Documentary Of Marble Quarries Based In Greece | Extraction And Processing Marble

Summary

This video explores the fascinating process of marble production, from the mining and extraction to the final products. It covers the geological origins of marble, its use in architecture and art, and the advanced techniques involved in its quarrying. Viewers are taken on a journey to Greece, where marble is mined in massive quarries using both open-pit and underground methods. The process includes cutting, shaping, and polishing the stone, with the use of modern technology such as robots for precise engraving. The video highlights marble's beauty, durability, and wide applications in construction and sculpture.

Takeaways

• 😀 Marble is a metamorphic rock formed from limestone under high temperature and pressure, which results in crystallization and new textures.
• 😀 The term 'marble' comes from the Greek word 'Maros', meaning 'shining stone' or 'crystal stone', due to its luminous appearance.
• 😀 Marble is a durable and beautiful stone that is used in a variety of applications such as wall ornaments, sculptures, and building materials.
• 😀 In Greece, FHL Kiriyakini is a major marble company that has been in operation since 1991 and handles marble mining and production.
• 😀 FHL Kiriyakini is known for providing white marble for major projects like the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque, national parliaments, and religious sites in Mecca and Medina.
• 😀 The company’s marble is extracted from quarries in the Macedonian mountains of Greece, with advanced mining techniques such as underground tunnels for better quality and efficiency.
• 😀 Marble mining involves drilling, cutting with saws, and using heavy machinery to separate marble blocks from the parent rock.
• 😀 To ensure high-quality marble, the mining process uses water to cool the cutting saws, and excavators to transport the large blocks to storage.
• 😀 The marble is then inspected by experts to determine its suitability for specific uses like flooring, walls, or sculptures, with careful handling required for its heavy weight.
• 😀 The marble production process also includes cutting and polishing to create square slabs with a thickness of 5 cm, and advanced robotic machines are used for engraving and pattern creation on the marble surfaces.

Q & A

What is marble, and how is it formed?

Marble is a type of rock that is the result of the metamorphosis of limestone. The process is caused by the influence of temperature and pressure, which causes recrystallization and leads to the formation of various foliations and non-foliated structures.

What does the word 'marble' mean, and where does it originate?

The word 'marble' comes from the Greek word 'Mármaros,' which means 'shining stone' or 'crystal stone' due to its shiny, beautiful appearance and sturdy structure.

Where is marble commonly used in construction?

Marble is often used in wall ornaments, for building exteriors and interiors, as well as in sculptures and artworks. It’s commonly used in public buildings, such as places of worship, and in architectural features like pillars.

What are some notable projects that have used marble from the FHL Kiriyakiris factory?

The FHL Kiriyakiris factory has supplied marble for major projects such as the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque, the National Parliament and conference halls in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and the pilgrims' routes in Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia.

What is the Greek Karara marble, and how is it produced?

Greek Karara marble is a high-quality white marble quarried in the mountains of Macedonia, Greece. It is extracted from four connected mines, and the production process includes both open-pit and underground mining techniques to ensure high quality and supply for large-scale projects.

What are the advantages of using underground tunnels in marble mining?

Using underground tunnels for marble mining helps ensure that the process is not affected by climate changes, improves the quality and speed of extraction, and helps minimize environmental impact by avoiding disturbance to flora and fauna.

How are marble blocks extracted from the quarry?

Marble blocks are extracted using drilling techniques, followed by the insertion of ribbon saws to cut the stone. Excavators and heavy equipment are then used to separate the blocks, which can weigh up to 280 tons and have dimensions of 8 meters in height and 6 meters in width.

How is the transportation of marble blocks managed?

Once extracted, the marble blocks are transported carefully through narrow pathways using heavy equipment. They are then moved to a wider area for further inspection and processing, ensuring the safe and efficient transport of the blocks to production facilities.

What happens to the marble blocks once they arrive at the production factory?

At the production factory, the marble blocks are inspected for quality, cut into the desired shapes, and polished. Some blocks are further processed by robots to engrave patterns or shapes, while sculptors may refine and define the final shapes of statues.

What types of finished marble products are available, and can they be customized?

Marble products can be customized based on client needs, including items like wall panels, floor tiles, and sculptures. Additionally, specialized products such as engraved designs can be created using computer-controlled machines or robots, though customizations may incur additional costs.