APPLICATION OF GIS BASED MODELLING FOR STONE AGGREGATE POTENTIAL IN DALMATIA, CROATIA

7th International Scientific Conference - SGEM2007, www.sgem.org, SGEM2007 Conference Proceedings/ ISBN: 954-918181-2, June 11-15, 2007

ABSTRACT/Full article not available/

The Dalmatian region is a karst region built of Mesozoic limestone and
dolomites. In the four Dalmatian counties aggregates and natural stone is
quarried at 155 sites and there are 73 abandoned sites. A GIS based model
on map-correlation and map-integration processes was used in order to
define relationships between spatial layers and combine predictor factors in
supporting a hypothesis. The response variable is the set of point locations of
current aggregate and natural stone quarries (termed training sites), and the
predictor variables which are thematic map layers showing transportation
network patterns, population density distribution, maps of geological mineral
potential, and areas of mineral exploitation restrictions defined by Master plans
of the counties and production information. Based on the GIS, stone aggregate
potential is calculated to cover more than 15% Dalmatian land area. The low
consumption of aggregates in the region (less than 30% of EU average) is putting
an immense pressure on for opening of new extraction sites. The GIS model
allows resource management and prioritisation of potential mineral extraction
tracts (and sites) in Dalmatia while taking in account both environmental and
marketplace needs.