A STUDY ON LANDSCAPE RESTORATION OF THE IMPORTANT LIMESTONE QUARRIES OF WEST TAIWAN

• Main Authors: Wu-Chang Ho, 何武璋
• Other Authors: Yi-Chung Hsueh
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 1998
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/17577226768110324083

博士 === 中國文化大學 === 地學研究所 === 87 === To respond to shortage of limestone in west Taiwan, the Executive Yuan promulgated the “Long-Term Development Project for Cement Industries” in May 1986. This was subsequently amended in June 1995 whereby cement industries are encouraged to move to the east. West Taiwan has been designated as a limestone mining quarry with mining rights except for Kaoshiung So-shan mining quarry. The mining activities shall be conducted in accordance with regulations provided under the Law for Mining Industries and development has been extended until 1997. Currently, The strategy of cement industries moving east is already a confirmed policy. Limestone mining rights in west Taiwan will no longer be extended upon its expiration in 1997. The most direct impact of excavating limestone on the environment is the destruction of topography. Excavations will cause rainwater to cut through the depth of ground surface severely, such as eroding upstream areas where river converged. As a result, topography destroyed and cause rocks to fall and collapse and various earth and rock calamities and indirectly polluting water resources. A highly polluted industry, it is a primary industry that have to struggle between economic development and environment protection, especially at a time where environmental protection awareness is at its peak. However, that does not mean that they cannot co-exist. They have compatibility in terms of sustainable use of resources, compromise in terms of development and appropriateness in terms of time. Taiwan has 235 sizeable and productive quarries. There are 35 quarries that produced an annual production in excess of 100,000 tons. There are 32 or 91% quarries for limestones and marbles (crystalliezed limestones). The 10 important limestone mines in west Taiwan having an annual capacity in excess of 100,000 tons selected by this study include: (1)Chi Koh Shan Quarry:1.Asia Cement Company Yu Shan Mine, 2.Yu Shan Company Yu Shan Mine, 3.Taiwan Cement Company Chi Koh Shan Limestone Mine; (2)Kong Tien Shan Quarry: 1. Hsin Hsin Cement Company Kong Tien Mine; (3)Ta Kang Shan Quarry: 1. Huan Chiu Cement Company Ta Kang Shan Mine, 2.Chia Hsin Cement Company Ta Kang Shan Mine (4)Pan Ping Shan Quarry: 1.Chien Tai Cement Company Pang Ping Shan lst Mine, 2.Cheng Tai Cement Company 19 Mining District South Mine, 3.Tong Nan Cement Company No. 14A to 16 Mining District Mine, (5)Feng Pi Tou Quarry: 1.Chien Tai Cement Company Luo Toh Shan Mine. Landscape restoration is defined as a process of renewing landscape destroyed by natural or human behavior to ensure its safe and productive reuse, to achieve a diversified, dynamic and sustainable ecology system. Reclamation means to restore foundation to conditions and structure appropriate to local conditions. It can be seen as the first stage of restoration, a baseline stage. In the past, the reclamation of mines are, by virtue of laws and regulations, a rewarding fundamental measure, conducting natural ecosytstem restoration in quarries to compensate mined land developed for economic purposes. Today, landscape restoration has become an important topic in limestone quarries in the west Taiwan. The location of important limestone quarries in west Taiwan is characterized by different natural and cultural background. Landscape restoration in each quarry has its own unique qualities. Limestone quarries in west Taiwan are mostly small to medium scale operations. They are located in steep, craggy terrain characterized by mountainous and hilly environment. Due to heavy rainfalls and uneven distribution of rain and prior to the realization of the landscape restoration concept, it could easily lead to mining hazards, create waste in mineral resources and destruction of ecological resources. This situation in west Taiwan is different from foreign landscape restoration examples. In light of the above, this study has four objectives: 1.During the research process, provide an exemplary landscape restoration framework for important limestone quarries in west Taiwan to serve as a future reference for various landscape restoration operations in various quarries. 2.Study distribution, reasons and degree of landscape degradation area in important limestone quarries of west Taiwan. 3.From the perspective of land reuse of quarries, establish a diversified and dynamic sustainable use landscape restoration process. 4.Formulate implementation strategies for landscape restoration of limestone quarries in west Taiwan.