The need for mineral raw materials makes quarrying activity strategically important in the global economy. However, quarrying activity may bring about harmful effects on the natural environment. In fact, it generates huge amounts of stone waste, since a significant percentage of the total stone extracted is usually left out. This may lead to several negative impacts, such as economic problems for stone producers and possible environmental risks by means of the impoverishment of the stock of land resources.This work will provide the state of the art of the stone market, highlighting its correlations with the waste produced. Additionally, the analysis will provide some examples of virtuous re-uses of this type of waste. The aim is to examine the economic risks and opportunities of the re-use of natural stone waste, so as to manufacture high-quality by-products for the construction industry.
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