Our History

LAVA Mining & Quarrying was established in 1952 to operate the pumice stone Municipal Quarry located on Yali island to the north of Nissiros. The company was integrated into Heracles Group in 1977 and began expanding to new activities in 1980 by acquiring the Gypsum Quarry at Altsi, Sitia. In 1989, LAVA began to operate the pozzolana rock quarry in Milos, while the silica sand quarry on the same island started operating in 1996. In 2001, HERACLES Group becomes a member of Lafarge Group, present in 64 countries and worldwide leader in building materials. From 2002 until 2011, LAVA developed aggregates trading in its unit in Almyros, Volos.

Employees from Nissyros arrive early in the morning to the quarry.

Milestones

1952	Foundation of the Company by ship-owner M. Nomikos
1952 - 1962	The building infrastructure for pumice stone quarry was constructed, equipment was bought to transport and process pumice stone and a cable mine wagon system was installed to load vessels
1977	LAVA SA was integrated in HERACLES Group of Companies A network of conveyor belts was installed to load vessels at a faster rate (1000tons/hour)
1980	LAVA SA extends to new activities and acquires Gypsum quarry at Altsi, Sitia, Crete


Loading a vehicle from the pile	Full wagons start from the loading station

1980 - 1988	New extraction methods are finalised for a) pumice stone using bulldozers and b) gypsum using vertical benches Investments are made to renew and modernise mobile and fixed equipment in pumice stone and gypsum quarries, as well as to increase their production capacity Production of Stone Wash-quality pumice stone for jeans begins Gypsum quality export activities expand to Balkan and Middle Eastern countries
1989	LAVA SA begins the operation of pozzolana rock quarry in Xilokeratia, Milos, investing 750 million Drachmas therein
1990 -1995	Pumice stone Quarry’s equipment is modernised and new building facilities are constructed The company launches a co-operation with research and scientific institutions in Greece and abroad, concerning the development and utilisation of pumice stone qualities in new products and uses
1996	LAVA absorbs “INDUSTRIAL MINERALS SA” and begins operation of Silica Sand quarry in Kastriani, Milos


Bulldozers	The boats of the quarry

2000	The company is awarded ISO 9001:2008 certification for its pumice stone quarry New infrastructures are built for gypsum quarry
2001	Heracles Group of Companies becomes a member of LAFARGE Group that has a leading presence in 64 countries throughout the world, carrying out activities of producing and trading cement, concrete, gypsum and aggregates
2002	LAVA SA develops activities of trading aggregates in Almyros, Magnesia
2005	The company is awarded ISO 9001:2008 certification for its vessel-loading process in gypsum and pozzolana rock quarries
2006	The company is awarded CE marking according to ΕΝ 13055-1:2002 and EN 13055-2:standards for its pumice stone quarry
2011	Lafarge Beton takes over the activity of trading aggregates in Almyros Magnesia


Loading of the Dutch vessel "MEERDRECHT"	Weigh of pumice stone samples

Nissiros Volcano

Nissiros volcano emerged from the sea 200,000 years ago to form a cone of land. As it continued to erupt over the following years, molten fragments of stone were released in the atmosphere, only to cool down again as they fell on the ground to eventually form layers of volcanic ash.

There are five calderas on Nissiros island. “Stefanos”, 260 metres wide and 30 metres deep, is one of the largest and best preserved hydrothermal craters in the world.

The volcano’s latest big eruption dates back to 1888, while a smaller one took place in 1933.