Rafael Navarro Domínguez

• PhD
• Researcher at CN Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (CN IGME-CSIC)

Serpentinites from Sierra Nevada (Granada, south of Spain) have been traditionally used as ornamental elements in historic buildings, both indoors and outdoors. The Cathedral, Carlos V Palace, Royal Chancellery in Granada and some others are good examples of their use. Outside Granada, we find the serpentinites in El Escorial monastery, The Royal P...

Se exponen los resultados preliminares de la caracterización de muestras de alabastro procedentes de Los Gallardos (Almería), tomadas a partir de testigos de sondeos para su uso como roca ornamental. Desde el punto de vista petrográfico, se trata de niveles de anhidritas y yesos sacaroideos y nodulosos con tamaño de grano de 100 a 250 μm, y niveles...

La caliza de crinoides de Sierra Elvira (Atarfe, Granada) del Lías inferior (Subbético Medio), conocida comercialmente como Bronceado Gris Sierra Elvira, es uno de los materiales de construcción más prominentes de la ciudad de Granada (sur de España), siendo especialmente empleada con fines decorativos entre los siglos XVI al XIX. En este trabajo s...

Granite has been one of the most used natural stones to build heritage for centuries. This is obviously the case when granite is the main regional rock, like the case in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. The sanctuary of La Tuiza in Lubian (Zamora, northwest of Spain) was built with the granite of Calabor. This sanctuary dates from the 18th centu...

The nevado-filábride complex (NFC) (southern Spain) is well known for its widespread mining and quarrying activities. Serpentinite and metabasite rocks are extracted, processed and traded as building and ornamental stones. Due to the possible presence of natural occurrence of asbestos (NOA) in these rocks, the aim of this paper is to conduct an in-...

Colour is an important parameter that must be taken into account if aesthetic homogeneity in both construction and restoration work is to be achieved. In serpentinites, the different degrees of serpentinization or carbonation can influence their final colour. Sunlight, especially ultraviolet (UV) radiation, is a common agent that can decay properti...

This paper presents a thorough study of the main features and the decay causes and mechanisms of serpentinites both freshly quarried and after centuries exposure at the main façade of the sixteenth century Royal Chancery (Granada, Spain). In particular, the process of in situ formation of calcium and magnesium sulfates has been studied. Several dec...

The Sierra de Lújar, located in the south of Granada (Spain), hosts one of the few currently active underground fluorite mines in Spain. Considering that high concentrations of radon gas, which is the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco, can occur in underground workplaces, the concentration of radon gas inside a fluorite underground...

Supply chains are linked for specific purpose and by something. Hence, the respective links of the chain must be hooked in the right place, sufficiently strong, and have to start somewhere. This chapter looks at the raw materials supply chain as the first link in a commodity supply, from the European Union (EU) perspective. Aspects of the raw mater...

Supply chains are linked for specific purpose and by something. Hence, the respective links of the chain must be hooked in the right place, sufficiently strong, and have to start somewhere. This chapter looks at the raw materials supply chain as the first link in a commodity supply, from the European Union (EU) perspective. Aspects of the raw mater...

A procedure to recognize individual discontinuities in rock mass from measurement while drilling (MWD) technology is developed, using the binary pattern of structural rock characteristics obtained from in-hole images for calibration. Data from two underground operations with different drilling technology and different rock mass characteristics are...

For centuries, granite has been one of the most widely used natural stones for building heritage, especially in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. The sanctuary of La Tuiza in Lubian (Zamora, northwest of Spain), built with Calabor granite, dates from the eighteenth century and was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1995. The heritage impor...

Spain is one of the most prominent countries regarding UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS), most of which were selected to preserve unique architectonical ensembles. These sites are usually characterized by the extensive use of stone as building material, which has a dominant influence on their overall appearance and value. This paper provides an ove...

This work presents the results of the partial substitution of Portland cement (PC) by natural fluorite (NF) and calcined fluorite (CF) in mortars, at 10%, 25% and 40%. To meet these objectives , a sample of fluorite was initially studied by XRD, SEM and Raman Spectroscopy (RS). A chemical quality analysis (CQA) and a chemical pozzolanicity test (CP...

Se han analizado muestras de fluorita y carbonatos del yacimiento F-Pb-(Zn) de Sierra de Lújar (Órgiva,Granada,España), con el fin de crear un inventario geoquímico -con especial atención a los elementos de tierras raras- que pueda contribuir a conocer la génesis de los fluidos mineralizantes. Para ello se analizó la composición de 29 muestras fluo...

En la construcción de los edificios históricos de la ciudad de Granada se combinaron materiales como travertinos, calcarenitas, calizas, conglomerados, mármoles e incluso serpentinita. Canteras como las situadas en Sierra Elvira (caliza Bronceado Gris), Mª Luisa (calcarenita de Santa Pudia), la Cantera del Rey (travertino) o el Barranco de San Juan...

Mining represents the first step to the access to mineral resources. The impacts induced by such operations now contribute to the impacts of a wide range of goods and services, given the widespread use of these raw materials in the worldwide economy. In this context, this study aims at assessing the environmental performance of mining operations in...

This paper presents a thorough study of the main features and the decay causes and mechanisms of serpentinites both freshly quarried and after centuries exposure at the main façade of the sixteenth century Royal Chancery (Granada, Spain). In particular, the process of in situ formation of calcium and magnesium sulfates has been studied. Several dec...

The nevado-filábride complex (NFC) (southern Spain) is well known for its widespread mining and quarrying activities. Serpentinite and metabasite rocks are extracted, processed and traded as building and ornamental stones. Due to the possible presence of natural occurrence of asbestos (NOA) in these rocks, the aim of this paper is to conduct an in-...

Fluorite is an important industrial mineral composed of calcium and fluorine (CaF2). This mineral is widely distributed through different deposits. However, in most cases, fluorite is tightly associated with gangue, such as calcite and quartz. In this paper, different depressants are tested in the flotation of fluorite in two different laboratory c...

The formation of slime particles in processes of minerals grinding limits froth flotation. Minera de Orgiva S.L. (Spain) produces slime sludge containing 41.05% of CaF2 from a fluorite ore. Slimes have a very small particle diameter with very high specific surface area making this material difficult to process by froth flotation even when the grade...

In this study, two new collectors for fluorite flotation DP-OMC-1033 (DP-I) and DP-OMC-1234 (DP-II) were tested and compared with oleic acid (OA), sodium oleate (SO) and potassium oleate (PO). According to fluorite grade and fluorite metallurgical recovery, the effect of each collector was determined, both in mechanical and pneumatic cell flotation...

Recent mineralogical and microthermometric data from Lújar (Alpine type) F-Pb mineral deposit of Betic Cordillera.

Serpentinites are characterized by highly variable mineralogical, physical, and mechanical properties. Serpentinites from Moeche (North Western Spain) have been studied to establish their mineralogical, petrographic, and textural characteristics, as well as their physical and mechanical parameters and the factors influencing rock failure, to evalua...

Alternative processes have been proposed for selective separation of fluorite and gangue minerals (carbonates and silicates) present in fluorspar ores. Calcination and gravity separation processes are methods that have low efficiency and high cost. Flotation is a chemical process that becomes important when high ore grades are required; however, th...

Colour is an important parameter that must be taken into account if aesthetic homogeneity in both construction and restoration work is to be achieved. In serpentinites, the different degrees of serpentinization or carbonation can influence their final colour. Sunlight, especially ultraviolet (UV) radiation, is a common agent that can decay properti...

Serpentinites are rocks commonly used in construction. They have a very complex origin and multiple factors can influence their behaviour once placed in a building. These include the carbonation process that occurs naturally in these rocks. This process causes transformations of the serpentinite minerals (hydrated magnesium silicates) into carbonat...

The ornamental use of marble from Macael region (Almería, southeast of Spain) began more than 5000 years ago. The first small objects are from the Neolithic period (3400–3000 B.C.) and the first known sculptures are from the Phoenicians period (fifth century B.C.) Since then, the marble’s use has been continuous, especially since the eleventh centu...

The sandstone known as “Piedra Dorada”, or golden stone, is one of the most commonly used materials in the construction of many of the main historic buildings in the province of Jaén. Many examples can be found in the cities of Úbeda and Baeza, declared World Heritage Cities by UNESCO. A thorough characterization of their main varieties: “Viva”, “F...

El mármol de Macael es una de las rocas ornamentales más importantes de España. Se ha empleado para la realización de elementos tanto decorativos como de construcción, especialmente la variedad “Blanco Macael”. Las evidencias de su uso se remontan a más de 4000 años. Uno de los ejemplos más destacados es el Patio de los Leones en la Alhambra (Grana...

Las mineralizaciones de la Sierra de Lújar han sido explotadas desde tiempos remotos por helenos, fenicios y romanos para el aprovechamiento de plomo y en mucha menor cantidad para plata y cobre. Pero no fue hasta el segundo tercio del siglo XIX cuando la minería en esta comarca alcanza niveles significativos que determinan un crecimiento de la pob...

The quarrying activity in the Macael region (SE of Spain) is, probably, one of the most important at national level, both at present and in the past. The first evidences of the use of the Macael marble date back to 4000 years ago. Since then, there is a steady trickle of ornamental elements, highlighting the mining activity of civilizations such as...

Martinamor granite was used to build the historical buildings and structures of Salamanca city and surroundings, in Spain. Due to its importance in architectonical heritage, this granite has been proposed as candidate for Global Heritage Stone Resource (GHSR) recognition. However, we consider that to get this nomination, the natural stones should b...

This work studies serpentinites that have been quarried with ornamental purposes in southern Spain. From a geological point of view, they belong to the Nevado-Filábride Complex. In this complex it is possible to differentiate two important massifs: Sierra Nevada and Sierra de los Filabres, located in the provinces of Granada and Almeria respectivel...

Verde Macael is a serpentinite made up mainly by antigorite, with different de-grees of transformation to carbonates. It has wrongly been included under the section of marbles in industry catalogues. In Macael (Almería, South Spain) there are different quarries extracting this natural stone. Although in most outcrops rocks are similar, different ch...

The heritage diversity that exists in the city of Granada in the south of Spain can be seen in the type of rock from which the majority of the emblematic monuments are built, especially since the 15th century. There are three main lithotypes extracted in the province of Granada which are present in most of the heritage buildings in the city centre....

The Spanish name “Piedra Franca” refers to all the stones of sedimentary origin that have uniform coloration and easeof cutting/carving in order to obtain dimensional blocks for construction. The first references to this denomination occurred during medieval times, when builders had to choose the best materials to construct magnificent cathedrals. Th...

Los afloramientos de serpentinitas de Sierra Nevada son los más importantes de la Península Ibérica desde el punto de vista de su explotación como roca ornamental y utilización en patrimonio (Navarro et al. 2014). Son rocas formadas principalmente por minerales del grupo de la serpentina (silicatos de magnesio hidratados): antigorita y crisotilo, j...

Marble from Macael (Andalusia) is one of the most important natural stones in the architectonic heritage of Andalusia; in particular the variety commercially known as ”White Macael”. This natural stone has been used outdoors as well as indoors for decorative, ornamental or structural purposes. During the 7th century (B.C.) the Phoenicians began to...

Serpentinites are widely used in historic buildings in the whole world, from Ancient Greek or Egypt to more recent colonial buildings in the USA. Serpentinites from Sierra Nevada (S of Spain) have been traditionally used as ornamental elements in historic buildings of Granada city, both indoors and outdoors. The Cathedral, Carlos V Palace, Royal Ch...

"Piedra Dorada" was used to construct some of the most important heritage buildings in the cities of Úbeda and Baeza, in Jaén (Spain). UNESCO declared these cities World Heritage Cities in 2003. Although there are some Iberian or Roman ruins in which is already possible to see the use of this stone, it is from the XVI century when "Piedra Dorada" i...

"Santa Pudia" calcarenite, extracted in quarries from Granada (Andalusia, Spain), is a very important ornamental stone used in some of the main historical buildings in Andalusia, and particularly in the city of Granada. It has been used mainly outdoors with structural purposes (ashlars, columns), but is also used as decorative element in façades, p...

Serpentinites are used indifferently in exteriors and interiors. But not all serpentinites are equal; not all have the same physical-mechanical behaviour and therefore not all should follow the same recommendations for their use. The most commonly used serpentinites worldwide comes from India, Pakistan or Egypt. Spain has traditionally quarried two...

La Cordillera Bética se caracteriza por la abundancia de depósitos e indicios minerales ligados a dos épocas metalogenéticas principales: la primera, iniciada en el Paleozoico superior, alcanza su apogeo durante el Triásico, mientras que la segunda, se desarrolla a partir del Mioceno medio. En este trabajo se han esquematizado los tipos de minerali...

Las serpentinitas son rocas que, dentro de la industria de la roca ornamental, han sido tradicionalmente incluidas dentro del grupo de los mármoles, sin que se hayan llevado a cabo estudios sistemáticos de las mismas. En la Comarca de Macael afloran masas de serpentinita, con contenido en carbonato variable, que son beneficiadas por las diferentes...

Las serpentinitas de Sierra Nevada (SE de España) son uno de los litotipos empleados tradicionalmente en edificios históricos de la ciudad de Granada o en otros tan emblemáticos como el Monasterio de El Escorial, en Madrid. Se extrajeron de dos canteras situadas en las localidades de Monachil y Güejar Sierra (Granada). Es posible encontrar elemento...

Las variadas y complejas características geológicas del territorio andaluz, donde convergen los dominios Hercínico y Bético, unidos al amplio desarrollo de depresiones neógenas postorogénicas y depósitos aluviales, hace que se beneficien gran cantidad de materiales dentro del sector de los áridos. Las principales explotaciones de áridos extraen pri...

The most commonly used serpentinites worldwide are the ones coming from India, Pakistan or Egypt due to the volume rock exploitable that is found in those countries. Spain has traditionally quarried two ultramafic massifs, one in Galicia (Verde Pirineos) and one in Andalucía (Verde Macael). Some of these quarries were small, family run business. In...