Title: Effect of seasonal variations on quarry operations in Southwest Nigeria

Authors: Thomas B. Afeni; Babatunde Adebayo; Abraham Ayomidele Ogundayo

Addresses: Department of Mining Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria ' Department of Mining Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria ' Department of Mining Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

Abstract: This study assessed the seasonal effects on quarry operations and productivity in South-Western, Nigeria. Data were collected through oral interview, supplemented with well structured pre-tested questionnaires. The findings show that seasonal changes had effect on all quarry operations. The results revealed that aggregate production was higher during the dry season across all the quarries with Samchaze quarry having the highest production of 54,460-64,000 tons attributing to reduced downtime from rainfall and higher aggregate demand due to increased engineering projects rate in the dry season. With regards to sales, the findings showed a decrease in aggregate sales in the wet season in all the quarries with Western quarry making the lowest sales of 2,700-6,000 tons while Samchaze quarry made the highest sales of 11,000-15,000 tons. Health challenges like respiratory infections and heat stress were greater in the dry season while common cold, malaria and typhoid, cough and catarrh were common during the wet season. Eye infections, chest and hearing problems were felt in all the seasons. Appropriate recommendations were made to mitigate these seasonal changes impacts.

Keywords: quarry; seasonal variation; drilling; blasting; crushing; productivity; Nigeria.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2023.131607

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2023 Vol.14 No.1, pp.27 - 40

Received: 12 Oct 2022
Accepted: 01 Feb 2023
Published online: 20 Jun 2023 *