The authors have developed the Activity Accounting Technique for predicting
far field noise levels due to operation of specific set of mining machiner
y. The technique is based on the breaking down of the mining operations int
o a number of activities and establishing their duration and average locati
on. By estimating the noise levels due to these activities, the overall noi
se field near a surface mine can be predicted. Experiments were undertaken
at a quarry to validate the model developed based on this technique. Result
s of these experiments are discussed in this paper. The Activity Accounting
Technique has the scope of elaborate application for prediction of environ
mental noise near mining sites. In a system where the activities involved a
nd their duration can be estimated one can develop a noise quality predicti
on model based on near field spectrum of the sound pressure levels due to t
he activities. However, this method will be more useful if an acoustic data
base can be evolved for all the possible activities for different alternati
ve equipment system.