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NON-ASSIMILATED AND NON-DEVELOPED DEPOSITS OF DECORATIVE ROCK FACING MATERIALS IN BULGARIA
 GENERAL NOTES
The prospecting carried out so far on the territory of Bulgaria has established various rock facing materials
In the present assessment they are characterized from the point of view of their spatial distribution, decorativeness, block structure, physical-mechanical indicators, durability and the strength of their structure blocks. The assessment made use of the new "Qualification of the reserves and resources of deposits of solid minerals", as well as the interpretation of available data from the geological survey reports. Published materials by different authors were also used.
The decorativeness of the materials is determined after the methods of Suychev and Glazova, thus specifying four degrees of decorative value: very high - over 40 grades; high - 32-39 grades; good - 23-32 grades and satisfactory - 15-22 grades.
The assessment of the block structure efficiency (randeman) is determined through a linear and spatial coefficient of cracking, spatial randeman of blocks, linear randeman of bore holes and a geometrical model. On that basis, the block efficiency (randeman) is determined: very high (over 50%), high (30-50%), good (15-30%) and satisfactory (10-15%), as well as the volume of the extracted blocks (in accordance with the Bulgarian State Standard/BDS) - small (0.20 to 1.00 m3 ), medium-sized (1.0 to 3.0 m3 ) and large (3.0 to 5.0 m3 ).
The characteristics of the physical-mechanical properties of decorative rocks are expressed through volume density and compressive strength in dry, watered and frozen state, respectively.
The assessment of the durability is carried out on the basis of the lithological-petrographic and physical-mechanical indicators of the rocks after Hirschwald's methods.
The current assessment presents those deposits, which have not been assimilated or are not with ceased extraction, which have not been conceded for mining, which are not in the process of further exploration because of the small scope of prospecting, and which could be of interest to potential investors.
The survey was undertaken by Dr. Geol. Sci. Dipl. Eng. Blagoy Petrov on the commissioning of the Bulgarian Mining Chamber and its purpose is to present the minimum required information about the extraction of decorative rocks to any potentially interested investors.
METAMORPHIC DECORATIVE ROCK FACING MATERIALS
MARBLES
DEPOSIT "ILINDENTSI", BLAGOEVGRAD DISTRICT
It is situated in the area of Stroumyani municipality, 10 km away from the Sofia-Kulata main route.
Four sectors are of interest: Murata-West with reserves (111) of 10 431 thousand m3 and resources (332) - 474.8 thousand m3 with randeman of 24%; Murata-East with reserves (111) of 10 424 thousand m3 with randeman of 35%; Murata-North with reserves (111) of 24 357 m3 and randeman of 35% and Ilindentsi-Central with resources (331) of 36 711 thousand m3 and randeman of 18.5%.
Five decorative types have been established: I1-2 - snow-white, with muscovite shales , small- to medium-crystalline (I1 ) or with clear calcite grains, medium-crystalline (I2 ); I3-4 - light gray to gray (I3) and dark gray (I4 ), slightly spotted, medium- to large-crystalline; I5 - striped, with interchanging, light gray and white stripes. Decorativeness: high (I1-2) and good (I3-4 and I5).
The reserves for the tree sectors of Murata could be brought into exploitation immediately, and the resources from sector Ilindentsi-Central need further prospecting with a low scope of drilling works and expanding the developed research&testing quarry, and calculating the reserves by new conditions.
DEPOSIT "LOVCHA-2"
It is situated 12 km south of the town of Gotse Delchev, and 1 km south of the village bearing the same name. The current record accounts for resources (331) of 1080 thousand m3 , with randeman of the blocks - 25% and small-sized blocks. They have a high degree of decorativeness (for the purposes of souvenirs making). The reserves could be brought into exploitation after specifying the conditions and preparing a geological report with calculation of the reserves.
DEPOSIT "ARDINO" (SECTOR "Beli Brezi"), KURDZALI DISTRICT
It is situated 3 km north from the town of Ardino, in the "Belite Brezi" locality.
The reserves (111) are of 232 thousand m3 with randeman of 25%. Two decorative types are distinguished : A1 - white, seldom snow-white with a slightly pink shading and very high degree of decorativeness, and A2 - grayish-white, largely coarse crystalline, with single quartz grains and good degree of decorativeness. Size of blocks - small. The deposit could be brought into exploitation immediately.
DEPOSIT "CHEPELARE", SMOLYAN DISTRICT
The deposit is situated at about 4 km northeast of the town of Chepelare.
The resources (331) are of 605 thousand m3 with randeman of 21%. The deposit has yielded a production of about 40 000 m3. At present the quarry is not working.
The marbles are of the same decorative type (Chp1) - grayish-white, largely to coarsely crystalline, with a brownish tainted vein (from 1 mm to 4.5 cm). Good degree of decorativeness. Size of blocks - medium.
In order to bring the deposit into exploitation, it is necessary to update the conditions and to re-calculate the reserves.
DEPOSIT "CHERESHAKA", HASKOVO DISTRICT
It is situated 3 km south of the town of Ivaylovgrad. The resources (331) are of 485 thousand m3 with randeman of 20%. One decorative type (Chs1) was established, represented by gray-white marbles, medium- to large-grained and with medium to good decorativeness. Size of blocks - small.
Additional drilling works are needed to establish the physical-mechanical indicators and to build up a testing quarry for determining the block structure.
DEPOSIT "ZHELEZINO-KORUDERE" (LENSKO-PELEVUN)
It is situated 35 km east of the town of Krumovgrad.
The deposit accounts for reserves (111) of 3783 thousand m3 with randeman of 25%. There is an exploitation quarry, which is not working at present. Three decorative types have been established: (Zl1) - white, seldom grayish-white to beige, massive, fine crystalline, with a good degree of decorativeness; (Zl2) - white and greyish-white, medium- to largely crystalline, with nests of amphybolites and very high degree of decorativeness; (Zl3) - beige, medium- to largely crystalline and a medium degree of decorativeness= Size of the blocks - medium (for Zl1 and Zl2) and small (for Zl3). The quarry has been compromised by means of poorly done extraction and now needs normalizing. The conditions should be updated and a note should be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Waters (MOEW) for transforming the resources into reserves.
GNEISS SCHISTS (SLATES)
DEPOSIT "KOBILYANE", HASKOVO DISTRICT
In the region of the village of Kobilyane a deposit of gneiss schists with yet unspecified parameters was established. Private companies have explored part of the deposit and are carrying out partial extraction of slates.
There exist free fields, on which specialized exploration works could be carried out, as well as bore holes and testing quarries by making a "geological overburdening" and obtaining the rights to mining.
The slates are yellowish-pale and they have a very high decorativeness.
Occurences of gneiss schists have been established in the Western Rhodopes in the region of Satovcha village, Pletena village, Valkosel village, and in the Central Rhodopes - Shiroka Laka village.
The specifying of these occurences could be done by means of specialized exploration works with localization of prospective areas and carrying out of complex geological survey works for proving the reserves.
SEDIMENT DECORATIVE ROCK FACING MATERIALS
LIMESTONES
DEPOSIT "KRAKRA", VARNA DISTRICT
It is situated 50 km northwest of the town of Varna.
The Balance of Reserves at the MOEW accounts for resources (331) of 372 thousand m3 and (332) - 209 thousand m3 decorative limestone with randeman of the blocks of 30%. One decorative type was established - yellowish pale, with organism fragments and slightly spotted tainting. It is characterized by a good degree of decorativeness.
An additional amount of exploration works is needed (drilling), drafting of conditions and a geological report for transforming the resources into reserves.
DEPOSIT "GRANITOVO", VIDIN DISTRICT
It is situated 12 km north of the town of Belogradchik.
The deposit has been explored in detail, yet no report has been submitted for specifying the reserves. The operative report accounts for resources (331) of 3200 thousand m3 of decorative limestone with randeman of 20%. Two decorative types with a good degree of decorativeness have been differentiated: (Gr1) - beige-white, porous, with an insignificant amount of small biodetrite; (Gr2) - beige-white, dense, with a number of over-crystallized fragments.
A partial additional exploitation is needed, mainly in view of the assessment of the limestone's technological qualities, preparing conditions and clarifying the reserves.
DEPOSIT "BULGAREVO", DOBRICH DISTRICT
The deposit is situated near the cape of Kaliakra, 8 km southeast of the town of Kavarna.
The deposit has been well explored. The balance accounts for reserves (331) of 246 thousand m3 and (332) 137 thousand m3 with randeman of the blocks of 60%. One decorative type has been established , represented by grayish-white to white limestone with a number of over-crystallized musshels.
In order to obtain a concession for extraction from the deposit, it is necessary to update (prepare new) conditions and to have the resources transformed into reserves.
BRECCIA CONGLOMERATES AND BRECCIAS
DEPOSIT "SEDMOCHISLENITSI", VRATSA DISTRICT
It is situated 8 km south of the town of Vratsa.
The Balance of Reserves accounts for resources (331) of 53 thousand m3 with randeman of 30% and small-sized blocks. One decorative type is distinguished, representing breccia conglomerates of a variegated colour, built up of limestone and dolomite fragments, light gray to gray and reddish, linked by a carbonate solder.
In order to obtain a concession for extraction from the deposit, a minimum range of exploration works is needed, as well as the building of a testing quarry in order to clarify the technical properties of the material, and then to update the conditions and categorized the resources into reserves.
DEPOSIT"MOSTOVO-2", PLOVDIV DISTRICT
It is situated about 30 km south of the town of Assenovgrad.
The exploration works and the testing quarry at the deposit have established resources (331) of 561 thousand m3 with randeman of 25% and medium-sized fragments. One decorative type has been established, represented by breccia with medium-sized blocks (over 3 cm) of grayish-white to gray marbles, linked by a reddish-brown carbonate solder.
In order to bring the deposit into exploitation, it is necessary to calculate new conditions and to submit a report for clarifying the resources.
DEPOSIT "PRAVOSLAV", STARA ZAGORA DISTRICT
It is situated about 20 km away from the town of Chirpan.
The deposit has been into exploitation since 1978 and the prospected original reserves have been exhausted. At present the Balance of Reserves accounts for resources (331) of 12 thousand m3 with randeman of 28%. The randeman of the excavated blocks had reached up to 40%.
Three decorative types of breccia have been established: Pv1 - made of white, grayish-white to pale pink marble fragments with a carbonate pink solder, cut through by calcite skews. The size of the fragments varies from 0.5 to 15 cm; Pv2 is represented by fragments of grayish-white marble (of 4-5 cm in size) and medium-sized fragments (7-8 cm) of variegated in colour gneiss, linked by a carbonate solder; Pv3 is represented by fragments of gneisses and gneiss schists.
The three decorative types are of a high degree of decorativeness (47 degrees) and are among the most beautiful decorative rocks in Bulgaria.
It is necessary to carry out a range of geological survey works in order to expand the area of the deposit and to prove new amounts of reserves.
SANDSTONES
DEPOSIT "NOEVTSI", PERNIK DISTRICT
It is situated 18 km northeast from the town of Pernik. The deposit accounts for resources (331) of 2560 thousand m3 thin-layered sandstone for slates and multi-stone articles (paving blocks). One decorative type has been established, red in colour and of high decorativeness.
In order to bring the deposit into exploitation, it is necessary to make up new conditions and to transform the resources into the category of reserves.
TUFFS
DEPOSITS "MOMCHILGRAD" AND "KOVIL", KURDZALI DISTRICT
They are situated at 10 and 12 km, respectively, southeast of the town of Momchilgrad.
The deposits have been explored in detail and geological reports have been drafted . The Balance accounts for resources (331) of 2996 thousand m3 with randeman of 25% for deposit "Momchilgrad" and 3319 m3 with randeman of 50% for deposit "Kovil".
Three decorative types have been established: MG1 - small to fine crystalline grayish-white, massive with a few carbonate fragments; MG2 - large to coarse crystalline grayish-white to beige with a large amount of carbonate fragments; K1-2 - medium- and large-clastic grayish-white (subtype K1) and coarsely crystalline green (subtype K2), slightly cavernous at certain places. They are characterized by good (MG1and K1-2) and average (MG2) degree of decorativeness.
The deposits have to be explored by collecting data about the size of the blocks and their strength qualities, in order to make up new conditions and to prepare a report for clarifying the resources.
MAGMATIC DECORATIVE ROCK FACING MATERIALS
GRANITES AND GRANODIORITES
DEPOSIT "GAYTANINOVO", BLAGOEVGRAD DISTRICT
It is situated 16 km south of the town of Gotse Delchev.
The Balance of Reserves accounts for resources (331) of 954.7 thousand m3 with randeman of the blocks of 40%. One decorative type has been established represented by light-gray granites with a pale pink shading and good decorativeness.
In order to transform the resources into reserves, it is necessary to draft new conditions and to carry out a technical and economical assessment.
DEPOSIT "SLIVOVO" - Sector "Bozhema", BOURGAS DISTRICT
The sector "Bozhema" is situated 60 km southeast of the town of Yambol and 25 km southwest of the town of Sredets.
It is part of the deposit "Slivovo" with resources (331) of 2953 thousand m3 and randeman of 30%. The qualitative indicators of the deposit have not been specified.
The "Bozhema" sector avails of established reserves in 2001 as follows: (111) - 264 thousand m3 and (122) - 276 m3 with randeman of 64%.
Anyone who is interested might apply for a concesion permit for excavation
DEPOSIT "TVARDITSA", SLIVEN DISTRICT
It is situated 4 km north of the village of Sborishte. The deposit accounts for probable reserves (121) of 646 thousand m3 and resources (331) - 645 thousand m3 and (332) - 348 thousand m3 with randeman of 20%.
The deposit has been explored but has not applied for obtaining a "commercial invention" certificate and concession for excavation.
Granitoids are of one decorative type, variegated in colour, pink to red and with deep saturation. They have a high degree of decorativeness.
The exploration works carried out so far are enough for certifying the reserves from the deposit. It is necessary to draft new conditions and to add to the geological report.
DEPOSIT "KNYAZHEVO", HASKOVO DISTRICT
It is situated 15 km southeast of the town of Elhovo. The Balance of Reserves of the deposit accounts for resources (331) of 285 thousand m3 with randeman of 50%. The blocks are of large size (above 3 m3 ). The granites (with transition to granodiorites) are light gray with certain spots from darker minerals and are characterized by a good degree of decorativeness. There are surveys for all typical indicators for the physical-mechanical properties of the raw material.
An update of the conditions is needed, as well as a new report for clarifying the reserves.
QUARTZ MONZONITESИ
DEPOSIT "CHERNOMORETS" - Sector "Vanshnata Cheshma", BOURGAS DISTRICT
It is situated 22 km southeast of the town of Bourgas.
The Balance of Reserves for the sector accounts for resources (331) of 647 thousand m3 . There is no established randeman of the blocks but, by analogy with the adjacent deposit of "Kayryaka", the village of Chernomorets, the sector falls within the same geological and structural position and could be assumed to be 30%. Decorative features could also be assumed by analogy with the deposit of "Kayryaka".
It is necessary to carry out additional exploration for assessment of the physical-mechanical indicators and building of a testing quarry for determining the volume of the blocks and the randeman. Upon drafting the conditions, a report could be presented for clarifying the randeman.
DEPOSIT "SLIVAROVO", BOURGAS DISTRICT
It is situated 2 km from the village bearing the same name.
The deposit has been explored but yet has no established reserves. The Balance accounts for resources (331) of 506 thousand m3 with randeman of 30%.
There are no data about the physical-mechanical indicators of monzonites.
GABBRO
DEPOSIT "GENERAL TOSHEVO" (Sector "Srednia Bair"),YAMBOL DISTRICT
It is situated 30 km southwest of the town of Yambol.
Exploration works were carried out in 1989. The Balance of Reserves accounts for resources (331) of ca. 358 thousand m3 .
Randeman of 8 % has been established, but it is not real, since the testing quarry has been traversed in the eroded part of the deposit (reaching at certain places to 40 m).
The drilling works demonstrate very good linear randemans. The blocks have a boulder outlook.
Two decorative types are distinguished: GT1 - grayish-black to black with a greenish shading, small- to medium-grained gabbro, and GT2 - grayish-black, medium- to large-grained gabbro. Both types are with a good degree of decorativeness.
The physical-mechanical indicators have been determined.
It is necessary to draft new conditions and to determine the block randeman and, by input to the geological reports, to transform the resources into reserves.
RHYOLITES
DEPOSIT "ZHREBICHKO", PAZARDZHIK DISTRICT
It is situated 10 km north of the town of Bratsigovo.
The Balance of Reserves accounts for resources (331) of 1091 thousand m3 with randeman of 43% and medium-sized blocks.
Two decorative types have been distinguished: Zr1 - basic bearer of the raw material represented by pale pink rhyolites, with a warm and tender shading of the basic mass, among which there are porphyrous minerals, with a good degree of decorativeness. Zr2 forms separate bodies of 2-3 m thickness among the Zr1 type and is represented by spotted gray rhyolites with a medium degree of decorativeness.
The physical-chemical parameters of the raw material have been determined.
In order to exploit the deposit, it is necessary to draft conditions and to prepare the geological report.
For further information, please contact the authors of the present material - Dr. Dipl. Eng. Plagoy Petrov - tel. (+359 2) 387644; the Bulgarian Mining Chamber - Dipl. Eng. Petar Petrov - tel. (+359 2) 8229373; the ministry of Environment and Waters - "Underground and Natural Resources and Balances" Department, Mr.Ventsislav Ivanov - tel. (+359 2) 9406512.
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