Lolasheni Teshenite Quarry
Lolasheni district of Teshenite quarry of Kursebi is located on the adjacent territory of
village Koka of Tkibuli Municipality at a distance of ≈ 18 km to the north-east from Kutaisi.
It`s connected to the nearest railway station “Orpiri” with 3 km long road. The territory
of quarry is located to the north-west slopes of watershed “Gogolauri” ridge of the rivers
Sachura Ghele and Okhomira Ghele at absolute heights ≈+450 +525 m. The region is
characterized with mild, humid climate, average annual temperature is +14,50
С, average
annual rainfalls are 1276mm. The quarry area has been built with Jurassic, cretaceous and
quaternary sediments.
Layer-like magma, so-called “Sili” of “intrusive origin” of teshenite quarry is connected
(cut) with thin-layered argillites of middle Jurassic-(Bathonian J2bt) age, in other words, these
rocks are both roofs and bed sides for teshenite magma.
The capacity of teshenite magma in quarry supply contour (according to boreholes) is
from 30 to 85 and average capacity of soluble (waste) rocks varies from 8 to 15.
Lolashini quarry Teshenite (facing) was explored in detail with A+B+C1 category and
reserves with 3.7 million m3 was approved by the state commission in 1973 year. The approved
reserves include conditioned (or considered as cost-effective for processing) reserves. Reserves
counting (calculating) horizon is +240m (the average thickness of magma in counting contour
is ≈ 30m). In fact, teshenite magma extends to greater depths and by reducing the processing
horizon, reserves can be increased till ≈ 6 million m3
, so the average thickness of teshenite
below the calculation contour is ≈27m.
The reserves of the mentioned Lolasheni quarry is distinguished with mining technical
conditions for favorable processing: it has average height, moderately inclined (≈15-250)
sloping hilly location and its reserves are located above the level of access roads, it`s not
required to place the extractive steps in depth for their processing, what excludes the need to
arrange the drainage system, also with a good geographical location – there are two roads to
get to quarry from where it`s very simple to open any of its area, mineral extraction and
transportation and Orpiri railway station is located near it, at a distance of 3 km, which has
spare lines and storage areas to receive any types of cargo.
As it`s already been noted, teshenite reserves at Lolasheni quarry is counted as sawingfacing raw material or in other words, from the mining mass, conditioned (included in the
report) block output is calculated as ≈30 %. If it`s profitable to get coast-protecting or grits raw
material from this mining mass, then the output of such block from the mining mass will be
≈60 % or the scope of counted reserves will increase twice or up to 7,4 million m3
.
Four licenses of mineral extraction have been issued currently within the explored
contour of Lolasheni quarry and near it: 1) N1000746 – stock 89000m3
; 2) 10001046 – stock
35500m3
; 3) N10000558, stock – 372505 m3 and 4) N10001853 stock– 119105 მ
3; total reserves
– 372505m3 or ≈10 % of the explored (approved) reserves. All three licenses are owned by one
person, who is able (has a preferential right) to increase the extractable (licensed) reserves ≈10
times, if the customer exists.
The main physicochemical properties of Lolasheni quarry are shown below.
The results of laboratory and technological research – there are two types of teshenite
on the area – gray and dark grey. The rock is fine-grained with porphyry structure.
Chemical composition:
– SiO2 -45.32-48.25%; CaO – 7.99-10.40%;
– Al2O3 – 15.09-15.33%; Fe2O3 – 4.06-4.14%;
– MgO – 4.48-5.55%; Ti2O- 1.24-1.31%;
– K2O – 0.75-1.48%; Na2O – 3.73-4.57%;
– MnO– 4.48-5.55%; SO2 –0%;
– FeO – 6.09-7.48%; P2O5 – 0.35-0.43%
Loses when overheats – 3.60-3.92%.
Physical and mechanical properties:
gray species:
– volumetric weight – 2536-2797 kg/m3
;
– water absorption– 0,33-1,06%;
– ultimate compressive strength
In the air, in a dry state: – 1005-1826 kg/cm2
;
In a state staturated with water – 611-1381 kg/cm2
;
– After 35 cycles of freezing– 891-1312 kg/cm2
;
– softening coefficient – 0,7-1,05;
– coefficient of frost resistance – 0,75-1,05
grey species:
– volumetric weight – 2619-2797 kg/m3
;
– water absorption – 0,05-0,91%;
– ultimate compressive strength
In the air, in a dry state – 240-2797 kg/cm2
;
In a state staturated with water – 670-1593 kg/cm2
;
– After 35 cycles of freezing – 654-1435 kg/cm2
;
– softening coefficient – 0,71-0,95;
– coefficient of frost resistance – 0,85-1,09.
The reserves of the mentioned quarry compared with other unexplored areas
has the advantage that they`re explored by mine passageway, trenches, holes, boreholes (approved by state commission) and thus, their reliability coefficient is much
higher.
