Following the Covid-19 disruption and recent conflicts, European leaders reassessed metal mining as a strategic priority. The aim is to reduce dependency among member states and accelerate pilot initiatives for a new energy transition. The European Union prepared a list of critical metals and updated guidelines designed to quicken exploration and development within member countries. The Raw Material Law is awaiting publication to take effect, signaling a coordinated approach to secure essential resources across the bloc.
The rise of what some call “new mining” focuses on critical metals such as copper, lithium and tungsten. This heightened emphasis has spurred more research projects and investments aimed at locating mineral veins on national soil, prioritizing these resources over traditional precious metals or ornamental stones. In Andalusia, public tender activity has underscored exploration mining rights; 360 rights were opened, with 136 allocated to the Guadiato and Los Pedroches districts—historic mining bases within the Córdoba province.
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In discussing Spain’s mining horizon, the Research, Mining, Metallurgy, and Services Association (Aminer) and Marta Cerati emphasize that critical metallic minerals are the present and future of mining because they guide the energy transition, not merely describe an ambition. The decarbonization targets and the shift toward more sustainable systems demanded by new European regulations are clear, and Aminer notes that mining demand could rise by about 50% in the next decade, based on its policy outlook.
Currently, eleven mines in Spain host critical metal minerals, including gold-related activities and other base materials such as copper, lead, zinc, and silver. Efforts are also underway to uncover new lithium and tungsten deposits to diversify the country’s supply. Active mining sites include twenty-eight advanced exploration projects and ninety in earlier exploration stages. The strongest potential projects are largely situated in Huelva, with significant expectations also in Andalusia overall, Extremadura, Castilla y León, Galicia, and Castilla La Mancha.
Main projects
One of the most advanced initiatives is the Los Frailes mining project in Huelva, which plans to extract copper, lead and zinc in the Iberian Pyrite Belt. In Córdoba, a deposit rich in tin is being explored near Fuente Obejuna. A notable collaboration under High Minerals includes Canadian company Denarius Metals conducting explorations in Huelva and presenting a regional project in Castilla y León that operates lead, zinc and silver mining in partnership with Europa Metales.
Additionally, there is ongoing support for exploration mining rights. In Andalusia, Public Tender 360 illustrates this, with 136 licenses tied to the Guadiato and Los Pedroches districts, key mining zones in Córdoba. Other regions such as Asturias, Castilla y León, Galicia and Extremadura have permits and procedures in place to enable land surveys and mining exploration. The combined government and sector focus reflects a broad interest in uncovering new mineral veins across the country.
Mining authorities acknowledge that exploration carries inherent risks. Only a fraction of exploration projects lead to mine development, so firms conduct thorough risk assessments before committing significant investments. Experts from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and IMEB (PERC) note an estimated mining exploration value of 42 million euros for 2022, as documented in their study titled “Spanish mining industry: 2022-23 cycle: Evolution or change” to appear in the forthcoming issue of the Supreme Council of Mining Engineers journals. The study also projects substantial employment growth in the sector, forecasting about 9,557 new mining engineers and 17,270 mining-related jobs by 2026, representing a roughly 124% increase over a decade. This analysis also suggests that about half of the new projects could begin within a single year, while existing activity from 2021 is likely to persist.
These projections underscore a strong link between policy shifts, new exploration activity, and the demand for skilled personnel. The coming years are expected to bring heightened investment and activity in Spain’s mining landscape, driven by national and European strategies to secure critical materials for a sustainable energy transition. (Aminer, 2023; Polytechnic University of Madrid and IMEB, PERC reports, 2022-23 cycle)