The region
The area where the Moca Cream Limestone is
extracted is also known for its famous ancestors. We are talking
about dinosaurs that populated this area more than 175 millions
year ago. Today, evidence of dinosaurs steps can be found in
several places throughout this area, where quarrying explorations
have been closed in order to give place to cultural and historical
heritage sites with footprints of dinosaurs. Located in the Serra D´Aires e Candeeiros
Natural Park, the Moca Cream Limestone extraction area lies in the
district of Alcanede.
Alcanede is a historical town known for its
medieval castle and Romanic influence in structures such as
bridges, roads and stone houses. Alcanede is also known for its
traditional industry of the locally called “Red Mud” or
clay that is used in the production of ceramics for the
construction sector.
But Alcanede´s recognition comes from its
main natural resource, the limestone.
The limestone
The Moca Cream Limestone is explored around the
area of Pé da Pedreira – Alcanede, by more than twenty
small to medium size companies, employing directly over 200 people.
Pé da Pedreira is considered the main ornamental limestone
quarrying centre in Portugal, with the Moca Cream as its most
common limestone.
The Moca Cream Limestone is a type of stone
that basically does not have direct competition in the
international market. However, in the past few years has had an
incredible production level, which was mainly driven by the high
demand from the China market.
Constraints
Unfortunately, the exploring area for the Moca
Cream Limestone is located in a protected Natural Reserve - the
Serra D´Aires e Candeeiros Natural Park. This situation
constrains the extraction expansion and development of some
quarries, which raises questions about the short / medium term
sustainability of some of the quarries.
In the meantime, the Moca Cream Limestone will
continue to be the ex-libris of Portuguese Limestones and a
reference natural stone for architects and interior decorators all
over the World. |
