The Covelano Marble Quarry – Italy « The European Stone Network

19
Aug/090

The Covelano Marble Quarry – Italy

The Covelano quarry is the highest marble quarry in Europe, located at 2,200 m above sea level, embedded in the breathtaking mountain scenery of the Central Alps, amidst the Stelvio National Park. Due to the exposed alpine position, marble can only be quarried during the summer when there is no snow. Quarrying takes place in underground and over ground mining.

The Covelano white Marble can look back on a long success story. In 1856 for the first time the systematic quarrying of the white natural stone took place. The clients at that time were the monarchs of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. They used this material to create works of art that are still admired objects. From 1921 to 1959/60 the excavating activity was interrupted. After this period the company “Lasa Marmo” started working in the Covelano quarry. The quarrying works of “Lasa Marmo” continued until the expiration of the concession rights in 1999. In August 2007 the quarrying rights were handed over to the company “Covelano Marmi Srl”, which is exclusively owned by the Pohl family from Castelbello.

The Pohl family (Burkhard, Elfriede and their son Peter) is focused since the beginning on an optimal quality of the excavated material. The up to date, efficient and environmentally sound digging are emphasis of the Covelano Marmo enterprise based in Silandro (South-Tyrol – Italy). That’s why they renewed the whole machinery in 2008. However the big point was to engage a new well experienced “Capocava” (chief excavator). The first prosperities of these capital expenditures seem to confirm the new vision. The new blocks of our production which satisfy our clients, are the best demonstration that all our decisions and investments have been right!

The quarry produces about 2,000 cubic metres white marble per year:the White Covelano, the White Covelano Gold Vein, the White Covelano Emerald Vein, the White Covelano Gold and Silver Vein, the White Covelano Silver Vein and the White Venosta.

The vending of the white Covelano marble goes on year-round in the depot of Silandro. Till the end of October it’s possible to visit the quarry and to inspect the different qualities of the blocks.

Covelano white marble is a chemically almost pure, highly crystalline limestone (>95% calcite) with a sugar-grained structure. Due to its chemical advantages favouring high weather resistance, Covelano marble is one of the rare types of white marble worldwide, which can also be used for external purposes.

Covelano White Blue Vein (sold as Lasa Ortles till 1999)
Covelano White Emerald Vein (sold as Lasa Vena Verde till 1999)
Covelano White Gold & Silver Vein (sold as Lasa Fior di Mele till 1999)
Covelano White Gold Vein (sold as Lasa Vena Oro till 1999)
Covelano White Silver Vein (sold as Lasa Cevedale till 1999)
Covelano White Snow (sold as Bianco Lasa Classico till 1999)
White Venosta (sold as Lasa Arabescato till 1999)