Maple Aggregates Ltd - Importers and Distibutors of Specialist Minerals (Pumice Importer UK)

Approximately 200,000 years ago over a three day period, the volcanic island of Nisyros erupted spewing its lava from within the cauldron. the lightweight lava (pumice) was carried on the prevailing winds and deposited some 5 miles north of the volcano, forming the island of Yali. Yali is situated in the Dodecanese Archipelago, 4 miles south of Kos island and 48 miles north of Rhodes.

The Island's value as a building material was known by the Ancient Greeks and later by the Romans. The Pantheon in Rome being one of the most famous buildings to use Yali Pumice, another being St Sophia Cathedral built by the Byzantines in the 4th century AD. From ancient times until the 19th century, pumice's use as a valuable lightweight building product, seems to have been lost. When pumice from the Rhineland was rediscovered it gave Yali pumice a market and the quarry was re-opened in 1952. Today, the Island exports in excess of 1 million tonnes per annum to domestic markets, the Middle East, USA and throughout Europe. Vessels can be loaded up to a maximum of circa 27,000 tonnes. A load rate for large vessels is given of 1,000 tonnes per hour.