GIS APPLICATIONS BY INDUSTRY OF GEOLOGIC AND OTHER PERTINENT DATA RELATED TO AGGREGATE EXPLORATION AND MINING

Geologic maps are essential in understanding local and regional geology and are of particular interest to aggregate mining companies conducting exploration for new sources of material. By converting existing geologic maps into GIS vector format, maps can be easily accessed and updated with the most current information. The use of layering allows overlying the geologic map with locations of competing aggregate operations, inactive aggregate mining sites, quality of the material at each site, and other pertinent information. The use of buffers built around points, lines, and polygons allows the impact of a proposed operation on private and public water wells, truck traffic on roads to market, noise, possible dust, and blasting effects. In addition, buffers can be used to assess the markets that can be serviced economically from the site by use of existing roads, rail roads, and water transportation by barge or ship. The use of GIS can lower the costs of exploration. Using GIS increases the target quality and assurance by integrating all available data into the GIS maps. The geology of the area can be assessed by looking at regional trends which will assist in producing an exploration plan, the initial mining plan, and future plans for closing the mine once resources are exhausted. Multiple GIS maps can be combined to create large areal coverage. The final composite map will allow mining companies to make informed decisions regarding exploration of broad areas in pursuit of new aggregate sources and how to anticipate environmental pitfalls that might result from the closing of a mine. We present a composite map consisting of eleven stitched 1:24,000 scale geologic maps from along the Gulf Coastal Plain onlap in Alabama that illustrates how GIS applications can be used to explore for aggregate resources.