Aricemex S.A.

Restoration of an area included within the Castellet Dels Alacans protection perimeter The restoration project aims to present compatibility between a mining activity and environmental preservation, between integration and industry, between heritage and progress. Aricemex quarry, “Els Castellar –nº 972” is located in the eastern region of the Iberian peninsula, on the Mediterranean coast. The quarry contains the remains of the castle “Castellet dels Alacans” which is protected by the local administration of Montserrat since 1994, and was declared “BIC: Bien de Interés Cultural” (asset of cultural interest) by the Generalitat Valenciana in 1999. An Environmental Impact Assessment was performed by Aricemex and approved in 1996. The EIA stated the requirements and operating constrains in order to protect the Castle and guarantee the compatibility between the mining activity and preservation of the protected perimeter. Aricemex and the local administration of Montserrat signed a collaboration agreement to enhance and protect the BIC area. Aricemex then presented a restoration project aimed to integrate the ongoing operation and the conservation objectives. The restoration of the protected area has an extension of 3 ha out of the 25 ha of the total quarry extension. Works were carried out avoiding the use of explosives to guarantee the castle protection. In accordance to the plan, the entire surface was carefully designed to ensure functionality and homogeneity with the surrounding environments. In the same way, the collaboration agreement aimed to maximize value to society by setting up an “Oficina Verde” (Green Office) to supervise daily activities. As a result, new remains of the Castle were discovered and a new 3D virtual reconstruction was possible enabling grater awareness and cultural expansion. The total restoration budget and cost reached 275.000 € of which 56% was used to restoration activities while the remaining amount was well spent in cultural aspects of the collaboration agreement. Aricemex is proud of the results of this venture, in which in collaboration with the local authorities, compatibility has been proved between archeological and mining activities once thought to be diametrically opposed.