Analytic hierarchy process helps select site for limestone quarry expansion in Barbados

Prasanta K. Dey, Eugene K. Ramcharan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Site selection is a key activity for quarry expansion to support cement production, and is governed by factors such as resource availability, logistics, costs, and socio-economic-environmental factors. Adequate consideration of all the factors facilitates both industrial productivity and sustainable economic growth. This study illustrates the site selection process that was undertaken for the expansion of limestone quarry operations to support cement production in Barbados. First, alternate sites with adequate resources to support a 25-year development horizon were identified. Second, technical and socio-economic-environmental factors were then identified. Third, a database was developed for each site with respect to each factor. Fourth, a hierarchical model in analytic hierarchy process (AHP) framework was then developed. Fifth, the relative ranking of the alternate sites was then derived through pair wise comparison in all the levels and through subsequent synthesizing of the results across the hierarchy through computer software (Expert Choice). The study reveals that an integrated framework using the AHP can help select a site for the quarry expansion project in Barbados.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1384-1395
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Environmental Management
Volume88
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2008

Keywords

  • quarry expansion
  • site selection
  • environmental impact assessment
  • cement production
  • analytic hierarchy process

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