IGME • Fluorspar in Short • Geology • Processing • Uses

EurGeo Manuel Regueiro y González-Barros Andres Santiago Martín Geological Survey of Spain MENÚ

• IGME • Fluorspar in short • Geology • Processing • Uses and specs • Fluorspar in Spain – Geology & mining – Production and consumption – Uses – Reserves and resources – Future trends

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

3 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

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) 5 GEOLOGY OF FLUORSPAR

Source: Bide, Gunn, Brown and Rayner 2011, Fluorspar Mineral Profile - British Geological Survey 6 https://www.bgs.ac.uk/downloads/start.cfm?id=1405 GEOLOGY OF FLUORSPAR

7 GEOLOGY OF FLUORSPAR

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.

Source: Fluorine. Chapter G of Critical Mineral Resources of the United States—Economic and Environmental Geology and Prospects for 8 Future Supply. USGS. Professional Paper 1802–G. 2017 FLUORSPAR WORLD PRODUCTION 2016

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 33.000,00 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 AFMST (Austrian Federal Ministry of Sustainability & Tourism) BGS (British Geological Survey). USGS (US Geological Survey)

9 FLUORSPAR WORLD PRICES TRENDS

10 BENCHMARKING FLUORSPAR WORLD PRODUCTION

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

11 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

12 SUSTITUTABILITY OF FLUORSPAR

Source: CRM_InnoNet Project. http://www.criticalrawmaterials.eu/ 13 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.

14 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.

15 USES & SPECS

Source: Eurofluor (CTEF, Comité Technique Européen du Fluor), the Association representing the major producers and users of 16 hydrogen fluoride (HF) and fluoride chemicals in Europe. 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

17 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)

18 FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN

Provincia Municipio Pedanía Nombre Obsevaciones 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 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 Los Pedroches Los Pedroches Cerro Albardón Espiel Castillo de la Aguja Castillo de la Aguja Sevilla 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 Cómpeta barranco de Los Cazadores La Toña Filoncillos Málaga Cómpeta La Furia Mijas Los Arenales Los Arenales Jaén Alcalá la Real Mures Mures Cantera de áridos 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 Almería 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

19 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 Granada 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

20 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 Asturias 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

21 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 Huesca 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 Cantabria Cepitá-Pescadero Macizo de Santander Cepitá-Pescadero Filones epitermales Sant Cugat del Vallés Turó de Can Domenech Berta Filones verticales El Papiol El Papiol Barcelona 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 Gerona 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

22 FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN

Robledo río La Bodera Tirolesa Guadalajara Robledo río La Bodera Asociación de los Diez Obreros Almadenejos La Concepción Fluorita con cinabrio Ciudad Real 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 León 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 Cáceres Valdeflores Filones de cuarzo Mérida El Berrocal Pepita Fluorita con casiterita y wolframita Badajoz 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

23 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 Madrid 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 Murcia 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 Navarra 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 Guipúzoa 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

24 FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN: AREAS OF POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN ANDALUSIA

25 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 26 FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN

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

27 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

28 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)

29 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)

30 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).

FLUORITE IN SPAIN: BAZA RANGE

• Baza Range

32 FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN: GADOR RANGE

Lavadero y minas Almagrera Indiana stone General stratigraphic La Chiripa column of Sierra de Gador Sierra de Gador fluorite occurrences

33 FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN: LUJAR RANGE

Lujar Range: Órjiva mine located in the Lujar mantle

34 FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN: OSSA MORENA

Ossa Morena Zone

35 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. 36 FLUORSPAR PRODUCTION IN SPAIN: STATS

180,000.00

160,000.00 155,197.00 148,207.00 162,989.00

140,000.00 154,811.00 132,341.00 122,533.00 120,000.00 130,000.00 130,647.00 117,063.00 123,166.00 113,570.00 100,000.00

80,000.00

60,000.00

40,000.00

20,000.00

0.00 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017e

Fluorspar production tpa

37 FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN: LOCATION OF OPERATIONS

38 FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN: STATS

39 FLUORSPAR IN SPAIN: STATS

GRADE (% VALUE 2016 MINERAL (t) CaF2 CONTENT (t) F2Ca) (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.

40 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.

41 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

42 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.

43 Thanks!

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