An industry rooted in geology and history
When we think about Europe's mineral resources, attention often turns to lithium, rare earth elements and other critical raw materials. Yet another group of geological resources plays an essential role in our economies: natural stone and industrial minerals.
Marble, granite, slate, clay, feldspar and kaolin support construction, architecture, ceramics and many other industrial activities. They are also closely connected to regional employment, international trade and the management of geological resources.
Spain and Portugal share a remarkable geological diversity and more than two thousand years of mining history. But how have their natural stone industries evolved, and what could they achieve together?
These questions motivated our research, published in Comunicações Geológicas in 2025, in collaboration with Manuel Regueiro, Enrique Álvarez Areces and D. P. S. de Oliveira.
A remarkable shift in production
One of the most interesting findings concerns the changing balance between Spanish and Portuguese natural stone production.
Our analysis of historical statistics reveals a substantial transformation:
* In 2010, Spain produced approximately 8.83 million tonnes of natural stone, compared with 2.82 million tonnes in Portugal.
* By 2021, Portugal's production had increased to approximately 4.53 million tonnes, while Spain's had fallen to 2.70 million tonnes.
* Together, the two countries produced approximately 7.23 million tonnes in 2021.
These figures cover marble, granite, slate and paving stone, and illustrate how the relative industrial positions of the two countries changed over little more than a decade.
Portugal's growing importance contrasts with the considerable reduction in Spanish production. The comparison raises important questions about competitiveness, industrial adaptation and international market positioning.
Beyond ornamental stone: industrial minerals
Our study also examines industrial minerals, including clays, feldspar, kaolin and calcium carbonate.
Although these materials rarely attract the public attention given to strategic metals, they are essential inputs for construction materials, ceramics and other manufacturing processes.
The production statistics reveal different trajectories in Spain and Portugal, demonstrating that geographical proximity and shared geological potential do not necessarily produce identical industrial outcomes.
Understanding these differences is important for developing effective mineral resource policies.
Can Spain and Portugal become stronger together?
Perhaps the most relevant conclusion of our research is that the Iberian Peninsula should be considered not merely as two neighbouring mineral-producing countries, but as a potentially integrated industrial region.
Both countries possess complementary geological resources, specialised industries, technical expertise and established commercial relationships.
Greater cooperation could create opportunities in several areas:
* Geological knowledge and resource assessment.
* Technological innovation and higher-value processing.
* International market development and industrial competitiveness.
* Environmental performance and responsible quarry management.
* Resource efficiency, waste reduction and circular economy practices.
These opportunities must be accompanied by responsible land-use planning, environmental protection and constructive engagement with local communities.
From geological resources to industrial strategy
The natural stone and industrial minerals sectors face growing international competition, changing market conditions and increasing environmental requirements.
Their future will depend not simply on the availability of geological resources, but on the ability to transform those resources into sustainable industrial value.
The Iberian Peninsula offers an interesting case study of how shared geology, industrial experience and cross-border cooperation could support a more resilient European mineral industry.
Our central message is that Spain and Portugal have an opportunity to strengthen their international position through greater industrial cooperation, innovation and sustainable resource management.
Natural stone may be one of Europe's oldest industries, but its future remains an important part of the continent's industrial transformation.
Explore the research
Original article: The Iberian industries of natural stone and industrial minerals.
Authors: A. Alonso-Jiménez, M. Regueiro, E. Alvarez Areces and D. P. S. de Oliveira.
Journal: Comunicações Geológicas, 112, Special Issue I, 189–192 (2025).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.34637/x4a0-n858
Full paper:
https://www.lneg.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/36_Alonso-Jimenez-et-al.pdf
Antonio Alonso-Jiménez
Research Scientist, IGME-CSIC