GREENER AGGREGATES FOR CONCRETE

Sustainable construction needs to start at the very foundations of all business projects, with the sand and aggregates that constitute the largest part of just about every construction project.

This is an often-overlooked element o f sustainable constr uction . It is required that all materials used for ground stabilisation and concrete be manufactured with sand and stone which is procured through registered legal entities that adhere to all the relevant legislation relating to the environment. Nico Pienaar, director of the surface mining industry association ASPASA, says that all too o f ten, sand and stone are overlooked by green building practitioners, yet they constitute the largest component of any construction work. By volume, sand and stone make up by far the biggest percentage of the dry mix of concrete and it is vitally important that a paper trail be followed to ensure the materials are obtained from legal mining operations.

Sand and stone suppliers, as well as mentally conscious companies who’re active ASPASA members,” says Pienaar.

ready-mix or precast concrete suppliers, should be able to prove that the supplying mine is operating with a valid mining licence from the Department of Mineral Resources & Energy (DMRE), has landuse rights from the local, provincial and national authorities, and is complying with all relevant environmental protection requirements.

“It’s an unfortunate fact that illegal mining practices continue to scar our landscapes and diminish the lives of surrounding communities and others who’re affected by the practice. That’s why we urgently call upon all involved in sustainable and green building projects to make use of materials from legal and environ-

Keep it green Building pr o f essionals should also remember that unscrupulously operated pits and quarries scar the environments and contaminate water courses. Damage in these cases is most often left for future generations to clean up. That is why mines and quarries belonging to ASPASA have thrown their full weight behind programmes to help protect the environment up front and adopt sustainable mining practices in their everyday operations.

“Increasing environmental awareness has prompted our members to lead by example and adopt a comprehensive compliance programme which ensures compliance with regional and national by-laws and legislation, and requires all members' sites to be audited on an annual basis to confirm compliance. The DMRE may also use the information for future mining licence decisions,” adds Pienaar.

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(Above): Environmentally responsible aggregates.

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