Underground Marble Exploitation - A Portuguese Case Study and Technical Aspects

Abstract

The underground ornamental rocks (dimension stones) exploitation has its specificities, according to the type of rock to be extracted and the geological characteristics of the rock mass. For economic and security reasons, the option to go for underground exploitation should be taken if an open pit is completely impossible. This study makes a brief historical introduction to the subject, presents the technical foundations that support it and presents the study of a case of application of underground marble exploitation in the anticlinal of Estremoz, Portugal.