The mining company Sandfire Matsa commemorates two decades since the reopening of the historic Aguas Teñidas mine, with a total investment exceeding €2 billion and a workforce of nearly 900 professionals, 90% from the province of Huelva.
Sandfire Matsa has reached twenty years since it received the favourable report for the reopening of the historic Aguas Teñidas mine in 2006, a milestone that has made it a benchmark for modern mining in Andalusia. The company, based in the province of Huelva, has invested over €2 billion in these two decades, aimed at infrastructure, innovation, and expansion.
From Aguas Teñidas to Three Operating Mines
The project began with the launch of Aguas Teñidas, followed by the discovery and development of the Magdalena mine and the reopening of the Sotiel mine. The mineral processing plant, which initially processed 2.2 million tonnes annually, doubled its capacity in 2015 to 4.4 million, and today reaches 4.7 million with three processing lines operating 365 days a year.
The acquisition of Matsa by Sandfire Resources in 2022 marked an international leap, integrating the operations in Huelva into a mining group specialised in copper with global projection. Since then, the company has continued to advance in projects such as the development of new mineral areas in the three mines, the construction of a new waste management facility, and obtaining new research permits.
“Copper is part of the European Union's Critical Raw Materials List and holds a priority position in both the Government of Spain's Mineral Raw Materials Action Plan and the Strategy for Sustainable Mining in Andalusia 2030,” company sources state.
Local Employment and Economic Development
The average workforce of Sandfire Matsa is around 900 professionals, and the total number of direct, indirect, and induced jobs amounts to approximately 4,000. About 90% of the workers are from the province of Huelva or reside there, ensuring that a significant portion of the value generated remains in the local economy.
The commitment to stable employment is another distinctive feature: 96% of the workforce has permanent contracts and all workers are covered by a recently renewed collective agreement. Additionally, nearly 44% of payments to suppliers benefit companies based in the province of Huelva, energising an industrial ecosystem that has grown alongside mining.
Innovation and Smart Mining
Innovation has been a key driver in the evolution of Sandfire Matsa. Operations incorporate advanced technologies such as remote control systems for heavy machinery from the surface, digital platforms for operations management, Voice over IP communications, and a network of over 80 kilometres of underground wifi. All of this enables more connected, efficient, and safer mining.
Digitalisation has transformed the way of operating, improving productivity and positioning the Huelva operations as a national benchmark in smart mining. For the residents of the Mining Basin, this translates into safer and more environmentally friendly activities, with less visual and noise impact, and a generation of skilled jobs that retain population in the area.
The commitment to the territory has been reinforced through educational programmes, university and vocational training scholarships, and collaboration with research centres. The company has promoted initiatives for training young people in technical disciplines, contributing to creating a pool of local professionals.
Looking to the future, Sandfire Matsa is working on the continuity of operations beyond 2030, with exploration and development projects that ensure the supply of copper, a strategic mineral for electrification and the energy transition. The company plans to maintain its investment pace and continue generating value for the province of Huelva.
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