The topic of underground mining and its advantages were presented to the Secretary General for Energy and Mineral Raw Materials, Aristotelis Aivaliotis, by the executives of the companies Iktinos and Nordia, as part of a visit organized by the Association of Mining Companies to the marble industry. mining center in the Volakas area, Drama.
Aivaliotis had the opportunity to learn about the advantages of underground marble mining in Volakas and the challenges faced.
During the briefing of the executives of the companies IKTINOS and NORDIA, the applications of innovative technologies in the underground marble mining of the region were highlighted, the particularly high level of specialization and technical training of the work personnel, as well as the maintenance of competitiveness, despite the difficult conditions encountered in relation to the demands of the international market were highlighted.
The mining method used in underground marble works is that of chambers and pillars with inverted steps. The environmental footprint compared to conventional surface marble mining is particularly low. The operation of high-specification equipment, digital systems for continuous monitoring of the work phases and ventilation ensure high-quality work.
The major problem that needs to be addressed is the modification of the existing regulatory framework for the operation of underground farms within nature protection areas, in accordance with the provisions of the European directive “Natura Guidance for Non-Energy Extractive Activities”. The implementation of this directive ensures the minimum possible impact on the natural environment and on the target species, imposing, in parallel with the conditions for extraction and use of the mineral resource, measures to address the effects of extraction on protected species.