Geochemical Exploration For Critical Raw Materials In The Iberian Pyrite Belt (Spain) *I. Martín-Méndez1, P. Martín-Paéz1 1Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME-CSIC), Spain, (*Presenting author: i.martin@igme.es) Abstract The Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) is a world-class Upper Paleozoic volcanic- and shale-hosted massive sulfide province, home to several supergiant ore deposits with a unique mining history. A comprehensive multi-element soil geochemical survey has been conducted across the IPB to build a geochemical database and enhance the understanding of the studied area. The European Union has identified 34 critical raw materials essential for the development of European industry in its latest list (European Commission, 2024). Mapping chemical elements provides insights into their behavior, controls, and associations in natural environments. Mono-element contour maps illustrate the distribution of these critical elements, some of which are part of the geochemical signature of volcanosedimentary massive sulfide mineralizations. This is the case of Cu, which was added to the latest 2023 list, with a notable copper anomaly associated with the Rio Tinto deposit. Additionally, Mn, another critical element on the list, has historically been an important resource in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, with deposits such as Soloviejo mined in the last century. Other elements, including As, Ba, Bi, Co, Ni, Sb, W and rare earth elements (REE), also appear as secondary minerals within the signature of massive sulfide mineralizations, often showing significantly elevated values. Keywords Geochemical exploration, mineral exploration, critical raw materials, Iberian Pyrite Belt 1. INTRODUCTION Critical raw materials (CRMs) are essential to the EU economy due to their high economic importance and supply risk (fig. 1). They support key industries and advanced technologies, making their secure access a strategic priority. In response, the EU has adopted the Critical Raw Materials Act to reinforce the CRM value chain. The accelerating global transition toward decarbonization and digitalization has markedly intensified the demand for critical minerals, including copper, arsenic, barium, antimony, bismuth and manganese. These commodities are fundamental to the manufacture of electric 178
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