Heritage Versus Tourism: New Deposit Of Creation Of Employment In The Andévalo. Huelva. Spain

Las transformaciones económicas y sociales de las últimas décadas motivadas por el crecimiento de la renta, el aumento de la esperanza de vida, el mayor nivel educativo y la mayor disposición de tiempo libre, han llevado a la sociedad a demandar nuevos servicios y productos relacionados con el ocio y el tiempo libre, la cultura y el patrimonio. La consolidación de este potencial necesita ir acompañado de instrumentos mediadores a cargo de agentes públicos y privados que deben difundir la idea de patrimonio como factor de desarrollo social y económico, eliminando las barreras psicológicas que impiden el crecimiento de la oferta y la demanda al ser percibidos estos servicios como “servicios de lujo”.The economic and social transformations of the last decades motivated by the growth of the rent, the increase of the life expectancy, the higher educational level and higher disposition of free time, have led society to demand new services and products related to leisure and free time, culture and heritage. The consolidation of this potential needs to go hand in hand with mediating instruments under the care of public and private agents that must spread the idea of heritage as a factor of social and economic development, eliminating the psychological barriers that prevent the growth of the supply and demand from being perceived as “luxury services”.Departamento de Ingeniería Minera, Mecánica, Energética y de la Construcció

Caracterización de las salinidades en el Preparque Norte del Parque Nacional de Doñana

El Parque Nacional de Doñana, como parte representativa de las marismas del Guadalquivir, es una de las zonas húmedas de mayor importancia ecológica, tanto de España como de Europa; esta riqueza faunística es posible gracias a la existencia de distintos ecosistemas, que son consecuencia de un difícil equilibrio de diversos factores, entre los que tiene primordial importancia el agua. Este equilibrio, está sin duda, afectado por los problemas de sobreexplotación desde hace varias décadas. En este trabajo, las investigaciones pretenden contribuir al conocimiento de los procesos de salinización de las aguas del acuífero en el Preparque Norte y aportar recomendaciones que contribuyan a mejorar la gestión del agua

Geochemical and Volcanological Criteria in Assessing the Links between Volcanism and VMS Deposits: A Case on the Iberian Pyrite Belt, Spain

VMS deposits in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), Spain and Portugal, constitute the largest accumulation of these deposits on Earth. Although several factors account for their genetic interpretation, a link between volcanism and mineralization is generally accepted. In many VMS districts, research is focused on the geochemical discrimination between barren and fertile volcanic rocks, these latter being a proxy of VMS mineralization. Additionally, the volcanological study of igneous successions sheds light on the environment at which volcanic rocks were emplaced, showing an emplacement depth consistent with that required for VMS formation. We describe a case on the El Almendro–Villanueva de los Castillejos (EAVC) succession, Spanish IPB, where abundant felsic volcanic rocks occur. According to the available evidence, their geochemical features, εNd signature and U–Pb dates suggest a possible link to VMS deposits. However, (paleo)volcanological evidence here indicates pyroclastic emplacement in a shallow water environment. We infer that such a shallow environment precluded VMS generation, a conclusion that is consistent with the absence of massive deposits all along this area. We also show that this interpretation lends additional support to previous models of the whole IPB, suggesting that compartmentalization of the belt had a major role in determining the sites of VMS depositionThis research is supported by the research project “Caracterización y datación isotópicas de rocas ígneas y sistemas hidrotermales en la Faja Pirítica Ibérica Española” (BTE2003-04354, Plan Nacional I+D) Careful revisions by anonymous reviewers have importantly contributed to improve this work and are acknowledged with than

Metallurgy in the Riotinto mines from its overhaul to the hiring to Marquis of Remisa (1725-1849) and fuel usage for the metallurgical process environmental indicators

Las minas de Riotinto se han venido explotando desde hace más de 5000 años, destacando históricamente la época romana como así lo atestiguan los nueve millones de tn de escorias generadas. La minería de los sulfuros masivos la realizaron mediante grandes huecos, donde la ley en cobre era elevada, rellenando donde era necesario con minerales pobres y estériles. La producción mineral de cobre debió de alcanzar los 3.600.000 tn, de las que se obtuvieron 288.000 tn de cobre. El análisis de los escoriales ha demostrado que los metalurgistas antiguos conocían el procedimiento de fundición de los minerales cupro-argentíferos con agregados plomizos, así como la copelación del plomo argentífero obtenido por este tratamiento. Finalizada la época romana, siguen trece siglos de inactividad en los que se pierden los conocimientos mineros y metalúrgicos necesarios, hasta que son rehabilitadas en 1725 por Wolters, que implantó el método de explotación por “huecos y pilares”, y en 1747 logró establecer el beneficio por vía seca, que se mantuvo hasta 1845 en que se sustituye por la cementación artificial. A partir de este momento se abandona el procedimiento por vía seca, coexistiendo la cementación natural y artificial hasta el final de 1873. El fenómeno medioambiental existía ya desde antes de la explotación por los romanos, donde se deduce una cierta contaminación natural o geoquímica que se producía al pasar las aguas de escorrentía sobre los afloramientos de los filones y las de manantial atravesando mineralizaciones, con ello se inicia un fuerte impacto ambiental que posteriormente se vio aumentado cuando los bosques quedaron totalmente arrasados como consecuencia de la utilización de su madera para la entibación de las labores mineras y como combustible para los hornos metalúrgicos y, sobre todo por la lluvia ácida, con los consiguientes problemas de pérdida de nutrientes del suelo. El fenómeno de contaminación atmosférica comienza como consecuencia de las calcinaciones al aire libre del mineral, su posterior fundición y afino, dando lugar a la aparición de la mencionada lluvia ácida, que arrasaba los campos, contaminaba los suelos y las aguas, tanto superficiales como subterráneas.The Riotinto mines have been exploited for over 5000 years, emphasizing above all, the Roman period in which nine million tn of slag was generated. The mining of sulphide was carried out through great cavities where fine copper was high, refilling where necessary with poor minerals and sterile materials. The production of copper mineral should have reached 3.600.000 tn, of which 288.000 tn of copper was obtained. The analysis of the scoria shows that the ancient metallurgists know the procedure of melting down cupric-argentiferous minerals with aggregate leaden, like the cupellation of lead-argentiferous obtained by this treatment. At the end of the roman period thirteen centuries followed of inactivity of which information from miners and metallurgists was lost until it was recovered by Wolters who implanted the method of exploitation by “rooms and pillars” and in 1747 establishing it’s benefits by drying out system of which was maintained until 1845, and them substituted by artificial cementation. From this moment on, the drying procedure was abandoned co-existing the artificial and natural cementation until the end of 1873. The environmental phenomenon already existed before the exploitation by the Romans, where a certain natural or geo-chemical contamination was deduced, this was produced when the scoria waters passed over the edges of the outcrops crossing springs and mineralization, with this began and strong environmental impact which was seen increasing when the forest were totally flattened by consequence of its wood for timbering for miner labour and combustible for the metallurgic ovens, above all acid rain with the following problem the lose of nutrients in the ground. The phenomenon of atmospheric contamination began by consequence of the open air calcinations of minerals its posterior foundry and pureness gibing way to the appearance of the mentioned acid rain, which destroyed the fields contaminating the grounds and the waters both superficial and underground.Departamento de Ingeniería Minera, Mecánica, Energética y de la Construcció

Propuestas de mejoras de los sistemas metalúrgicos durante la explotación española de las minas de Riotinto en el siglo XIX

Huelva ha sido considerada como una de las provincias metalogenéticas más importantes del mundo con más de 5.000 años de historia minera, destacando la época romana en Riotinto como así lo atestiguan lo nueve millones de toneladas de escorias generadas. Las minas fueron rehabilitadas en 1725 por el sueco Wolters, al que sucedió su sobrino Tiquet, que en 1747 logró establecer el beneficio por vía seca, sistema que se mantuvo hasta 1845 en que se sustituye por la cementación artificial. A partir de este momento se abandona el procedimiento por vía seca, coexistiendo la cementación natural y artificial hasta el final del periodo estudiado. En el presente artículo se describen las mejoras a los métodos metalúrgicos existentes propuestas por los ingenieros para el periodo estudiado, así como nuevos métodos, con el objeto de obtener mayores beneficios económicos, aunque en general no llegaron a realizarse debido a la incomprensión del Gobierno.Huelva has been regarded as one of the most important metalogenetic province of the world with more than 5.000 years of mining history, stressing the roman period in which nine million tons of slag was generated. The mines was recovered in 1725 by a Swede named Wolters who was succeeded by his nephew Tiquet that in 1747 establishing it´s benefits by the drying out system of which was maintained until 1845, and the substituted by artificial cementation. From this moment on, the drying procedure was abandoned co-existing the artificial and natural cementation until the end of the studied period. In the present article have been described the improvements for metallurgical methods and the purposes that the engineers had given for it during the analysed period of time, so as the new methods to be applied, with the unique objective of obtaining a better economical benefit, but by general, those were never used due to the Government incomprehensible attitude.Departamento de Ingeniería Minera, Mecánica, Energética y de la Construcció

Unveiling the Legacy of the Nineteenth Century Riotinto Mining Railway: From Historic Heritage to Thriving Tourist Attraction

The Riotinto mining railway is a remarkable construction. Stretching an impressive 348 km it was built between 1873 and 1875 to transport minerals from Riotinto’s mining operations to the international port of Huelva. At its height in the 1950’s, this monumental railway network had a fleet of 162 locomotives (mostly steam but also diesel and electric) and around 3,300 freight cars and carriages. Towards the end of the 1960’s the line began to fall into disuse, and it was closed entirely in 1984. Since the establishment of the Rio Tinto Foundation in 1987, dedicated efforts have been made to preserve this invaluable railway heritage and today, the fruits of their labor can be enjoyed at the Riotinto Mining Park where tourists can ride a fully restored 22 km section of this historic rail network. The park is highly successful and has recovered strongly after the COVID-19 pandemic attracting a record 96,935 visitors in 2022. The majority of the park’s tourists are from Spain but also a significant number are international (principally from Germany) highlighting the global importance of this site and the railway as a sustainable heritage tourism destination. Taking the restoration of the Riotinto mining railway as a case study, we aim to demonstrate the transformative power of the preservation and restoration of industrial heritage.Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature.Departamento de Ingeniería Minera, Mecánica, Energética y de la Construcció

The port of Huelva and the resurgence of mining (1873-1930)

El nacimiento de la Junta de Obras del Puerto de Huelva coincidió con la revitalización de la minería onubense, en el último tercio del siglo xix, impulsada por la inyección de capitales extranjeros y de su tecnología. También tuvo su importancia la legislación de bases de 1868, que desencadenó la fiebre minera. Por su parte, el Puerto de Huelva inició su desarrollo administrativo dentro de una corriente normativa por la que se crearon sucesivamente otros organismos similares en las costas españolas, con el impulso de las burguesías locales. De las entrañas de la tierra onubense comenzaron a aflorar los minerales con el trabajo de los mineros, sobre todo los minerales de cobre, manganeso y las piritas, que transportadas a través de los ferrocarriles llegaron al Puerto de Huelva, desde donde, gracias al progreso de sus infraestructuras, se exportaron, fundamentalmente a Europa, en plena Segunda Revolución Industrial.The setting up of the Committee of Works of the Port of Huelva coincided with the revitalization of mining in the province during the last third of the 19th century, stimulated by the injection of the foreign capital and technology. The mining legislation concerning customs duties of 1868 also contributed to triggering mining fever. For its part, the Port of Huelva began its administrative development within a succession of norms by which other similar bodies were progressively created along the Spanish coasts, with the encouragement of the local middle-classes. Mineral ores began to emerge from the bowels of the earth in Huelva at the eager hands of the miners, especially copper, manganese and pyrites, which was transported by the railways to the Port of Huelva, from whence, thanks to the development of its infrastructure, they were subsequently exported, mainly to a Europe in the throes of its second industrial revolution.Departamento de Ingeniería Minera, Mecánica, Energética y de la Construcció

Analysis of the Mechanical Properties of Structural Ceramics Made from Aggregate Washing Sludge and Manganese Mining Waste

The construction sector is presently among the most resource-intensive industries, driving a substantial body of research dedicated to the development of more sustainable materials to address these demands. A particularly promising approach within the framework of the circular economy is the repurposing of waste as a principal raw material for the creation of new construction products. Within this context, the primary aim of this study is to engineer ceramic materials for brick production using 100% waste-derived inputs, specifically aggregate washing sludge and manganese mining by-products. To evaluate the potential of these sustainable ceramic materials, an extensive investigation was conducted, encompassing both physical and mechanical testing, as well as a thorough characterisation of the waste inputs. For this purpose, a series of ceramic specimens were fabricated with varying proportions of mining residues and aggregate washing sludge, adhering to the conventional protocols employed in the manufacture of ceramic bricks. The results demonstrate that these sustainable ceramics exhibit a linear shrinkage reduction of up to 5% compared to traditional clay-based ceramics. Furthermore, they show water absorption levels—whether via capillarity, cold water, or hot water absorption—that are up to twice those observed in conventional clay ceramics, while maintaining comparable density values. This increased absorption, however, correlates with a reduction in mechanical strength at higher concentrations of manganese waste, yet the material continues to meet the minimum strength requirements as specified by industry standards for such products. In conclusion, this research introduces a novel, sustainable ceramic material that not only reduces economic and environmental costs but also adheres to the required performance criteria for construction applications

Tourist dynamization of the mining county of Tharsis (Huelva, Spain)

La minería en la provincia de Huelva cuenta con más de 5000 años de antigüedad; una de las zonas más importantes, junto con la de Riotinto es Tharsis. En este trabajo se pretende presentar un plan de dinamización turística para esta zona minera, enfocado en la valorización del patrimonio industrial como recurso turístico. El objetivo principal es impulsar el desarrollo sostenible de la región, diversificar su economía y promover la conservación del entorno. El plan abarca desde el análisis de los recursos turísticos disponibles hasta la implementación de estrategias de promoción, infraestructura y participación comunitaria.Mining in the province of Huelva is more than 5000 years old; one of the most important areas, together with Riotinto, is Tharsis. The aim of this work is to present a tourism revitalization plan for this mining area, focused on the valorization of the industrial heritage as a tourist resource. The main objective is to promote the sustainable development of the region, diversify its economy and promote the conservation of the environment. The plan covers from the analysis of the available tourism resources to the implementation of promotion strategies, infrastructure and community participation

Succession of felsic volcanic sequences in the Volcano-Sedimentary Complex in the Iberian Pyrite Belt: discrimination between volcanic and subvolcanic models

A field study is presented on two selected areas in the Volcano-Sedimentary Complex (VSC) of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), the Odiel River section and the Paymogo Volcanic lineament. Field evidence has allowed to distinguish two major groups of felsic rocks, which successively appear in the stratigraphic column. Probably, this conclusion can be extended to other areas in the IPB. In addition, field, petrographic and geochemical evidence shows that at least the felsic rhyolitic succession in the Odiel River (and probably also in Paymogo) formed in a volcanic, environment, favouring a volcanic-pile model in the VS