Possibilities & Challenges - Minera

SLATE FROM 

ALTA, OPPDAL AND 

OTTA 

A LTA O P P D A L O T TA O F F E R D A L 

POSSIBILITIES & CHALLENGES 

– assortment of ideas 

TRADITIONS 

& TRENDS 

– a collection of ideas

2 

NATURE’S MORE AND CREATION MORE OFTEN QUARTzITE AND 

PHyLLITE IS A PART OF THE ANSWER. 

This is the story of an artifact that has been 

produced by nature since the beginning of time. 

THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY 

Slate is the result of a natural massive process 

that has been going on for several hundred million 

years. Enormous tracts of land cracked and moved 

slowly apart, while other areas were covered by 

the oceans. The oceans brought with them loose 

masses of clay called sediments, which accumulated. 

Volcanoes have also contributed to such 

deposits. The deposits have, as a consequence of 

compression and heat and through millions 

of years, build up to become slate. 

Architecture is forever changing, with imagina- 

Dramatic movements and shifting of the earth’s 

tive and original ideas being incorporated into new 

crust lead to land masses rising above the ocean 

structural designs, internally and externally and for 

and 

the surrounding 

this is how slate 

landscape. 

quarries in some places 

have reached the surface of the earth. 

Nowadays, information about new and existing 

Dramatic solutions spreads movements fast. At and Minera, shifting we of receive the earth’s 

crust en-quiries lead to daily land from masses around rising the above world the from ocean archi- 

and tects, this contractors is how slate and quarries developers, in some all looking places for the 

have special reached and unusual the surface qualities of the of earth. our natural stone. 

Our products are not only in demand for their high 

ENDLESS technical specifications, POSSIBILITIESbut 

also for the great variety 

The of effects slate that you purchase can be created from Minera with them today in both has in 

the 

traditional 

course of 

and 

time 

futuristic 

migrated 

ways. 

throughout the world. 

It has been exposed to extreme heat as well as 

The products we supply are metamorphic rocks, 

the Ice Age. It is and always has been, a part of 

born of extreme heat and pressure deep in the 

nature. 

Earth’s crust. 

It is now 

They 

projected 

are thus 

as 

robust, 

a distinctive 

solid and 

and 

durable 

exciting 

with superior 

material 

attributes. 

that may 

In the 

be utilized 

minds and 

in many 

hands of 

different creative thinkers ways indoors and artisans, and out. such excellent and 

attractive stone as ours offers remarkable oppor- 

You tunities just for don’t state-of-the-art get any closer design to nature. and Slate lasting gives 

the quality. 

feeling of infinity. Once you discover slate, you 

will never want to consider using mass-produced 

building materials again. 

Slate is also quite different than other types 

of rock, as it tends to split along parallel cleavage 

to form thin flakes. This takes place through 

compression of accumulated deposits. There are 

several types of slate and our brochure illustrates 

some of the most outstanding varieties. 

Minerals, sediments and the process it has been 

through, decides the color variation of slate. When 

you study it closer, the shade, the radiance of 

colors and the surface pattern will come to light. 

And what a magnificent history slate sustains.

SkIFER 

NATURAL FORMATION 

There are three principal categories of stone – 

Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic. Minera’s 

Scandinavian quartzites and phyllites are metamorphic, 

having been substantially altered since 

their original sedimentary formation. 

These rocks were first laid down particle by particle 

on the sea floor an amazing 400 to 800 million 

years ago. Vast accumulations of sand and clay, 

brought down to the sea by rivers following the 

erosion of pre-existing rocks through aeons of frost, 

wind and rain, became consolidated into beds 

or layers of sedimentary rocks due to pressure 

and compaction with increasing depth of burial. 

Through many millions of years of dramatic Earth 

movements, the shifting and buckling of the crust, 

they were buried ever deeper. Here, extreme heat 

and pressure produced far-reaching mineralogical 

changes to these original sedimentary rocks, 

until they ultimately became the very strong and 

resilient yet still layered and cleavable stones that 

we have today. They have been brought to the 

surface by the ever-continuing cycle of burial and 

uplift that allowed the rock layers above “ours” to 

be eroded away. 

This is how Minera’s metamorphic rocks have 

become available to us, carrying all the benefits of 

their profound and ancient history which has given 

them their exceptional characteristics of beauty, 

strength and durability. 

ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES 

Metamorphic rocks are special and Minera’s particularly 

so, having technical and aesthetic properties 

that are quite out of the ordinary. Although now 

very different materials, our metamorphic quartzites 

and phyllites remain in their original sedimentary 

beds and can be cleaved into slabs using those 

natural layers. However due to metamorphism 

they are no longer weak but immensely strong, 

with bending strengths far exceeding those of a 

typical granite 

Stone varies in colour depending on the minerals 

in its formation and the process by which it was 

formed. Minera’s metamorphics do not exist in large 

blocks so cannot be worked like a simple granite, but 

by clever design working with the characteristics of 

the stones - the nuances of the colours, the shine 

and the surface pattern – they will provide interesting 

options and add character to the finished work. 

It is challenging to work with these materials but 

well worth the effort. 

3

4 

QUARTzITE AND PHyLLITE – INTERNATIONAL 

PRODUCTES 

Minera maintains historic quarrying traditions 

in some beautiful rural locations. It 

succeeds by continuing to develop and 

install modern cutting-edge extraction 

and processing technology.

All stone can be delivered in 

natural shapes and in various 

sizes to accommodate the need 

and the natural conditions. 

Stone is available for you in 

set formats and sizes, random 

lengths or especially adapted 

to your drawings or measurements. 

Minera is the leading producer of quartzites and 

phyllites in the Scandinavian countries and exports 

to some of the most demanding customers across 

the world. Minera produces quartzite at three 

different locations: Alta, Oppdal and Offerdal. 

Phyllite is produced at Otta. With these quarries, 

we can deliver six types of stone that are quite 

different from each other in shape and colour. 

This provides our customers with great scope for 

innovative design. 

Regardless of which stone you 

think will suit you best, it can be 

delivered with natural, brushed, 

honed or polished surface. The 

edges can be delivered with 

natural shape or we can cut or 

saw them. 

Each separate piece of these stones has its own 

individual fingerprint. This is because the mineral 

distribution varies slightly from place to place in the 

quarries and even in the individual slab. Minerals 

like quartz, mica, hornblende and feldspar occur 

in slightly varying concentrations and create the 

most subtle, yet striking, effects. 

5

6 

SPECIAL QUALITIES 

This quartzite is characterised by being 

exceptionally durable, with an enormous 

flexural strength and low water absorption. 

Its natural surface is also delightfully reflective. 

It is both frost and acid resistant and it 

has anti-fungus qualities, one reason why 

it has been used for large water/swimming 

pool constructions all over the world 

SURFACE 

The natural surface both feels smooth and 

is skid resistant. It would seem impossible 

but it is true. The surface can be honed as 

well as polished or brushed. 

EDGES 

Natural, sawn, honed or cut. 

PRODUCTS 

Tiles, crazy pavings, rough slabs, steps, 

windowsills, benches and tables, skirting 

boards, fireplace surrounds, cladding and 

roof tiles. 

FORMATS AND THICKNESS 

Standard production uses natural surfaces 

for the top and bottom so the thickness 

has to be supplied within a small range. 

Alternatively, the thickness can be calibrated 

to a particular figure by grinding 

away the underside till this is achieved. 

Alta quartzite is approximately 600 million years old. It is a grey quartzite 

with a slight greenish tone and a pale silvery shine. It contains concentrations 

of quartz and mica in overlapping layers. 

Alta quartzite has been used practically all over the world, from the USA in 

the west via Europe - not to mention Scandinavia – to the far East of Asia.

TECHNICAL DATA 

Petrography: quartzite 

Density 2710 kg/m 

Water absorption 0,1 weight-% 

Bending strength 8,4 MPa 

Compressive strength 260,8 MPa 

Slip resistance-pendulum test 50 

Breaking load at dowel hole 4,17 kN 

Coefficient of thermal expansion 7,0-8,0 X 10ˉ6 °C-1 

Resistance to wear 6,4 cm /50 cm 2 

Frost resistant 

MINERALOGY PERCENT 

Quartz 40-89 

Mica 5-28 

Feldspar 5- 2 

Epidote 2-9 

Titanite 1-16 

Carbonate 1- 

7

8 

TYPES 

Oppdal light and Oppdal dark. 

COLORS 

Light and dark gray. 

OPPDALSkIFER 

The mica layer is the deciding factor of the 

spitting possibilities. The distance between 

the layers decides how thick and even the 

slab will be. 

SURFACE 

The natural surface both feels smooth and is 

skid resistant. In addition, Oppdal quartzite 

can also be supplied with a honed, polished 

or brushed surface. 

FROST AND ACID RESISTANT 

EDGES 

Sawn, broken, honed or cut. 

PRODUCTS 

Tiles, flags, rough slabs, steps, windowsills, 

benches and tables, skirting boards, 

fireplace surrounds, cladding, roof tiles and 

long crop-sided elements for building stone 

walls. 


Standard production uses natural surfaces 

for the top and bottom so the thickness has 

to be supplied within a small range. Alternatively, 

the thickness can be calibrated to 

a particular figure by grinding the bottom 

away till this is achieved. 

Oppdal quartzite is about 750 million years old, since first deposited as 

a sandy sediment with fine clay partings on the sea floor. It is now a 

metamorphosed quartzite. There are two defined tones – Oppdal light and 

Oppdal dark - a pale slightly greenish-grey or a darker grey. The principal 

mineral constituents are quartz, mica and potash feldspar, with some 

epidote providing the greenish tints. 

Oppdal quartzite has been supplied to many large projects – mostly 

because it is so easy to work and can generally be used to make any 

difficult shape in awkward spaces. This does have a lot of advantages in 

places where it is beneficial to work the stone on site. The cropped sides 

make for an especially attractive and visually striking thin-bedded walling 

stone that deserves wider international recognition.


Petrography quartzite 




Compressive strength 247,5 MPa 


Breaking load at dowel hole ,41 kN 

Coefficient of thermal expansion 8, X 10ˉ6 °C-1 



Quartz 5-45 

Mica 15- 

Feldspar 20-25 

Epidote 2-8 

Titanite 2 

Fe-oxides 1-2 

9 9

10 

TYPES 

Otta Pillarguri blue/black and rust, Otta 

Høgsæter blue/black and rust. 

COLORS 

Coal black with a tint of blue or with a rusty 

tone 

PRODUCTS 


benches and tables, skirting boards, fireplace 

surrounds, cladding and roofing slates. 


SURFACE 

Natural, honed, polished and brushed, 


Standard production uses natural 

surfaces for the top and bottom so the 

thickness has to be supplied within a 

small range. Alternatively, the thickness 

can be calibrated to a particular figure by 

grinding away the underside till this is 

achieved. 

The plan dimension can be rectangular to 

a standard size, fixed in both dimensions, 

a standard fixed width with random 

lengths or made to a specific shape and 

size. 

EDGES 

Sawn, honed or cut. 

Otta phyllite was formed 400 – 800 million years ago. It is a charcoal gray, 

almost black phyllite. The various nuances in the surface are created by 

the mica, hornblende and garnet. The unique appearance makes it stand 

out as a very exclusive product. 

The upper layers of Otta phyllite contain rust. This is due to small masses 

of pyrites that are encased in mica and have been exposed to million of 

years of erosion by ice and water. 

Otta phyllite can acquire a certain patina as the years pass.


Petrography phyllite 




Compressive strength 218, MPa 


Breaking load at dowel hole 5,47 kN 

Coefficient of thermal expansion 7,0-10,0 X 10ˉ6 °C-1 



Quartz 25- 5 

Mica 40-55 

Chlorite 10-15 

Hornblende 0-5 

Garnet 1- 

Carbonate 0- 

Magnetic pyrites 1-7 

11

12 

Flammet 

. 

KEY FEATURES 

This quartzite is exceptionally durable, 

with a very high flexural strength and low 

water absorption. Its natural surface is 

reflective with an attractive mica sheen. 

SURFACE 

The naturally riven surface feels smooth 

yet is skid resistant, a remarkable combination. 

The surface can also be brushed, 

honed or polished. 

EDGES 

Sawn, honed and cut. 


PRODUCTS 


benches and tables, skirting boards, 

fireplace surrounds, crazy paving and 

cladding. 


Standard production uses natural 

surfaces for the top and bottom so the 

thickness has to be supplied within a 

small range. Alternatively, the thickness 

can be calibrated to a particular figure by 

grinding away the underside till this is 

achieved. 

Flammet, also called Offerdal, is the most recent addition to the Minera 

stable. In 2006 Minera bought Skifferbolaget Ab, the company that 

produced Offerdal quartzite North of Östersund in the Swedish Jämtland. 

Flammet Quartzite is about 650 million years old. It is a highly attractive 

stone, a dark leaden grey recrystallised quartzite with a conspicuously 

attractive mica sheen and subordinate feldspar. 

The natural surface is skid-resistant, yet reflective and the material is 

also particularly resistant to staining 

Sales of Flammet Quartzite are world-wide, with many significant projects 

utilising this very special and highly durable stone. Among some impressive 

buildings in Europe, Asia and America are La Scène Nationale in the 

capital of the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe and the Van Abbe 

Museum in Eindhoven, Holland.


Petrography quartzite 

Density 27 0 kg/m 



Compressive strength 06 MPa 

Breaking load at dowel hole 4, 5 kN 


Quartz 44 

Mica 

Feldspar 2 

13

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QUARTzITE AND PHyLLITE ARE VERy ADAPTABLE 

MATERIALS 

These stones have exceptional intrinsic qualities. 

With modern techniques of production, they can 

be worked in many different ways to meet the 

demands of new trends and changing design 

and technical requirements.

SEVERAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS QUARTZITE AND PHYLLITE GAINING POPULARITY 

Quartzite and phyllite are authentic and 

aesthetically exciting materials 

Quartzite and phyllite are appropriate in a 

traditional context but are also useful in 

situations where innovative or unconventional 

thinking is important. 

Quartzite and phyllite can be successfully used in 

a great variety of situations. They can be used as 

the central and unifying materials, complimentary 

to other materials or as highlights amidst 

other materials. 

Quartzite and phyllite both have particular 

characteristics which allow craftsmen to work 

them in unusual and interesting ways. They 

are long-lasting materials requiring very little 

maintenance. 

Almost regardless of which type of construction 

project we are talking about, quartzites and 

phyllites can can solve many problems facing 

the builder, architect or landscape architect. 

On the next few pages we show some examples 

of projects where quartzite and phyllite have 

been used as the main materials. The examples 

illustrate something of the range of possibilities 

provided by Minera’s products. 

In this brochure, sadly, there is not room to display 

the complete range of products and many 

interesting private projects have had to be left out. 

Fortunately, they can be seen on our web site 

www.mineranorge.no as can many more 

examples of what can be achieved with quartzite 

and phyllite. 

15 15

16 

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARy 

Monumental in style but not in size, eye-catching but not gaudy. The new 

Hanan-Allston branch to Boston Public Library by architects Machado and 

Silvetti Associates is striking but also elegant. 

A library building is an important part of a culture distinguished by knowledge 

and education. It has to give a welcome to its users and become a 

natural centre for the community. But it must not inspire such reverence 

that it cannot be used on a day-to-day basis. 

The architects elected to be faithful to local traditions and materials. But 

they have supplemented these with phyllite from Minera. Otta Høgseter 

rust creates a delicate play of colours, with lively contrasts. For this building 

in 2005 the architects were presented with the prestigious “Architecture in 

Stone” award form MARMOMACC, the International Exhibition of Marble 

Stone and Technology. The design uses relatively large slabs, fixed with 

and exposed anchor system of rustproof steel to keep them in place. This 

is innovative, making good use of the capabilities of the material. This 

design has been selected as one of the ten best facade solutions in the 

United States.

16 

1715

FLUGHAFEN LEIPzIG 

Functionally, all airports are pretty much alike. Nevertheless there are 

examples of modern airports that really stand out. Flughafen Leipzig, 

which was completed in 2003, is one of those. 

Architects Brunnert und Partner have cleverly combined a variety of 

materials including concrete, glass, plastic, steel with 11.000 m 2 of Alta 

quartzite. This tough and durable quartzite provides the stair treads and 

covers significant areas of the floor. 

The roof in staggered elements with clerestories and vast glass wall panels 

fill the halls with daylight. The décor is in shades of blue and green and 

is complimented perfectly by the grey-green tones of Alta quartzite. At 

night, the large panes of glass act as mirrors continuing the relaxing 

ambience throughout the 24 hours. The quartzite, with its subtle tonal 

variations, contributes well to the overall feeling of calm. 

In addition to its aesthetic qualities, Alta quartzite is durable and skidresistant 

and has high compressive and flexural strength, really the 

all-important qualities in an airport concourse. 

19

20 

NCC’S HEAD OFFICE, TUBORG HARBOR, COPENHAGEN 

In 2002, NCC’s new head office was completed. The architects were 

Schmidt, Hammer & Lassen k/S, a practice that has previously been 

responsible for several prestigious projects. 

This building is constructed with large areas of glass on the North and 

South elevations, with 1600 m 2 of Otta Pillaguri on the East and West 

facades. The contrast between the solid and open elevations gives the 

building a clear alignment towards the sea. 

NCC has gained a building in its own spirit, a building that is both strong, 

yet rhythmic, a building where the distinct Nordic atmosphere invokes 

the company’s background and cultural beginnings. 

The liveliness of the distinctive, micaceous, natural surface of the Otta 

Pillarguri delightful, but it also changes its appearance under different 

light conditions, creating many lovely effects.. In addition to the aesthetic 

aspects, the technical qualities of the phyllite were essential. Before the 

choice was made, all the candidate materials were tested thoroughly, 

Otta coming through as the best.

21 21

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS SHINES ABOVE ALTA 

It is a rare opportunity to re-design an entire town or city centre streetscape. 

Here in Alta, it forms the backdrop for both day-to-day living and the 

celebrated national festivals. For this lovely town, Landscape architects, 

Aurora Landskap needed to find a natural theme expressing Alta’s proximity 

to and affinity with the Northern landscape with its wonderful scenery. 

Alta is completely surrounded by natural landscape and natural phenomena. 

The ocean, the Alta River, the mountains, the midnight sun and the 

Northern lights all contribute to Alta’s identity. With so many options, 

choosing the inspirational theme was complex. The community’s inhabitants 

were invited to join in the process and the choice fell on the Alta 

River, known for its natural beauty and its wealth of salmon. 

Water is central to Alta so, with its liquid colours of grey, blue, green and 

white, the town’s own quartzite is the perfect and fitting material. The whole 

riverside is now full of pretty places to sit, fish or quietly sit and enjoy the 

scene. 

23

Fotograf Espen Grønli 

24 

OSLO AIRPORT GARDERMOEN 

The growth in air traffic is, perhaps, the most obvious sign that we are 

living in a world that is becoming ever more global. Airports are now 

significant places in our lives. 

Gardermoen airport is new and modern. Safety is paramount, but 

Gardermoen is also one of the main gateways to Norway, so it is essential 

that it provides a warm welcome to the many thousands of people, 

tourists and business people alike, that use it every day. 

Otta Pillarguri has been used throughout, and covers all 16.000m 2 of 

floorspace. Quite naturally, it appears solid and secure and helps create an 

atmosphere of calm in what can sometimes be a most stressful situation. 

Otta Pillarguri is particularly well suited to artistic and sculptural work and 

the architects Aviaplan AS have utilised that quality, inscribing a multitude 

of quotations into the floor. Minera is proud to have supplied the stone for 

one of Norway’s most important links to the world, a place making the first 

impression of the country for so many visitors. 

.

Fotograf Espen Grønli 

25

THE GOVERNMENT QUARTER OF OSLO 

The area including and around the main government buildings was 

entirely remodelled in 1996. The 10.000 m 2 of new pavement continues 

beyond the various government buildings creating a transition to the 

surrounding houses and streetscape. 

This area maintains the highest standards to be expected from the most 

official of all areas in a city, In this area, there aremany meetings with 

foreign delegations and the external spaceis often the backdrop for political 

reports from Norway. The whole space exudes the quality that one would 

wish. 

But the Government quarter is also designed for all those that stroll around 

or through the area. There are many small treasures – a park, water 

features and rose-beds. The place is distinguished by an openness that 

makes you feel good, whether you are on foot or cycling. 

In the exciting floor patterns, Otta phyllite and Oppdal quartzite are 

alongside granites and other stone types. The people behind the project, 

architects Lunde & Løvseth Arkitekter AS, landscape architects Hindhamar 

– Sundt – Thomassen AS and the artist A. Andresen have managed to 

create an external area that, with its stripes, diagonals, squares and circles, 

partly meet the buildings it surrounds, partly symbolizes the area function. 

27

28 

JÆRHAGEN SHOPPING MALL 

The last few years have seen shopping centres develop spectacularly. But 

competition for customers is tough and it is important that they want to 

come back time and again, so shopping has to be a pleasant experience. 

The Norwegian Coop appointed Signature Architects to achieve this end. 

They have produced a design for a building brilliantly formed to fit into the 

flat (for Norway, that is) but delightful Jær landscape. Furthermore, the 

mall is characterized by comfort and consistent quality throughout. 

The shoppers walk in light and spacious areas. They walk on 3.000 m 2 

of finely honed Oppdal quartzite and Otta phyllite, sometimes placed 

strikingly in juxtaposition to each other. Note also the spectacular water 

feature alongside the stairs. The interaction between quartzite, phyllite and 

water is quite beautiful and the feature both sparkles with life and helps to 

provide a refreshing atmosphere.

www.minera-norway.no 

MORTENSRUD CHURCH 

Mortensrud church was completed in 2002. It is simply a normal, 

functioning church with regular scheduled church activities. It has 

associated offices for both clerical and lay use and it is a meeting place 

with a cafe-teria, but for everyone who goes there appreciates its sense 

of serenity. 

A church contains symbols, though seldom as richly as that at Mortensrud. 

The chalice was brought from the Jacob church, a famous church in Oslo 

built in 1880 but no longer in active religious use after 1985. From Berlin 

came remains of the Berlin wall, from Robben Island, Cape Town, came 

limestone from the famous quarry where Nelson Mandela worked as a 

prisoner. The symbols speak to us and give us a lot upon which to reflect. 

This church sits directly upon rock which outcrops in the floor. The new 

materials are wonderfully in harmony. Oppdal quartzite has been used 

to build a dry stone wall, combining with both glass and steel. The result 

gives lots of natural light to make a very special place. 

The architect behind this bold and innovative construction, Jan Olav Jensen 

of Jensen and Skadvin, worked in partnership with a team of furniture 

designers, interior architect Terje Hope, Sculptor Gunnar Torvund and 

project leader Berit Hunnestad. 

31

Minera Norge AS 

Maridalsv. 87, bld. no 1, 061 Oslo 

E-mail: post@mineranorge.no 

www.mineranorge.no 

INSPIRIT AS / Design: ABONO.NO / Foto: m.fl

SLATE FROM 

ALTA, OPPDAL AND 

OTTA 

A LTA O P P D A L O T TA F L A M M E T 

POSSIBILITIES & CHALLENGES 

– assortment of ideas 

TRADITIONS 

& TRENDS 

– a collection of ideas

Possibilities & Challenges - Minera

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