The uniqueness of our Marble Pardais comes from our quarries located in Fonte de Moura in the Parish of Pardais (Municipality of Vila Viçosa), which are some of the deepest and most impressive extraction areas in Portugal. These deposits are fundamental for the economy of the region. Vila Viçosa is known as the “Marble Capital” of Portugal. They are situated on the Anticlinal of Estremoz and are frequently associated with Estremoz due to its vicinity.
Even if our Marble is highly exported, making it the 10th biggest exporter in the world.
We are always looking to maintain and limit extraction so it’s not a mass production item. We look to offer the best value for money, sustainability, and exclusivity with our unique and premium quality Marble.
Characteristics, types, and quality of Pardais Marble
The marble extracted from Pardais is highly valued due to its purity and aesthetic variety.
Varieties
Branco Pardais (White Pardais) is a white Marble with some brown or pinkish hues. It is also a very fine grain that makes it less porous and easier to maintain. Our Premium Marble is elegant and refined.
Branco Venado Pardais (White Veined Pardais)is characterized by a White or Indigo background with brownish, blueish, or reddish veins. Classy and stylish marble to complement your ambience.
Creme Pardais (Cream Pardais) is a Beige / Cream-toned stone with golden beige or pale pink veins. Our very eloquent marble.
Arabescato Pardais is a White or Grey background with intricate, darker grey veins. It’s a very sophisticated Marble.
Rosa Pardais (Rose Pardais) has variations of pink tones, giving it a very sensual look.
Deepness
Some of our quarries are more than 70 meters deep. Making it an amazing architectural view, unique in the world
Usage
All our Marbles are great for interiors or exteriors, including pavements, veneering, flooring, and countertops.
Finishes
Polished, Leathered, Honed, Acid-etched, Brushed, Antique, Sand Blasted, Bush-hammered, flamed, split face,
Technical Extraction Process
Our marble extraction methods are of high precision technology, which have evolved from rudimentary methods. With these newer processes, we extract intact blocks to minimize wastage.
Probing and Pickling
Before extraction, we probe the area and then drill strategic holes with Diamond Core drills to inspect the quality of our stone. Following, we remove the “cap” (earth and stone of lesser quality) to expose the Marble worktop.
The primary cut
We start with a Diamond wire saw, where we make two holes (one vertical and another horizontal) that cross. A steel wire with industrial Diamond pearls goes through those holes, creating a lasso that, rotating at high speeds cut giant slices of the rock.
Drilling and Coinage
To separate the base of the block or subdivide it, we use a pneumatic driller to create a line of holes and insert hydraulic wedges that create pressure to crack the stone in a controlled method.
The Fall
A classic technique where the cut block is tipped to the quarry floor. To avoid the Marble from breaking on impact, we create a “bed” of debris and soft earth (Shock absorber).
Squaring and Extraction
The block is then cut into commercial standard blocks (cobblestones). After that its hoisted from the depths of the quarry by one of our 30-ton Tower Cranes.
Cleaning and Cutting
The blocks are then washed to detect any natural cracks. We then use our multi-wire cutter to correct the format of the blocks and make them uniform.
Sustainability and Eco-friendliness
Sustainability in Marble Extraction and especially in Pardais, focus in transforming the old concept of “wastage” into a circular economy. Nowadays, around 80 to 90% of the extracted material does not become quality blocks, making us look at creative and industrial ways to recycle.
Wastage and Reuse
Unusable and cracked marble is reused for the following:
Crushed are used for pavements, construction, and agriculture.
Marble Powder are used for chemicals, paints, tooth paste, paper and plastic industries.
Reconstructed Marble is another issue we are looking into. Where small fragmented Marble stones are mixed with resins to create Reconstituted / Engineered Marble.
During the cutting process, white mud is created. We are looking to improve and find solutions for reusable purposes. There are tests being made on these muds to fabricate bricks, ceramics, and mortars.
Upcycling are small leftover pieces used by designers to create furniture and decorative objects.
All these waste and usage processes are already being done or are on the verge of being done.
Water Management
Our quarries have an internal water cycle renewal and filtration system. We use decanting and pressing filters where the water used on the cut is filtered, the “mud” is removed, and the water is reusable almost in its entirety. Minimizing consumption.
Energy Efficiency
The substitution of old extraction methods with newer extraction methods has helped reduce the energy consumption drastically and cut times. Making the transformation process more efficient per square meter.
Safety
We are highly focused on safety for our workers and the environment. The stability of the vertical walls is monitored rigorously and all our equipment are maintained in order to guarantee safety measures. PPE and safety training are given to our workers to minimize and control risks