Guidelines for Responsible Quarrying

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) released “Guidelines on Quarry Rehabilitation,” which provides practical guidance for managing the impacts of quarrying activities and ensuring that environments are properly revitalized. Led by the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI), the project was carried out by a group of member companies, and is based on methods that have been employed successfully.

The Guidelines reflect the principles of quarry rehabilitation, established by consensus among the CSI members, and outline the conditions and milestones for developing rehabilitation plans. These include defining context and assessing baseline conditions; setting technically and financially sustainable objectives; planning finances; developing and implementing plans; and monitoring, adjustments and post-closure land-use management. This type of planning constitutes a proactive approach to quarry operations and rehabilitation, applicable for both new and existing sites.

The Guidelines feature 30 operational case studies, covering a wide range of quarry types and local habitats around the world. It also analyzes how legislative environment and external stakeholders can be taken on board and contribute to the successful development and execution of a rehabilitation plan. Continuous communication and open dialogues with stakeholders play a vital role in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome for both stakeholders and operators. CSI solicited, discussed and considered inputs from a wide range of external reviewers during the drafting process.