quarRISK®: A novel tier 1 approach to environmental risk assessment in the extractive sector

This study presents quarRISK®, a novel Tier 1 semi-quantitative risk assessment tool developed within the EU-funded ROTATE project and tailored for preliminary environmental evaluations in the mining and quarrying sector, particularly for aggregate and critical raw materials (CRM) operations. The model was developed in response to the lack of accessible, site-specific tools for early-stage risk identification related to human health and ecosystems. Its methodology builds on the "Source-Pathway-Receptor" paradigm and integrates four main criteria (hazard assessment, contamination potential, receptor sensitivity, and migration potential) requiring minimal data input and delivering rapid classification of risks into four levels: low, moderate, high, and very high. The main innovation of quarRISK® lies in its operational simplicity and low data requirements, allowing non-specialist users, such as quarry managers, to conduct screening-level risk assessments that comply with EU directives. By identifying priority exposure scenarios and contaminants, quarRISK® serves as a decision-support tool to guide the need for more detailed Tier 2 assessments and preventive measures. Furthermore, the tool enhances the harmonization of environmental risk management practices across extractive operations and encourages improved sustainability and social acceptance of mining activities. To evaluate its robustness, the model was applied to 30 exposure scenarios across two mining sites in the EU. Results highlighted the primary risks as (i) inhalation of dust containing respirable crystalline silica (RCS) by workers, rated as high to very high, and (ii) the off-site transfer of contaminants into surface water bodies, especially diesel fuel and flocculants, with moderate to high risk levels for aquatic ecosystems. These findings reflect the inherent vulnerabilities of quarry environments and align with literature identifying dust inhalation and surface water contamination as key environmental concerns. Case studies demonstrate the model's ability to differentiate between on-site and off-site risk dynamics, such as the contrast between high on-site inhalation risks and moderate off-site values, the latter largely mitigated by distance-based dispersion and dilution. Overall, quarRISK® offers a practical solution to bridge the gap between regulatory requirements and real-world operational capabilities in environmental risk management.