Spain is at a key geopolitical and technological crossroads., with the possibility of becoming a central player in the European production of rare earthThese elements, essential for modern technology and the energy transition, are hidden beneath fields, mountains, and volcanic soils in several regions of the country. The potential of their deposits is immense, but mining poses complex dilemmas between industrial progress, economic development, and environmental protection.
At present, Spain has no active rare earth mines., but ongoing research and projects could radically change the landscape in the coming years. The debate surrounding their extraction pits companies, public administrations, local communities, environmentalists, and European organizations against each other. Can Spain lead the production of these minerals critical to European technological autonomy? What challenges must it face to achieve this, and what implications does this have for the country and the continent?
What are rare earths and why are they strategic?
Rare earths are neither “earths” nor as “rare” as they might seem.. The term refers to 17 chemical elements of the periodic table, including the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. Although found in low concentrations (usually between 100 and 150 grams per ton of rock), they are not the rarest elements on the planet. Their historical name arises from the difficulty in finding sufficiently concentrated and exploitable deposits, as well as from the earthy appearance of some minerals that contain them.
These elements present unique magnetic, optical and chemical properties and irreplaceable, making them key materials for countless modern technological applications:
- Wind turbines and generators (high-efficiency permanent magnets in renewable energy)
- Electric and hybrid cars (batteries, motors and advanced electronic systems)
- Mobile phones, computers and screens (circuits, touch screens, microphones, speakers and optical systems)
- Defense and aerospace systems (radars, missiles, satellites, communication equipment)
- Household appliances, medical infrastructure and household products
Global consumption of rare earths has grown exponentially in recent decades. Every inhabitant of the world uses, directly or indirectly, nearly 17 grams of rare earths per year only in electronic devices, while sectors such as electric automotive and renewable energy require tons of these materials.
Cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and europium are some of the most sought-after elements. For example, a single wind turbine can contain between 500 and 700 kilos of rare earths, and each electric car may need tens of grams for its magnets and batteries.
International Overview: Who Controls the Supply of Rare Earths?
In the world, China leads almost completely in the production and refining of rare earths., controlling around 80-90% of the world's supply and possessing nearly half of the known reserves. Other relevant areas include Australia, Brazil, India, Vietnam, Russia, the United States, and Canada, although the EU remains entirely dependent on the import of these materials. This situation creates serious strategic vulnerability, as evidenced by recent supply crises and geopolitical conflicts affecting the international trade of critical minerals.
La European Commission And most developed countries have launched strategies to diversify access and strengthen autonomy in the supply of rare earths and critical minerals, investing in the exploration of new deposits, recycling, and the development of clean extraction technologies.
In Europe, there are currently no large rare earth mines in production, although potential deposits have been identified in countries such as Spain, Sweden, and Greenland, as well as underwater deposits in areas near the Canary Islands and Galicia.
The Matamulas site (Ciudad Real): a strategic and controversial epicenter
The Matamulas site, located in Campo de Montiel (Ciudad Real), represents the largest known and most studied deposit in Spain. Identified by the Quantum Mining company, these are monazite gravels rich in monazite and xenotime, minerals with high contents of rare earths such as cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium and thorium, although it stands out for its high concentration of europium and low thorium content (which reduces the associated radiological risks).
The reservoir extends over approximately 250 hectares between Torrenueva and Torre de Juan Abad, and is only 2-3 meters deep over most of its surface. The company maintains that the deposit could contain between 29.000 and 30.000 tons of rare earths., with a forecast extraction of 2.100 tons per year for a decade, enough to cover up to 33% of annual European demand of these materials, and even reaching 100% of European demand in low-need scenarios.
La great competitive advantage of this deposit It lies in its accessibility and low technical extraction cost, as the monazite gravel is found close to the surface, unlike other projects in Europe where the minerals are found several hundred metres deep.
Social, legal and environmental dimensions of the project
Since your announcement, The Matamulas project has been the subject of fierce social, environmental and political opposition.. Despite the economic potential and employment expectations (the company estimates 150 direct jobs and 400 indirect jobs), numerous groups such as Yes to the Living Earth, Ecologists in Action and residents of the area have denounced the risks and the associated environmental impact.
Main concerns and allegations:
- Water consumption: It is estimated that mining activity would require between 310.000 and 500.000 m³ annually in a region already affected by overexploitation of aquifers and episodes of drought.
- Location in protected areas: the project area is located in a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) and close to the habitat of the Iberian lynx and other protected species such as the imperial eagle and the little bustard.
- Presence of radioactive elementsMonazite may be associated with thorium and uranium, which represent radioactivity and hazardous waste risks.
- Impact on agricultural land and local economyThe mine would be located under cultivated areas that constitute the economic base of the region, in addition to affecting emblematic wineries and cooperatives.
The environmental authorities of Castilla-La Mancha rejected the project after a negative environmental impact assessment, and this decision was upheld by the regional High Court of Justice. However, Quantum Mining has submitted new applications for research projects, focusing on areas far from sensitive habitats and adapting extraction techniques to methods considered less harmful (earthmoving without chemical reagents, restoration of the topsoil and return of materials to the original land).
The conflict, far from being resolved, has intensified, with opposition (supporters of local development and European technological independence) and opposition (defenders of natural and agricultural heritage, as well as of an economy based on tourism and agri-food production).
Rare earth mining in Spain: challenges, alternatives, and future
- Spain currently consumes about 550 tons of rare earths per year., most of them imported from China, Italy, France and Austria, mainly for the glass and ceramic industries.
- External dependence is total, and there is no industry in the country for processing or refining these elements, which limits local added value and industrial autonomy.
- Rare earth recycling is currently testimonial: Less than 1% of the waste used in European industry is recovered, despite the presence of these materials in millions of discarded products.
- Spain has a long mining tradition and diverse geology., comparable to that of countries with large reserves, which opens the door to future research and projects if environmental and social barriers are overcome.
Other regions with rare earth potential in Spain
In addition to Matamulas, there are others relevant geological deposits or evidence throughout the national territory, identified by European and national research projects:
- Monte Galiñeiro (Pontevedra, Galicia)Granitic and plutonic formations with bastnasite, monazite, and xenotime mineralization. Considered the most promising geological setting for exploration in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula.
- Fuerteventura (Canary Islands): Basal complex and carbonatites with rare earth concentrations of up to 10 kg per ton of rock, 100 times higher than the global average. Polymetallic manganese crusts have also been identified on seamounts near the islands.
- Almeria: Significant presence of rare earths in the Rambla de las Granatillas with potential industrial interest.
- EstremaduraMining projects under study, such as the Las Navas Mine and La Parrilla Mine, are included in European Union funding programs.
- Salamanca and Zamora (Dome of the Tormes): Deposits with significant proportions of lanthanum, cerium and associated minerals (tantalite, tungsten, tin and uranium).
- Andalucía: Following the development of its first map of critical minerals, potential was identified in antimony, barium, beryllium, bismuth, borates, cobalt, strontium, fluorine, phosphates, graphite, lithium, platinum, silicon, titanium, vanadium, tungsten and rare earths.
- Submarine deposits: The Bank of Galicia, the Gulf of Cadiz and Monte Tropic in the Canary Islands, although the latter pose technical, legal and diplomatic challenges (due to the international water dispute with Morocco in the case of Monte Tropic).
The European and national strategy to address the need for mining safety
La The European Commission has developed a roadmap to identify and promote critical mining projects., with 47 priority projects across the EU, seven of which are in Spain. Among them are:
- Lithium extraction (key for electric car batteries)
- Tungsten extraction
- Recycling of electronic devices and recovery of strategic metals
Despite Matamulas' potential, the Quantum Minería project has not been included among those selected by the European Commission, mainly due to issues related to the projects' maturity and their environmental and social viability. Spain is updating its legal framework on mining and has announced new action plans (such as the 2025-2029 Action Plan) including public aid to identify, extract and recover essential minerals and the drafting of a new Mining Law adapted to current challenges.
The Government, together with the Autonomous Communities and scientific organizations such as the IGME and the CSIC, is promoting a Great National Mining Exploration Program and promotes the recycling of rare earths present in more than 1.000 ponds, veins, and waste dumps from old mining projects, in search of secondary resources of high strategic value.
Critical associated minerals and the importance of ecological transition
Rare earths are part of a broader group of critical minerals Essential for the energy transition and digitalization: lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, tellurium, coltan, tungsten, among others. Spain has reserves of several of these elements, although their extraction and processing face similar challenges of profitability, sustainability, and social acceptance.
Castile and León and Galicia contain 10% of the world's tungsten reserves, with significant lithium reserves in Extremadura and cobalt in Andalusia. The Penouta mine (Orense) is the only European deposit where the basic compounds of coltan (niobium and tantalum), vital for electronic devices, can be extracted.
However, Spain currently lacks an industry for processing these minerals. and most of the potential production should be exported for refining and valorization. The commitment to research, technological development and environmental respect are essential to exploit these resources in a sustainable and competitive manner.
Recycling, circular economy and future challenges
Experts and environmental organizations agree that, beyond the opening of new mines, recycling of electronic products and recovery of rare earths Recycling industrial waste, landfills, and dumps is the most efficient, sustainable, and conflict-free path forward. The EU is working on regulations to increase the recycling of critical minerals and promote a truly circular economy.
Spain faces unavoidable challenges when it comes to balancing energy and digital development with environmental conservation, citizen participation, and respect for the rural and traditional economy. The debate over Matamulas reflects the dilemmas facing all advanced societies: how to secure the essential materials for modern industry without sacrificing the natural and social heritage of their territories. The country faces a historic opportunity to redefine its role in Europe's technological and sustainable economy. Managing rare earth deposits and resources intelligently, transparently, and through consensus can place Spain at the forefront of the 21st century, provided that science, social dialogue, and a long-term vision prevail over urgency and improvisation.
