An exceptional discovery that bears the signature of the University of Ferrara . And which projects Sardinia as a territory of strategic importance in overcoming the difficulties of implementing the European Green Deal caused by the limitations in finding the critical metals necessary for the ecological and digital transition.

This was announced by the researchers themselves in Ferrara, where the “RemTech Expo” event dedicated to environmental technologies is currently underway.

A priceless treasure that is located in the Buddusò marble quarry , in the province of Sassari.
"From the first analyzes of our project it emerged that the landfills in the stone district of Buddusò and Gallura could allow Italy and Europe to overcome the difficulties of finding critical and necessary materials for the ecological and digital transition" explains Elena Marrocchino , researcher of the Department of Environmental Sciences and Prevention of Unife and co-responsible for the project.

" Buddusò granites are composed of 80% -85% quartz and feldspar , materials used for the ceramic and glass sector. They also contain high percentages (up to 15%) of allanite , a rare magmatic mineral that is characterized for being rich in rare earths (Lanthanum, Cerium, Praseodymium, Samarium and Neodymium) and interesting quantities of Iron, Tantalum and Niobium ", specifies Dr. Antonello Aquiliano , a Unife PhD student who is working on the project." profits of Germanium and Gallium, important elements for the production of green components such as solar panels ".

The discovery is one of the first repercussions of the Regs II project "Recycling of granite scaps II" financed with European Life funds and of the research project entitled "Waste treatment: finding Critical Raw Materials from landfills of scraps of ornamental granite rocks", supported from the Pon React-Eu national funding program and carried out as part of the Doctorate in Architecture and Urban Planning of the University of Ferrara.