Portal de Cartagena
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Researchers at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT) have developed the first worldwide patent that allows the effective restoration of metal mining zones.
In the Region of Murcia, this new technology could be applied to the mining districts of Cartagena-La Union, and of Mazarrón.
The UPCT has transferred the exploitation rights to the regional company Astesa Gestión de Residuos, SL, for its exploitation and commercialization.
"We are faced with the first effective technology to reduce pollution by heavy metals and other elements such as arsenic from these mining areas, at a low cost and in an environmentally acceptable way," says the researcher responsible, Professor Gregorio Garcia, Researcher responsible for the Group of Earth Engineering and the Geological Resources of the UPCT.
García is the author of this invention with the young researcher José Manuel Gómez-Ros.
The researcher points out that the application of patented technology in the mining districts of Cartagena-La Unión and Mazarrón "would mean an improvement in the quality of life and minimization of the risks to which a population greater than 200,000 Inhabitants, large number of crops and ecosystems, in addition to the Mar Menor itself.
According to the conclusions of the research of the Earth Engineering and of the Geological Resources of the UPCT, "this technology reduces efficiently pollution by toxic pollutants from mining activity, at a low cost and a Ecologically acceptable form ".
"The problem with these areas has been that the restorations and seals made to date have been extraordinarily inefficient, failing to fulfill the functions they were supposed to perform," Garcia adds.
To this situation "a certain abandonment must be added on the part of the operating companies and the competent Administration, which may be due in part to the ignorance that until now has existed on the seriousness of the impact that these residues have on the environmental health of their Environments, "adds the researcher responsible.
The development of the patent has been possible thanks to public funding in research, specifically the Ministry of Education and Science, in conjunction with the Séneca Foundation-Agency of Science and Technology of the Region of Murcia.
In turn, as the rights of exploitation of this patent have been transferred to the industrial sector of the Region, it can be considered that we are facing a clear example of R & D & I, highlights the researcher responsible.
Source: UPCT
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