Agricultural redevelopment of aggregates quarries: proposals for improving their quality for sustainable agricultural use

Abstract

Mineral working followed by high standard agricultural reclamation allows the conservation of the agricultural soil patrimonial resource. A revue of agricultural reclamation shows quarry operators' progresses for 20 years. Handling separately topsoil and subsoil, short soil storage and progressive reclamation are now the rule. However improvements are possible because to many reclaimed for agricultural-use parcels are leaved fallow as set-aside. Soil must imperatively be moved when enough dry to avoid its degradation. Planning permission should be flexible to not impose wet soil movements. Farmers must respect an aftercare period because the soil is fragile. It must restore its potentialities. Grassland establishment during 3-4 years (grass or legume ground cover) allows this fertility restoration.