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Vibration Monitoring of Quarry Blasting

Monitoring Vibrations from Quarry Operations

Malta has a number of quarry operators that are engaged in the extraction of hardstone through blasting operations. The Malta Environment and Planning Authority oversees the implementation of regulations and legal obligations related to quarry operations in terms of monitoring of vibration levels from blasting operations.

Given the environmental concerns associated with these vibrations, the Authority has issued terms of reference (TORs) and a guidance document on vibration monitoring of quarry blasting. The purpose of these guidelines is to improve environmental performance by providing quarry operators with details as to how and what is required in order to monitor vibrations from blasting operations. Maximum vibration levels that shall be considered acceptable are also being specified.

Apart from providing details on the parameters that need to be monitored, these guidelines clarify responsibilities of the operators,  stipulate threshold levels for vibration monitoring and determine other specifications related to location, design and sensitivity of the monitoring equipment. In addition, the TORs also provide guidance on the documentation that needs to be submitted to the Authority prior to the commencement, and upon completion of the blasting operations.

The TORs and related guidance document are available on the following links: 

Terms of reference - Quarry Blasting and Vibration Monitoring

Guidance on Vibration Monitoring and Blasting in Quarries


Monitoring Reports for Quarry Blasting

The information provided in these reports is based on currently available data and approved methodologies, which MEPA is still in the process of reviewing.

 Quarry                          

 Blast Monitoring Reports

 HM01 - Ta' Zuta, Siggiewi

 10/11/2010

 16/01/2011
 14/03/2011
 05/04/2011

 HM04 - Tal-Faqqanija, Ta' Zuta, Siggiewi

 13/09/2010
 18/11/2010
 23/11/2010

 06/01/2011
 10/03/2011
 18/07/2011

 HM08 - Wied iz-Ziju, Zejtun

 12/01/2011   14/02/2011
 14/03/2011   06/04/2011
 09/05/2011   25/10/2011
 24/11/2011                    

 27/01/2012
 HM9c - Ix-Xaghra Ta' Qaduma, Mosta

 04/08/2010    24/09/2010
 02/11/2010    14/12/2010

 24/01/2011    09/02/2011
 08/03/2011    13/04/2011
 09/05/2011    18/07/2011
 22/09/2011    10/10/2011
 07/11/2011    09/12/2011

 11/01/2012    26/01/2012
 14/02/2012    01/03/2012
 21/03/2012    12/04/2012
 HM13 - Tat-Tomna, Mellieha

 14/09/2010    06/10/2010

 14/01/2011    18/03/2011
 07/04/2011    06/05/2011
 16/06/2011    15/07/2011
 19/09/2011                   

 17/01/2012    23/03/2012
 HM22 - Victoria Lines, Naxxar

 22/07/2010    30/07/2010
 22/09/2010    10/11/2010
 17/11/2010    26/11/2010
 29/11/2010    06/12/2010
 20/12/2010                    

 03/01/2011    10/01/2011    17/01/2011  
 25/01/2011    02/02/2011    08/02/2011    
 16/02/2011    24/02/2011    02/03/2011    
 15/03/2011    24/03/2011    04/04/2011    
 08/04/2011    18/04/2011    03/05/2011  
 10/05/2011    14/06/2011    30/06/2011   
 26/07/2011    27/09/2011    05/10/2011   
 13/10/2011    01/11/2011    08/11/2011               
 15/11/2011    06/12/2011    19/12/2011                 

 02/01/2012    08/01/2012    18/01/2012
 07/02/2012    15/02/2012    29/02/2012
 12/03/2012    20/03/2012    30/03/2012
 09/04/2012    17/04/2012    03/05/2012

 HM26 - Tal-Macina, Nigret, Zurrieq

 02/08/2010    23/09/2010
 08/11/2010   

 11/01/2011    22/03/2011    
 11/05/2011    13/07/2011   
 01/08/2011    20/09/2011   
 21/10/2011    22/11/2011   
 14/12/2011                       

 22/03/2012
 HM29 - Ta' Torri Falka, Mgarr

 23/07/2010
 04/08/2010

 21/02/2011    17/03/2011
 07/04/2011    26/04/2011

 15/02/2012    12/03/2012    26/04/2012
 12/04/2012
 HM31 - Ta' Dmejrek, Dingli

 20/09/2010

 HM33 - Ta' Bellula, Siggiewi

 19/07/2010    05/08/2010
 09/09/2010    12/10/2010
 27/10/2010    26/11/2010

 12/01/2011    22/02/2011
 29/04/2011    31/05/2011
 06/07/2011    29/07/2011
 16/09/2011    04/10/2011
 24/10/2011    21/11/2011
 17/02/2012
 HG12 - Ta' Klement, Qala Gozo 

 03/08/2010    07/10/2010
 12/11/2010   

 13/01/2011    11/03/2011   
 25/05/2011    30/09/2011   
 01/12/2011

 12/01/2012    03/04/2012

 

 

 

When interpreting or correlating data in these vibration reports or between vibration reports from different quarries, various factors are to be taken into account. These include Peak Particle Velocity (mm/s), distance from seismograph (m) and the frequency (Hz) at which the readings are taken. Data collected from a monitoring point cannot be compared with a published standard unless all parameters are factored into the interpretation of the results.