Oportunidades e desafios num distrito mineiro de classe mundial, a Faixa Piritosa Ibérica

ABSTRACT: A summary is made on the exploration work carried out in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) and an attempt is made to describe the evolution of the exploration methods and strategies applied in the field which led to the discovery of the main deposits. Finally, a reference is made to the good potential for new discoveries in the IPB, giving clues about new exploration models to be pursued. Being undoubtedly a world-class metallogenic province, the IPB naturally deserves a special mention regarding the mining history and on the evolution of the exploration techniques, adjusted to the new paradigms, namely in the need to search at ever greater depths. The most recent cases of successful new discoveries in the IPB are described, largely resulting from the refining of geological, geophysical and geochemical prospecting methodologies, and clues that are expected to lead to the discovery of new concealed deposits are equated.