Industrial minerals in Romania as a basis for supplying innovative materials needed for the development of infrastructure and construction projects (MINDROINC)

Project code: PN 23 39 02 06

Project Manager: Delia Dumitraș

Description
Obiective
Result

Description

The steadily rising demand for modern construction materials—such as cements with non-serpentine mineral fiber additives, radiation-resistant heavy concretes, dolomite-doped concretes, special ceramics, and glass—presents an opportunity to re-evaluate industrial mineral resources with favorable specific properties that were previously overlooked in studies of Romania’s mineral resources. For instance, the shift away from chrysotile fibers—which are proven carcinogens—has led to a fivefold increase in the demand for substitute mineral fibers, particularly wollastonite (used in concrete via the Eternit process). Meanwhile, the growing need for heavy drilling mud (containing barite) for high-energy drilling operations (geothermal or hydrocarbon exploration), combined with the urgent requirement for radiation-shielding heavy concretes, has resulted in barite being classified as a critical raw material for the European Union in the 2020 list. The proposed study aims to characterize—mineralogically, geochemically, and radiometrically—industrial mineral deposits of major importance for various sectors, with the goal of optimizing processing methods and identifying the most advantageous applications. Studies are envisaged regarding wollastonite from Măgureaua Vaţei, Oraviţa, and Băiţa Bihor; tremolite from Voşlobeni and Ocna de Fier; high-purity calcites from Băiţa Bihor (Valea Seacă), Dealul Cornet (Valea Ponor), Ocna de Fier, and Ruşchiţa; protolith dolomites for magnesian skarns from Ocna de Fier, Valea Ierii, Pietroasa, Budureasa, Băiţa Bihor, and Ruşchiţa–Govăjdia; dolomites from Fundu Moldovei; gypsums from Cheia, Leghia, and Ivăncăuţi; and barites from Ostra, Hobiţa, Somova, and Cioaca Brazilor.

Objectives

  • mineralogical, geochemical, and radiometric characterization of the host deposits;
  • creation and development of analytical packages specific to each mineral (electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, IR absorption spectrometry, thermogravimetry) for rapid diagnosis and to facilitate the improvement of processing technologies;
  • development of a genetic model for each deposit;
  • the prerequisites for establishing a national research and development network by pooling the expertise of public and private research organizations, with the aim of providing innovative materials needed for infrastructure and construction projects;
  • capitalizing on research results by providing logistical and financial support for scientific publications and presentations at national and international conferences;
  • provision of logistical support for ongoing master’s and doctoral programs and for international cooperation activities;
  • enriching the educational collections of the National Geological Museum with samples of wollastonite, tremolite, calcite, dolomite, gypsum, and barite from the areas proposed for study, which will serve as study material and reference specimens.

Results PN 23 39 02 06

  • Analytical package for the mineralogical study of wollastonite and tremolite (powder XRD, IR, SEM, single-crystal XRD, chemical analyses). Determination of the parawollastonite structure. Genetic model of the host deposits for wollastonite and tremolite.
  • Public-private research network: formalizing future collaborations between the academic sector—which will deliver the scientific studies—and the private and entrepreneurial sectors, which will utilize these results.
  • Establishing bridges for dialogue and support between the academic community, on the one hand, and local, regional, and central public administrations and the private sector, on the other, to serve the interests of socio-economically affected local communities.
  • Analytical package for the mineralogical and geochemical study of gypsum (powder XRD, single-crystal XRD, FTIR, thermal analysis, SEM, LA-ICP-MS, chemical analyses, isotope analyses). The first mineralogical study of the Ivancăuți gypsum deposit. Discussion and proposals regarding the expansion of existing industrial mineral (gypsum) operations (Cheia) and the opening of new ones (Ivancăuți) to produce lightweight construction materials (such as plasterboard and finishing plasters), as alternatives to traditional materials used historically (bricks, concrete, metal pipes, etc.).
  • 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.
  • Enriching the National Geological Museum’s educational and heritage collections with wollastonite, tremolite, and gypsum specimens.
  • Project web page

 

Articles in journals indexed in Web of Science

  • 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). 142 citări.
  • 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)
  • Martínez-Ardila, A. M., Pompe, L., Clausen, B. L., Paterson, S. R., G. J., Luffi, P. (2023) A synthesis of the Peruvian Coastal Batholith: An exploration of temporal histories, causes of compositional diversity, and tectonomagmatic links in arcs. Lithos, 456-457, 107298 https://doi.org/10.3390/min13111362, (IF – 2,5, AIS – 0,930, Q1). 3 citări.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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., Margineanu, R. M., Persa, D., Dumitras, 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
  • Stoicescu D., Dumitras D. G., Duliu O., Zinicovscaia I., Dinca G., Dinca 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),

 

Articles in international database-indexed journals – Conference presentations

  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stoicescu, D., Dumitras, D., Duliu, O., Panaiotu, C., Costin, G., Zinicovscaia, I., Dinca, 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Roban, R.D., Ducea M.N., 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. 36th IAS Meeting of Sedimentology (12-12 June 2023, Dubrovnik, Croatia) Abstract volume, p. 484, eISBN: 978-953-6907-79-3.
  • 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 10th Hutton Symposium on Granites and Related Rocks, 10–15 September 2023, Baveno, Italy.
  • Huzum, R., Sirbu-Radasanu. D. S., Dumitraş D. G. (2024). Geochemical tools in environmental studies.
  • International Scientific Conferences Earth & Planetary Sciences – SGEM, Viena, 27 – 30 noiembrie 2024.
  • 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 37th International Geological Congress 2024, Busan, Korea, în perioada 25 – 31 august. Nr. Abstract 1811.
  • Iancu, A. M., Dumitraş, D.-G., Marincea, Ş., Sava Ghineţ, C., (2024) Phosphogypsum stacks from Năvodari (Romania) as secondary resource. The 37th International Geological Congress 2024, Busan, Korea, în perioada 25 – 31 august Nr. Abstract 1704.
  • 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 37th International Geological Congress 2024, Busan, Korea, în perioada 25 – 31 august Abstract 1755.
  • Stan, C. O., Sîrbu-Rădășanu, D. S., Dumitraș, D. G. (2024). Observații mineralogice și geochimice asupra solurilor salinizate din Lunca Bahluiului, în setorul Hoisesști – Roșior. A XXXIII-a ediție a Simpozionului Național Factori și procese pedogenetice din zona temperată.Tematica Asamblajul pedologic din aria pericarpatică și piemontană din estul României. Piatra Neamț, 2 – 6 octombrie 2024. Volum abstracte.
  • Luffi, P., Ducea M. (2024) Paleoaltimetry and paleomohometry of ancient orogens using the chemical composition of igneous rocks. 9th Geoscience International Symposium of the Romanian Society of Applied Geophysics (SGAR), 14-16 November 2024, Bucharest, Romania.
  • I. Seghedi, A. Szakács, V. Mirea, Z. Pécskay, P. Luffi. (2024) A novel volcanological reconstruction of the Călimani-Gurghiu-Harghita Range. 9th Geoscience International Symposium of the Romanian Society of Applied Geophysics (SGAR), 14-16 November 2024, Bucharest, Romania.
  • E. Schmidtke, D. Gibson, D. Thorkelson, J. L. Crowley, P. Luffi (2024) New constraints from the Challis-Kamloops Group on crustal evolution during Early Eocene extension in Southeastern British Columbia and Northeastern Washington. 2024 Joint Cordilleran and Rocky Mountain Section Meeting. 15–17 May 2024, Spokane, Washington, USA. DOI:10.1130/abs/2024CD-399725.
  • R.D. Roban, P. Luffi, M. Ducea, I. Lazăr, I. Munteanu, V. Barbu, M. Melinte-Dobrinescu (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.
  • D.-G. Dumitraș, O. G. Duliu, P. Luffi, Ș. Marincea, D. S. Sîrbu-Rădășanu, A.-M. Iancu, D. Perșa (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.
  • D.-G. Dumitras, Ștefan Marincea, Doina Smaranda Sirbu-Rădășanu, Octavian G. O.G. Duliu, P. Luffi, A.-M. Iancu, D. Perșa and M. Depret, (2025). Preliminary data concerning the geochemistry of Badenian sea waters thatinduced the crystallization of evaporitic gypsum in Romania, Abstract ID:31143. Simpozionul Internațional de Geochimie, Goldschmidt, Praga, Cehia, 5 – 11 iulie 2025.
  • O.G. Duliu, T. Trtić-Petrović, P. S. Nekhoroshkov, I. Zinicovscaia, O. Culicov, D.-G. Dumitraș (2025). INAA and XRD investigation of the Serbian sector of Danube River and its tributary sediments. 31th International Seminar on Interaction of Neutrons with Nuclei “Fundamental Interactions & Neutrons, Nuclear Structure, Ultracold Neutrons, Related Topics” (ISINN). Dongguan, China, 25 – 30 mai 2025.
  • A. Brăgarin-Nicolae, O. G. Duliu, D.-G. Dumitras, A.-M. Iancu, Ș. Marincea (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.