Real Estate & Economy

Critical Minerals Almería: 7 Sites Powering Europe’s Future

Published May 12, 2025 | Category: Real Estate & Economy

TL;DR: Almería holds a strategic position in Europe’s push for critical minerals Almería. From rare earth elements in Níjar to lithium in Cuevas del Almanzora, the province could play a key role in the continent’s green future.

Critical Minerals Almería: 7 Strategic Mining Sites Shaping Europe’s Green Transition

Why Europe Needs Almería’s Critical Minerals
Where Critical Minerals Are Located in Almería
Mining History: From Las Menas to Rodalquilar
Current Studies and Strategic Projects
Balancing Extraction and Sustainability
The Future of Critical Minerals in Almería

Why Europe Needs Almería’s Critical Minerals

In a bid to reduce dependence on China and secure supply chains for green technologies, the European Union has launched the Critical Raw Materials Act. This plan mandates that by 2030, the EU must extract 10%, process 40%, and recycle 25% of its critical minerals needs internally. Almería, with its geological diversity and dormant mining zones, could become a vital link in this strategy.

Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements are essential for EV batteries, wind turbines, and medical equipment. The EU’s reliance on imports—97% for magnesium and nearly 100% for rare earth processing—poses a significant risk. Tapping into Almería’s critical minerals could reduce this exposure and contribute to European resilience.

Where Critical Minerals Are Located in Almería

Several areas across the province have been identified for their critical mineral content. This reinforces the importance of critical minerals Almería in the regional and European context:

El Hoyazo (Níjar): Alluvial deposits contain rare earths associated with garnet formations.
El Arteal (Cuevas del Almanzora): An abandoned mining village with geothermal aquifers rich in lithium.
Antas & Albox: Known sites for antimony, a critical metal used in flame retardants and alloys.
Huércal-Overa: Contains titanium deposits, important for aerospace and defense industries.
Alcolea, Turrillas & Dalías: Former barite mines, now under re-evaluation.

These locations are part of a broader geological map developed by the Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME), indicating over 1,900 potential critical mineral sites across Andalusia.

Mining History: From Las Menas to Rodalquilar

Almería has a long and rugged history of mining. The iron mines of Las Menas in the Sierra de los Filabres employed nearly 3,000 workers until their closure in 1968. Entire communities were built around these operations, complete with hospitals and schools.

Rodalquilar, a striking valley within Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, saw a brief gold rush beginning in 1864. Its peak came in the 1950s with the daily processing of 600 tons of ore before shutting down in 1966. Today, its abandoned buildings attract tourists and photographers alike.

El Arteal, in Cuevas del Almanzora, was once home to 900 workers and featured a full-scale mining settlement with homes, schools, and even a cinema. Though silent today, the area is again under exploration for lithium extraction, a vital part of the province’s critical minerals potential.

Current Studies and Strategic Projects

The Spanish government and the CSIC are currently conducting feasibility studies at El Arteal, evaluating lithium-rich geothermal brines. These efforts tie into broader EU programs aiming to secure domestic lithium sources.

According to the CRMA, projects like El Arteal could benefit from fast-tracked permitting and EU funding. If proven viable, this site could complement other strategic lithium hubs in Portugal, Germany, and France and reinforce Almería’s role in critical minerals Almería supply.

Balancing Extraction and Sustainability

Restarting mining operations raises environmental concerns. Andalusian authorities emphasize sustainable practices, prioritizing low-impact methods and community engagement. Exploration activities are currently non-invasive and focus on potential rather than immediate exploitation.

In protected areas like Cabo de Gata-Níjar, stricter regulations apply, making environmental impact assessments a prerequisite before any project proceeds.

The Future of Critical Minerals in Almería

As Europe accelerates its green transition, Almería could emerge as a strategic resource hub—not just for its minerals, but for its role in economic diversification and technological progress. Local governments are cautiously optimistic, balancing heritage, environmental protection, and the promise of jobs and innovation.

For now, all eyes are on the data: the results of geological studies will determine whether Almería becomes a footnote in mining history or its next chapter in the era of critical minerals Almería.

For more updates from across the province, visit our News section or explore the Real Estate & Economy category.

Looking for broader coverage? More Almería news

Sources consulted

Related Topics:Albox | Living in Almería

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Housing discounts in Almería from €15,000 in Altamira campaign

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Almería Rental Prices Hit Record High – April 2025 Property Market Update

Almería News

Housing discounts in Almería from €15,000 in Altamira campaign

Housing discounts Almería Picture of row of houses

Published May 13, 2025 | Category: News

Housing discounts Almería take center stage in a new real estate campaign that includes homes starting from just €15,000.

Housing discounts Almería: Homes from €15,000 in new campaign

Housing discounts Almería are now part of a national offer launched by Altamira, a leading real estate servicer in Spain. The campaign includes more than 2,100 discounted properties — among them several located in towns across the province of Almería. These include residential homes and garages starting from as low as €15,000.

In total, the promotion covers 251 residential assets, with Almería and Castellón among the provinces with the highest number of listings. Properties are available with up to 50% off their original price.

Altamira is also offering 668 retail spaces, 85 offices, 39 hotels, and 39 industrial buildings as part of the campaign. These assets are aimed at investors and are said to yield returns above 10% in many Spanish cities.

The campaign runs until 31 August 2025 and is open to both private buyers and professional investors. Full listings and details are available on the official Altamira website.

For more housing discounts Almería and real estate updates, visit our Real Estate & Economy section.

Also check our News section or browse More Almería news

Real Estate & Economy

Almería Rental Prices Hit Record High – April 2025 Property Market Update

Published May 5, 2025 | Category: Real Estate & Economy

Almería rental prices reached a record high of €8.30/m² in April 2025, marking a 6.3% year-on-year increase. Coastal areas remain the most expensive.

Almería Rental Prices Soar to New High – April 2025 Market Snapshot

According to data from property portal Idealista and local media reports by Diario de Almería, Almería rental prices have reached a historic high. In April 2025, the average rental price hit €8.30 per square metre, representing a 6.3% increase compared to April 2024.

Coastal Municipalities Drive the Rise

Coastal municipalities continue to show the highest rental values in the province. Popular tourist destinations, though unnamed in the report, are consistently above €9.50/m². The surge in Almería rental prices is especially evident in these areas, where demand from seasonal residents and digital nomads remains strong.

The lack of long-term rental stock, combined with high demand for short-term accommodations, continues to push monthly rates upward. For residents, this means fewer affordable housing options and increased competition for centrally located apartments.

Factors Behind the Price Spike

Several dynamics are influencing the current price hike in the Almería rental market:

Seasonal demand: The approach of summer brings renewed interest from tourists and temporary workers.
Short-term rental dominance: Platforms like Airbnb reduce long-term availability.
Rising property costs: Property owners pass higher maintenance and tax costs on to tenants.
Foreign tenants: Increasing numbers of expats and remote professionals are renting mid- to long-term.

What It Means for Tenants and Investors

For local families, the sustained increase in Almería rental prices adds financial strain, particularly in urban and coastal zones. Renters are forced to move further inland or settle for smaller spaces. The housing gap is especially hard on students, seasonal workers, and lower-income groups.

For investors, however, this surge signals continued momentum in the Almería property market. High occupancy rates, strong seasonal demand, and long-term growth in tourism create profitable conditions for buy-to-let strategies.

Trends in Almería Rental Prices: What’s Next?

Experts anticipate that Almería rental prices will continue rising throughout 2025, particularly in tourist zones and growing inland towns. With limited construction of affordable housing and increasing demand from remote workers, the imbalance between supply and demand is expected to persist.

Several coastal municipalities have already surpassed the €9.50/m² mark, and short-term rentals continue to pressure the long-term housing supply. If inflation remains stable and employment rates hold, prices may peak near €8.60–€8.70/m² by late summer. However, government intervention in the form of rent caps or subsidies for long-term tenants may influence market behavior later in the year.

Historical Context

Looking back, the province’s rental market has shown steady growth. In 2020, the average rent stood at around €6.50/m². Over five years, that has climbed by nearly 28%. The current figure of €8.30/m² places Almería among the most dynamic mid-sized rental markets in southern Spain.

Sources and Data

Figures come from Idealista and were published in Diario de Almería. Values reflect asking prices rather than final contracts and may vary by area. For more in-depth analysis, official statistics from Spain’s Ministry of Housing are expected later in 2025.

For more updates from across the province, visit our News section or browse the Real Estate & Economy category.

Looking for broader coverage? More Almería news