Basalt well at the slopes of Kopaonik – Magmata rock of silicate compound has wide application in numerous economy branches

Since 1972, magmata rocks foundation of silicate content, basalt, 'Vrelo', located at southeast slopes of the central part of Kopaonik became the interest of the state and economy. Apart from that, basalt was discovered at two locations more – Donje Jarinje (Leposavic) and Krkina Cuka (Lukovska Banja).

The major part of the well, i. .e 95 % of surface is located at Brus municipality and according to the president of municipality, Slobodan Vidojevic, exploitation basalt reserves in explored well total 1.034.822 tons of ''A'' categories.

Explorations showed that reserves are found at the depth of 14 meters. The explored quantity is sufficient for more decades of exploitations which, along with the fact that the ore is located at the ground surface, that it is extremely clean and without barren soil, to great extent decreases costs, increases justification and profit so that Brus municipality sees it as one of its developmental chances with a reason.

Basalt is similar to granite, originated by magma outflow at the ground surface. Unlike basalt in the world, basalt in Vitos is extremely pure and without barren soil. It is melted at temperature 1200 to 1300 degrees, and it is a real revolution in exchange for metal in future technology.

Basalt is widely used in a number of industrial braches, mining, construction, in fast rails development, it is extraordinary isolator and large number of products can be produced from basalt fibers. Products are not cancerous and the technology is environmentally clean and basalt products successfully replace industrial asbestos usage.

The overall chemical analysis shows that percentage of SiO2, depending on granulation, ranges from 45 to 69% a Al2O3 from 20,47 to 21,92%, and apart from this, analysis of heat conductibility of basalt wool have been done, analysis of raw materials for production of aggregate for road construction and fast lane parts as well as the option of production of and ceramics glass made of basalt.

The Brus municipality is very interested in the ore exploitation since the researches analysis showed that the basic mass dominates in more than 70% of the rock structure. The stone has extraordinary technical features. High pressure resistance as well as resistance to wear so it belongs to very solid rocks. It is very frost and chemical influences resistant, the ability of water soak is very low so that in line with its physical and mechanical features and valid technical regulation in road construction and it is high quality and usable in production of aggregates for modern road shutters, for construction of asphalt concrete for highways and other roads regardless of damage level then road metal rails shutters as well as all kinds of aggregates and stone for all construction works in civil engineering, construction, pavement of chemical and temperature exposed parts of industrial facilities.

Apart from that, the experts claim that from melted basalt, it is possible to get very quality materials for silo protection, pipes production, high- abrasion devices protection, production of plates with big loading capacity. Results of exploration conducted at the Center for modern ceramics and nano materials of the university Queens in Kingston, Canada, show basalt from Vrelo well in Vitos is more convenient for technological processing in production of basalt glass than the one from Donje Jarinje.

The option of wide usage of Brus basalt, as president of municipality, Vidojevic, says, at low exportation price, could attract potential investors which would not only start production but this part of municipality which shares the destiny of rural areas would be back into life.