Mining has long been one of the most profitable industries in the world—but also one of the most environmentally destructive, due to the use of toxic chemicals and the pollution of freshwater sources. Now, a scientific breakthrough in Spain may signal the end of that era: the advent of renewable mining, a revolutionary technique that enables the extraction of valuable metals without damaging the environment.
Since the dawn of civilization, metals have played a vital role in human progress—used in construction, weapons, agriculture, and modern technologies. But traditional mining has left behind a significant environmental toll, including deforestation, chemical contamination, and massive waste generation. Spain is now leading a shift, driven by a discovery that could mark a turning point in global resource extraction.
Mining Without Drilling or Pollution
Renewable mining offers a sustainable and practical alternative to traditional extraction. The innovation aligns with Europe’s goals for sustainability, energy independence, and circular economy development.
The Spanish government recently unveiled the 2025–2029 Mineral Raw Materials Action Plan, which prioritizes research into recovering metals from old mining waste—specifically tailings and over 1,000 legacy ponds spread across the country—through clean, efficient, and non-invasive methods.
The Nerva Case: Copper, Zinc, and Cobalt from Surface Crystals
A standout initiative comes from the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain (IGME-CSIC), which identified a rich deposit of metals in the old Nerva mine in Huelva. Over time, sulfate crystals have formed on the surface, containing high concentrations of copper, zinc, arsenic, cobalt, and nickel.
These minerals can be extracted by simply sanding the surface of the efflorescent crystals—formed through the evaporation of metal-rich waters—and then isolating the elements via safe chemical processes. This approach not only provides access to essential transition metals, but also helps restore and decontaminate abandoned mining zones.
Recovering Soils Through Clean Metal Extraction
Unlike traditional mining, which often leaves behind lasting ecological damage, renewable mining offers the opportunity to clean up past pollution while recovering critical resources. The method is similar to space mining technologies, using non-invasive extraction that cleans the environment instead of degrading it.
In summary, Spain has pioneered renewable mining, enabling the recovery of essential metals for the green energy transition from waste ponds and old tailings. In Huelva, for instance, copper, zinc, cobalt, and nickel can be obtained by sanding crystallized salts from a former mine—restoring the landscape in the process and opening the door to a new era of sustainable extraction.