The elemental sulfur ore deposit of Salmerón: Las Minas de Hellín basin (Late Miocene, SE Spain)

Strata-bound elemental sulfur deposits occur in different circum-Mediterranean Miocene sedimentary successions containing evaporites and high amounts of organic matter. It is widely known that bacterial sulfate reduction processes are the triggering mechanisms involved origin hydrogen sulfide subsequent native sulfur. However, most these successions, there controversy over whether formed basin floor, as same time sediments (biosyngenetic), or later, during diagenesis (bioepigenetic). Las Minas de Hellín basin, SE Spain, contains one largest Europe. Based on data recovered from mining company (1903 -1960) a borehole campaign performed by MINERSA between 1987 1988, two ore bodies recognized. The upper body hosted carbonates diatom-rich levels, whereas lower body, only exploited underground mines now closed, gypsum. This work shows petrological geochemical study core samples Salmerón area (Murcia), 500 m west (Albacete). In Salmerón, occurs pseudomorphs after primary gypsum well filling fractures bed joints. replacement also related to calcification silicification biomediated dolomite. mineralization considered bioepigenetic early diagenesis. Contribution hydrothermal waters circulating through adjacent faults not ruled out.