Description: 

From a geographic point of view, Bicaz Chei limestone deposit is located on the right flank of Bicaz Valley, in the Southern sector of the calcareous massif of Munticelu-Surducul Mare.

Within the mining perimeter, the morphology of the land suffered transformations due to excavations, processing of the useful material and building of roads.

From a geological point of view, the deposit is part of the Crystalline-Mesozoic area or the Eastern Carpathians.

The geological structure is complicated, the foundation of the area consisting of crystalline formations (gneisses, mica shale, amphibolites, quartzites, graphite shale, and so on), disproportionally superposed by sedimentary deposits settled during the Triassic-Jurassic-Cretaceous.

Morphologically, the area rises up to altitudes of 900-1100 m, with a very rough relief, with high level differences (300-400m).

Due to the resistance of the limestone in the area, these form a specific predominant relief, contrasting with the monotony of the peaks in the crystalline shale or flysch formations.

Bicaz Chei limestone quarry is located in the vicinity of the national park Cheile Bicazului-Hășmaș ROSCI0027.

The mining area covers 219.07 ha.

The restoration concept of the quarry focuses on the needs of blending the quarry site into the surrounding landscape by incorporating the high cliff faces with deep slopes and sparsely vegetated alpine meadows.

 

Topographical description: 

From an administrative point of view, Bicaz Chei limestone deposit is located on the territory of the commune of Bicaz Chei, Neamt County, at the Southern-Western end, around 25 km West of the town of Bicaz. Access is made from DN 12C, Bicaz-Gheorgheni route.

The coordinates of BICAZ CHEI QUARRY are the following:

  • Geographical coordinates (GPS coordinates)  - 46,819563 / 25,855379
  • Coordinates in the Stereographic projection system 1970

                        X = 590.700
                        Y = 565.100

Habitat, flora & fauna description: 

Many types of habitats are found in the quarry and the adjacent area: acidophilus forests of Picea abies, grasslands (on the banks of mountainous rivers), rocky flanks with chasmophytic vegetation on calcareous rocks.

Areas in this perimeter are mainly occupied by high weeds, main species Petasites kablikianus, which sometimes covers up to 70-90%. This type of habitat is composed of the following flower species: Petasites hybridus, Telekia speciosa, Petasites albus, Geranium robertianum, Lamium maculatum, Glechoma hederacea, Geum urbanum, Anthriscus sylvestris, Silene dioca, Cruciata laevipes, Galium aparine and so on. Near the limestone quarry from Bicaz Chei, intrazonal associations are characteristic: Populus Iba, Salix alba, Alnus incana.

Because of the human intervention in the area, herbal vegetal associations no longer fully keep their natural characteristics and present a specific modified composition due to the installation of ruderal species.

The invertebrate fauna is very rich, insects accounting for the biggest share. The following main vertebrates are found: mountain lizard, common viper, birds: hoopoe, cuckoo, forest lark, mountain chickadee, owl.