Monitoring vibrations from quarry operations

Mepa is issuing for public consultation terms of reference and a guidance document on vibration monitoring of quarry blasting.

The purpose of the guidelines is to improve environmental performance by providing quarry operators with details as to how and what is required to monitor vibrations from blasting operations.

Maximum vibration levels that shall be considered acceptable are also being specified.

The authority said that apart from providing details on the parameters that need to be monitored, the guidelines clarified responsibilities of the operators, stipulated threshold levels for vibration monitoring and determined other specifications related to location, design and sensitivity of the monitoring equipment.

The terms of reference also provided guidance on the documentation that needed to be submitted to the authority prior to the commencement, and upon completion of the blasting operations.

The terms of reference and related guidance document are available on the Mepa website. The authority encouraged quarry operators, the public, non-governmental organisations and other interested parties to provide feedback and comments on the proposed guidelines, prior to approval as official documents.

Comments can be submitted up to July 31 at environmental.permittingquarries@mepa.org.mt or by mail to: Mepa, P.O. Box 200, Marsa, MRS 1000.