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Projeto de investigação
A Geological Service for Europe (GSEU)
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Application of the Play-Based Exploration Pyramid Approach Adapted to Deep Geothermal Resource Mapping at the European Scale in the EU GSEU Project
Publication . Herms, Ignasi; Caldera, N.; Arnó, Georgina; Canteli, P.; García-Crespo, J.; Carrión, E.; Ramalho, Elsa; Carvalho, João; Nádor, A.; Steiner, C.; Janku, L.; Koevoets, M. J.
ABSTRACT: This work introduces version 1.0 of the Pan-European Atlas of Sustainable GeoEnergy Capacities (SGC), developed within the GSEU (Geological Service for Europe) project. The Atlas applies the Play-Based Exploration Pyramid (PBEP) approach to harmonize and standardize the assessment of deep geothermal resources across Europe. The methodology follows a multiscale structure—Levels 0 to 3—that refines geothermal understanding from regional geosystems to detailed local targets. Version 1.0 has been published in spring 2025 via the European Geological Data Infrastructure (EGDI) and includes Levels 0 and 1. Level 0 provides public data from boreholes and thermal springs, serving as the base for Level 1, which maps favorable areas for geothermal exploration using Geothermal Play Typing (GPT). The release includes a catalogue of near 400 factsheets describing each GPT unit, along with a metadata report. Future versions (2.0 in 2025 and 3.0 in 2026) will introduce deeper layers of detail. Level 2 will identify potential geothermal reservoirs using 1D stochastic estimations of geothermal and heat storage potential. Level 3 will compile existing 2D/3D maps and models for detailed local-scale reservoir assessments. Altogether, the Atlas supports Europe's energy transition by enhancing knowledge and visibility of its deep geothermal potential.
New Contributions to Mineralogical and Geochemical Knowledge of Old Preguiça Mine, Beja, Portugal
Publication . Silva, Teresa; Morais, Igor; Mesquita Soares, Sofia; Rodrigues, Ivo; de Oliveira, Daniel Pipa Soares; Mirao, Jose
ABSTRACT: Abandoned mining areas provide valuable opportunities to investigate ore-forming processes, supergene mineral transformations, and the geochemical behaviour of metals. In this sense, the old Preguiça mine (Beja, Portugal), exploited for Fe–Zn–Pb, was studied providing new mineralogical and geochemical data aimed at improving the understanding of the secondary mineral assemblages of this deposit. A total of 70 samples collected from three accessible underground levels (first, second and third) and mine waste, complemented by 16 samples from a deeper level (fourth) previously collected, were analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and a portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) equipment. Mineralogical phases are dominated by a wide range of secondary oxides, carbonates, arsenates, vanadates, silicates, phosphates and sulphates, but remnants of primary sulphides were also found. The following minerals can be emphasised: goethite, hematite, calcite, dolomite, descloizite, willemite, mimetite, cerussite, smithsonite and fraipontite. The presence of massicot in the Preguiça mine, is described for the first time. Bulk geochemical analyses show high concentrations of Fe, Ca, Zn and Pb, consistent with the observed mineralogy. The presence of vanadium- and arsenic-bearing minerals highlights the occurrence of critical raw materials, supporting the importance of reassessing other abandoned mining areas in the context of sustainable resource management and strategic raw-material planning.
Geochemical and mineralogical characterization of manganese deposits in the Iberian Pyrite Belt - preliminary study [Resumo]
Publication . Morais, Igor; Albardeiro, Luís; Silva, Teresa; de Oliveira, Daniel Pipa Soares
ABSTRACT: The Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), traditionally recognized for its extensive volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, also hosts a diverse set of manganese (Mn) occurrences whose genesis remains comparatively less explored. These deposits, distributed across distinct stratigraphic and structural contexts, represent an important record of the paleoenvironmental evolution and metallogenetic processes that shaped the region. In this preliminary study, several typologies of Mn deposits were sampled and analyzed, including stratiform levels interbedded within volcano sedimentary sequences, hydrothermal alteration zones peripheral to VMS systems, and horizons enriched through supergene processes associated with intense sulfide weathering. This diversity of geological settings allowed the assessment of internal variability within the deposits and the identification of the main geological controls governing Mn concentration. Mineralogical characterization revealed the presence of multiple primary and secondary phases, including oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, silicates and amorphous Mn–Fe–rich materials, as well as alteration products formed under oxidizing conditions. This mineralogical complexity indicates that Mn deposits in the IPB do not result from a single process, but rather from the interaction between hydrothermal, sedimentary and supergene mechanisms. From a geochemical perspective, the samples exhibit high Mn contents accompanied by significant concentrations of Fe, Ba and Si, in addition to trace elements that act as sensitive indicators of paleoenvironmental conditions. The observed geochemical relationships point to depositional environments influenced by low temperature hydrothermal circulation, accumulation in restricted basins under reducing conditions, and subsequent enrichment through oxidation and supergene leaching. These patterns are consistent with hybrid metallogenetic models characteristic of Mn enriched VMS systems. Overall, the results highlight the substantial typological variability and the mineralogical and geochemical complexity of Mn deposits in the IPB, reinforcing both their scientific relevance and their economic potential in the context of the energy transition. Future work should integrate isotopic analyses and high-resolution textural investigations to further elucidate the evolution of these deposits and their potential for resource development.
Geochemistry of historical smelting slags from S. Domingos (Iberian Pyrite Belt) and implications for metal recovery [Resumo]
Publication . Silva, Teresa; Morais, Igor; Albardeiro, Luís; Solá, A. Rita; de Oliveira, Daniel Pipa Soares
ABSTRACT: The historical mining area of S. Domingos, located in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), southwestern Portugal,
hosts significant accumulations of mining wastes including, smelting slags, iron oxides, milled blocks of pyrite and other residues resulting from centuries of processing Cu-rich massive sulfide ores. Polymetallic sulfide exploitation in this region dates to pre-Roman times and continued until 1966. These slags represent an important record of historical metallurgical practices and a potential secondary resource for critical and strategic raw materials (CRM/SRM) and other valuable metals. This study investigates the geochemical composition and mineralogical characteristics of historical smelting slags, to access not only their potential to metal recovery, but also their associated environmental risks. The slags are heterogeneous and chemically unstable waste products, typically Fe-rich, and dominated by fayalite, Fe2+2SiO4 (the iron-rich member of the olivine mineral group) together with glassy matrices. Fayalite is the result of the reaction of iron oxide with silica at high temperatures and host a range of metals including As, Ba, Co, Cu, Sn, Pb, Sr and Zn. Weathering processes promote metal mobilization of these elements, contributing to local contamination and to the development of acid mine drainage (AMD) products in the surrounding areas. Geochemical assessment indicates that significant quantities of valuable metals remain trapped within these historical slags due to inefficient recovery during earlier
smelting technologies. Studies across the IPB suggest that mining wastes may contain significant valuable reserves of metals such as Fe, Zn, Cu and Pb, as well as CRM and other important trace metals. Consequently, these residues represent potentially promising targets for reprocessing using advanced metallurgical or hydrometallurgical technologies. Detailed geochemical characterization provides insights supporting the development of sustainable recovery strategies within a circular economy framework for historic mining districts of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. The results underscore the dual importance of recovering the S. Domingos slags as potential secondary mineral resources, while also mitigating the
environmental impact associated with AMD.
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Entidade financiadora
UK Research and Innovation
Programa de financiamento
Horizon Europe Guarantee
Número da atribuição
10067926