The municipal council of Carrara has approved, with 17 votes in favor and 4 against, the new regulation for the concession of marble quarries. The document, discussed in the Marble Commission chaired by Nicola Marchetti, saw the participation of industrialists, business associations, trade unions, and environmental organizations. An amendment proposed by councilor Matteo Martinelli (Five Star Movement) introduced changes to the parameters concerning environmental and socio-economic impacts.
Mayor Serena Arrighi emphasized the regulation’s continuity with Regional Law 35 of 2015 and previous initiatives aimed at ensuring transparency and clarity in the extractive sector. “This is a historic step not only for Carrara but for the entire national extractive sector,” she stated, thanking President Marchetti, the councilors, and municipal offices for their contributions.
The regulation establishes the criteria for evaluating bids for concessions, structured into two phases: the first to determine a merit ranking and the second to define the duration of the concession. Each offer will be assessed based on socio-economic and environmental impacts, the proposed concession fee, employment effects, planned investments, and certifications ensuring quality and sustainability.
The initial concession duration will be 13 years, extendable to 15 with Emas certification and up to an additional 10 years for projects that improve local processing, environmental standards, worker safety, and employment. The evaluation parameters for the extension will include the investment amount relative to the concession fee, its impact on employment, the environment, and infrastructure.
