The Geomining, Historical and Environmental Park of Sardinia safeguards and valorises the great heritage and the mining landscape of Sardinia. Many of the most important mines of Sardinia are located in the Cambrian carbonates of Iglesiente. In this area the great development of mine tunnels has allowed to intersect important deep karst phenomena without natural connection with the surface, the so-called “mine caves”. These represent elements of exceptional speleological and minerogenetical interest, as has been emphasised during the scientific research of the project COFIN 2001-2003. Even though mine caves of Sardinia have been the subject of speleological exploration for over 20 years, only in these last 10 years the researches have been intensified allowing the discovery and documentation of more than 100 natural caves accessible only thanks to mine shafts and tunnels. The most important mine cave is without any doubt the Santa Barbara cave in Mount San Giovanni close to Iglesias, at present open to public and managed by the IGEA S.p.A. of Iglesias. In this paper the most interesting scientific aspects of these mine caves are illustrated, showing that these should be adequately studied and safeguarded. Some of these mine caves could become important tourist attractions in the framework of a cultural, scientific sustainable tourism that fits very well with the institutional aims of the Geomining Park.
Le grotte di miniera nelle aree del Parco Geominerario Storico ed Ambientale della Sardegna
FRAU, FRANCO
2005-01-01
Abstract
The Geomining, Historical and Environmental Park of Sardinia safeguards and valorises the great heritage and the mining landscape of Sardinia. Many of the most important mines of Sardinia are located in the Cambrian carbonates of Iglesiente. In this area the great development of mine tunnels has allowed to intersect important deep karst phenomena without natural connection with the surface, the so-called “mine caves”. These represent elements of exceptional speleological and minerogenetical interest, as has been emphasised during the scientific research of the project COFIN 2001-2003. Even though mine caves of Sardinia have been the subject of speleological exploration for over 20 years, only in these last 10 years the researches have been intensified allowing the discovery and documentation of more than 100 natural caves accessible only thanks to mine shafts and tunnels. The most important mine cave is without any doubt the Santa Barbara cave in Mount San Giovanni close to Iglesias, at present open to public and managed by the IGEA S.p.A. of Iglesias. In this paper the most interesting scientific aspects of these mine caves are illustrated, showing that these should be adequately studied and safeguarded. Some of these mine caves could become important tourist attractions in the framework of a cultural, scientific sustainable tourism that fits very well with the institutional aims of the Geomining Park.
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