Mine Waste Management in Nepal: An Overview of Limestone Quarries

Birendra Sapkota, Kumar Khadka, Manish Shrestha, Santa M. Rai and Ambika Paudel
Additional contact information
Birendra Sapkota: KarmaQuest International, 941 Goose River Avenue, Gloucester, ON, K1V 1T7, Canada
Kumar Khadka: Department of Mines and Geology, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Kathmandu, Nepal
Manish Shrestha: Shivam Cement Limited, Hetauda, Nepal
Santa M. Rai: KarmaQuest International, 941 Goose River Avenue, Gloucester, ON, K1V 1T7, Canada
Ambika Paudel: Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ontario, Canada

Journal of Development Innovations, 2021, vol. 5, issue 1, 13-28

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to evaluate the management of non-metallic mine waste in general, and specifically, limestone mine waste in Nepal. The authors reviewed the policy documents and the regulations, assessed the implementation of the regulations on this issue considering a few selected limestone quarry sites, and discussed how mine waste can be managed more efficiently with reference to existing practices from the developed countries. Our analysis shows that despite the challenges that exist due to complex geology, steep topography, and financial constraint associated with surface mining and waste management, the available management strategies have not been implemented adequately in the majority of the mine/quarry sites. This indicates a need for a relook into the current practices of mine waste management and formulating appropriate mine waste management-related policies of the country. The national demand for cement has been soaring, and more cement industries are operating in recent years. Consequently, the volume of the mine waste will increase in far excess of the liberated resource and it can create environmental degradation if not managed appropriately and in time. The authors recommend legislative reform and suggest the implementation of feasible management strategies at the mine sites.

Keywords: quarry; mine waste; environmental impact; mine waste remediation; overburden; mine waste reclamation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O10 Q20 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:kqi:journl:2021-5-1-2

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