Publication: Hierros sedimentarios ordovícicos y patrimonio minero de Viveiro (Lugo)
Loading...
Full text at PDC
Publication Date
2014
Advisors (or tutors)
Editors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sociedad Española para la Defensa del Patrimonio Geológico y Minero
Citations
Exportar
Abstract
El grupo minero de Viveiro (minas de A Silvarosa y Galdo) representó en su momento uno de los yacimientos de hierro más importantes de Galicia. Las minas fueron explotadas intermitentemente entre 1896 y 1966, con la mayor parte de su producción destinada a la exportación; aunque en el siglo XVIII ya se habían empleado minerales de la prolongación septentrional del yacimiento, para abastecer a la siderurgia local (horno alto de Sargadelos). La mineralización corresponde a una capa sedimentaria de 2-20 m de espesor (hasta 40 m en la charnela de pliegues). Su textura ooidal y mineralogía originales se vieron muy transformadas por metamorfismo de contacto varisco, hasta generar una mena masiva semifosforosa y rica en magnetita. La revisión estratigráfica de la sucesión ordovícica local permite estimar la edad de la mineralización como Ordovícico tardío (Sandbiense o Katiense temprano), por correlación con los principales horizontes de hierro sedimentario conocidos en otras localidades del margen gondwánico europeo. También se aclara la posible edad y correlación del resto de la sucesión ordovícica posterior al depósito del hierro. Desde el punto de vista del patrimonio minero, la única actuación abordada fue la rehabilitación del antiguo cargadero de mineral de hierro en la ría de Viveiro (Parque Etnográfico da Ínsua, inaugurado en 2002). A ello sería interesante añadir la futura rehabilitación y puesta en valor de la mina de A Silvarosa-Choupín, que podría recuperarse como un nuevo atractivo turístico-cultural para el concejo de Viveiro. En esta iniciativa trabaja actualmente la Asociación Cultural e Deportiva Minas da Silvarosa.
The Viveiro ore bodies (A Silvarosa and Galdo mines west of Viveiro, Lugo province) represented in the past one of the most important iron deposits exploited in Galicia (NW Spain). The mines operated intermittently between 1896 and 1966, with the major part of the production set to export, although in the seventeenth century minerals from the deposit’s northern extension were used to supply the local iron industry (the Sargadelos blast furnace). Mineralization corresponds to a sedimentary ore bed with a thickness of 2 to 20 m (up to 40 m in some fold hinges). Its original ooidal texture and mineralogy were highly transformed by contact metamorphism, leading to a massive and semi- phosphorous ironstone rich in magnetite. A stratigraphic overview of the local Ordovician sequence favours a Late Ordovician (Sandbian or earliest Katian) age for the mineralization, by correlation with the main ooidal ironstones known from the Ordovician of the European Gondwanan margin. The age and correlation of the Ordovician succession that overlies the ironstone is also discussed. From the point of view of mining heritage, the only activity undertaken to date is the restoration of the old iron ore loading point in the Viveiro estuary (the Ínsua Ethnographic Park, opened in 2002). An interesting addition to this project would be the future restoration and boosting of the A Silvarosa-Choupín mine, which could be recovered as a new tourist and cultural attraction for the municipality of Viveiro. The Minas da Silvarosa Cultural and Sports Association is currently working on this initiative.
The Viveiro ore bodies (A Silvarosa and Galdo mines west of Viveiro, Lugo province) represented in the past one of the most important iron deposits exploited in Galicia (NW Spain). The mines operated intermittently between 1896 and 1966, with the major part of the production set to export, although in the seventeenth century minerals from the deposit’s northern extension were used to supply the local iron industry (the Sargadelos blast furnace). Mineralization corresponds to a sedimentary ore bed with a thickness of 2 to 20 m (up to 40 m in some fold hinges). Its original ooidal texture and mineralogy were highly transformed by contact metamorphism, leading to a massive and semi- phosphorous ironstone rich in magnetite. A stratigraphic overview of the local Ordovician sequence favours a Late Ordovician (Sandbian or earliest Katian) age for the mineralization, by correlation with the main ooidal ironstones known from the Ordovician of the European Gondwanan margin. The age and correlation of the Ordovician succession that overlies the ironstone is also discussed. From the point of view of mining heritage, the only activity undertaken to date is the restoration of the old iron ore loading point in the Viveiro estuary (the Ínsua Ethnographic Park, opened in 2002). An interesting addition to this project would be the future restoration and boosting of the A Silvarosa-Choupín mine, which could be recovered as a new tourist and cultural attraction for the municipality of Viveiro. The Minas da Silvarosa Cultural and Sports Association is currently working on this initiative.