{"id":172484,"date":"2025-09-26T07:25:44","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T07:25:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/jaen-revitalizes-its-mining-heritage-for-the-energy-transition\/"},"modified":"2025-09-26T07:25:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T07:25:46","slug":"jaen-revitalizes-its-mining-heritage-for-the-energy-transition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/jaen-revitalizes-its-mining-heritage-for-the-energy-transition\/","title":{"rendered":"Ja\u00e9n revitalizes its mining heritage for the energy transition."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Spain’s Resurgence in Critical Minerals Amid US-China Geopolitical Tensions<\/h2>\n

Spain is making a significant re-entry into the world of \u00a0critical minerals\u00a0, a move that comes at a crucial time in the \u00a0ongoing geopolitical struggle\u00a0 between the United States and China. Recently, the Spanish Government published in the BOE (Bolet\u00edn Oficial del Estado) the official admission of the \u201cMenipe\u201d research permit. This permit enables the Australian company \u00a0Osmond Resources\u00a0, through its local subsidiary \u00a0Green Mineral Resources SL\u00a0, to explore strategic resources in the province of \u00a0Ja\u00e9n\u00a0.<\/p>\n

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Understanding the Orion EU Critical Minerals Project<\/h2>\n

The \u00a0Orion EU Critical Minerals Project\u00a0 is set to cover a vast area of \u00a0756 grids (228 km\u00b2)\u00a0, spanning across the municipalities of \u00a0Aldeaquemada, Santisteban del Puerto, Castellar\u00a0, and \u00a0Montiz\u00f3n\u00a0. According to the company, the exploration will be centered around a fossilized paleoplace that is believed to have a \u00a0high heavy mineral content\u00a0.<\/p>\n

Surface trials<\/a> have reportedly shown \u00a0unusually high\u00a0 concentrations of minerals\u2014over \u00a015% rutilo\u00a0 and about \u00a010% circ\u00f3n\u00a0, along with significant levels of rare earth elements such as \u00a0neodymium, praseodymium\u00a0, and \u00a0dysprosium\u00a0. These minerals are essential for creating \u00a0permanent magnets\u00a0 used in \u00a0wind turbines\u00a0, \u00a0electric vehicles\u00a0, and \u00a0batteries\u00a0.<\/p>\n

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Phased Research Approach<\/h2>\n

However, the path to exploration is not without its challenges. The technical memory of the \u00a0Orion project\u00a0 outlines a multi-phase, \u00a0three-year plan\u00a0 for investigation. The initial phase aims to collect \u00a0historical information\u00a0, produce geological maps at a \u00a01:10,000 scale\u00a0, conduct aerial geophysical surveys, and obtain between \u00a080 to 90 samples\u00a0 from streams. Furthermore, the plan also includes carrying out up to \u00a0five core drilling surveys\u00a0 in crucial areas like \u00a0Avellanar\u00a0.<\/p>\n

In the second phase, the focus will shift to surface geophysics, specifically through methods like \u00a0electrical and magnetotelluric tomography\u00a0. The development of a \u00a0hydrogeological model\u00a0 is also planned, along with an additional ten surveys. Finally, a comprehensive \u00a0technical-economic evaluation\u00a0 of the project will be conducted, with possibilities for extensions if deemed necessary.<\/p>\n

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The Mineral Revolution<\/h2>\n

The layers of minerals under investigation are between \u00a00.3 to 4 meters\u00a0 deep, with an average of \u00a02.5 meters\u00a0 rich in minerals like \u00a0zircon, rutilo, ilmenite,\u00a0 and \u00a0monazite\u00a0. Osmond Resources has announced that the first drilling program will consist of \u00a015 drill holes\u00a0 in \u00a0Avellanar\u00a0 and other targeted zones. The company claims to be well-equipped for the initial explorations but plans to bring in additional machinery by October when the risk of fire diminishes.<\/p>\n

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Critical Minerals and Future Prospects<\/h2>\n

The minerals targeted in this project are on the \u00a0European list of critical and strategic raw materials\u00a0. Key materials include:<\/p>\n