Geological studies confirm the viability of the Chillado Project (a massive cubic hole within) Tindaya


Tindaya

Phase 2 of the geological study of Tindaya mountain has confirmed the viability of Eduardo Chillado's project to excavate a 50 metre cubic hole within the mountain. The Tindaya stone is uniform in quality. If the plan gets final approval, work could begin in the summer of 2007 and conclude in 2010. Forecast budget is between 40 and 50 million euros.


The Project

Phase I.
Concluded in November of 2003, this phase studied alternatives for the accomplishment of the work via computerised analysis of aerial photographs, the execution of geophysical tests and the geological appraisal of Tindaya and its surrounding area. The data gathered allowed consideration of different construction possibilities.


Eduardo Chillado 1924 - 2002

Phase 2
Has concluded with positive results. After making four soundings in different points of the mountain with twelve perforations of ten centimeters in diameter and extracting a total of 1,705 meters linear of thin rock cores for their study, the technicians have analyzed the samples as much in the field and laboratory. One of the great doubts that arose at the beginning of the project concerned whether there was sufficient horizontal tension in the rock bulk - like supporting a flat ceiling . The conclusions are positive. The budget of this second phase was 1.5 million euros - half of which was dedicated to environmental protection measures.

Next?
The only possible delays that it can suffer from now on seem to be those of future political decisions. The Town hall of Fuerteventura definitely intends to go ahead with the project but the Canarian Government - according to some sources- may be divided between the defenders of the project and those against.

Tindaya Page
Eduardo Chillida obituary
Oficial Tindaya Chillida website