Andalusia has released its first critical minerals map, identifying 365 locations across the region where 14 substances classified as critical by the European Union have been found or extracted. Three geologists from the Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME-CSIC) developed the tool as the EU steps up efforts to secure resources critical to the energy transition and reduce reliance on external suppliers.
The map gives a simplified geological and topographical overview of Andalusia, highlighting areas with evidence of critical minerals. The research team says each marked site is linked to historical records of mining activity, offering a basis for future exploration and investment. The project aims to help public authorities and private companies assess where further studies or extraction may be viable, potentially accelerating new mining initiatives.
The critical minerals field is changing quickly. When the map was created, the EU’s 2020 list included 30 substances; by 2026, the number had risen to 34. Copper’s inclusion has raised Andalusia’s strategic importance: the region ranks among Europe’s and the world’s leading copper producers. Copper is impressive to sectors such as electrification and decarbonisation.
The EU’s supply lead rests on the Critical Raw Materials Act, adopted in December 2023 and set out in Regulation (EU) 2024/1252. It allows the European Commission to recognise projects focused on extraction or processing, as well as recycling or substitution, as Strategic Projects. The European Parliament has described the Act as the basis for an EU-wide toolbox to secure raw materials for industries spanning clean energy and digital technology, alongside defence and aerospace.
Researchers say the map needs regular updates to keep pace with industrial demand and EU criteria. Its methodology allows revisions, but updates depend on institutional priorities and available resources. IGME is involved in the National Mining Exploration Plan, which may affect the timing of future updates. Keeping the map current matters for informed decisions in government and industry as the EU moves from broad policy commitments to project-level implementation.
The map also carries economic implications. Mining companies can use the data to identify areas for further assessment, while regional authorities get a clearer picture of Andalusia’s potential in the European context. The region is impressive for its strontium deposits, the only ones in production in the EU, and is the world’s top producer of the mineral. Andalusia also holds impressive fluorite and tungsten reserves, strengthening its position as a supplier of critical materials.
The Commission’s Decision (EU) 2026/2349, dated 9 October and published in the Official Journal on 22 October 2026, recognises 34 Strategic Projects covering extraction and processing, as well as recycling. Its annex lists Spain’s Cobre San Rafael Project, promoted by Cobre San Rafael, S.L., as an ongoing copper-extraction project. The decision also recognises copper-recycling initiatives in the Netherlands and Germany: 3ECYCLE, promoted by Mitsubishi Materials Europe B.V., and Second TBRC Lünen, promoted by Aurubis AG. These designations reflect an EU approach that covers several stages of the supply chain, beyond mining alone.
For Andalusia, these EU measures make reliable geological inventories increasingly relevant. Location data can help authorities and companies identify and evaluate mineral prospects against strategic supply objectives. A Strategic Project designation is a regulatory recognition under the EU structure; the map provides a regional overview of identified sites and historical mining activity.
The European Commission expects demand for critical minerals to grow sharply in the coming years, driven by the expansion of renewable energy and electric vehicles, with digital infrastructure adding to demand. Spain, particularly Andalusia, is positioned to contribute if exploration and extraction are managed sustainably and guided by long-term planning. The new map is intended as a practical visual tool for those efforts, offering a snapshot of the region’s resources as strategic autonomy remains an EU priority.
