The Diario Oficial de Galicia (DOG) has published today the start of the public consultation phase for the Mina Doade project. This marks further progress in the approval process for the underground mining project for the extraction of lithium and feldspar minerals in Beariz (Ourense), which has been declared strategic by the European Union.
Available documentation
The full project documentation, submitted to the Regional Ministry of Economy and Industry, is now avaiable for public review. This allows citizens to contribute with comments and suggestions to help improve the initiative. More than 8,700 pages of thecnical work have been compiled into over one hundred documents, prepared by dozens of professionals (engineers, geologists, chemists, economists, legal experts, sociologists…), along with university researchers, specialized firms and teams form Grupo SAMCA. A total of €10 million has been invested in preparing this phase of the project.
The documents available for review include:
- Exploitation Project, which details the extraction method and compliance with applicable regulations.
- Concentration Plant Project, outlining the industrial surface facilities and an integrated water management plan.
- Restoration Plan, which includes financial guarantees to return the land to its original forestry use once operations end.
- Environmental Impact Study (EIA), including a Monitoring Plan and a Socioeconomic Impact Study.
- Feasibility Report, certifying the technical and economic capacity of the project.
This documentation had already been made publicly available on the Mina Doade website, as part of a voluntarily adopted commitment to transparency and community engagement.
Recognised as a Stategic Project
In March 2025, the European Commission selected Mina Doade as one of the Strategic Projects under the EU Critical Raw Materials Regulation. This designation highlights its public interest and key role in Europe’s green and digital transitions.
Commitment to local dialogue
Recursos Minerales de Galicia has proposed creating a local dialogue table with forestry communities, neighborhood assocciations, and local authorities to support ongoing public engagement. The proposal has already been submitted to Beariz Council and the Xunta de Galicia.
