Raw material crisis after the Covid-19 outbreak And recent conflicts Warlords are behind the re-evaluation of metal mining. strategic in the EU To guarantee the dependency of member countries and to carry out pilot implementation new energy transition. Therefore, the EU has prepared a list of critical metals and introduced changes to the guidelines that can be implemented in the future, with the aim of accelerating the exploration and emergence of these resources in member countries. Raw Material Law European Union, It is awaiting publication to enter into force.
This rise of “new mining”, i.e. critical metals such as copper, lithium or tungsten This lies behind the increase in research projects and investments in detecting veins in national lands, compared to precious metals or ornamental rocks. In the case of Andalusia, highlights support for exploration mining rights360 rights were put out for public tender, 136 of which belong to the Guadiato regions and Los Pedroches, the excellent mining areas of the province of Córdoba.
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Regarding the new horizon of mining in Spain, Research, Mining, Mining-Metallurgy, Auxiliary and Service Companies Association (Aminer), Marta Cerati“critical metallic minerals are the present and future of mining because they point the way to an energy transition, not an aspiration.” urgent need». The targets of decarbonization and transition to more sustainable systems required by the new European regulations, «Mining demand will increase by 50% in the next decade», According to Aminer’s directive.
Now, 11 mines containing critical metal minerals are in operation in Spain gold metal mining (tungsten, strontium, fluospar, tantalum and niobium) and other basic materials (copper, lead, zinc and silver). Likewise, exploration efforts are being carried out to find new lithium and tungsten deposits.
This has been added to active mines 28 advanced exploration projects and 90 in the exploration phase. The projects with the greatest potential are mainly located in Huelva. There are also great expectations at other points Andalusia, Extremadura, Castilla y León, Galicia and Castilla La Mancha.
Main projects
Among the most advanced projects Los Frailes Mining in Huelvaplans to extract copper, lead and zinc Iberian Pyrite Belt.
project Spain Tin Mines In a deposit of this metal in Córdoba, specifically Fuente Obejuna.
Another important project is the one he led. High Minerals, Canadian Denarius Metalsconducting explorations in Huelva and recently gave a presentation Business project in Castilla y León It operates in the exploitation of lead, zinc and silver mines with its partner Europa Metales.
To all these projects we must add: Support for exploration mining rightsSuddenly, as in the case of Andalusia Public tender number 360, 136 of which belongs to the districts of Guadiato and Los Pedroches, excellent mining areas of the province of Córdoba. Other regions such as Asturias, Castilla y León, Galicia and Extremadura also have permits and procedures in place to allow land surveys and mining exploration.
This interest of the administrations request sector and investment efforts to uncover new veins. It should not be forgotten that mineral exploration carries many risks. In fact, only a small fraction of exploration results in the opening of a mine. Therefore, companies calculate all the consequences before making their investments. Here’s why the data provided Mining engineers Christian Peña, Paulo Romero and J. Antonio Espí from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and IMEB (PERC)The estimated value of mining exploration in 2022 was determined as 42 million euros.
This study, under the title ‘Spanish mining industry: 2022-23 cycle: Evolution or change’, which will appear in the next issue of the journal of the Supreme Council of Colleges of Mining Engineers, shows that job creation for new mining engineers will be 9,557 in mining projects. They estimate that this mining will employ 17,270 people in 2026; This represents a 124% increase compared to the number of workers in this sector a decade ago.
In addition, according to the field studies of these engineers, it is estimated that half of the new mining projects will be activated in just one year, while those that are active in 2021 will remain active.