Visibility of Surface Mining and Impact Perception

A visual impact evaluation method specifically designed to assess landscape alteration as a result of surface mining and quarrying would represent a fundamental aid for both those involved in the early stages of mine planning and design (mining companies) and those in charge of controlling and verifying environmental impacts (government authorities). This research is based on implementation of the visual impact indicator Lvi, which takes into account two parameters among those physically measurable: the extent of visible alteration in the landscape and the chromatic contrast between bare rock and the surrounding environment. Both parameters can be quantified by processing one or more digital images taken from the most significant viewpoints. The results of a test applied to two samples of 60 students showed a good correlation between the Lvi values, calculated for ten selected cases, and the impact perception declared by the interviewees.