EurGeo Manuel Regueiro y González-Barros

Andres Santiago Martín

Geological Survey of Spain

2

MENÚ

• IGME

• Fluorspar in short

• Geology

• Processing

• Uses and specs

• Fluorspar in Spain

– Geology & mining

– Production and consumption

– Uses

– Reserves and resources

– Future trends

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IGME

The Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (Geological Survey of Spain)

– Senior (founded 1849) public research autonomous institution attached to the Ministry of Science and Innovation

– Main Earth Sciences Research Centre of Spain. Total 392 employees, 270 graduated

– Specialized in various fields of activity such as geology, environment, hydrogeology, mineral resources, natural hazards and land use planning

– IGME facilities, including its headquarters, project offices in several places around the country, laboratories, warehouses, drill core repository , library and museum, are equipped with advanced technology and technical resources

– IGME is the national centre for the creation of knowledge infrastructure, information and R&D in Earth Sciences

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FLUORSPAR IN SHORT

• Flourite (F2Ca) always regarded as donor or rationality and intuitive qualities…(for Aquarians of course)

• In Roman times, used in decoration and jars (thought to prevent drunkenness if used for wine…)

• Fist described by Agricola (1530) as an additive in smelting to reduce the melting point of metals, thus the name from Latin fluere (flow)…

• A.S. Marggraf produced hydrofluoric acid in 1764 heating fluorite with sulphuric acid.

• Used in medicine in the XVIII century to prevent renal illness…

• In 1852, fluorite gave its name to the phenomenon of fluorescence (contains mineral impurities, such as yttrium, ytterbium or europium). It also has thermoluminiscence…

• Fluorine first isolated by Henri Moissan in 1886

• Growth of fluorite consumption related to steel manufacturing in the XX century.

• Main uses today of this intuitive, home of the rainbow, “healthy” mineral with fluorescence and flow…:

– Acid-grade (> 97 percent CaF2). ~52% global use

– Metallurgical-grade (≤ 97 percent CaF2). ~43% global use

– Other (cement, pharmacy, ceramics, enamel, glass, welding rod coatings, ornamental). ~5% global use

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GEOLOGY OF FLUORSPAR

• Fluorine ranks 13th in Earth crust abundance (600–700 ppm)

• Fluorspar occurs in many types of geological settings: – Hydrothermal Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT. Lead-zinc(-fluorspar-barite))

• Spain, USA,

– Veins and stockworks along faults of shear zones in igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary rocks

• China, Spain, United Kingdom, Morocco, Mongolia, Mexico, South Africa, Transval

– Stratiform beds in carbonate rocks

• Mexico, South Africa

– Alkaline-Volcanic-Related Epithermal substituting carbonate rocks

• Northern Mexico, Kenya

– Replacement deposits (along faults, joints and contacts)

• Mexico, USA, China, South Africa

– Marginal deposits in carbonatitic rocks complexes

• Namibia, India

– Pegmatite

• EEUU

– Weathering of all the above

• EEUU, England, Thailand, Spain, South Africa

• World reserves 240 Mt. South Africa (about 41 Mt), Mexico (32 Mt) and China (24 Mt), Mongolia (22 Mt), Spain (6Mt) Source: USGS 2017 (from Miller 2013.

100% CaF2)

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GEOLOGY OF FLUORSPAR

Source: Bide, Gunn, Brown and Rayner 2011, Fluorspar Mineral Profile - British Geological Survey https://www.bgs.ac.uk/downloads/start.cfm?id=1405

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GEOLOGY OF FLUORSPAR

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GEOLOGY OF FLUORSPAR

Source: Fluorine. Chapter G of Critical Mineral Resources of the United States—Economic and Environmental Geology and Prospects for Future Supply. USGS. Professional Paper 1802–G. 2017

Figure G6. Plot of fluorite (CaF2 ) grade versus tonnage for fluorspar deposits related to strongly differentiated granites, for carbonatite-related fluorspar deposits, and for veins from all classes of fluorspar deposits. Two vein fluorspar mines that failed because of either insufficient grade (Zwartkloof; Z) or insufficient tonnage (Argentolle; A) are identified on the plot. Data are from table G1–1; deposits whose grade and tonnage are plotted are listed in the footnote.

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FLUORSPAR WORLD PRODUCTION 2016

AFMST (Austrian Federal Ministry of Sustainability & Tourism) BGS (British Geological Survey). USGS (US Geological Survey)

Source: AFMST Source : BGS Source: USGS

China 4.200.000,00 4.200.000,00 3.800.000,00

Mexico 655.255,00 655.255,00 988.000,00

Mongolia 248.900,00 338.000,00 202.000,00

Vietnam 218.878,00 217.900,00 175.000,00

South Africa 180.000,00 180.000,00 165.000,00

Spain 130.131,00 132.501,00 130.000,00

Kazakhstan 100.000,00 110.000,00

Morocco 73.920,00 81.000,00 70.000,00

Iran 70.820,00 60.000,00 40.000,00

Germany 52.552,00 52.552,00 50.000,00

Kenya 42.656,00 81.000,00 43.000,00

Argentina 39.000,00 30.000,00 39.000,00

Brazil 24.000,00 25.000,00 24.000,00

Thailand 20.100,00 20.100,00 42.000,00

United Kingdom 17.000,00 12.000,00 17.000,00

Turkey 10.339,00 6.500,00

Pakistan 9.494,00 0,00

Russia 8.000,00 2.000,00

Kyrgyzstan 4.000,00

Bulgaria 4.400,00 4.400,00

Afghanistan 2.000,00

India 1.175,00 1.175,00

Total 6.008.620,00 6.203.383,00 5.930.000,00

33.000,00

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FLUORSPAR WORLD PRICES TRENDS

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Source: CRM_InnoNet Project. http://www.criticalrawmaterials.eu/

BENCHMARKING FLUORSPAR WORLD PRODUCTION

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FLUORSPAR, A CRITICAL MINERAL FOR THE EU INDUSTRY

.

Material Stage assessed

Supply Risk

Economic Importance

Import reliance (%)

End-of-life Recycling Input Rate (%)

Supply used in SR calc

Fluorspar Extraction 1.3 4.2 70 1 Global Supply + EU Sourcing

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SUSTITUTABILITY OF FLUORSPAR

Source: CRM_InnoNet Project. http://www.criticalrawmaterials.eu/

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PROCESSING

1. Selective mine extraction (and manual separation)

2. Dry densimetric separating tables

3. Dense medium concentration with hydrocyclones

“The main problem is the 2,5%” (impurities such as SiO2, P2O5, As, Pb, S, CO3Ca). Each type of geological setting produces different impurities & thus different processing related to the liberation size. Geology & mineralurgy key aspects in new projects.

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USES & SPECS

• ACID GRADE: >97% F2Ca. 52% global use. Used in hydrofluoric acid manufacture (synthesis of fluorocarbons (CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs), fluorine-bearing chemicals (pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, non-stick coatings and uranium processing), catalyst for the petroleum industry, plastics production, production & purification of radioactive materials, microchip etching, electronic circuit cleaners, glass etching).

• METALLURGICAL GRADE (METSPAR): 75-85% F2Ca. 25% of global use in steel manufacturing as a flux (1-10kg/t of steel). 18% of global use in electrolytic production of aluminium (about 2 kg of cryolite are necessary to produce 1 ton of aluminium. Synthetic cryolite is made mixing hydrofluoric with sodium oxide (Na2O)). Residually in iron foundries (7-8Kg of metal melted).

• OTHER USES: 5% of global use. 85-96% F2Ca – GLASS & CERAMIC GRADE: Used in milky or coloured glass or glass fibres,

which may contain 10-20% fluorite. Enamels for metallic or ceramic substrates containing between 3-10% fluorite.

– CEMENT (40-50% F2Ca): Enhances the clinkering temperature to 50-150 ºC.

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USES & SPECS

Source: Eurofluor (CTEF, Comité Technique Européen du Fluor), the Association representing the major producers and users of hydrogen fluoride (HF) and fluoride chemicals in Europe.

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USES OF FLUORSPAR IN EUROPE

Source: SCRREEN project (http://scrreen.eu/) Solutions for Critical Raw Materials a European Expert Network. D21.Report on the current use of critical raw materials

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN

• National Inventory of Fluorspar Resources. IGME (1984):

– 262 occurrences (Asturias, Andalusia, Catalonia, Madrid, Aragón, Vizcaya, Segovia, Guadalajara, Galicia)

– Reserves: 5 Mt. 71,4% Asturias, 28% Andalusia, 9,4% Catalonia, 0,1% Aragón.

• 1st European & 6th world producer

• Main production centres:

– Minersa. Caravia & Rivadesella (Asturias)

– Minera de Orgiva SL. Orgiva (Granada)

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN

Provincia Municipio Pedanía Nombre Obsevaciones

Córdoba

Hornachuelos La Cardenchosa. Embalse Los Membrillos Gloria 1 y 2 Asociado a barita

Fuente Obejuna Dehesa de San Bartolomé Rosalía Filón de fluorita

Fuente Obejuna Casa del Olivar San José y San José 2 Filoniano

Fuente Obejuna Piconcillo María Mina de galena

Córdoba Cerro Muriano Chaparral

Córdoba Cerro Muriano Perseverancia

Córdoba Cerro Muriano Excelsior Filones cupríferos

Belmez El Hoyo Virgen de Gracia Fluorita con calcopirita y crisocola

Cardeña El Águila

Villaviciosa de Córdoba Blancanieves Filón de fluorita

Sevilla

Los Pedroches Los Pedroches Cerro Albardón

Espiel Castillo de la Aguja Castillo de la Aguja

Hornachuelos Fuente de la Parrilleja Fuente de la Parrilleja

El Castillo de los Guardas Peroamigo Los Ángeles Filones de galena y esfalerita

Morón Cementerio Filoncillos

Málaga

Cómpeta barranco de Los Cazadores La Toña Filoncillos

Cómpeta La Furia

Mijas Los Arenales Los Arenales

Jaén Alcalá la Real Mures Mures Cantera de áridos

Almería

Laujar de Andarax Sierra de Gádor La Tolva Dolomía franciscana

Laujar de Andarax y Berja Sierra de Gádor Hoya de Martos Dolomía franciscana

Laujar de Andarax y Berja Sierra de Gádor Julio Verne o Pecho del Conejo Dolomía franciscana

Laujar de Andarax y Berja Sierra de Gádor Los Vaciaderos Dolomía franciscana

Laujar de Andarax y Berja Sierra de Gádor. Pecho de Las Viñas La Cuña Piedra indiana

Laujar de Andarax y Berja Sierra de Gádor Lupión Piedra indiana

Laujar de Andarax y Berja Sierra de Gádor Berja Piedra indiana

Laujar de Andarax y Berja Sierra de Gádor Victoria Estratoligadas y filones

Laujar de Andarax y Berja Sierra de Gádor Nevi Estratoligadas y filones

Laujar de Andarax y Berja Sierra de Gádor Conseguida Estratoligadas y filones

Berja Benínar. Sierra de Gádor Benínar Minas de plomo

Berja Cerro de las Cruces De los Alemanes Minas de plomo

Dalías Cerro de La Atalaya San Diego Minas de plomo

Dalías Parrapa Parrapa Minas de plomo

Dalías Pecho de la Leche Minas de plomo

Benahadux y otros Bancalico de las Flores Bancalico de las Flores Minas de plomo

Benahadux y otros Las Minas Las Minas Minas de plomo

Enix Sargento Minas de plomo

Enix Victoria Minas de plomo

Enix Dulce Nombre Minas de plomo

Huércal Overa Cerro de Los Montesinos María Carmen Minas de galena

Níjar Cabo de Gata Quintiliano Vulcanismo Neógeno-Cuaternario

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN

Órgiva Sierra de Lújar San José Estratiformes y filonianas

Órgiva Sierra de Lújar Sierra de Lújar Estratiformes y filonianas

Órgiva Sierra de Lújar La Culebra Estratiformes y filonianas

Órgiva Sierra de Lújar. Barranco Vicario Los Catorce Estratiformes y filonianas

Vélez Benaudalla Sierra de Lújar Peñón Negro Estratiformes y filonianas

Vélez Benaudalla Sierra de Lújar. El Tablón de Boliche Recompensa, La Raja y La Soltera Estratiformes y filonianas

Vélez Benaudalla Sierra de Lújar. Llano de los Pozos Guano Estratiformes y filonianas

Baza y Gor Sierra de Baza Animal muerto Antigua explotación de galena

Baza y Gor Sierra de Baza Violeta Antigua explotación de galena

Baza y Gor Sierra de Baza Garrucha Subvertical y arrosariada

Baza y Gor Sierra de Baza Victoria Antigua explotación de galena

Baza y Gor Sierra de Baza. Pico Santa Bárbara San Manuel Estratiformes y filonianas

Baza y Gor Sierra de Baza. Puerto de las Lomas San José Estratiformes y filonianas

Baza y Gor Sierra de Baza. Prados del Rey Ana Mary Estratiformes y filonianas

Baza y Gor Sierra de Baza. Pico Santa Bárbara Carmen Estratiformes y filonianas

Baza y Gor Sierra de Baza Las Minillas, Picón de Gor Estratiformes y filonianas

Baza y Gor Sierra de Baza Collado del Resinero Estratiformes y filonianas

Baza y Gor Sierra de Baza Cortijo de las Salivillas Estratiformes y filonianas

Albuñol Rambla de las Angosturas Fabiola Mina de galena. Estratos y filón

Albuñol Rambla de las Angosturas Balduino II Mina de galena. Estratos y filón

Albuñol Corijo Los Sapos Endina Mina de galena

Albuñol Los Yesos Buena Hora Mina de galena

Güéjar y Monachil Carretera de Sierra Nevada Eduardo Mina de galena

Güéjar y Monachil desvío Esttación de Diéchar Estación de Diéchar Mina de galena

Güéjar y Monachil La Dehesilla La Dehesilla Esfalerita y galena

Otívar Loma de los Graillos Mina Rica Mina de galena

La Peza La Peza Santa Lucía Asociada a la galena

Huétor Santillán Cortijo el Molinillo Carboneras y Calabacillo Asociada a la galena

Quéntar Cortijo de la Cerradura Baja Coritjo de la Cerradura Baja Filoncillos dispersos

Quéntar Embalse de Quéntar Tintín y Prado Moreno Filoncillos dispersos

Motril Cerro del Toro Mina Pepita Esfalerita y galena

Motril Minas de la Cruz y Buena Fe Esfalerita y galena

Granada

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN

Ribadesella Berbes Ana Filón

Ribadesella Berbes La Cabaña karst de calizas

Ribadesella Berbes El Frondil karst de calizas

Ribadesella Berbes Vulcano

Ribadesella Berbes Cueto del Aspa karst de calizas

Ribadesella Berbes La Gusteriza karst de calizas

Ribadesella Berbes Leonor

Ribadesella Berbes María

Ribadesella Berbes La Paredona

Ribadesella Berbes El Portiellu

Ribadesella Berbes San Lino

Ribadesella Berbes Valnegro

Ribadesella Berbes Agustina

Caravia Aurora Filón

Caravia Obdulia Filón

Siero La Collada Veneros o Josefa-Veneros Filón

Siero La Collada Collada (Coroña) Filón

Gijón Santa Eulalia de Baldornón Baldornón Filón

Siero Pola de Siero La Zoreina Filón

Siero Pola de Siero Audacia Filón

Siero y Gijón Peruyero Filón

Llanera Huergo La Viesca Filón

Gijón La Sirena

Siero y Gijón Santa Eulalia de Baldornón Baldornón

Siero y Gijón La Collada La Zorcina

Siero y Gijón Pola de Siero Peruyeno

Corvera de Asturias Solís Moscona Capa estratigráfica

Llanera Villabona Cucona Capa subhorizontal

Llanera Villabona Villabona Capa subhorizontal

Llanera Villardeveyo San Ismael Capas estratigráficas

Corvera de Asturias Moscona Gloria Capa estratigráfica

Corvera de Asturias Moscona Rosario Capa estratigráfica

Corvera de Asturias Moscona Maime Capa estratigráfica

Llanera Pepito o de Arlós 4 capas mineralizadas

Llanera Ferroñes Ferroñes y Casa del Cura Capas estratigráficas

Parres El Fresnedal Fíos Filoncillos permotriásicos

Parres Cofiño Cofiño Filoncillos permotriásicos

Caso Caleao Ambición Capa de areniscas con fluorita

Caso Faya de los Lobos Cristalera Filón

Caso La Felguerina Corbúa Filón

Caso Brañacaballo Los Cobos Filón arrosariado

Caso Brañacaballo Monasterio Filón arrosariado

Proaza y Quirós Collada de Aciera Carolina Filón

Asturias

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN

Sallent de Gállego Concha

Sallent de Gállego Corona de Aragón

Sallent de Gállego Rosario Bolsadas métricas

Sallent de Gállego Alto del Puerto Elisita Filón

Sallent de Gállego Alto del Puerto Aneou Filón

Sallent de Gállego Alto del Puerto Pilar Filón

Sallent de Gállego Alto del Puerto Águilas Filón

Lamuza embalse de Lamuza Ana Mary Filón

Parzán Hospital de Parzán Parzán Asociada a la galena

Liena barranco de Liena Luisa

Ruego Ruego Filón en el batolito de Bielsa

Bielsa Ana Filón subvertical

Teruel La Zoma El Carrascla, Cabezo de Hierro Filones de barita

Áliva Las Manforas Puntualmente en las esfaleritas

Cepitá-Pescadero Macizo de Santander Cepitá-Pescadero Filones epitermales

Sant Cugat del Vallés Turó de Can Domenech Berta Filones verticales

El Papiol El Papiol

Gualba Gualba Canteras de mármol

Monsey Monsey

Tagamanent Collat de Sant Marti Gato Filones de barita + fluorita

Osor carretera Angles-Sant Hillari Minas de Osor Filonianas o estratiformes

Viladrau Montseny Magallats Macizo de Montseny-Guillerías

Viladrau Montseny Pilar Macizo de Montseny-Guillerías

Viladrau barranco de Rinclós Les Indes filones de barita

Espinelves San Antonio y San Román

Espinelves Can Cubells

Tarragona Ulldemolins arroyo de Montsant Ampliación a San Antonio Filón en pórfidos graníticos

Huesca

Barcelona

Gerona

Cantabria

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN

Robledo río La Bodera Tirolesa

Robledo río La Bodera Asociación de los Diez Obreros

Almadenejos La Concepción Fluorita con cinabrio

Abenójar Cerro del Castellar El Moto Con cuarzo y moscovita

Oseja de Sajambre Collado Llaete Americana Letejones y bolsadas arrosariadas

Soto El Maziquín El Maziquín formación kárstica

Oseja de Sajambre cta puente del río Agüera Agúera

Villabona varios estratiformes

Burón Burón niveles carstificados

Salamanca Villar de Peralonso María Teresa

Segovia río Gudillos Nieves

Perales del Puerto arroyo de Los Hurones San Jaime o El Portugués

Cáceres Valdeflores Filones de cuarzo

Mérida El Berrocal Pepita Fluorita con casiterita y wolframita

Valle de la Serena San Nicolás Mina de wolframio

Valle de la Serena El Bonal Mary Filoncillos de cuarzo

La Coruña Arteixo Monte Barbieto Asociado a wolframita y granitos

La Coruña Arteixo Villarrodís Monte da Costa o Liosta Cistale sobre cuarzo o feldespato

La Coruña Santa Comba Mina Carmen (Grupo Comba) Mina de wolframio

La Coruña Santa Comba San Finx Mina de wolframio

Orense Novelle Novelle Mina de casiterita

Orense Lovios Las Sombras Filoncillos

Orense Ríos Pedroso Indicios

Orense Gomesende Escudeiros La Sultana Indicios en la mina de casiterita

Pontevedra Porriño Atios Canteras de granito

Lugo Piedrafita del Cebrerro Rubiais Mina Rubiales Indicios en la mina de csiterita

León

Ciudad Real

Guadalajara

Cáceres

Badajoz

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN

Colmenar de Arroyo Estación Espacial Robledo de Chavela San Eusebio Filones de baritina y fluorita

Colmenar de Arroyo Los Cebadales La Carrala Masas cristalinas

Colmenar de Arroyo Rosita Fluorita con poca barita

Colmenar de Arroyo La Chaparra Filón. Asociada a cuarzo

Colmenar de Arroyo Coincidencia Filón en granitos

Navas del Rey La Asturiana Filón en granitos

Navalagamella La Montañesa Filón en granitos

Colmenar Viejo Colmenar Viejo Filón en granitos

Cartagena Sierra de Cartagena San Camilo

Alumbres San Roque

La Unión La Unión La Unión

Zarzadilla de Totana Sierra de Pedro Ponce Razón y Fe

Lorca Loma de las Minas de Mingrano Violeta

Totana Aledo Collado de los Grullos

Yantzi Yantzi Filón

Ezcurra río Ollín Ollín Asociado a galena

Ezcurra Monte Eracumi Naitlizaque Filón

Ezcurra Inmaculada Filón

Ezcurra Cimbeleta La Unión o Cimbeleta

Leiza arroyo Udegui Jose Mary

Vera de Bidasoa Modesta

Vizcaya Karrantza Karrantza Ángela Venas y brechas filonianas

Irún San Maximiliano Asociada a otras mineralizaciones

Irún Manuela Asociada a otras mineralizaciones

Irún San Nicolás Filón polimetálico

Irún Ventas de Irún - Ollaquineta Ollaquineta Filón polimetálico

Irún Ventas de Irún - Ollaquineta Belbio Filón polimetálico

Irún Unsalias San Jorge Filón polimetálico

Oyarzun Arditurri Masas lenticulares

Oyarzun Oportuna Masas lenticulares

Ataun Aia indicio Esfalerita + baritina + fluorita

Álava Barambio San Antón

Guipúzoa

Navarra

Madrid

Murcia

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN: AREAS OF POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN ANDALUSIA

26

FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN

ASTURIAS: >40 locations. Stratiform of in veins filling fractures both in Carboniferous and

Permian carbonate rocks. Mineralized levels in calcareous conglomerate or breccia (La Riera) in the contact with underlying karstified limestone. MVT with lead, zinc, copper and barite. Fluorite crystals also in the minerals collector´s scope.

Source: USGS Professional paper 1802-G. Fluorine. Critical mineral resources of the US. Economic and environmental geology and prospects for future supply

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• Berbes-Caravia

– In the limit of the Paleozoic basement and the Permo-Triasic cover.

FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN

• Villabona-Arlós • In the limit of the Palaeozoic basement and the Permo-triasic cover.

– Mines: Moscona, Cucona & Santo Firme

Moscona mine Fluorite from Moscona mina

Cucona mine Fluorite from Villabona area

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN

Geological section of the Villabona deposit (in red fluorite mineralization). In C. Luque Cabal, M. Gutiérrez Claverol & L. Pando. Trabajos de Geología, Universidad de Oviedo, 30 : 361-385 (2010)

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN

• La Collada district

– In the limit of the Palaeozoic basement and the Permo-Triasic cover

– Josefa, Veneros & Collada veins

– Currently closed

Geological section of the Josefa-Veneros vein in La Coroña (in red fluorite mineralization). In C. Luque Cabal, M. Gutiérrez Claverol & L. Pando. Trabajos de Geología, Universidad de Oviedo, 30 : 361-385 (2010)

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN

ANDALUSIA: (Pb-Zn + Fluorite)

– Numerous occurrences (328) in the Betic Mountain Range. In the past important metallic ores producers.

• Alpujarride Complex occurrences: lodged in dolomites and limestone of middle or upper Triassic (sallow marine platform with restricted lagoon environments and evaporitic episode)

– Baza and Estancias Range (Granada, Almería). Stratabound, also lenses sometimes stratoids (filling fissures), sometimes veins or paleokarstic (remobilization).

– Sierras de Gador y Alhamilla (Almería). Middle Triassic. Stratabound, also lenses sometimes stratoids (filling fissures).

– Sierra de Lujar (Granada). Stratabound. Black dolomites and the Franciscana formation (alternating black dolomites and white dolomite/ankerite layers)

• External Betics

– Alcalá la Real (Jaén).

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• Baza Range

FLUORITE IN SPAIN: BAZA RANGE

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN: GADOR RANGE

Lavadero y minas Almagrera La Chiripa

Sierra de Gador fluorite occurrences

Indiana stone General stratigraphic column of Sierra de Gador

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN: LUJAR RANGE

Lujar Range: Órjiva mine located in the Lujar mantle

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN: OSSA MORENA

Ossa Morena Zone

36

FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN: HISTORY

• The advent of the XX century saw the beginning of fluorite exploitation in Asturias (discovered at La Collada thanks to the railway San Martín-Lieres-Gijón-Musel). First exploited by Duro-Felguera in the 20’.

• Spain became a world class producer of fluorspar in the 70`s with more than 40 mines in operation and a production of 500.000 tpa (50% exports, 50% local steel production).

• Steel crisis at the end of the 70`s and the problem with fluocarbons crashed the industry.

• Mining in Andalucía, related to lead production (fluorite was dumped as gangue) but in the early 70`s production in Cerro Muriano reached almost 30.000 tpa. Minersa produced in Mina Gloria 110.000 t from 1953-1977.

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FLUORSPAR PRODUCTION IN SPAIN: STATS

0.00

20,000.00

40,000.00

60,000.00

80,000.00

100,000.00

120,000.00

140,000.00

160,000.00

180,000.00

20072008

20092010

20112012

20132014

20152016

2017e

155,197.00

148,207.00

122,533.00 132,341.00

117,063.00 113,570.00

123,166.00 130,000.00 130,647.00

162,989.00

154,811.00

Fluorspar production tpa

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN: LOCATION OF OPERATIONS

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN: STATS

40

FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN: STATS

2016 MINERAL (t) CaF2 CONTENT (t) GRADE (%

F2Ca)

VALUE

(K€)

ACID GRADE 130.131 127.073 98 20.488

METALURGICAL GRADE 11.997 10.197 85 1.381

CERAMIC GRADE 20.861 9.905 47 1.793

TOTAL 162.989 147.175 23.662

2017 MINERAL (t) CaF2 CONTENT (t)

ACID GRADE 125.870 122.962

METALURGICAL GRADE 12.622 10.729

CERAMIC GRADE 16.319 8.788

TOTAL 154.811 142.479

1 mine in Andalucía (Minera de Órjiva) and 5 in Asturias (Minersa) Minera de Órjiva produced in 2016 16.572t of ceramic grade fluorite and 11.997 t of metalurgical grade fluorite. Minersa produced from it’s Spanish mines 134.420 t in 2016, but also owns Vergenoeg mine (South Africa) producing 340.000 tpa and with 122 Mt of reserves.

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN: STATS

• 80% of the Spanish fluorspar is used in the acid industry, 7% is used in metallurgy and 13% in other uses. Around 45% of the acid graded product is exported.

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FLUORSPAR EXPLORATION BY IGME

Study of the mining potential of critical minerals of Andalusia • 173 occurrences of fluorite: 65 in Almeria, 23 in Córdoba, 75 in

Granada (+ 1 active mine), 1 in Jaen and 1 in Seville

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FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN: FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

• The fluorspar market is flourishing and demand is growing globally in relation to the manufacture of refrigeration gases, and industrial processes related to cement, steel and aluminium.

• China`s environmental concerns reduces fluorspar global offer

• Spain has a considerable fluorspar potential yet to explore for small-scale mining.

• Fluorspar producers should explore new reagents to improve the flotation process and reduce its environmental impact.

• Some fluorites (including Spanish Asturias fluorites) show occurrences of rare earths. This should be explored also in the Andalusian fluorites.

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Thanks!

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