Mining management of production association “Vozrozhdenie” Managing Company (Vyborg, Russia):

Bukharov A. A., Chief Engineer, e-mail: aabuh@karier.ru

Seleznev M. Yu., Marketing Director

This article shows the history of quarries development in Nigrozero and Buntin's Hill. It`s remarkable that quarries are located behind the Polar Circle and in a winter season are maintained in extreme conditions.

Deposits of high-ornamental stones are various on color and characteristics. These deposits are located in close proximity from each other, at a distance, which is less than one kilometer. This allows developing them, using the general technical base and membership of specialists.

Nigrozero deposit is presented by the garnet amfibolite with the commercial name "Tundra" (in Europe it is known under the name "Nordik Sanset"). Green pyroxenite is extracted on a Buntin's Hill deposit. The stone has the commercial name «Green beam».

Despite the adverse climatic conditions, Nigrozero quarry has always been a sample for all Russia, where the modern technology was applied. So, in 2004, the diamond and rope technology of granite blocks production was applied on this quarry for the first time in Russia. Quality of extracted blocks on quarry corresponds to the global market`s highest standards. These blocks are exported to foreign countries (including Italy).

This article shares the problem of existing transport infrastructure which prevents to develop the full-scale stone business. Article also considers the question of a cost of blocks, and a power supply.

Authors pay attention to the imperfect Russian legislation in and around the subsurface usage, which demands are changing.