The project by Minera Los Frailes, with the participation of Grupo México, goes beyond mere mining extraction, aiming to establish an industrial and training ecosystem that positively impacts employment, the business fabric, and long-term economic activity in the region. Antonio Barranco, the company's technical coordinator, highlighted its significant driving capacity.
The initiative, which has completed a decade of administrative procedures, is now entering its construction phase. The total estimated investment amounts to 450 million euros, and production is expected to begin around 2029. Rafael Cano, faculty director and deputy director of Operations and Ecology at Minera Los Frailes, explained that the mine will operate underground, aligning with best European practices.
The initial construction phase will include the building of a water treatment plant, with an investment close to 50 million euros, and the necessary pipelines for its purification. Additionally, the mineral treatment plant and all underground infrastructure will be developed. The company is also preparing two major tenders worth a combined 350 million euros, allocated for the mineral treatment plant and underground operations.
“"We are facing an industrial mining project with great driving capacity to influence the surrounding business fabric."
The mine will have the capacity to process approximately 2.7 million tons of mineral annually, primarily zinc, but also lead and copper. The projected annual production is 160,000 tons of zinc concentrate, 80,000 of lead, and 15,000 of copper. With an estimated lifespan of at least 20 years, the project promises a sustained impact on employment, generating stable and long-term jobs, according to Rafael Cano.
Regarding employment, Minera Los Frailes anticipates creating around 500 direct jobs, with an additional 1,000 jobs during the construction phase and approximately 1,200 during the operational stage. Including induced jobs, the impact could reach 2,000 positions, according to Virginia López, Human Resources Manager. Vocational training, in collaboration with centers like IES Aznalcóllar, is crucial to meet the demanded profiles.
“"The ripple effect of mining is brutal; it generates wealth wherever it settles."
Beyond direct employment, the project aims to foster a local business fabric, as mining activity requires a wide network of auxiliary services. Francisco Javier de Aspe, CEO of Insersa, highlighted the "driving effect" of mining. Minera Los Frailes is working on territorial development programs to involve local companies and ensure a positive long-term economic impact, even beyond the mine's operational life.
The project also includes a significant commitment to the environment, with investments allocated to water treatment and impact prevention, as well as long-term restoration of the affected area. Antonio Barranco emphasized that environmental restoration and improvement are an integral part of the project's development.
