A total of 64 mining companies are exploring in Huelva and Seville for critical minerals for the EU. Investments exceed 3 billion euros, with copper as the main target.
The province of Huelva has become the epicentre of an unprecedented mining rush. A total of 64 companies are searching for critical minerals in the subsoil of Huelva and Seville, with investments already exceeding 3 billion euros, according to official sector data. Copper, whose price has reached historic highs by surpassing 13,000 dollars per tonne, is the main attraction.
Andalusia has reserves of 22 of the 34 raw materials that the European Union considers essential for its strategic sovereignty. The demand for these materials, necessary for the energy transition, the manufacture of batteries, electric cars, and chips, has skyrocketed investor interest. Europe seeks to reduce its dependence on China, and the subsoil of Huelva presents itself as a key alternative.
Currently, there are 69 active exploration permits between Huelva and Seville. Of these, 38 correspond to the province of Huelva and 31 to Seville. The total authorised area amounts to 141,970 hectares, spread across 2,464 mining grids in Huelva and 2,268 in Seville. Each grid corresponds to about 30 hectares.
Additionally, there are 169 permit applications in process, of which 88 have been submitted in Huelva and 81 in Seville. This reflects the growth expectations of the sector, which already directly employs around 8,000 people in Andalusia, generating 35% of the national value of mining.
The boom is not limited to copper. Gold and other minerals related to the new economy have multiplied in value. Current technology allows for the exploitation of veins that were previously unprofitable, leading companies to finance long-term explorations, with costs exceeding 20 million euros in some cases.
In Huelva, five active permits are awaiting approval for temporary extensions, while the rest are new investigations. In Seville, about a third of the files are awaiting extensions for old operations that may now be viable due to high metal prices.
The mining rush affects more than 100 municipalities in Andalusia, with a direct impact on the local economy. Companies, from large operators to senior firms specialised in discovering new veins, compete to acquire exploitation rights. Funding comes through investment funds and stock market listings, facilitating long-term explorations.
The price of copper has set a record by surpassing 13,000 dollars per tonne in the first half of 2026, when three years ago it did not reach 8,500. Analysts expect the upward cycle to continue, driven by global demand and the energy transition.
For the residents of the province of Huelva, this mining activity represents an economic opportunity, but it also generates uncertainty about environmental impact and resource management. Authorities are working on processing permits, while companies advance their exploration and exploitation projects.
The Junta de Andalucía, for its part, has indicated that mining is a strategic sector for the region, and measures are being promoted to reconcile activity with environmental protection. Meanwhile, the copper and critical minerals rush continues to grow in Huelva, with dozens of companies willing to invest billions in search of underground treasure.
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