Bill to tighten environmental rules for mining in Spain

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The bill would make all natural deposits and geological resources public domain assets that must be protected, and would move mineral and thermal waters out of the Mining Law into water legislation.
2. It would add public participation: permits and concessions would go through public information of at least 30 business days, with participation activities for affected people, and a provincial advisory body would be created.
3. Permits would only be effective once all other required authorizations are obtained, and could only be granted together with restoration, dismantling and closure plans and complementary projects. Natura 2000 sites and other protected areas would be excluded from mining registration.
4. Only companies that prove legal, technical and financial capacity could hold mining rights, with joint liability for entities that complete that capacity, and transfers could not reduce guarantees or conditions.
5. It would create a 10% levy on the value of extracted materials, earmarked for protecting geological diversity, and raise fines: up to €10 million for very serious offenses.
6. It would ban authorizing mining on or under the seabed under Spanish jurisdiction until technology and science can guarantee no damage to marine ecosystems, and would repeal the 1977 Mining Promotion Law.

Who it affects

• Mining companies: More procedures, required financial and technical guarantees, a 10% levy, and fines up to €10 million.
• Citizens and residents near mining areas: They could take part in procedures and receive information about projects.
• Environmental and water authorities: Their reports would be required beforehand and, in some cases, binding before permits are granted.
• Affected local councils: They would have to issue prior reports on mining projects.

Words worth knowing

Dominio público (public domain)

Assets that belong to everyone and are managed by the State; they cannot be privately owned.

Permiso de investigación (exploration permit)

Authorization to carry out studies and work to find mineral resources on a plot of land.

Concesión de explotación (exploitation concession)

Authorization to extract and use mineral resources for a period of time.

Red Natura 2000 (Natura 2000 network)

European Union network of protected natural areas.

Informe vinculante (binding report)

A report the administration must follow; it cannot decide against it.

It summarizes the text as it was introduced. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries