GeoSed - Associazione Italiana per la Geologia del Sedimentario
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra dell'Università di Siena
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Table of Contents


Vol. 9 - 2010

Vol. 8 - 2009

Vol. 7 - 2008
SP 1 - 2008

Vol. 6 - 2007
Vol. 5 - 2006
Vol. 4 - 2005
Vol. 3 - 2004
Vol. 2 - 2003
Vol. 1 - 2001-2002

Notes for Authors
(PDF - 80 kb)



GeoActa Special Publication 1 2008


Acquisto online

GeoActa
an international Journal of Earth Sciences


Vanina L. Lopez De Azarevich1 , Miguel B. Azarevich1, Alfredo L. Castillo2 and Natalia C. Lopez3
1 Universidad Nacional de Salta, Buenos Aires 177, 4400 Salta, Argentina. E-mail: vlllopez@yahoo.com.armiguel_azarevich@yahoo.com.ar
2 Secretaría de Minería, Provincia de Salta, Argentina; Universidad Nacional de Salta, Buenos Aires 177, 4400 Salta, Argentina. E-mail: alfredo_castillo04@yahoo.com .ar
3 Universidad Nacional del Sur, Alem1253, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina. E-mail:  nclopez@uns.edu.ar


Technological applications for Neoproterozoic-Cambrian limestones from northwest Argentina


Volume 8, 2009, pages 13-24

PDF (2,2 MB)
Abstract

Some rocks have been used as ornamental stones without knowledge of the natural material or its characteristics when included in agglomerates, or even those acquired during the benefit process. This study shows that prospection for ornamental stones should include studies of physical, chemical and mechanic properties that allow determination of its application to industrial merchant.
The Neoproterozoic-Cambrian limestones from Northwest Argentina extend along a wide area, with interesting sectors of low fracturation, being lack of oxidation and karst morphologies. High compression and bending strength values of this micrites, good engraved qualities, polished surfaces and cut facilities generate an important industrial interest for exploration and quarry development evaluation at Sierra de Castillejo.
Limestones abrasive and weather resistance, along with very fine-grain and porosity reduction due to cementation by the calcite veins framework, make them suitable for covers of high performance furniture and ornamentations in architectural designs. If fractured, they are suitable for paving tiles, sculptures, small ornamental stones, adornments, ordinary jewels, arids and lime formation.
Reserves at Sierra de Castillejo are equivalent to 20 year-production of the San Juan limestones and 11 year-production of the Córdoba marbles.

Keywords: Neoproterozoic-Cambrian limestones, Northwest Argentina, Prospection and quarry development evaluation, High-performance ornamental stones, Paving tiles and lime