Eurobattery Minerals has officially launched the engineering phase at its San Juan tungsten project in Galicia, Spain, marking a major milestone as the company transitions from exploration toward near-term mining production. The start of engineering work signals the beginning of detailed development planning for the mine and processing facilities that will enable the commercial extraction of tungsten, a critical raw material widely used in high-performance industrial technologies across Europe.
The San Juan project is located near A Gudiña in the province of Ourense, a region with a long history of mining activity and well-documented tungsten mineralization. Geological studies and drilling programs have confirmed proven ore reserves of approximately 60,000 tonnes, with an average grade of around 1.3 percent tungsten trioxide (WO₃). These grades are considered relatively strong for European deposits and have provided the foundation for advancing the project toward production.
Designing the Mine and Processing Infrastructure
The newly initiated engineering phase will focus on finalizing the technical design of the open-pit mine and associated processing infrastructure. A central component of the project will be a pilot concentration plant designed to process tungsten-bearing ore extracted from the site.
The processing strategy will rely primarily on gravimetric separation technology, which separates tungsten minerals based on density differences. This method significantly reduces the need for chemical reagents or intensive blasting, offering a more environmentally responsible extraction approach compared with many conventional mining techniques.
By prioritizing gravity-based processing, the company aims to minimize environmental impact while ensuring compliance with the increasingly strict European environmental and mining regulations governing mineral development within the European Union.
Investment Structure and Ownership
Eurobattery Minerals entered the San Juan project through a strategic investment agreement with Tungsten San Juan S.L., the local project owner. Under the terms of the agreement, the Swedish-listed mining company committed €1.5 million in staged investments to secure a 51 percent ownership stake in the project.
This structured investment approach allows Eurobattery Minerals to gradually fund the development process while assuming operational control of the mine. The company’s goal is to rapidly advance the project through engineering, construction, and commissioning phases in preparation for commercial production.
If development proceeds as planned, initial deliveries of tungsten material could begin in the second half of 2026, representing a major shift in the company’s business model from a pure exploration firm toward a combined exploration and production mining company.
Offtake Agreement Supports Market Access
An important factor supporting the project’s commercial viability is the existence of a letter of intent for an offtake agreement with Wolfram Bergbau und Hütten AG, an Austrian tungsten producer that operates within the Sandvik Group.
The agreement would provide a direct supply channel for tungsten concentrate produced at the San Juan mine, ensuring that the material enters a traceable and secure European supply chain for strategic raw materials. Such offtake arrangements are often critical for mining project financing, as they provide investors with confidence that future production will have reliable buyers in industrial markets.
Long-Term Mining License Strengthens Project Stability
Institutional support for the San Juan project has also strengthened significantly in recent months. Authorities in Galicia have approved a 30-year extension of the mining licence, which is now valid until 2055.
This regulatory decision provides long-term operational certainty for the project, enabling Eurobattery Minerals to proceed with infrastructure development, plant construction, and mine planning. The extended license also opens the possibility for future exploration campaigns in the surrounding area, which could potentially expand the resource base beyond the currently defined reserves.
Experienced Leadership to Guide Project Development
To strengthen operational leadership, Eurobattery Minerals has appointed Agne Ahlenius, a veteran mining executive with more than three decades of international industry experience, to help guide the project’s development.
Ahlenius previously played a key role in developing the Barruecopardo tungsten mine in Spain, one of Europe’s most significant modern tungsten operations. His experience in bringing similar projects into production is expected to support the successful transition of San Juan from development planning to active mining operations.
Tungsten’s Strategic Importance for European Industry
The development of the San Juan mine reflects a broader European effort to secure domestic supplies of critical raw materials. Tungsten is widely used in aerospace components, industrial tooling, electronics, energy technologies, and advanced manufacturing systems.
Because of its exceptional hardness, heat resistance, and durability, tungsten plays a crucial role in industries that require high-performance materials. The European Union has classified tungsten as a strategic mineral, recognizing its importance for both industrial competitiveness and defense-related manufacturing.
Currently, a large portion of global tungsten production is concentrated in Asia, creating potential supply vulnerabilities for European manufacturers. As a result, new mining projects within Europe are gaining increased geopolitical and economic significance.
Strengthening Europe’s Raw Materials Supply Chain
Eurobattery Minerals is positioning the San Juan project as part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening Europe’s domestic raw materials supply chain. The company is developing a portfolio of European mineral assets designed to support the continent’s industrial transformation and energy transition, particularly as demand for strategic materials continues to rise.
By bringing the San Juan tungsten mine into production, Eurobattery Minerals aims to contribute to a more localized and resilient supply chain for critical minerals within the European Union, while also establishing a revenue-generating mining operation.
Toward One of Europe’s Few Active Tungsten Mines
The engineering phase now underway represents a decisive step forward in the project’s development timeline. With detailed planning and technical design progressing, the San Juan project is moving from concept and feasibility toward the operational preparation required for commercial mining and mineral processing.
If construction and commissioning proceed according to schedule, the San Juan project could become one of the relatively few active tungsten mines operating within the European Union by 2026.
Such an outcome would strengthen Europe’s capacity to supply strategic metals to its own industrial sectors, reinforcing ongoing efforts to secure reliable access to critical raw materials in an increasingly competitive global resource landscape.
