The Director General of the Iberian Sustainable Mining Cluster (ISMC), Santiago Cuesta López, has taken part in the programme El Mirador de Andalucía on Canal Sur Radio, where he addressed the growing strategic importance of critical raw materials and highlighted Andalusia’s potential to become a leading mining region within the European landscape.

Listen to the full interview here.

A strategic resource for Europe’s future

During the interview, Cuesta underlined the relevance of tungsten as one of the most strategic raw materials in today’s geopolitical and industrial context. Thanks to its unique mechanical and thermal properties, tungsten plays a key role in advanced industrial applications, defence technologies and emerging energy systems.

Used in cutting tools, industrial components and high-performance alloys, tungsten is also essential in the development of nuclear technologies, particularly in the field of fusion energy, where it is considered a critical material for plasma-facing components and reactor shielding.

In this context, Cuesta stressed that access to critical raw materials is becoming an increasingly important issue for Europe, which must strengthen its strategic autonomy and secure more resilient and sustainable supply chains.

Andalusia, a region with strong mining potential

One of the main points raised during the interview was the significant potential of Andalusia in the field of critical raw materials. Although the region does not currently have active tungsten production, there are identified mineral occurrences, granted permits and ongoing exploration activities in several areas, particularly in the province of Córdoba.

Cuesta explained that the presence of a resource does not automatically imply immediate exploitation, as any mining development must take into account a range of factors, including environmental conditions, permitting processes and social acceptance. However, he emphasised that Andalusia has a solid basis on which to build a modern and responsible mining strategy.

Institutional leadership and a shared vision for sustainable mining

The interview also highlighted the strong role being played by the Regional Government of Andalusia in promoting the responsible development of mineral resources. In particular, Cuesta praised the work being carried out by the regional authorities in the field of mining and raw materials policy, aligned with the ambitions of the European Critical Raw Materials Act.

He pointed out that Andalusia is becoming an example of good practice thanks to the effective management led by the Regional Government of Andalusia, especially through the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mines, in close collaboration with ISMC. This joint effort is helping to create favourable conditions for new investment, the acceleration of permitting processes and the promotion of sustainable mining as a driver of industrial development and job creation.

Cuesta also noted that Andalusia has been internationally recognised for its approach. In fact, the region’s raw materials and mining strategy has been highlighted as a global example following the OECD review process, in which he personally participated.

ISMC, driving mining innovation and investment in Andalusia

As a key actor in the European raw materials ecosystem, ISMC continues to play a central role in strengthening Andalusia’s position in this field. Through its work in innovation, cluster development, stakeholder engagement and European cooperation, the cluster is helping to connect industry, public institutions, research organisations and investors around a shared vision for sustainable mining.

In Andalusia, ISMC is actively contributing to the development of a stronger regional mining ecosystem, supporting initiatives that promote responsible resource development, European project participation and long-term industrial competitiveness.

Advancing strategic autonomy with responsibility

The interview concluded with a clear message: Europe needs to move towards greater strategic autonomy in raw materials, but it must do so without compromising its environmental values, social standards and commitment to responsible development.

In this challenge, regions such as Andalusia have a major role to play. With the right combination of geological potential, institutional leadership and collaborative action, the region is well positioned to contribute to Europe’s future supply of critical raw materials while advancing a mining model that is both competitive and sustainable.