The metallogenic potential of an old European mining region: the case of Sardinia (Italy)

The current needs of supplying critical raw materials (CRM's) for the European Union lead to reconsidering the residual potential of many old districts in Western Europe. Sardinia was the most important Italian mining region, with some district (Iglesiente, Montevecchio) relevant at continental scale. Despite the intensive exploitation of last centuries, Sardinian districts still retains a metallogenic potential, involving: (1) large amounts of mine wastes; (2) marginal or poorly explored deposits; (3) new deposits, principally of precious metals and CRM's, emerging from new geological and metallogenic studies.