Canteras Olaspe Markina Black Marble (Markina-Xemein)

It is an open-pit quarry of marble limestone, located in the municipal term of Markina – Xemein.

The quarry has two distinct working fronts where different products are obtained:

• Black ornamental marble: We produce different qualities of black ornamental marble.
• Sea block: Blocks ranging between 15 and 45 metric tons, to be used in sea works.
• By-product for civil works: For a full use of the product, the residue is transformed for its use in public works.

The production process consists in:

(click on the image to enlarge)

An operating front is detected and the cutting begins.  

1. An operating front is detected and the cutting begins.

The lower part is cut in a longitudinal manner using a chain-saw type cutting machine.  

2. The lower part is cut in a longitudinal manner using a chain-saw type cutting machine.

A perforation is made at the back of the block with a pneumatic hammer in order to introduce in it the diamond cable.  

3. A perforation is made at the back of the block with a pneumatic hammer in order to introduce in it the diamond cable.

The side and back cuts are made with the diamond wire-saw.  

4. The side and back cuts are made with the diamond wire-saw.

The block thus obtained undergoes a cataloguing process for its later trading.  

5. The block thus obtained undergoes a cataloguing process for its later trading.