Environmental and Social Implications of Aggregate Extraction: A Review

Aggregates represent the most materials that are highly extracted daily globally. This is because of their various applications in building and rehabilitation of structures. However, the extraction of aggregates posed serious challenges to the environment and the social infrastructures. Hence, the need to examine the social and the environment implications of the extraction activities. Thus, this study focused on the exploration of both the social and environmental implications of aggregate extraction with emphasis on the mining industries which involve sand and gravel extraction and subsequent processing. It was observed that the extraction activities posed a severe challenge to the social environment which could be landscape degradation and loss in aesthetic value, soil contamination, sedimentation as a result of erosion, pollution of water and the atmosphere, biodiversity loss and threat to human health and the buildings. It was established that there are sufficient laws and policies to avert the negative social and environmental implications posed by these problems, however, it important that regular inspections of aggregate extraction sites are carried out. It will help in understanding their level of degradation on the environment. Additionally, environmental protection practices like planting of trees and reclaiming of waste will be a better approach of mitigating the implications posed by the extraction activities.