Topic summary
Gotland limestone
Extracted from the Wikipedia article Geology of Gotland.
Economic geology
During the industrial age demand for Gotland limestone came from pulp mills, sugar refineries and iron works. People working in the quarries of Gotland have diminished from about 600 in the mid-1930s to 350 by 2010. The intended opening of a new limestone quarry in the 2010s in northern Gotland has led to a substantial conflict between environmentalists and those who support the project. In April 2015, the legal process regarding the allowance of the project was put on hold by Swedish courts until the Swedish government takes a decision or, if not, until August 31 of 2015. On September 1, 2016, previous permission to expand quarrying was revoked by Swedish courts citing the recent expansion of a nearby Natura 2000 conservation area.