Perlite

The industrial mining of perlite on Milos has been going on since 1954. The mines are situated by the island’s two big extinct volcano craters, Trachilas and Tsigrado. By far the largest perlite mine is located above Tsigrado Cape and this is also where one of Imerys’ three processing plants is. In the vicinity there are another two mines belonging to the firms of EEKOM and Milopan. The total annual volume of the perlite extracted on Milos is about 500,000 tonnes.

Tsigrado Mine (Imerys)
Tsigrado Mine (Imerys)
EEKOM’s perlite mine
EEKOM’s perlite mine
Milopan’s perlite mine
Milopan’s perlite mine
Milopan’s perlite mine
Milopan’s perlite mine

Imerys’ Trachilas mine is situated on the promontory north of Plakes. In contrast to most of the other larger mines which you are bound to pass sooner or later when driving across the island, this pearlite mine is located in a rather remote spot. The access road for the trucks passes Firopotamos.

The recultivation of the spoil heaps from the opencast mining is not only of great ecological importance but also serves to restore a pleasant landscape. In the case of the Trachilas Mine, a special approach was taken: In 2014, according to its own statements, S&B planted 22,300 vines on the fertile soil and the first grape harvest took place in the late summer of 2016, which in the meantime has been in the hands of the new owners, Imerys. “Imerys Miloterra Assyrtiko” is produced by the experienced vintner Dr. Haroula Spinthiropoulou in her Argatia vineyard in Naoussa.

Update 05/20