Paleontological restoration and conservation of fossils recovered from exploitation remnants

In March, alongside the Therium team, we developed the report for the tenth month of paleontological preparation activities for fossils rescued during the monitoring of the “Extraction and Processing of Stock from Previous Exploitation. Bifox, Caldera” project.

During this period, we prepared 77 pieces from 34 entries, all embedded in phosphatic plates. The preparation involved reducing the plates using a saw and grinder, and detailed cleaning was performed with pneumatic tools such as microjack and ring tools. Consolidation was achieved using Paraloid B72 in various concentrations.

The extraction of phosphatic rock remnants is conducted on a small scale, utilizing existing stockpiles of the mineral. These stockpiles have accumulated from previous mining operations, both in the mine and at the plant, meaning that their extraction does not interfere with the subsurface mineral-bearing strata or units.

In the tenth month of paleontological preparation activities, we recovered samples from fish, mammals, sharks, and plants.

In addition to the direct work with the material and taking initial and final photographs of the prepared pieces, we reprioritized the pending pieces for preparation and conducted the corresponding cabinet work.