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Gravity and Magnetic Separation for Concentrating Critical Raw Materials from Granite Quarry Waste: A Case Study from Buddusò (Sardinia, Italy)

Author

Listed:
  • Antonello Aquilano

    (Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy)

  • Elena Marrocchino

    (Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy)

  • Carmela Vaccaro

    (Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy)

Abstract

The Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), enacted by the European Union (EU) in May 2024, represents a strategic framework that aims to address the growing demand for critical raw materials (CRMs) and reduce dependency on non-EU sources. The present study explores the potential of CRMs recovery from granite extractive waste (EW) at a granite quarry in Buddusò (Sardinia, Italy). A significant quantity of granite EW, stored in piles within designated disposal areas at the quarry under study, is estimated in terms of mass and volume using GISs and digital elevation models (DEMs). Analysis performed using a scanning electron microscope attached to an energy-dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) reveals the presence of allanite, a rare-earth-bearing mineral with substantial light rare-earth elements (LREEs), which can potentially be exploited for LREEs recovery. A combined working process including gravity and magnetic separations yields CRMs-enriched fractions with concentrations of REEs, Sc, and Ga, reaching levels of potential economic interest for different industrial applications. Despite promising concentrations, limited knowledge of allanite processing represents significant challenges for CRMs recovery from this waste. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the efficiency of these gravity and magnetic separation methods in order to concentrate CRMs from granite EW. Economic evaluations, including potential market value estimates, suggest that CRMs recovery from granite EW can be very profitable under optimized processing conditions. Expanding studies to other quarries in the region can provide valuable insights into the feasibility of establishing a recycling hub, offering a sustainable supply chain solution for CRMs within the EU’s strategic framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonello Aquilano & Elena Marrocchino & Carmela Vaccaro, 2025. "Gravity and Magnetic Separation for Concentrating Critical Raw Materials from Granite Quarry Waste: A Case Study from Buddusò (Sardinia, Italy)," Resources, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-33, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jresou:v:14:y:2025:i:2:p:24-:d:1579792
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Careddu, Nicola & Siotto, Giampaolo & Marras, Graziella, 2017. "The crisis of granite and the success of marble: errors and market strategies. The Sardinian case," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 273-276.
    2. Xinyuan Zhao & Faten Khelifi & Marco Casale & Alessandro Cavallo & Elio Padoan & Ke Yang & Giovanna Antonella Dino, 2024. "Critical Raw Materials Supply: Challenges and Potentialities to Exploit Rare Earth Elements from Siliceous Stones and Extractive Waste," Resources, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-26, July.
    3. Neha Mehta & Giovanna Antonella Dino & Iride Passarella & Franco Ajmone-Marsan & Piergiorgio Rossetti & Domenico Antonio De Luca, 2020. "Assessment of the Possible Reuse of Extractive Waste Coming from Abandoned Mine Sites: Case Study in Gorno, Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-22, March.
    4. Alessandro Cavallo & Giovanna Antonella Dino, 2022. "Extractive Waste as a Resource: Quartz, Feldspars, and Rare Earth Elements from Gneiss Quarries of the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province (Piedmont, Northern Italy)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-15, April.
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