Dícido -also called Mioño- mineral loading platform is the only one of its kind remaining in Castro Urdiales. Out of the 13 mineral loading platforms in the Spanish coastline, 7 were located in the town. They were used to transport minerals extracted from Dícido mine, situated 5 km away, and load ships with material. The first mineral loading platform was constructed in 1886, but it had to be rebuilt several times. The one that has survived until today dates back to 1938 and was constructed by the company Altos Hornos de Vizcaya, which owned Dicido Iron Ore Limited at the time.

This Warren truss structure, connected by central columns, is supported on a masonry pier. It is composed of a single span cantilevered section fixed to the rock face. The girder consists of two main trusses composed of upper and lower chords and vertical and diagonal spandrel columns working alternatively through tension and compression. The structure’s preservation condition is deficient, especially at the lower part, as this is the area affected by the waves. While top chords’ condition is acceptable, durable damages caused by the environmental exposure were detected.

Historical, climate, maritime and durability studies, mechanical characterisation of steel and masonry were carried out. Corrective actions were in turn implemented in order to ensure structural stability for potential future uses.