Jorge Fernández

This monograph integrates research from 12 countries from three continents (Europe, Asia, and America). The publication projects an exceptional international dimension, encompassing studies from Spain, Italy, Greece, Norway, Slovenia, Germany, Portugal, and France in Europe; Qatar, India, and South Korea in Asia; and Brazil in South America. This geographic diversity provides a multidisciplinary perspective from the various research groups that have collaborated on this monograph, documenting the richness of their geodiversity and historical exploitation on a global scale.The contributions from the different scientific teams underscore the importance of historical quarries as scientific-technical spaces for material traceability. Through the use of advanced methodologies, petrophysical studies, and engineering analysis, these works demonstrate that quarries are not merely exhausted deposits, but authentic laboratories. They allow for the generation of georeferenced inventories and ensure that any restoration intervention respects the petrophysical integrity and originality of the heritage element.From a heritage perspective, the monograph highlights that the study of these sources is essential for correctly understanding built heritage and its construction history. By linking each building to its territory—as observed in many of the cases presented —the authenticity of the cultural asset is further guaranteed.The collection of works compiled in this monograph reflects the significance of historical quarries as a key piece in heritage studies and underlines their value as a first-rate scientific-technical space. It is evident that these sites are not only the material origin of our monuments but laboratories where geology, history, and engineering converge to ensure the authenticity and proper conservation of our built memory.

El Plan Nacional de Geología de Angola (PLANAGEO) fue uno de los proyectos de infraestructura angolanos más importantes de los últimos 20 años. Sus principales objetivos fueron: a) mejorar el conocimiento de los recursos geológico-mineros de Angola; b) fomentar la diversificación de la economía nacional; y, c) atraer inversión extranjera y promover el desarrollo del país. El proyecto integró estudios regionales geológicos, aerogeofísicos y geoquímicos; y prospección de materias primas y recursos minerales en áreas objetivo. El proyecto fue publicado por el gobierno angoleño (Resolución Presidencial 52/09) e implementado por el Servicio Geológico de Angola (IGEO), bajo la supervisión del Ministerio de Recursos Minerales, Petróleo y Gas de Angola (MIREMPET). En 2011, el consorcio UTE, formado por el IGME, el Laboratorio Nacional de Energía y Geología de Portugal (LNEG) y la empresa Impulso Industrial Alternativo (IIA) concurrió a su licitación internacional. Finalmente, IGEO adjudicó a la UTE el contrato para ejecutar PLANAGEO en la región suroeste de Angola, cubriendo aproximadamente 480.000 km2, que se firmó en octubre de 2013. Entre julio de 2014 y finales de 2022, la UTE realizó estudios e investigaciones interdisciplinarias que resultaron en una colección integral de mapas, informes y documentos científicos, que comprende las siguientes cartografías: Geofísica aérea magnética/radiométrica. Geológica a escala 1:250.000 (con síntesis 1:500.000 y 1:1.000.000), y 1:100.000 en áreas seleccionadas. Geoquímica a escala 1:250.000. Mapeo de materias primas y recursos minerales en áreas de interés a escala 1:50.000

Recognizing the pivotal role of the sector in the socioeconomic development of the nation, the Government of the Republic of Angola has actively endorsed the establishment of a geological-mining cartography. This initiative, employing modern methodologies, is a fundamental tool for strategically planning mineral resource exploitation. The outcomes of this initiative underscore the remarkable diversity of substances and the considerable significance of the studied deposits. In the domain of Industrial Rocks and Minerals, specifically within the CARMINA subprogram, a comprehensive compilation of 30 geological-mining maps has been generated. These maps delineate Areas of Mining Potential, and are accompanied by corresponding reports that encapsulate the research findings and technical-analytical outcomes of the investigated regions. The undertaken efforts have unveiled the substantial potential for Natural Stone, featuring novel varieties of granites, marbles, and “exotic” rocks such as amazonites, sodalites, pegmatites, and carbonatites. The last refered rock types are particulary interesting since they serve as sources for industrial rocks and minerals, encompassing valuable resources like lithium and Rare Earths. Thus, these resources exhibit promising prospects in the context of the energy transition. Additionally, noteworthy deposits include high-purity quartz in Equimina region, feldspars in Giraúl area, kaolins and clays within the Cunene Anorthositic Complex. The systematic creation of mineral resource maps, along with the associated research, contributes to the provision of up-to-date information regarding the geological-mining potential of the studied territory.

A major geochemical exploration campaign was carried out in SW Angola during the PLANAGEO project, including the analysis of rock, soil, and stream sediment samples using in situ portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analysers. The present work focuses on the analytical results obtained in the area of the Giraúl Pegmatitic Field, a world-class Li-rich pegmatitic dike swarm, as well as on adjacent areas with potential for critical element mineralisation. In situ pXFR geochemical analyses revealed high Nb and Ta contents in the pegmatites of Giraúl, in the surrounding soils, suggesting a clear relation to LCT pegmatites. The most important Nb contents are found in denudated soils from the Cretaceous latite volcanic units of the Bero Volcanic Complex, reaching values up to 896 mg/kg. This work has enabled to define some areas of special interest: (a) the Giraúl Pegmatitic Field, where significant anomalous concentrations of Nb-Ta (Li-Be) occur; (b) the amphibolitic units of the Namibe Group metasediments and other mafic Palaeoproterozoic intrusions, which show potential interest for base metal (Cr-Ni-Co, Cu) exploration; and (c) the Cretaceous volcanic rocks of the Namibe Basin, in the coastal region, which hold potential interest for Fe-Ti (V).

In the Humpata area, near Lubango (southwest Angola), igneous, metamorphic, volcano-sedimentary, and carbonate rocks outcrop, with ages ranging from Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic. Elluvial-alluvial Cenozoic deposits of sands, clayey silts with gravels, and ferralitic armour overlie these lithologies. The aim of this study is to identify mineral raw materials for construction aggregates to supply nearby Lubango area and provide a first characterisation of their potential as raw material. Natural primary aggregates are here classified into sand and gravel, and crushed stone. Regarding characterisation of sand and gravel potential, the mineralogy of selected alluvial sand samples, particle size classification, and the respective cumulative distribution curves were studied. The analysed sands are fine, coarse, and fine to coarse-grained aggregates, suitable for construction in bituminous mixtures for roads and plaster. Use in concrete will need mixing with coarser sand. Considering the proximity to Lubango and the accessibility to raw material, the lithologies with the greatest potential for crushed stone are granites and dolomite limestones. Other lithologies such as dolerite also have potential for construction raw materials. Samples of granite, dolomite limestone, and dolerite aggregates were characterised through their granulometric curve, particle shape, and physical tests: water absorption, density, and the fragmentation resistance test. Overall, these tests revealed an adequate behaviour of the samples in relation to the analysed properties, suggesting the possibility of using these aggregates in the most frequent applications.

In the Cubal region between Benguela and Huambo (SW of Angola), grey biotite granites of middle Paleoproterozoic age occur on a planation surface as residual reliefs, either of inselberg or inselgbirge type. The objective of this work is to carry out the preliminary classification of the grey granites of the Cubal region (SW of Angola), ranking the areas in relation to their potential in granites as ornamental rocks. Six granite lithotypes were identified, which can be grouped into 3 sets according to their textural characteristics. The petrographic analysis reveals that from a mineralogical point of view, granitic lithotypes are very similar with a significant content of plagioclase. The samples chemical analysis shows a homogeneous acidic composition in the granite composition range. Tests were carried out to determine real and apparent density, total and open porosity, water absorption at atmospheric pressure, compressive strength, and bending strength. The results show that the Cubal granites have the characteristics of quality ornamental stones, which in general can be used in all types of applications, in interior and exterior environments. Based on a set of variables, an empirical classification of the ornamental potential of the granites was made, where 4 levels of increasing potential in the study area are established.