RT Journal Article
T1 Valorization Diagnosis of Roasted Pyrite Ashes Wastes from the Iberian Pyrite Belt
A1 Ramírez Pérez, Juan Antonio
A1 Gázquez González, Manuel Jesús
A1 Bolívar Raya, Juan Pedro
AB The Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) contains the world’s largest massive sulfide deposit, and, due to extensive mining developed during the last 200 years, large amounts of mining waste have been abandoned in this area, with roasted pyrite ash being the focus of this study. Polymetallic mining is also classified as a NORM (naturally occurring radioactive material) activity, thus the main objective of this work was to develop a radiological and physicochemical characterization of this waste (mineral phases, elemental and radionuclide concentrations) in order to perform a valorization diagnosis of this material. The composition of this waste strongly depends on its origin (mine), and is mainly formed by iron oxides (hematite, Fe₂O₃) and heavy metals and metalloids such as As, Pb, Zn, and Cu, in levels 2–4 orders of magnitude higher than those of undisturbed soils, depending on each particular element. However, the average natural radionuclide levels are similar to those of unperturbed soils (around 30 Bqkg−1 of 238U-series, 50 Bqkg−1 of 232Th, and 70 Bqkg−1 for 40K), thus they are below the limits established by European Union regulations to require radiological control during their future valorization. As the main potential applications of roasted pyrite ash, the valorization diagnosis indicates that it can be used as a source of Fe (FeCl₃ or FeSO₄), or an additive in the manufacturing of cements, pigments, etc.
PB MDPI
SN 2313-4321 (electrónico)
YR 2025
FD 2025-06
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10272/25705
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10272/25705
LA eng
NO Ramírez-Pérez, J. A., Gázquez-González, M. J., & Bolívar, J. P. (2025). Valorization Diagnosis of Roasted Pyrite Ashes Wastes from the Iberian Pyrite Belt. In Recycling, (Vol. 10, Issue 3, p. 112). MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10030112
NO This research was funded by the Spanish State Agency whose name is “Diagnosis and proposals for the environmental recovery of areas affected by industrial and mining activities; Implications for the Huelva estuary (RESTOREHU), Ref.: TED2021-130361B-I00)”, grants PID2020-116461RB-C21 and 116461RA-C22) funded by  MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 15 jun 2026