CARRIGRES : Carrière de Grès à Kinshasa
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Henry ManikaCARRIGRES : Carrière de Grès à Kinshasa
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Henry ManikaCommon questions
Alimenté par l’IACARRIGRES focuses on extracting and processing red sandstone to produce 400 tonnes per hour, whereas SOGECAR in Abidjan produces gravel from granite, called Bouaké granite, with an output of 350 tonnes per hour. The main differences lie in the type of rock extracted (sandstone vs. granite) and the specific products each site emphasizes. CARRIGRES uses procedures such as crushing and screening in line with sandstone processing, while SOGECAR handles granite, producing gravel and finer aggregates .
The CARRIGRES sandstone quarry is administratively and operationally divided into various sections: workshop teams, weighing systems, and resource reserves for fuel and explosives. It features specific zones like fronts de tailles (vertical extraction fronts), banquettes (horizontal paths for machinery), and carreau (flattened areas formed by progressive extraction). This structure supports the efficient exploitation of sandstone, as each component is responsible for a segment of the quarrying process .
To mitigate environmental impacts, strategies could include implementing advanced dust suppression systems to limit airborne particulates, enhancing water management to prevent river pollution, and creating barriers or buffers to reduce noise and vibration from trucks and blasting. Additionally, the rehabilitation of unused quarry segments through reforestation or community projects could stabilize the soil and reduce collapse risks. Education and regular training for workers on best practices in minimizing impactful operations would further align activities with environmental sustainability goals .
The quarry utilizes black powder and dynamite, chosen based on the homogeneity and fracturing characteristics of the sandstone formation. Dynamite allows considerable mass extraction through synchronized lateral blasts, facilitating efficient rock fragmentation. Meanwhile, black powder operations are associated with slower, controlled burns to achieve the desired fragmentation level. By utilizing these explosives' properties effectively, CARRIGRES can maintain optimal extraction rates while minimizing energy waste .
The CARRIGRES quarry adheres to quality standards by subjecting all products to monthly monitoring and testing by the National Public Works Laboratory, ensuring alignment with regulatory norms. Each delivery undergoes individual weighing and control procedures, integrated into the production system to maintain consistency and meet required standards for applications in building, concrete production, and roadways .
CARRIGRES employs several techniques for sandstone extraction and processing, such as drilling, blasting with black powder and dynamite, mechanical recovery, and transportation using mechanical shovels. Initial extraction is accomplished using explosives placed in drilled holes to fragment the rock. Mechanical shovels then collect these fragments for further processing. The quarry also uses multiple crushing and screening stages, including primary, secondary, and tertiary pathways, to process sandstone fragments into usable construction materials .
Unfinished sections of the CARRIGRES quarry pose significant risks of structural collapse due to water infiltration weakening the substrate, potentially causing landslides. These areas, often unstable when abandoned, present hazards not only through physical collapse but also through the pollution of local water sources with sediments and pollutants. Vibrations from blasting and transportation exacerbate these structural vulnerabilities, posing consistent risks to nearby communities .
CARRIGRES produces approximately 400 tonnes of sandstone per hour, which is robust compared to similar quarry operations. Industry-wise, such output is comparable or slightly superior to many quarry operations, which usually range from lower to comparable levels depending on rock type and operational scale. Compared specifically with SOGECAR, CARRIGRES surpasses SOGECAR's output of 350 tonnes per hour of granite, indicating a slightly higher production efficiency or capacity .
The CARRIGRES sandstone quarry has played a pivotal role in the development of Kinshasa since its establishment around 1950. Over 30 million tonnes of sandstone have been extracted from this site, with approximately 90% utilized in city construction. This contribution includes materials for infrastructure, roads, and major buildings throughout the capital, signifying the quarry’s integral role in shaping Kinshasa's urban landscape .
The CARRIGRES quarry impacts the environment primarily through water pollution, noise pollution, dust, and potential structural hazards. Proximity to the Congo River raises concerns about water pollution as pollutants can contaminate local water supplies. Mining operations, specifically blasting and truck transports, produce significant noise pollution, with transportation vibrations often exceeding those from mine blasts. Furthermore, the quarry generates large amounts of dust, containing fine silica particles, which pose health risks like silicosis to workers and nearby populations. Abandoned sections of the quarry also present structural collapse risks due to water infiltration .