Basalt extraction is gaining increasing relevance in Paraguay's economy, driven mainly by the expansion of infrastructure and construction works in various regions of the country. In this scenario, Alto Paraná stands out as the main production hub of the sector, concentrating nearly half of the estimated national revenue.
According to official records from the Directorate of Mineral Resources, linked to the Vice-Ministry of Mines and Energy of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC), the department generates about US$ 44.96 million annually, a value that represents 44.38% of the projected revenue from basalt commercialization in Paraguay.
Alto Paraná's leadership is also reflected in the number of licensed quarries and those in the licensing process. Currently, it has 20 basalt quarries, the largest concentration in the country, consolidating itself as the main extractive hub for this mineral resource.
In second place is Presidente Hayes, with an estimated annual revenue of US$ 17.18 million, equivalent to 16.96% of the national total. Together, the two departments account for more than 61% of the economic activity related to the sector, evidencing a strong concentration of production.
The official report also highlights Itapúa as one of the departments with the largest share in the sector, both in terms of the number of operational quarries and the projected economic volume.
The estimates were prepared based on the monthly extraction capacity declared by companies and the projected annual commercialization values for the market.
The growth of the basalt industry is directly related to the demand for stone materials used in road works, infrastructure projects, and civil constructions currently underway in different parts of the country.
In addition to the direct impact on mining activity, the sector generates significant complementary economic movement in areas such as transportation, logistics, operational labor, and provision of services associated with quarries, especially in regions with higher extraction levels.
The official data also point to expansion prospects for the activity in other departments with mining potential, mainly in areas where new production chains linked to public and private investments in infrastructure may develop.