Research on Energy Consumption in Open Pits of the German Quarry Industry

Abstract

Quarrying of natural stone is an energy-intensive process. The utilization of this type of raw materials will remain essential in the future. Thus, a systematic improvement of the energy efficiency in this mining branch will gain sustainable benefit. A research project at the Department for Surface Mining and Drilling at RWTH Aachen University focuses on the development of a systematic approach for the identification and utilization of possible energy savings in quarrying of natural stone. This research project is promoted by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt, DBU). Within this project, energy consumption data was collected in several quarries. Also key aspects and quantity of energy data collection were evaluated regarding their benefit for the companies.