PN 23-39-02-01

Reassessment of critical raw material resources from Romanian skarn deposits as a basis for the domestic development of advanced materials

Project code: PN 23-39-02-01

Project Manager: Senior Researcher (CS I) Dr. Ştefan Marincea

Description

European Commission Communication COM/2020/474 (*Critical raw materials resilience: charting a path towards greater security and sustainability*) identifies borates, magnesium, and tungsten as critical minerals for Europe, making the presence of these materials in Romania’s skarn deposits a development asset. Recent research has demonstrated the feasibility of extracting boron from iron-magnesium borates such as ludwigite, as well as the value of using magnesium borates—which are more stable than the lagoonal borates currently being mined—as dopants in neutron-shielding concrete. Rising demand for subsea pipelines and cables has driven unprecedented demand for magnesium metal, an essential component for underwater welding. The need for tungsten (W) has also increased due to its extensive use in high-alloy steels and as tungsten carbide, a material critical for rocket nozzles. These factors provide compelling reasons to launch a comprehensive study of the Romanian skarn deposits containing these minerals and metals. The proposed study aims to characterize specific magnesium borates (ludwigite, szaibelyite, kotoite, fluoborite, suanite, pertsevite), magnesium oxides (periclase, brucite), and tungstates (scheelite, hydrotungstite) in terms of their paragenesis, mineralogy, crystal chemistry, and physical, thermal, and vibrational properties, thereby facilitating processing studies and reducing associated costs. The project focuses on studies concerning magnesium borates from Cacova Ierii, Mașca Băișoara, Ocna de Fier, Băița Bihor, and Pietroasa; brucite-bearing marbles from Budureasa and Pietroasa (Măgura Guranilor); and scheelite deposits at Băița Bihor, Oravița, Ciclova, and Valea Mraconia. This proposed study aligns with the institution’s long-standing research interests and its involvement in European initiatives within the ongoing EP-GSEU project. It will benefit from existing collaborations with partners in Belgium (Université de Liège), the United States (Rice University, Texas), and France (École Nationale Supérieure des Mines – Saint-Étienne), while also serving as a supporting basis for the renewal of the bilateral scientific cooperation project between Romania and the Walloon Region of Belgium (project 4 BM/2021). At the same time, the study will have a strong educational component, as it aims to provide logistical support for two doctoral theses and one master’s thesis in this field.

Objectives

The research will focus on the crystal-chemical, crystallographic, polytypic, thermal, Raman, and IR study of minerals belonging to the tungstate, magnesium borate, and Mg-oxide groups, as well as associated or paragenetic minerals. Determining Re-Os ages for molybdenite (using resources external to the project) will help establish the timing of metallogenesis, a crucial prerequisite for guiding exploration efforts. Associated calcium silicates and carbonates will also be investigated to determine the optimal separation method. Structural refinements and thermal and spectrometric analyses of minerals in these groups are often scarce in the literature, and this lack of information hinders mineral processing. The project’s main objectives are: (1) mineralogical and geochemical characterization of the deposits and the crystallography of their constituent minerals; (2) determination of the crystallographic and physical properties of W, B, and Mg compounds and their correlation with chemical composition, to facilitate the improvement of processing technologies; (3) comparison of the crystal chemistry, physical properties, and crystallography of the analyzed compounds with similar characteristics of analogous minerals held in the collections of the National Geological Museum and the National Lithotheque; (4) development of specific analytical protocols (electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, IR absorption spectrometry, and Raman spectrometry) for the rapid diagnosis and identification of alteration phases in scheelite, borate, and brucite-periclase deposits—phases that are generally overlooked. (5) determination of the crystal structure of new minerals of significant academic interest; (6) development of a genetic model for each deposit; (7) determination of the crystal structures of minerals containing critical elements; (8) facilitating the participation of research team members in relevant congresses and symposia; (9) provision of logistical support for ongoing master’s and doctoral programs and for international cooperation activities; (10) establishing the groundwork for the pre-concentration/concentration and processing of minerals such as szaibelyite, brucite, kotoite, ludwigite, and scheelite; (11) establishing the groundwork for the utilization of magnesium borates—such as kotoite and szaibelyite—as industrial minerals.

Recent research has demonstrated the feasibility of extracting boron from iron-magnesium borates such as ludwigite, as well as the importance of using magnesium borates—which are stable compared to lagoonal borates (the basis of currently exploited borate deposits)—as dopants in neutron-absorbing materials. The potential use of szaibelyite as a reinforcing fiber for plasters, replacing chrysotile asbestos, has not yet been investigated; this study aims to highlight the specific characteristics that would enable such an application. Regarding boron’s neutron-absorbing properties, it is known to absorb neutrons during atomic fission—thereby controlling the fission reaction rate by slowing or even halting it—without undergoing fission itself. To the best of our knowledge, the use of stable borates, such as magnesium borates, in barite-based “heavy concretes” has not yet been investigated.

As for tungsten (W), its role in alloy steels used for wind turbine supports—or in tungsten carbide used as a composite material in rocket nozzles and hydrogen-combustion turbines—makes it indispensable to European industries; it has become a strategic material subject to EU export bans, as well as a key material for the energy sector. Europe produces only 2% of the tungsten required by various industries (roughly 1% from Portugal and 1% from Austria) yet consumes 6% of global production.

For a long time, the role of magnesium in European industries was underestimated and limited to the use of magnesium oxides in the refractory materials sector (e.g., blast furnace linings). More recently, however, its properties have proven it to be a vital material for the energy sector: three times lighter than aluminum, magnesium is an indispensable alloying element for wind turbine blades; furthermore, its ability to burn in an anoxic atmosphere with a strong exothermic effect makes it essential for underwater welding—and, by extension, for pipeline development. The silicothermic reduction process used by China—the world’s largest producer—to extract magnesium from brucitic limestone could offer a way to utilize the significant deposit at Budureasa, which was prospected in the 1970s.

The proposed project has a high degree of feasibility because: (1) it relies on a system of firm cooperation agreements with higher education institutions in France (École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Saint-Étienne), Belgium (Université de Liège), the United States (Rice University, Houston), and Germany (Ruhr-Universität Bochum), as well as on the use of an analytical technique already familiar to some of the Romanian participants through previous internships with these partners; (2) it is underpinned by the expanding logistical infrastructure of the Geological Institute of Romania, the employer of the young project participants (Master’s and PhD students); (3) it builds upon encouraging preliminary results; (4) it aligns with a priority area defined by the European Commission and, if funded, will contribute to co-financing the thematic scope of the Horizon Europe project GSEU (Geological Service for Europe – grant agreement No. 101075609)—a Coordination and Support Action—and the work of the EIT RawMaterials consortium, in which the coordinating institution is an associate partner alongside all European geological surveys and 114 other academic, educational, and mining/metallurgical industry entities across Europe; (5) it is based not only on samples to be collected but also on comparable samples from the priceless collections of the National Geological Museum; (6) relies on collaboration with the University of Bucharest and the Romanian Academy—which, through their specialized doctoral schools, are the leading national providers of qualified human resources in the geonomic field—as well as on partnerships, firm collaboration agreements, and joint curricula with foreign partner institutions; (7) is premised on training specialists who bridge the gap between theoretical and applied mineralogy in a priority area for the employer, the Geological Institute of Romania; (8) draws on the expertise of specialist teams with recognized international standing; (9) is based on the assured employment of the newly qualified personnel, who will be hired by the coordinating institution under permanent employment contracts; (10) relies on ongoing partnerships with direct beneficiaries of some of the research findings—specifically entities that already hold or have applied for exploration/exploitation licenses at Băiţa Bihor (Vast Resources, S.C. Băiţa Bihor SA).

Results of PN 23 39 02 01

PN 23-39-02-01, Re-evaluation of critical raw material resources (B, W, and Mg) from Romanian skarn deposits as a basis for the domestic development of advanced materials

Analytical package for the mineralogical study of magnesium borates and scheelite (powder XRD, IR, SEM, single-crystal XRD, chemical analyses). Determination of the scheelite structure. Genetic model of the host deposits for magnesium borate, scheelite, periclase, and brucite mineralization.
Public-private research network: formalizing collaborations between the academic sector—which will deliver the scientific studies—and the private and entrepreneurial sectors—which will utilize these results. Contacts and subsequent contracts with SC Verde Magnesium SRL, SC Băiţa Bihor SRL, SC Winfor Trade SRL, and SC Vast Resources SRL.
Drafting and submitting domestic and international project proposals focused on critical raw materials for the ERA-MIN 3 call—specifically “Critical Raw Materials on Mining Waste Disposals: Recovery from Process to Processing” (acronym CROWD) and “Sustainable Approaches for Circularity in the Value Chain of European Lithium-bearing Deposits” (acronym SALiUT)—as well as a proposal for the HORIZON-CL4-2024-RESILIENCE-01-01 call (Exploration of critical raw materials in deep land deposits – RIA) titled “Spodumene Exploration AI-Powered Platform for Li” (acronym Spod-AI), and projects under the PNCDI IV program (PN-IV-P7-7.1-PED-2024-0403, PN-IV-P8-8.3-PM-RO-BE-2024-0001, PN-IV-P6-CoEx-2024 “Center of Excellence for Geological CO2 Storage in Romania” [acronym ROGeoStore], and PN-IV-P8-8.3-PM-RO-BE-2024-0001). Joining the Horizon Europe project “FIC-Fighters” as a partner.
Establishing synergy with projects PN 23-39-02-06 and PN 23-39-02-07.
The project director was awarded the “Henri Buttgenbach” Prize by the Royal Academy of Science, Letters and Fine Arts of Belgium for studies on the mineralogy and formation conditions of skarns in Romania.
Supporting international collaborations through the participation of project research team members in various activities aimed at promoting and enhancing research outcomes (six professional development, analytical, and documentation stays at partner laboratories at the University of Liège, Belgium, conducted in synergy with projects PN-IV-P8-8.3-PM-RO-BE-2024-0001, PN23-39-02-06, and PN23-39-02-07; participation in workshops and working meetings on critical raw materials);
Mainstream media coverage regarding Romania’s critical raw material potential (14 interviews with the project director).
Establishing bridges for dialogue and support between the academic community, on the one hand, and local, regional, and central public administrations, on the other, to address the interests of local communities socio-economically affected by mine closures (e.g., the Budureasa Town Hall).
Analytical package for the mineralogical and geochemical study of magnesium borates, scheelite, and brucite (powder XRD, single-crystal XRD, FTIR, thermal analysis, SEM, LA-ICP-MS, chemical analyses, isotope analyses).
Contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 1 – No Poverty, SDG 2 – Zero Hunger, SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being, SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities. Contributions to the application and implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act.
Enriching the National Geological Museum’s educational and heritage collections with specimens of magnesium borates, scheelite, gehlenite, and diopside.
Development of the project website.
Publications

Articles in journals indexed in Web of Science

Bellefqih, H., Bourgier, V., Bilal, E., Dumitraş, D. G., Marincea, Ş., Mazouz, H., Haneklaus, N. (2024): Effect of HPO₄²⁻ and brushite on gypsum reactivity and implications for utilization of phosphogypsum in plaster production, Journal of Cleaner Production, 451, 142013, DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.142013 (IF 11.1, AIS – 1.448, Q1), 16 citări.
Bilal, E., Bellefqih, H., Bourgier, V., Mazouz, H., Dumitraş, D. G., Bard, F., Laborde, M., Caspar, J. P., Guilhot, B., Iatan, E. L., Bounakhla, M., Iancu, M., A., Marincea, Ş., Essakhraoui, M., Li B., Diwa, R., Ramirez, R., D., Chernysh, Y., Chubur, V., Roubík H., Haneklaus, N. (2023): Phosphogypsum circular economy considerations: A critical review from more than 65 storage sites worldwide. Journal of Cleaner Production, 414, 137561. DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137561(IF – 11,072, AIS – 1.448, Q1), 150 citări.
Blebea-Apostu, A. M., Gomoiu, M. C., Mărgineanu, R. M., Perșa, D.,Marincea, Ș., Duliu, O. G., Dumitraș, D. G., Iancu, A. M.(2024): The Bacău (Romania) phosphogypsum stacks as a source of radioactive threat: a case study. Isotopes Environ. Health Stud.1:1- 15. https://doi.org/10.1080/10256016.2024.2365684.(IF – 1,1, AIS – 0,279, Q3), 2 citări.
Blebea-Apostu, A. M., Mărgineanu, R. M., Perşa, D., Dumitraş, D. G., Gomoiu, M. C., Duliu, O. G. (2024): The distribution of natural radionuclides ⁴⁰K, ²²⁸Ac, and ²²⁶Ra on Romanian Territory: a radiometric study. Environ. Monit. Assess. 196, 186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12374-y (IF – 3, AIS – 0,494, Q3), 4 citări.
Dumitraș, D. G., Marincea, Ș. (2025): Leucophosphite and associated minerals in the fossil bat guano deposit in Gaura cu Muscă Cave, Locvei Mountains, Romania. Minerals, 15(2), 180. https://doi.org/10.3390/min15020180, (IF – 2,46, AIS – 0,479, Q2), 1 citare
Lőrincz, S., Munteanu, M., Marincea, Ș., Roban, R.D., Cetean, V.M., Dincă, G., Melinte-Dobrinescu, M. (2025): The exotic igneous clasts attributed to the Cuman Cordillera: Insights into the makeup of a Cadomian/Pan-African basement covered by the Moldavides of the Eastern Carpathians, Romania. Geosciences, 15 (7), 256. https://10.3390/geosciences15070256 (IF – 2.1; AIS – 0.277, Q3).
Marincea, S., Dumitraş, D.-G., Sava Ghineţ, C., Filiuţă, A., Dal Bo, F., Hatert, F., & Costin, G. (2023): Ammonium-Bearing Fluorapophyllite-(K) in the Magnesian Skarns from Aleului Valley, Pietroasa, Romania. Minerals,13, 1362, https://doi.org/10.3390/min13111362 (IF – 2.818, AIS – 0.513, Q2).
Seghedi, I., Szakács, A., Mirea, V., Pécskay, Z., & Luffi, P. (2023): Volcanic debris avalanche deposits and their significance in the architecture and evolution of the Miocene-Quaternary Călimani-Gurghiu-Harghita volcanic range (Eastern Transylvania, Romania). Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 443, 107932. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2023.107932 (IF = 2,9; AIS = 0,905, Q1). 1 citare.
Stoicescu D., Dumitraş D. G., Duliu O., Zinicovscaia I., Dincă G., Dincă I., Culicov O., Pantia A., Marincea, Ș. (2025):Chemical and mineralogical analysis of a basaltic lava from Reykjanes Peninsula: a comparative multi-analytical approach. Romanian Reports in Physics,77, 707,https://rrp.nipne.ro/inpress.html (IF – 2.1; AIS – 0.177, Q2).

Abstracts and conference presentations

Brăgarin-Nicolae, A., Duliu, O. G., Dumitras, D.-G., Iancu, A.-M., Marincea Ș. (2025): Gamma spectrometric analasys of phosphogypsum stack in Turnu Măgurele. Sesiunea științifică anuală, Facultatea de Fizică a Universității din București.București, România, 23 mai 2025.
Dumitraș, D.G., Duliu, O. G., Luffi, P., Marincea, Ș., Sîrbu-Rădășanu, D. S., Iancu, A.-M., Perșa, D. (2025): Comparative analysis of gypsum from four different deposits of Badenian age in Romania. Abstract 10131. EGU General Assembly. Viena, Austria, 27 aprilie – 2 mai 2025.
Dumitraş, D.-G., Iancu, A.-M., Marincea, Ș., Ghineţ, C., Cruşoveanu, S. (2023): Fosfogipsurile din România – caracteristici mineralogice, geochimice şi radiometrice. Simpozionul Științific Național cu participare internațională Mircea Savul, Universitatea “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” Iaşi, Facultatea de Geografie şi Geologie, Departamentul de Geologie.
Dumitraș, D.G, Marincea, Ș., Dal Bo, F., Sava Ghineț, C., Hatert F. (2023): Wollastonite-2M from Cerboaia Valley, Măgureaua Vaţei (Metaliferi Massif, Apuseni Mountains, Romania): Structure and vibrational behavior of “parawollastonite”. Golschmidt Abstract ID: 15801. Submitted to Session 7h: Secondary and unconventional resources and extraction. https://hdl.handle.net/2268/309085.
Dumitraş, D.-G., Marincea, Ş., Iancu A. M., Sava Ghineţ, C. (2024): Structure vs. FT-IR and Raman behavior of wollastonite-2M (“parawollastonite”) from Cerboaia Valley, Măgureaua Vaţei (Metaliferi Massif, Apuseni Mountains, Romania)”. The 37^th International Geological Congress 2024, Busan, Korea, 25 – 31 August 2024. Abstract 1811.
Dumitraș, D.-G, Marincea, Ș., Smaranda Sîrbu-Rădășanu, D., Duliu, O.G., Luffi, P., Iancu, A.-M., Perșa D., Depret, M. (2025): Preliminary data concerning the geochemistry of Badenian sea waters thatinduced the crystallization of evaporitic gypsum in Romania, Abstract ID: 31143. Goldschmidt Conference, Prague, Czech Republic, 5 – 11 July 2025.
Huzum, R., Sîrbu-Radăşanu. D. S., Dumitraş D. G. (2024): Geochemical tools in environmental studies. International Scientific Conferences Earth & Planetary Sciences – SGEM, Viena, 27 – 30 November 2024.
Iancu, A. M., Dumitraş, D.-G., Marincea, Ş., Sava Ghineţ, C. (2024): Phosphogypsum stacks from Năvodari (Romania) as secondary resource. The 37^th International Geological Congress 2024, Busan, Korea, 25 – 31august 2024. Abstract 1704.
Iancu, A.M., Marincea, Ș., Sava Ghineț, C., Dumitraş, D.G. (2023): Phosphogypsum stacks from Năvodari (Romania), as secondary resource. Goldschmidt Abstract ID: 17998. Submitted to Session 7h: Secondary and unconventional resources and extraction methods.
Luffi, P., Ducea M. (2024): Paleoaltimetry and paleomohometry of ancient orogens using the chemical composition of igneous rocks. 9^th Geoscience International Symposium of the Romanian Society of Applied Geophysics (SGAR), 14-16 November 2024, Bucharest, Romania.
Marincea, Ş., Dumitraş, D.-G., Sava Ghineţ, C., Dincă, G., Dal Bo, F., Hatert, F. (2023): Structure vs. vibrational behavior of spodumene from Conţu (Cindrel Mountains, South Carpathians, Romania). Goldschmidt Abstracts, https://hdl.handle.net/2268/309084, Lyon, Franța, 9 – 14 iulie.
Marincea, Ş., Dumitraş, D.-G., Sava Ghineț, C., Iancu, A.-M., Hatert, F., Depret, M., Costin, G. (2025): Hydrothermal scheelite associated with upper Cretaceous intrusions in Romania: A mineralogical insight to the W metallogenesis. Abstract ID: 31143. Goldschmidt Conference, Prague, Czech Republic, 5 – 11 July 2025.
Martinez-Ardila, A., Pompe, L., Clausen, B., Paterson, S., Holk, G., Luffi, P. (2023): A synthesis of the Peruvian Coastal Batholith: An exploration of temporal histories causes of compositional diversity and tectonomagmatic links in arcs. 10^th Hutton Symposium on Granites and Related Rocks, 10–15 September 2023, Baveno, Italy.
Patkó, L., Luffi, P., Liptai N., Kovács, I. (2023): Predicting the global distribution of iron-wehrlites in the mantle lithosphere with application to the Carpathian-Pannonian Region (Central-Europe). Goldschmidt Abstracts, 16002, 9-14 July, Lyon, France.
Roban, R.D., Ducea M., Luffi, P., Munteanu, I., Lazăr, I., Barbu, V., Lazăr, C., Melinte-Dobrinescu M. (2023): The provenance of Upper Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous sediments of the Ceahlău – Severin Ocean: discriminating between passive margins source areas based on U-Pb detrital zircons ages. 36^th IAS Meeting of Sedimentology (12-12 June 2023, Dubrovnik, Croatia). Abstract volume, 484, eISBN: 978-953-6907-79-3.
Roban, R.D., Luffi, P., Ducea, M., Lazăr, I., Munteanu, I., Barbu, V., Melinte-Dobrinescu M. (2024): Deciphering the early-stage evolution of relict marine basins: the case of the Ceahlău-Severin Ocean of the Romanian Carpathians. International Association of Sedimentologists Conference abstract volume, 24-28 June 2024, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
Sava Ghineţ, C., Marincea, Ş., Iancu, A. M., Dumitraş, D.-G. (2024): Infrared behavior of phlogopite from some magnesian skarns in the Banatitic Magmatic and Metallogenetic Belt from Romania”. Nr. The 37^th International Geological Congress 2024, Busan, Korea, 25 – 31 August 2024. Abstract 1755.
Seghedi, I., Szakács, A., Mirea, V., Pécskay, Z., Luffi, P. (2024): A novel volcanological reconstruction of the Călimani-Gurghiu-Harghita Range. 9^th Geoscience International Symposium of the Romanian Society of Applied Geophysics (SGAR), 14-16 November 2024, Bucharest, Romania.
Sîrbu-Rădăşanu, D. S., Dumitraş, D. G., Huzum, R., Stan, C. O. (2023): Moştenirea mineralogică a solului din Dealu Rusului – Munţii Bistriţei. Simpozionul Științific Național cu participare internațională Mircea Savul, Universitatea “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” Iaşi, Facultatea de Geografie şi Geologie, Departamentul de Geologie, Abstracts Volume, in press.
Stan, C. O., Sîrbu-Rădășanu, D. S., Dumitraș, D. G. (2024). Observații mineralogice și geochimice asupra solurilor salinizate din Lunca Bahluiului, în setorul Hoisești – Roșior. A XXXIII-a ediție a Simpozionului Național Factori și procese pedogenetice din zona temperată.TematicaAsamblajul pedologic din aria pericarpatică și piemontană din estul României. Piatra Neamț, 2 – 6 octombrie 2024. Volum abstracte.
Stoicescu, D., Dumitraş, D., Duliu, O., Panaiotu, C., Costin, G., Zinicovscaia, I., Dincă, G., Necula, C., Porosnicu, I., Culicov. (2023). Multi-analytical characterization of a Reykjanes Peninsula (Iceland) basalt. EGU, Viena, 23-28 aprilie, Session GMPV8.7 – Reykjanes Peninsula Fires, Iceland: precursors, nature and impact.