New Spanish mine near Portugal divides Andalucian government

Mine located in protected natural area and near critical water supply for hundreds of thousands of residents

by Lorraine Williamson
Andalucian mine

A controversial mining project in the province of Huelva has caused an unusual split within the Andalucian government. While the Ministry of Industry views the project as strategically important, the Ministries of Sustainability and Agriculture have raised concerns about potential environmental damage and risks to drinking water supplies.

Located just 10 kilometres from Portugal, near the Andévalo reservoir in Huelva, the Iberian Belt West (IBW) project aims to extract zinc, lead, copper, gold, and silver. Led by Emerita, a subsidiary of a Canadian mining multinational, the project was granted strategic status in September 2023. However, it has faced significant criticism due to its location within protected natural areas and proximity to vital water sources.

Division within the Junta

The Andalucian Ministry of Industry, Energy, and Mining has declared the project an “investment of strategic importance,” expediting administrative processes and reducing bureaucratic barriers. In contrast, the Ministry of Sustainability, Environment, and Blue Economy, alongside the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, oppose the project, citing unacceptable risks.

The mine sits within the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas. The nearby Andévalo reservoir supplies drinking water to hundreds of thousands of residents and supports agricultural businesses in the region. The Ministry of Agriculture warns that the mine’s location poses “a risk that should not be taken.”

In September, the Andalucian government approved the project through “administrative silence,” a legal mechanism where failure to issue a decision within a set timeframe results in automatic approval. This method has attracted criticism, as the project’s environmental impact has yet to be fully evaluated.

Major economic interests

Scheduled to begin operations in 2027, the mine is expected to run for 17 years. It promises to create 350 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect jobs, with an investment of €350 million. The extracted minerals will be transported by trucks and barges along the Guadiana River to the Portuguese port of Sines, from where they will be shipped to Rotterdam and other destinations.

Environmental concerns and opposition

Environmental groups and scientists remain sceptical of Emerita’s assurances. Despite claims that no wastewater will be discharged and that 50% to 70% of toxic mining residues will be returned underground, experts caution against the risks.

Reyes Tirado, a climate scientist at the University of Exeter, highlights that “mining always leaves behind tons of waste” and warns of potential contamination of drinking water with heavy metals, which could enter the food chain. Additionally, transporting minerals along the Guadiana River could harm local flora and fauna.

Ecologistas en Acción, a Spanish environmental organisation, argues that the project exemplifies how foreign mining companies exploit Andalusian resources while leaving pollution and socio-economic problems behind.

Next steps

The project still requires a crucial environmental permit from the Andalucian government, including an environmental impact assessment focusing on the protected West-Andévalo area. This 53,000-hectare nature reserve is home to rare and endangered species such as the golden eagle, black stork, and black vulture.

Additionally, approval from Portuguese authorities is necessary due to the cross-border implications of the project and its use of the Guadiana River for transportation.

Despite divisions within the Junta de Andalucía and growing opposition from environmental groups and experts, the mining project appears to be advancing. The coming months will be critical in determining the future of this contentious development on the Spain-Portugal border.

You may also like