Geochemical evaluation of dolostone deposits in Montenegro: Implications for potential industrial applications

Dolomite is a valuable mineral commodity with numerous industrial applications. Dolostones are mineral resources with significant growth potential. The study area encompasses south and central Montenegro. Mineralogical, petrographic, geochemical, and technological properties were investigated. Upper Cretaceous dolostones are compact and contain organic matter, whereas Triassic dolostones are weathered dolomites without organic matter. Both of formations displayed varying dolostone quality, prompting the geological and technological classification of Montenegrin dolostones. Upper Cretaceous dolostones are utilized in the building industry as aggregate, dimension stone, and filler, whereas Triassic dolomites are not suitable as dimension stone and have limited potential as aggregate. Both dolostones can be utilized in the steel industry and agriculture, but not as high-quality fillers when whiteness is a limitation, or for lime production where chemical composition and grain size are regulated. This is the first comprehensive study of geochemical evaluations of dolostone deposits in the Balkans and their potential industrial use.