Sustainable mining practices and mitigation strategic at Pachami Stone Field area: A Road Map for Future Development

Abstract

Sustainable mining seeks to balance mineral extraction with environmental protection, social equity, and economic growth to meet present needs without compromising future generations. In India, stone and aggregate mining supports infrastructure but often causes land degradation, dust pollution, groundwater depletion, and biodiversity loss. Traditional practices of uncontrolled blasting, open dumping of overburden, and poor mine closure have intensified these impacts. These abstract highlights a paradigm shift toward “responsible extraction” guided by science, technology, and policy. Sustainable thinking begins with proper sitting and cluster-based mining to minimize scattered pits and land disturbance. Advanced practices include wet drilling, fog cannons, covered conveyors, and green belts to control particulate matter. Controlled blasting with electronic detonators reduces noise and vibration, while garland drains and siltation ponds prevent water pollution. Importantly, zero-waste models convert overburden and stone dust into M-sand, bricks, and construction fill, aligning mining with circular economy principles.