To What Extent Are the Type Localities of Minerals Part of Geological Heritage? A Global Review and the Case of Spain as an Example

Currently, approximately 6000 mineral species have been identified, and every year, approximately 100 more are discovered. The discovery of a new mineral has a close relationship with geological heritage. It involves the definition of both the type mineral (the specimen from which the sample used for the description of the new mineral species was obtained) and the type locality (the location where the corresponding specimen was found). All type minerals constitute elements of movable geological heritage and must be kept in a museum or a reference research center. However, not all type localities are recognized as geological heritage sites (geosites), despite their connection to a heritage interest. This article discusses these different considerations regarding type minerals and type localities as geological heritage in a general context. In addition, the situation in the case of Spain is analyzed, which, for various reasons, can serve as a model at the international level. It is concluded that type localities should be considered part of the geological heritage, and that the number of type minerals is always greater than that of type localities.