Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of October 15, 2026, from the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines, publishing the Agreement with the Community of Castilla y León for the execution of mining exploration activities within the framework of the National Mining Exploration Program 2026-2030 |
|---|---|
| Publication | October 27, 2026 (BOE) |
| Entry into force | October 27, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Public administrations, mining sector and exploration companies in Castilla y León |
| Category | Energy / Strategic mining |
| Period of validity | 2026-2030 |
| European framework | Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 on critical raw materials |
| Applicable regional law | Law 6/2014 on Industry of Castilla y León |
Mining exploration companies and the extractive sector in Castilla y León have a concrete window of opportunity before them: the State and the Board have activated a cooperation agreement that channels technical and administrative resources toward the search for critical raw materials in four provinces over the next four years. The Resolution of October 15, 2026 from the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines publishes this agreement, which enters into force on the same day of its publication in the BOE.
The agreement is not an isolated initiative: it responds to the obligations that the Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 on critical raw materials imposes on Member States, which must develop national exploration programs. Spain approved its own in March 2026, and this agreement is the first territorial implementation of that program.
What does this regulation establish?
The agreement defines a cooperation framework between the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines (coordinator of regional participation) and the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Castilla y León (which provides its previous technical basis). The specific planned activities are as follows:
| Type of activity | Detail |
|---|---|
| Geological mapping | Survey and updating of mapping in areas of mining interest |
| Lithium prospecting | Specific exploration of lithium deposits, a critical raw material for batteries and energy transition |
| Tin prospecting | Investigation of tin deposits in Castilian-Leonese territory |
| Gold prospecting | Exploration of gold mineralizations |
| Pegmatitic rocks | Investigation of mineralizations in this type of geological formations, a common source of lithium, tin and other critical minerals |
| Geochemical analysis | Sampling and analysis to characterize the mining potential of the subsurface |
| Remote sensing | Investigation using remote sensing techniques to identify geological anomalies of interest |
A key element of the agreement is the possibility that initiatives be declared priority industrial projects under the Law 6/2014 on Industry of Castilla y León. This declaration has two immediate practical effects: it streamlines administrative processing and facilitates access to subsidies.
Economic and operational impact
For sector companies, this agreement has operational and business implications that should not be overlooked:
- Preferential access to public geological data: The Ministry of Environment and Energy of Castilla y León will make its previous technical basis available, reducing initial exploration costs for companies operating in the region.
- Accelerated administrative processing: Projects declared priority under Law 6/2014 avoid the usual administrative bottlenecks in the mining sector, reducing timelines and management costs.
- Accessible subsidies: The declaration of priority industrial project opens the door to public financing lines that would otherwise not be available.
- Alignment with European demand: Lithium, tin and gold are raw materials identified as critical by the EU. Companies that explore and extract these resources in Spain position themselves in a market with growing structural demand driven by energy transition and the semiconductor industry.
- Stable regulatory framework: The 2026-2030 horizon of the national program offers medium-term visibility for planning investments.
Who does it affect?
- Mining exploration companies with activity or interest in Salamanca, León, Zamora and Segovia.
- Extractive mining companies that operate or want to operate in Castilla y León with critical raw materials (lithium, tin, gold).
- Consulting firms and geology and geochemistry services that can participate in the planned technical work (mapping, geochemical analysis, remote sensing).
- Regional and local public administrations in the affected provinces, which must coordinate permits and processing.
- Investors and funds with exposure to the critical raw materials sector in Europe.
- Legal and technical advisors specialized in mining law and concession processing in Castilla y León.
Practical example
A mining exploration company based in Salamanca that is prospecting lithium deposits in pegmatitic formations can benefit from the agreement in the following way:
- Requests access from the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Castilla y León to the previous technical basis (existing geological mapping and geochemical data), thus reducing its initial investment in field work.
- Presents its project to be declared a priority industrial project under Law 6/2014 on Industry of Castilla y León, which activates accelerated processing of exploration permits.
- With that declaration, it accesses the subsidy calls linked to the National Mining Exploration Program 2026-2030, improving the financial viability of the project.
- Its remote sensing and geochemical analysis work are integrated into the framework of the agreement, with institutional support from both the Ministry and the Board, which facilitates interaction with local bodies in León, Zamora or Segovia if it expands the exploration area.
What should companies do now?
- Evaluate if your area of interest is included: Check if your current or future projects are located in Salamanca, León, Zamora or Segovia, which are the provinces expressly mentioned in the agreement.
- Request access to the regional technical basis: Contact the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Castilla y León to find out what previous geological and geochemical data is available and how to access it.
- Assess the declaration of priority project: Analyze with your legal advisor whether your project meets the requirements of Law 6/2014 on Industry of Castilla y León to be declared a priority industrial project and what specific advantages it would bring you.
- Monitor subsidy calls: The agreement facilitates access to subsidies, but these will be called separately. Establish an alert system to not miss application deadlines.
- Review Regulation (EU) 2024/1252: If you operate in the critical raw materials sector at the European level, familiarize yourself with the obligations this regulation imposes on Member States, as it can generate new financing and public-private collaboration opportunities in other territories.
Frequently asked questions
What raw materials will be explored in Castilla y León under this agreement?
The agreement contemplates the prospecting of lithium, tin and gold, as well as the study of mineralizations in pegmatitic rocks. These geological formations are particularly relevant because they usually concentrate lithium and tin, two of the most demanded raw materials by the battery and electronics industry. Activities will be carried out in the provinces of Salamanca, León, Zamora and Segovia.
What are the advantages of a mining project being declared priority under Law 6/2014 of Castilla y León?
The declaration of priority industrial project under the Law 6/2014 on Industry of Castilla y León has two direct effects: it streamlines administrative processing (reducing timelines in obtaining permits and concessions) and facilitates access to public subsidies linked to the National Mining Exploration Program 2026-2030. It is a key tool for reducing costs and timelines in exploration projects.
Why was this agreement signed now? What obliges Spain to do it?
The agreement responds to the obligations of the Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 on critical raw materials, which requires Member States to develop national exploration programs. Spain approved the National Mining Exploration Program 2026-2030 in March 2026, and this agreement with Castilla y León is the first territorial implementation of that program at the regional level.
What bodies coordinate the activities and who should I contact?
Coordination falls to two bodies: the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines (dependent on the Ministry for Ecological Transition), which coordinates regional participation at the state level, and the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Castilla y León, which provides the previous technical basis and manages activities in the territory. For access to technical data or project processing, the regional contact point is the Ministry.
When does the agreement enter into force and how long is it valid?
The agreement entered into force on October 27, 2026, the date of its publication in the BOE. Its time horizon is aligned with the National Mining Exploration Program 2026-2030, so the planned activities will be carried out during that four-year period.
Official source
View complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-22514
