GEOLODIA 2024 Searching for copper at the foot of the Picos de Europa: Delfina Mine, Ortiguero de Cabrales

The Geolodía 2024 highlighted the geological heritage and mining past of Cabrales

The council of Cabrales was the scene in May 2024 of a new edition of the Geolodía Asturias, a day of scientific dissemination that brought together hundreds of participants around the geological heritage of the territory.

The activity was held on Saturday, May 11 in the town of Ortiguero, under the title "Looking for copper at the foot of the Picos de Europa: Mina Delfina, Ortiguero de Cabrales", with departure from the parking lot of the old schools. The proposal consisted of an excursion guided by geologists open to all public and free of charge, in line with the usual format of the Geolodías organized every year in different Spanish provinces.

The Geolodía is an annual event of scientific dissemination promoted by the Geological Society of Spain and coordinated in Asturias by the University of Oviedo, which aims to bring geology and natural heritage to the citizenship through interpreted routes on the ground.

In this edition, more than 200 participants walked a circular route of approximately 6.4 kilometers from Ortiguero, with several interpretive stops focused on the relief, tectonics, rock types and mining history of the area. The tour included the Delfina Mine, a former copper mine that ceased its activity in 1958 and that constitutes one of the most outstanding elements of the geological and mining heritage of the council.

The day allowed to discover the scientific, scenic and historical value of the Cabraliego territory, as well as its potential as a tourist resource linked to nature and knowledge of the environment. The activity counted with the collaboration of the Cabrales Town Council and the Faculty of Geology of the University of Oviedo, in addition to a large team of specialists who guided the attendees during the itinerary.

The Geolodía is held annually throughout Spain with the aim of promoting knowledge of geological heritage, promoting its conservation and disseminating the relationship between geology, landscape and daily life. In Cabrales, the 2024 edition was an opportunity to highlight the unique environment of the Picos de Europa and its mining history from a scientific and touristic perspective.

Link to the Geolodía website: www.geolodia.es/geolodia-2024/asturias-2024/