of waste, the environmental impact of quarry dust, and risks to human health and well-being. Additionally, the study explores waste disposal techniques employed by M-Sand manufacturers, focusing on the incorporation of quarry dust in brick production for sustainable construction, which reduces issues related to disposal and promotes a safer environment. The adverse effects of quarry dust are also addressed. The paper advocates for green procurement, material reuse, waste reduction, and sustainable quarrying practices. Emphasis is placed on the importance of research, knowledge sharing, and the development of human expertise to drive innovation and enhance environmental sustainability.
Keywords
M-sand, Quarry dust powder (QDP), sustainable construction, waste reduction
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Date of Publication
1-1-2026
Volume
809 LNCE
Publication Title
Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Publisher
Springer
School
School of Engineering
Copyright
subscription content
First Page
109
Last Page
120
Comments
Ravindaran, T., Shukla, S. K., & Mini, K. M. (2026). An insight into rock quarry waste management in Tamil Nadu, India. In S. K. Shukla, B. Tripathi, M. Z. Naser, & S. K. Das (Eds.), Lecture notes in civil engineering: Vol. 809. Artificial intelligence for resilient infrastructure and sustainable engineering materials (AIRISE 2025) (pp. 109–120). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-6386-9_7