Soapstone: origin and mining

The origin of soapstone (steatite) is about 2.8 million years in the past. Under great pressure and at high temperatures, the two main components, talcum and magnesite, combined with other minerals.

Soapstone - Building material for eternity

Since time immemorial, soapstone has been used as a building material for various objects. The Vikings had pots, cooking utensils and jewellery made of soapstone. The soapstone has various properties, depending on its region of origin.

Soapstone in highest quality

The soapstone used by HARK for fireplaces and stoves comes from Nordic countries and from Brasil. This soapstone is known to its hardness. Other soapstone is too brittle for such a processing and is therefore ground and used together with ceramic additives as an insulating material and for production of medication.

Artistic works with soapstone

The softer soapstone to be found in Thailand, Australia and Africa is preferably used by sculptors for artistic work.

CNC-supported processing

The particularly good conductivity and storage properties of soapstone are made use of in fireplace and stove construction. The heating inserts used in tiled or marble fireplaces can be provided with soapstone. Soapstone is mined in large soapstone quarries.

Special machinery for handling

There large pieces are cut out of the location with special saws. These blocks, which weigh a number of tons, are taken to the sawmill nearby with specifically refitted wheeled loaders. In the factory, completely automatic saws further process the raw blocks. After they have been put into the necessary raw shape, CNC-driven milling machines take on the further processing.

Maximum precision

When the soapstone has the shape needed or required by the customer, the edges and surfaces are ground. After the quality has been checked (accuracy of dimensions and quality of the surface processing), the soapstone items can be supplied to the customer.