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The Argentiera – Nurra – Gallura area is located in northern Sardinia and comprises two distinct zones: one along the northwestern coast (Argentiera - Nurra) and the other along the northeastern coast (Gallura).
The Argentiera-Nurra zone is situated in northwestern Sardinia and spans an area of 61 square kilometers, accounting for less than 2% of the total area of the Sardinian Geomineral Park.
From a mining perspective, the area, particularly for its lead, zinc, and silver deposits in Argentiera (exploited since Roman colonization) and its iron deposits in Canaglia, became the most important metalliferous district of northern Sardinia in the last century.
Within the area designated for the Geomineral Park, several sectors stand out, rich in landscape and environmental features:
The northern sector, featuring a stretch of coastline with steep and often sheer cliffs, such as the Capo dell’Argentiera cliff (220 m). This area is particularly significant for its geo-mineral interest, with striking mining structures located in the Porto dell’Argentiera cove, representing a typical example of industrial archaeology. Nearby is Porto Palmas, home to Anchusa crispa, a Sardinian-Corsican endemic plant that has recently disappeared from many other parts of the island.
The central sector, including the wide Porto Ferro inlet, characterized by a beach of distinct reddish sand framed by dense pine forests and the scenic Lake Baratz.
The southern sector, marked by the limestone promontory of Capo Caccia (169 m) extending to Punta Cristallo in the north, with dramatic cliffs dominated inland by Monte Timidone. This limestone coastline is also notable for numerous karst phenomena, especially caves, which enhance the uniqueness of the area. Examples include the Grotta Verde, Grotta dei Richiami, and the Grotta di Nettuno, which attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists annually.
The Gallura area occupies the northeastern part of the island, stretching from the Gulf of Olbia to Capo Testa.
The economy of Gallura is closely linked to its favorable landscape and geo-morphological features.
The two main drivers of the Gallura economy are coastal tourism and industrial activities related to cork processing and granite extraction in the interior.
The landscape, with jagged coasts carved by deep inlets offering safe havens from the prevailing mistral winds and stunning, sandy bays, justifies the significant investments made in the island's northeast over the past three decades.
National and international business interests have materialized in tourist developments stretching from Olbia to Santa Teresa di Gallura, encompassing centers such as Porto Rotondo, the Costa Smeralda, and Porto Raphael.
The second economic sector is marked by the cork production hub in Tempio-Calangianus, while granite extraction is concentrated in the extraction centers of Arzachena-Bassacutena and Tempio Pausania-Calangianus. These centers supply raw granite blocks or semi-finished products to local and national sawmills, with the finished product being marketed worldwide.