CASE STUDY BASELINE STUDY REPORT (BSR) OF REVARSAREA QUARRY

Activity 3.1 (Environmentally Friendly Practices)

Final Version October 2010

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DISCLAIMER FOR CASE STUDY REPORTS The present report was prepared in the framework of the project SARMa – Sustainable Aggregates Resource Management, which is co-financed by the EU within the South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme. The information reported is accurate according to the best knowledge of the authors and is the sole responsibility of the authors of this report. The publication reflects the views only of the authors; and therefore the rest of project partnership and the South East Europe Programme Managing Authority cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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DELIVERABLE SUMMARY PROJECT INFORMATION Project acronym: SARMa Project title: Sustainable Aggregates Resource Management Contract number: Starting date: 1. 5. 2009 Ending date: 31. 10. 2011 Project website address: www.sarmaproject.eu Lead partner organisation: Geological Survey of Slovenia Address: Dimičeva ulica 14, SI-1000 Ljubljana Project manager: Slavko V. Šolar E-mail: Slavko-Vekoslav.Solar@geo-zs.si DELIVERABLE INFORMATION Title of the deliverable: Activity 3.1 Baseline study report of Revarsarea Quarry WP/activity related to the deliverable:

WP3 / Activity 3.1 Environmentally friendly extraction practices

Type (internal or restricted or public):

Public

Location (if relevant): - WP leader: Institute of Geology & Mineral Exploration, Greece

Activity leader: Department of Mineral Resources Engineering, Technical University of Grete, Greece

Participating partner(s): FGG Author(s): Mihai Marinescu E-mail: DELIVERY DEADLINES Contractual date of delivery to the JTS:

Actual date of delivery to the JTS:

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BASELINE STUDY REPORTS (BSR) OF REVARSAREA QUARRY 1. Description of location Geographical data/coordinates

The Revarsarea Quarry is situated from geographical point of view in the Niculitel Plateau, a unit with a eminence character, made from plate inter eminence bridges, mostly in the north part, separated by valleys which are tending mostly to south. The altitude represents an important element in defining the character of the geography floors, recording amplitude between 0.0 m and 190.0 m. The highest altitudes are found in the south and south-west in Niculitel Plateau, Cornetul Oglinda (293.6 m), Ulucei hill (222.0 m) Asan hill (202.8 m), Tefic hill (207,0 m). In the east, altitude drop bellow 100m, reaching between Saon lake and Danube to 3.4 meters. The mining perimeter having the number Topo 5105-04, has the main purpose the activity of exploitation and capitalization of the diabase deposit of the Revarsarea Quarry, and have a total area of 25.09 ha. According to the Technical Documentation for Defining and Substantiation of the Exploitation – Development perimeter of the Revarsarea Quarry, Tulcea county, SC Sorocam SRL, had leased a perimeter delimited by the following coordinates (in Stereo ’70 projection):

Point No.

X Y

8. 424 574,00 764 637,00 9. 424 380,30 765 234,40 10. 424 256,40 765 448,60 11. 424 164,00 765 479,00 12. 423 996,00 765 200,00 13. 424 335,60 765 045,00 14. 424 146,00 764 815,00 15. 424 380,00 764 625,00

The main points from the state geodetic network used for the topographical measurements are:

Point No. X Y Z Reference level

1. Borna 49 424 314,77 767 515,21 49,950 Marea Neagră 2. Borna 345 424 220,08 763 039,69 138,646 Marea Baltică

3. Biserica Revărsarea 425 320,08 766 021,15 46,835 Marea Baltică 4. Dealul Asan

Borna 33 423 716,27 766 143,75 203,085 Marea Baltică

Administrative and legal framework (e.g. permit process for extraction)

The Revarsarea Quarry represents the perimeter for exploitation of the mineral resources (diabase) created under Exploitation License no. 1558/14.06.2000, issued by the National Agency for Mineral Resources (N.A.M.R.). The exploitation license no.

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1558/2000 was obtained under article 46 from Mines Law no.61.1998 by the D.R.D.P Constanta, and in 2004, according to Ord.184/25.08.2004 of president of N.A.M.R Bucharest, was transferred to SC SOROCAM SRL Bucharest and signed in 07.09.2004. The validity of the exploitation license is 20 years starting from the date that was signed. SC SOROCAM SRL Bucharest has the leasing contract no. 1602/23.03.2003 with Isaccea City Hall, for the 26 ha area for 25 years. SC SOROCAM SRL Bucharest has the environment license nor 7920/2006 valid for 5 years, given by the Agency for Environment Tulcea, for exploitation and processing of the diabase extracted form Revarsarea quarry.

Demographic issues From an administrative point of view, the Revarsarea quarry is situated in the territorial area of Isaccea town, Revarsarea locality.

Infrastructure The exploitation perimeter of the Revarsarea Quarry is situated in Tulcea county, in the territorial area of Isaccea town, Revarsarea locality, at 7 km west from Isaccea and 1.5 km south from national road DN 22 (km 132+960), on the right side of Danube. Access in the area is possible by using the national road DN 22 Macin – Tulcea.

Land use planning (e.g. spatial relation to protected areas) The Revarsarea quarry is situated inside SCI Podisul Nord Dobrogean and SPA Macin Niculitel.

Presence of integrated land-planning framework seeking to balance competing interests between national and local levels, and between quarrying and conservation. No data.

Biodiversity features Plants outside the study perimeter

No. GENDER/SPECIES No of ex,/100 m2

Frequency class

Uccupied area /ex

(m2)

% from area

1 Artemisia absintum 0 I 0 0 2 Agropyron cristatus 7 I 0,09 0,63 3 Centaurea sp. 1 I 0,64 0,64 4 Chenopodium sp. 2 I 0,81 1,62 5 Convolvus sp. 7 II 1,44 10,08 6 Eryngium campestre 3 I 0,72 2,16 7 Festuca sp. 52 II 0,16 8,32 8 Hordeum sp. 1 I 0,16 0,16 9 Lactuca sp. 2 I 0,25 0,50 10 Stipa sp. 49 I 0,04 1,96 11 Taraxacum officinale 8 I 0,04 0,32 12 Thymus vulgaris 2 I 0,49 0,98 13 Verbascum sp. 3 I 0,49 1,47

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14 Xeranthemum anuum

5 I 0,25 1,25

Degree of vegetation cover 30,09 %

In the south-south-east part of the studied area it can be found a habitat of bushes represented by species of Rosa canina – 2 exemplaires, Crataegus monogyna – 3 exemplaires, Cornus mas – 1 exemplary.

Data interpretation: a) Habitat type is specific to Asan hill, was determined by using the method of Braun-

Blanquet, and is: the habitat lawn veld xerophile. b) The indicator vegetation types present in this type of habitat are Festucion

valesiacae and Stipion lessingianae (accordind to OUG 57/2007 and the Manual EUR 27)

c) The combination of species for this habitat is the result of low precipitations, high temperatures in the warm season and low in the the cold season.

d) Plant species which identify this habitat are Festuca sp., Stipa sp., Agropyron cristatus, Hordeum sp., Eryngium campestre, Verbascum sp., Xeranthemum anuum.

e) The mean high of the vegetation carpet is 0.75 m. f) None of the species are on the Protected Species List or Red List. The area of

Revarsarea quarry and surroundings are not to be found as a component of any priority habitat in the North Dobrogean Plateau.

Bird species – Asan hill

Current

No. Gender/Specie Exemplaires

No. 1 Paser domesticus ~ 200 2 Sturnus vulgaris ~ 300

Devoid of vegetation and rocky terrain does not allow nesting birds, the raptor species can use this place as a resting place and watching in sunny days. Romania is a migration corridor. In Dobrogea, wild birds come in the months from April to May from Central Africa, Western and Mediterranean basin. In September, the birds leave for the African wild. Winter migration begins in November and ends in March. During this period birds from Arctic Circle area winters in the Danube Delta.

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Migration routes of wild birds

There are insufficient data to prove disturbances in the migration of birds in Dobrogea due to activity of mineral resources exploitation. In North Dobrogea are several quarries operating clays, limestones and diabase, being a source of income for residents in the area.

Operational status (e.g. active or abandoned, legal or illegal) Active.

2. Geological setting and resources Type of aggregates (e.g. crushed rock or sand or gravel composition)

Processed aggregates obtained from exploitation of diabase in Revarsarea quarry are: According to SR 667/2001, SR EN 13.043, SR EN 12.620, SR EN 13.243, SR EN 13.383, SR EN 13.450 :

raw materials for: "pereuri", stones - suitable for all technical classes of roads large stone and crushed stone for: layered technical foundation for all classes of

roads, base layers stuffed with split bituminous aggregate stabilized with hydraulic binders, from gravel, gravel and concrete semipenetrated, penetrated and cement, for all classes of traffic, layers from hard gravel, gravel semipenetrated, penetrated for medium easy and very ease traffic classes, (sort 25/40mm) for cement layers, for all classes of traffic and for railway. Main sorts are: 0/25 mm, 0/40 mm, 0/63 mm, 25/40 mm, 25/63 mm, 40/63 mm, 31,5/50 mm, 31,5/63 mm.

chippings for: base layers of asphalt, from mixtures for all classes of traffic, base layers of gravel penetrated and semi-penetrated for all classes of traffic, layers from cement concrete for classes of traffic, layers from gravel penetrated medium and hard, and very easy, bituminous layers and bituminous treatments. Main varieties: 4 / 6 mm, 6 / 10 mm, 10/14 mm, 4 / 8 mm, 8 / 16 mm, 16/25 mm.

grinder sand for: preparation of asphalt and concrete cement mixtuilor: 0 / 2 mm, 0 / 4 mm, 0 / 8 mm.

Structural geology conditions

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Geologically speaking, the perimeter is part of the North Dobrogean Orogen. After consolidation of the Central Dobrogea following the Baikalian cycle, between the two consolidated domains (Platform Moesia and Eastern European Platform), an area developed during the Paleozoic with intracratonic geosyncline function. Paleochimeric orogene movements that ended at the end of Liasic led ultimately to raise the marginal areas of the former Hercynic area, the whole chain becoming the orogen intracratonic Northern Dobrogea. It is pleated and the system is limited in the south by Peceneaga Camena Fault and Sf. Gheorghe Fault in the north. Throughout the North Dobrogea orogen three major structural units stand out: Macin Nape, Niculiţel Nape and Tulcea Nape. The perimeter “Revarsarea Est” is characterized by a basin geological formation, Triassic age, known as the formation of Niculiţel, belonging to Niculţel Nape - Sarica fingering. It is spread over Paleozoic foundation (which do not appear today) and supports loess deposits of Quaternary age. The Niculiţel formation is a lithostratigraphical entity formed, essentially, from basalt flows. In these flows are interspersed blocks of red limestone, basalt brecia, epiclastic and gray laminated limestones. The Niculiţel formation basalts are products of submarine eruptions, in the breaks, having a carbonate sedimentation represented by turbidity and pelagic deposits. Basalts with sedimented limestones were drilled in the sliding prom which produced gravitational folds. Lava flow, had at first, underwater nature, after which, the volcanic edifice reaching above sea level, subaerial lava flow began to appear. If submarines flows, appear typical pillow-lava forms - with predominance of "spilite", in the case of subaerial, rocks occur of "variolitic" type, massive or with foliation parallel with the direction of flow. Limestones of the formation Niculiţel limestone blocks are represented by red and gray laminated limestones. They appear as lens (feathers) and distributed in mass basalts outcroping in the ridge area and the northern slope of the hill Asan. Quaternary deposits are represented by loess deposits of Pleistocene age and sandy-clayey deposits of Holocene age. The thickness of these deposits may rise from the crest (0.1 - 0.5 m) to the slopes or depression areas where they can achieve, accidentally, over 3 meters in thickness.

Seismic potential of the area

From seismic zoning of the territory of Romania (STAS 11100 / 91 revised), it follows that the whole area of Dobrogea is included in intensity zone Z1, which corresponds to grade VII on the MSK scale, with a median return period(1) of 50 years. In the seismic zones identified within the country, the Tulcea Isaccea area is characterized by normal earthquakes (crustal).

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Based on data from the earthquake with epicenter in Vrancea area in 1986, the Tulcea area is characterized by maximum acceleration values between 50-100 cm/s2 corresponding to grade VII on the MSK scale and to grades VI - VII on the modified Mercalli scale. Seismic microzonation, taking into account local geological factors (presence of groundwater, physical and mechanical properties of rocks, etc.) indicates that these do not lead to increased seismicity. In these circumstances it can be appreciated that the seismic risk of the designed career will be moderated.

Data on deposit in operation

The deposit of Diabase (basalts) at Asan hill consists mainly of lava flows of basalt. They present characteristic type structure of pillow-lava and are composed of basaltic material with 30-50 cm diameter, lined with cooling cracks filled with calcite. Typical forms of basaltic pillow-lava flow are specific for the formation of Niculiţel and are the products of submarine volcanic eruptions, which took place during breaks in a sedimentary carbonate represented by turbidity and pelagic deposits. The age of the Niculiţel formation is given by a stratigraphic range that extends from end of Spathianului till higher Anisian (Spathian Sup. - Pelsonian). The useful rock from "Revarsarea Est" is represented by diabase (s.largo), which is a solid, compact, very hard, greenish-black rock with irregular hole crossed by calcite veined. The Rock structure is ophitic or porphyry, and the texture is massive. The Asan hill diabase deposit, appears like a solid body, with minor variations of the chemical content and mineralogical composition, both vertically and horizontally. The degree of alteration, determined in exploration works, decreases while advancing to the base, being pronounced at a depth between 5 and 15m. The alteration of the deposit area is smaller on top (3-5 m) and more pronounced on the flanks (3-10 m).

Estimated reserves and ore resource potential On approval of the perimeter, the geological reserves, until the base altitude of +120 meters, on the 25.09 m ha area were as follows:

111 Reserves category (cat. B) 4988 thousands tons 121+122 Reserves category (cat. C1) 6735 thousands tons Total 111+121+122 reserves (cat. B+C1) 11 723 thousands tons

The quantitative conversion factor of resources to reserves is Kq = 0.965. Thus, after applying the conversion factor the following exploitable reserves are calculated:

Industrial reserves (111) (cat. B) 4813 thousands tons Industrial reserves (121+122) cat. C1 6499 thousands tons TOTAL industrial reserves 11 312 thousands tons

The deposit extends below +120 m, and exploitation is feasible until the depth of +65 m (altitude of the platform crushing / screening).

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3. Operational and market characteristics Quarry infrastructure (e.g. road network, transportation facilities)

The exploitation perimeter access road is provided from national road DN 22: Tulcea - Macin - Braila (132.00km), near the town Revarsarea and hence a distance of 1.5 km to the south along a local road developed on the right side Rece stream. In order to operate on this road, SC SOROCAM SRL developed a project called "Amenajarea racord la DN 22 al drumului de acces Revarsarea, jud. Tulcea" which was implemented in July 2007. During the project an asphaltic carpet BA16 and a double bituminous treatment was applied. Then the perimeter access road follows the path of technological road of the Revarsarea quarry. Access on the Danube is possible through Isaccea harbor at approximately 10 km from the site. Access by railway station is made through x Cataloi station at approximately 50 km from the site.

Extraction methods and processing techniques (e.g. energy aspects) Mining method used for the exploitation of the diabase is the method of quarrying, in downward benches, with explosives placed in boreholes and with external dumping of the sterile material. Installation for crushing / sorting career is connected to the national power system grid with an average monthly consumption of 50 000 kWh. Other products used in the exploitation process:

Production Resources used for exploitation Name Mediun

quantity/year Name Quantity/year/an Supplier

Diesel

180 t/year

ROMPETROL S.A.

Explosive

ROVEX EXTRA

40.000 t/year Authorize deposits on

contracts with the supplier

Biogas - -

Exploitation works

800.000 t/year

Others: Engine oil, tires

200 L/year -

PETROM S.A.

Existence of codes of practice to achieve technical excellence SC SOROCAM SRL has implemented integrated quality system, environment, health and safety of ISO 9001, SR EN 14001 and OHSAS 18001. All activities are conducted strictly based in the mentioned regulations.

Providing an overview of production figures (e.g. volume of extracted rock)

YEAR Geological extracted

(thousand tones) Remained 31.12.200X

(thousand tones) 2006 638 9041 2007 912 8129 2008 1051 7078

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2009 818 6260

Uses and present market destinations Information regarding aggregates use is presented in the section titled “Types of aggregates” (eg. Crushed rock or sand or gravel). They are used in building dams, in road infrastructure works (ie A2 - Drajna-Lehliu sections, Lehliu-Cernavoda), in railway ballast works (eg railway section Cernavoda-Constanta), in bituminous treatments (e.g. DN 22), etc.

Operating system for remote monitoring of illegal quarrying None.

4. Waste and post-closure management Disposal and handling of quarry waste

Technological waste that is fully capitalized is stored in waste dumps located on the crushing / sorting platform and landfill waste in dumps of loess.

Quantification, characterization, feasibility and potential applications of recycled wastes ( e.g. by-products from natural stone quarrying)) y-products from natural stone quarryingTechnological waste - superior part of 0/25 mm obtained from the crushing process of diabase is fully capitalised as sort of 0/25 mm, or is mixed to obtain other sorts.

Fit-to-purpose re-use opportunities of wastes/by-products ( e.g. waste rock from ornamental stone quarries can substitute other aggregate production) Mining waste are: technological wastes - scalping crushing (sort 0/25) which is used almost exclusively in combination with other varieties and capitalized as 0/25 and overburden waste - landfill loess which is dumped in the two landfills sterile dumps and will subsequently be used for final recovery by depositing it on the stairs of exploitation. All waste from mining will be fully used.

Remediation practices No data.

Restoration, post-closure planning and immediate aftercare works The topsoil that was removed prior to exploitation will be used for environmental restoration by covering the former operating benches. After revegetation the area will be allowed into the natural cycle.

Presence of quarry closure, rehabilitation and after-use plans No data.

5. Environmental impact assessment Geomorphologic exposure and visibility aspects (e.g. landscape change)

The GUP (General Urban Plan) of Isaccea City Hall, the area where the Revarsarea perimeter is situated, is framed as an area for development of mining activities, area located outside the site proposed for mining career. The entire area and the Revarsarea perimeter is an area of intense mining.

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As for landscaping, the perimeter in discussion is represented by an anthropic steppe, consisting of degraded pasture land and small patches of vegetation. Perimeter vegetation is characteristic of steppe habitats. Although the scheme land area is classified in the pasture category, much of it, especially on the crest of the hill (where the useful rock is concentrated), is rocky and the rest is part of degraded pasture. In the North, at the hill base, the perimeter is bordered by agricultural land, partly planted. The completion of the opening, preparation and exploitation of the deposit of rock in Asan hill, will have an impact on the current landscape due primarily to the changes of the landscape at the summit of the hill, following the extraction of diabase between +185m and +120m. Resource exploitation to date has uncovered useful rock excavation for the operated area. Landscape changes occurred following completion of the road and the areas of material storage (piles) which are necessary for quarry operation. By doing the exploitation on the crest of the hill Asan, at about 185 m SSW of the tip of the hill opposite the village Revarsarea, the visual impact is insignificant, since most of the works are in a less visually exposed sector.

Protected areas status Location analysis: The site is located in Asan hill and is situated at the extreme north of the Bird Protection Area: ROSPA0073 Macin - Niculiţel, and the extreme northern limit of the protected area of sites of Community importance: ROSCI0201 - Northern Dobrogea Plateau. In the studied area, the protected areas overlap. The location of interest is situated at a distance of about 1000 m south of the Revarsarea area. The location will overlap existing the following protected areas: 0.0028% of surface area ROSCI0201 - the North Dobrogea Plateau, 0.0037% of the area ROSPA0073 Macin - Niculiţel.

At this time, in the hill Asan, diabase exploitation activities take place, in two perimeters: "Revarsarea Sud", belonging to SC Extransgip SRL, working under an operating permit; concession land belonging to SC SOROCAM SRL "Revarsarea", belonging to SC SOROCAM SRL, working under license of exploitation; concession land belongs to SC SROCORAM SRL Eastern side of the hill Asan is leased to commercial exploitation YSM Promotion SRL

Water (surface and groundwater), soil and air quality conditions No data.

Existence of codes of practice to achieve environmental excellence SC SOROCAM SRL complies with all provisions of Romanian legislation on the environment, monitor quarterly and annually the air quality, soil, water, noise and vibration from the operating process to ensure that maximum values of these

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parameters are not exceeded and to take all measures to reduce the operating machine gas emissions.

Systematic operation of environmental monitoring and control programme See answer above

Engineering geology issues (e.g. landslides risk assessment) SC SOROCAM SRL evaluated the landslide risk based on a project of consolidation of the waste dumps and annually evaluates the processes of blasting vibration resulted from the seismic waves produced, and their impact on career, the surrounding objectives and on the adjacent localities.

Noise, visual impacts, dust and emissions Visual impact is very low, due to positioning on the northern hill. Noise blasting activity is assessed annually and the noise is assessed every semester - values falling within the legislated maximum values. Dust emissions are also evaluated yearly and their values are lower than the maximum permissible limits. SC SOROCAM SRL has hooded the conveyor crushing / sorting and moistens on a regular basis the area of the industrial processing, in order to reduce dust emissions of the installation.

Aggregates extraction vs environmental management and pre-, syn -, and post-quarrying land use The land on which the Revarsarea quarry is located, before opening the mine, was used only as pasture without livestock industry in the area to be developed. Because high power regeneration of damaged vegetation covers the mining operation, after completing exploitation, the area will be reintegrated into the natural environment as a pasture or anthropic meadow as it was before the opening of the operations. Environmental Management of SC SOROCAM SRL, since 2003 implements the SR EN 14001, with investments over 500,000 RON in environmental protection, impact assessment studies, environmental balance, risk assessment of landslides, annual restoration projects and environment plans (some projects subject to public debate), support the principle of sustainable development on which all mining activities of SC SOROCAM SRL are based on.

6. Socioeconomic impacts assessment Local/regional employment situation

No data.

Workforce directly and indirectly related to local aggregates extraction No data.

Health and safety aspects (on- and off-site) SC SOROCAM SRL has implemented integrated system quality, environment, health and safety of ISO 9001, SR EN 14001 and OHSAS 18001. All activities are conducted strictly observing the regulations of the mentioned standards.

Capacity building (e.g. training courses and quarry visits) Personnel employed in quarrying activities of Revarsarea quarry, Tulcea county follow at least one specialization course and make annual visits to other mines of Sorocam in the country.

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Relevant vulnerability issues (e.g. human health risk assessment) Risks are assessed annually under the relevant laws and according to standards of integrated quality management, mentioned above.

Local communities engagement and involvement in decision making SC SOROCAM SRL respects the local community - the citizens of Isaccea town (the company is the largest contributor to the local budget of Isaccea town), the community being always consulted through public debates on the projects they intend to run (the last public debate was held on 12.05.2009).

Benefits of improving the knowledge base at a local level should be mentioned and highlighted No data.

Presence of effective and regular dissemination of information to particular stakeholder groups No data.

Available mechanisms to increase communication and discussion between stakeholders. No data.

7. Sustainable development options Early stage evaluation with respect to the seven questions framework to

sustainability No data.

Way forward e.g. LCA study approaches (maximise the benefits and minimise the impacts) No data.

8. Best practices approach Possibilities for new technology applications

Yes.

Sought operational improvements No data.

Expected impacts towards sustainability Probably good.

Optimising the efficiency of primary aggregates production e.g. water & energy consumption, transport No data.

Targeting better practises that can help achieve a better relationship between protected areas and other land uses, such as how to incorporate areas of known aggregates potential into decision-making about new protected areas No data.

Collect information on best practices and failures for aggregates extraction, e.g. environmental management

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This information would be very necessary.

Develop guidelines for post quarrying restoration It is very necessary.

Determine impediments to best practice, e.g. lack of knowledge, regulatory blocks Lack of information and regulatory bottlenecks.

Prepare recommendations for industry and government actions to encourage best practice No data.