Underground exploitation of the aplitic granite of Canal S. Bovo (prov. Trento, NE Italy) for ceramic use

The paper refers the results of the mineralogical, petrographic and geomechanical studies carried out since 1998 with the aim to exploit the aplitic granite of Canal S. Bovo (Prov. Trento, NE Italy ltaly) as a source of quartz and feldspar to be sold to the ceramic industry. Numerical geomechanical modelling was used to optimize the geometry of underground excavations. Also a possible environmental impact of different exploitation methods is discussed. Methods are proposed to eliminate or mitigate environmental impacts. The underground excavation at Canal S. Bovo and the dressing plant at Roncegno (Prov. Trento, NE ltaly) started their operation in 2001. The dressing plant uses separation of biotite.