3rd AMIREG International Conference (2009): Assessing the Footprint of 47

Resource Utilization and Hazardous Waste Management, Athens, Greece

Potential of the Greek white and semi-white marble residues under the
prism of updated information

F. Chalkiopoulou
Mineral Processing Dept, IGME

S. Karadassi
Mineralogy-Petrology Dept, IGME

D. Voujoukas
Eastern Macedonia Thrace Branch, IGME

C. Laskaridis
Econonomic Geology Dept, IGME

C. Aggelopoulos
Peloponnesus Branch, IGME

ABSTRACT enhance environmental protection and bring

profits.
The significance of unexploited marble quarry
wastes at European level has been highlighted
many times so far by institutes and researchers, 1. INTRODUCTION
as well as public authorities and quarry owners,
Ornamental Stones’ production remains a dy-
each side seeing the matter diversely. Regarding
namic economic sector in Greece, with an an-
Greece, the total national production of marble
nual production of marble blocks of more than 1
blocks was 13x106 m3 for the period 1980-2006,
corresponding to more than 65x106 m3 of rock, million tonnes (Laskaridis, 2008). On the other
or 170 million tonnes of material, that have been hand, it is a common secret that the percentage
of the wastes stemming from the exploitation of
stockpiled in national level, over the specific pe-
these blocks may be occasionally as high as
riod. Quite a number of projects have been ac-
complished by the Institute of Geology and 95% on the overall quantity of the extracted
rock. Many national and European projects have
Mineral Exploration since 1990 that are, with
dealt with the subject; however, the most sys-
one way or another, related with the exploitation
tematic approach was achieved within a project
of this waste and mainly for the production of
accomplished by the Institute of Geology &
value-added products. The most recent one,
Mineral Exploration with funds from the Third
funded by the Third Support Community
Support Community Framework during the pe-
Framework (CSF 2003-2008), Operational Pro-
riod 2003-2008.
gramme “Competitiveness” was committed
solely to the marble residues of the Eastern,
Central and Western Macedonia areas, as well 2. SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
as the Argolida, Lakonia and Arkadia Prefec-
tures in Peloponnesus. The present article pre- The overall research performed within the above
sents the key findings of the above project, con- mentioned project, was based on the grounds of
tributing thus to the promotion of the attitude the diagram of Figure 1.
that a marble quarry should not be only a marble More specifically, the specific project in-
block producing area, and that an integrating cluded the following main tasks:
mode of operation of such quarries could both - Inventory of the quarries occurring in the ar-
3rd AMIREG International Conference (2009): Assessing the Footprint of 48
Resource Utilization and Hazardous Waste Management, Athens, Greece

Standards & Spec ifications Legis lative F ramework

Building-up the Profile of

the Material Market Needs
Domestic
Type & History of the Waste
International
Existing Stockpiles
Current Production
Sludge Listing & Grouping
Marbles’ Processing: Trimmings of the Pote ntia l Prod-
ucts/Uses

Qualitative Characteristics
Assays / Mineralogical Features
Mohs Hardness
Powder: Optical Properties
Crushed Products: Physical & Laboratory Testing
Mechanical Properties
– Pilot Testing – In-
Special Properties
dustrial Application

Quantitative Characteristics Feasibility Study

Geological Mapping of Existing Selection of the Installa-
Piles tion’s Location
Current Production Estimations Finalisation of the Flow
Assessment of Quantities vs Sheet of the Production
Types & Qualities Procedure
Decision Selection of Equipment
Location: Key Parameters on End Prod- Identification of End Prod-
Road Network, Distances ucts/Uses ucts—Specifications—Prices
Proximity to Urban / Industrial Marketing Strategy
Areas Funding Opportunities
Proximity to Ports Financial Estimations

Figure 1: Integrated Management of the Marbles’ Extraction Residues: Sequence of Envisaged Actions.

eas under investigation in combination with sented in a way that it could support immedi-
hand sampling, laying emphasis on the vol- ately the initiation of any future activity either
ume of the residues left behind or being pro- research, or investment. Two major outcomes of
duced. the project consist:
- Orientation test work on the samples col- - The compilation (GIS) of qualitative maps
lected in order to classify the materials in identifying the potential of the existing mar-
terms of composition (from calcitic to dolo- ble waste for industrial usage (Fig. 2).
mitic), as well as color evaluation. - The highlighting of new and developing mar-
- Bulk sampling and pilot scale crushing - kets keen to absorb marble waste.
grinding and classification of the bulk sam-
ples, which all underwent tentative mechani- The major results of the project are presented
cal testing regarding their applicability as ag- in the following tables.
gregates for common concrete. Based on the results of the field research and
- Market research that focussed mainly in the the laboratory examination of the samples col-
perspectives of carbonate fillers, the main lected during the project, the rejects of the major
added value product targeted during inte- marble producing areas of the country were
grated management of white marble residues. classified as per their mineralogical composi-
tion, the volume of the stockpiled materials and
the color of the powder produced after fine
3. SIGNIFICANT OUTCOMES & RESULTS grinding (-30 μm).
OF THE PROJECT These results are summarized in Table 1 that
The information collected during the five years follows. According to these, calcitic marbles
of the project was evaluated, screened and pre- with high reflectance values of the ground mate-
rial occur in considerable amounts in the areas
3rd AMIREG International Conference (2009): Assessing the Footprint of 49
Resource Utilization and Hazardous Waste Management, Athens, Greece

Figure 2: GIS compositive presentation of properties of stockpiled marbles’ extraction residues, in the area of Falakron-
Drama Prefecture-Northern Greece.

of Drama, Kavala and Vermion, whereas the are of diversified nature from pure calcitic to
marbles’ extraction residues of Peloponnesus pure dolomitic and from dark colored to white.
3rd AMIREG International Conference (2009): Assessing the Footprint of 50
Resource Utilization and Hazardous Waste Management, Athens, Greece

Table 1: Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the Greek marbles’ residues at major marble producing areas (Ag-
gelopoulos, 2008; Karadassi, 2007; Chalkiopoulou et al., 2008a).
Mineralogical Powder Whiteness Volume of resi-
Area
Composition (Tristimulus value Y) dues,106 m3
Drama - E. Macedonia: Volakas, Granitis,
Piges, Katafito, Tsakalina, Petrousa, Pirgoi, Dolomitic 90-95%
Ohyro
>30
Drama - E. Macedonia: Ksiropotamos,
Varying from cal-
Monastiraki, Livadero, Dendrakia, Makry- <<85-96%
citic to Mg-calcitic
plagi, Taksiarxes, Bathilakkos
Kavala - E. Macedonia Calcitic 93-96% n/a
Vermion - C. Macedonia: Koumaria, Kastania Calcitic 92-97% 2
Magnisia - Thessaly Mg-calcitic 90-94 n/a
Varying from cal-
Argolida - Peloponnesus <<90-92% 3
citic to dolomitic
Lakonia - Peloponnesus: Petrovouni Calcitic 92-94% n/a
Varying from Mg-
Arkadia - Peloponnesus <90-95% n/a
calcitic to calcitic
Furthermore, sixteen (16) bulk samples, each it is deduced that although the Peloponnesus
in a quantity of 4 m3, were collected from dif- materials possess low values regarding the opti-
ferent areas. All the bulk samples were crushed cal properties (Y, L*, a*, b*) of the powdered
and classified into five size fractions corre- forms, they exhibit good mechanical properties
sponding to those of normal aggregate products, rendering them suitable for aggregates applica-
namely +30 mm, -30+12 mm, -12+5 mm, - tions. On the contrary, materials from N. Greece
5+0,5 mm, -0,5 mm. A series of tests were per- show a great potential for fillers’ application.
formed on the products of the pilot scale crush-
ing and grinding of the bulk samples. The mate-
rials were evaluated as per their appropriateness 4. THE GREEK MARKET POTENTIAL FOR
for their application as aggregates and fillers’ MARBLE REJECTS USAGE
production. The physico-mechanical testing of A market research was conducted within the
the bulk samples included examination of Los project for the identification of the potential of
Angeles strength and strength of parent rock as the Greek market for immediate use of marble
well as the Flakiness index. Regarding the fill- rejects. Two direct user-industries were exam-
ers’ application, the materials were examined ined: a) the fillers production industry, and b)
for their calcite content, their abrasiveness and the ready-mixed mortars industry. From this re-
their optical properties. search it was concluded that the capacity of the
The results of the above examinations are in- Greek white carbonate fillers producing enter-
cluded in Tables 2 and 3. Based on these results, prises was doubled over the period 2000-2008

Table 2: Mechanical properties of the crushed products of bulk samples.

Los Angeles (1) Flakiness Index (2) Parent rock
Bulk sample origin Class EN Class EN strength, MPa
Value, % Value, %
12620 12620 (3)
Peloponnesus: Didyma 26.1 LA30 22.3 Fl30 106.8
Peloponnesus: Karnazeika 25.7 LA30 24.8 Fl30 93.2
Peloponnesus: Parnon 52.3 LA52
Vermion: Koumaria, white type 44.6 LA50
Vermion: Lofotopos 35.2 LA40 26 Fl30 70.1
Kavala: Limnia 40.2 LA50
Drama: Monastiraki 42.7 LA50 16.3 Fl20 71.8
(1) ELOT 408 limit: <40%
(2) ELOT 408 limit: <50% (Ordinary limestones ~ 9-13%)
(3) >65 MPa
3rd AMIREG International Conference (2009): Assessing the Footprint of 51
Resource Utilization and Hazardous Waste Management, Athens, Greece

Table 3: Powdered products of the bulk samples: Fillers’ properties.

Abrasiveness(a) Optical Properties (c)
Bulk sample origin Einlehner, Calcite, %
VWB120 L* a* b* Y
mg
Peloponnesus: Didyma 51.6 169.2 (b) 93.8 0.51 2.93 84.8 70
Peloponnesus: Karnazeika 99.6 326.6 93.4 0.64 4.04 83.9 90.5
Peloponnesus: Parnon 28.6 93.8 97.2 -0.00 0.55 93.0 98
Vermion: Koumaria, white
18.1 59.3 97.9 -0.01 0.49 94.6(d) 98
type
(d)
Vermion: Lofotopos 17.2 56.4 97.9 -0.04 0.38 94.6 97.5
Kavala: Limnia 21.6 70.8 98.5 0.01 0.45 95.1 99
Drama: Monastiraki 19.0 62.3 98.5 -0.06 0.28 95.2 99
(a)
Grain size d90=30μm
(b)
VWB60
(c) Grain size: d90=30μm, 8o Diffuse Reflectance Spectrophotometry CIE 10o Observer, Illuminant D65,
Standard: BaSO4 pressed
(d)
Concerns the size fraction -0,5mm, that is less white than the oversize

and is today at the level of 0,8 Mt annually high calcite content 98-99.5 %, exhibiting
(Chalkiopoulou et al., 2008b). The correspond- high quality optical properties (Y>94 %) and
ing annual white carbonate fillers production low Einlehner abrasiveness (<40 mg) are
was also doubled over the same period, being found in the area of Eastern Macedonia
today at the level of 0.35 Mt annually. A sig- Thrace (i.e. Monastiraki, Limnia). Conse-
nificant percentage, >30 %, of the raw materials quently these rejects are appropriate for the
used to feed the mills refers to white calcitic production of added-value materials, namely
marble rejects, while the interest amongst both fillers for the chemical industry. The me-
marble quarry owners as well as fillers produc- chanical properties of the examined samples
ers is steadily growing for exploitation of mar- from the area under discussion are not satis-
ble rejects. factory and thus the corresponding raw mate-
Another developing market in Greece con- rials are not suitable for production of aggre-
cerns the production of ready-mixed mortars gates.
with an annual figure of 0,7 Mt. High percent- - Similarly, the rejects from the Vermion area
age of these products, more than 70 % com- that were examined, possess a high calcite
prises inert mineral raw materials. Usage of content (97-98 %) and a high whiteness
marble rejects at the level of 25 % is an already (>94 %) value. Some of the examined sam-
established application. ples from this particular area may be used for
The above mentioned applications concern aggregates also.
added-value products, since they possess values - As far as the Argolida - Peloponnesus geo-
in the range of 45-200 €/t. graphical unit is concerned; all the properties
studied showed that the corresponding rejects
are hard materials with high Einlehner abra-
5. REMARKS & CONCLUSIONS siveness values and of generally low optical
Areas of potential investment perspectives were properties. Since the composition of these
identified at national level regarding the mar- rocks is diversified and may vary from pure
bles’ extraction rejects, based on the results of calcitic to pure dolomitic including all inter-
the research accomplished within the CSF III mediate phases, their potential application for
2003-2008 project of the I.G.M.E. “Greek Or- aggregates which is concluded based on the
namental Stones’ by-Products and Wastes’ results of their mechanical testing must be
Management and Utilization Study - Contribu- validated after experimental production and
tion in the Sector’s Viable Growth”. More spe- taking into consideration the compliance of
cifically: the composition with standards and specifica-
tions.
- Materials of considerable amounts with a
- The White Carbonate Filler market has been
3rd AMIREG International Conference (2009): Assessing the Footprint of 52
Resource Utilization and Hazardous Waste Management, Athens, Greece

globally expanding steadily over the last dec- Roskill, 2005. The Economics of Ground Calcium Car-
ade. The world Ground Calcium Carbonate bonate, 2nd Edition, Roskill Information Services Ltd,
ISBN 0 86214 502 3, pp. 7, 44.
(GCC) capacity (2004) is estimated at
56,5Mtpa, with production of fillers and
coatings for paper accounting for most of the
market expansion (Roskill, 2005). The Euro-
pean prospects of exploiting white marbles
for fillers' production have been stressed re-
peatedly (Chalkiopoulou and Grossou-Valta,
2005). Thus, according to the above analysis
and taking into consideration the market
status, there is a clear field for exploitation of
the Greek marble rejects: a) production of
white carbonate fillers, b) production of
ready-mixed mortars, and c) occasional pro-
duction of aggregates.

REFERENCES
Aggelopoulos, K., 2008. Inventory of Marble Residues in
the Prefectures of Argolida, Lakonia and Arkadia-
Pelopennesus. I.G.M.E., Internal Report, CSF III,
Subproject: Greek Ornamental Stones’ By-products
and Wastes Management and Utilization Study - Con-
tribution in the Sector’s Viable Growth.
Chalkiopoulou, F. and M. Grossou-Valta, 2005. Exploita-
tion Prospects of White Marbles for Fillers’ Produc-
tion in Europe, N.T.U.A., Titular Edition Issued for
the Prof. A.Z. Frangiskos, N.T.U.A. 2005, 249pp.
Chalkiopoulou, F., 2008. The White Carbonate Fillers’
Production in Greece. I.G.M.E., Internal Market Re-
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Stones’ By-products and Wastes Management and
Utilization Study - Contribution in the Sector’s Viable
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Chalkiopoulou, F., D. Voujoukas and G. Stavropoulos,
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