ARTYKUŁY INFORMACYJNE Złoża rud niklu w redeponowanych laterytach w Grecji, ich wykorzystanie i zagospodarowanie pogórnicze

Abstract

Nickel ore deposits in the redeposited laterites in Greece, their development and post-mining land-use.A b s t r a c t. The article presents the geological features of rarely described ferruginous nickel ores in carbonate rocks. They are exploited mostly in central Greece, giving about 1% of world production. Geochemical associations of laterite-derived nickel ores and bauxites occurring in carbonate formations of similar age in the not distant area are presented. The deposits formed in several stages starting with the lateritic alteration of nearby serpentinite and redeposition of water-suspended saprolite into karstic forms of Jurassic limestones. Ferruginous clayey material was sealed by transgressive Cenomanian marly sediments and was subject to further transformations in the vadose zone of the uplifted rock massive. Mining geology, environmental and economic aspects of exploitation are analysed. Finally, guidelines for the land use in post-mining areas are provided.