Sustainability

The exploitation of a deposit

Before starting to exploit a mineral deposit, it is necessary to carry out a series of soil and subsoil analyses on the spot. The study starts with a careful observation of the geological maps of the area. A geological map shows, with different colours, the area of each rock formation, highlighting the contact lines between rocks of different type and age. A specific area will be chosen to host a quarry according the quality and quantity of rocks, and how easy it is to be reached with the main ways of communication (railway lines, ports, motorways), in order to be able to distribute the product at a low cost. This choice is mainly driven by economic reasons. As a consequence, activities are set in those areas where the extraction and transport of materials result to be more convenient. Even before starting to extract, rock samples are taken and analysed in a lab to determine their physical and mechanical properties. Quarry extractions can take place in open air or underground. In the open air, the land is progressively excavated, by starting from the top, and building 10-20 m steps. When the resource is located deep underground, underground excavations are done (mines).