A mining-specific Potential Risk Level Index ("quarRISK®"): Applicability and scope for the European extractive...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Risk Assessment
• Mining Engineering

Background:

• The extractive industry, particularly for aggregate and critical raw materials (CRM), requires accessible tools for preliminary environmental risk assessment.
• Existing methods may lack the simplicity and data accessibility needed for harmonized risk evaluation across the European Union.
• Prioritization of exposure scenarios is crucial for effective risk management in mining operations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce quarRISK®, a novel, mine-specific Potential Risk Level Index for preliminary risk assessment.
• To provide a tool for hierarchizing and prioritizing exposure scenarios in aggregate and CRM operations.
• To support decision-making and promote environmental sustainability in the extractive sector.

Main Methods:

• Development of the quarRISK® index integrating chemical toxicity, contamination potential, migration capacity, and receptor sensitivity.
• Application of the model with low data demand, classifying environmental risk into four levels.
• Validation through 30 risk evaluations at two European quarries, assessing on-site and off-site scenarios.

Main Results:

• The quarRISK® model effectively estimates potential risks at extraction sites.
• High potential risks were identified for worker dust inhalation and aquatic ecosystem contamination via runoff.
• The model's simplicity facilitates its use for preliminary risk management and identifying areas for detailed analysis.

Conclusions:

• quarRISK® is an innovative, operationally simple tool for harmonizing environmental risk evaluation in the EU extractive sector.
• The index provides valuable preliminary information for risk management and geochemical characterization.
• The study underscores the utility of quarRISK® in identifying critical environmental aspects of mining and promoting sustainability.