1. Transparency, Data and Opportunity: a New Era for Natural Stone Mining Investment
1.1 Natural Stone Mining Investment: Back in the Spotlight
Natural stone —marble, granite, slate and other varieties—, used since Antiquity in architecture and landmark monuments, is regaining prominence after decades of competition from synthetic materials. Its appeal lies in what sets it apart: authenticity, durability and an increasingly valued role in sustainable architecture and cutting-edge design.
In a global context sensitive to risks of all kinds, investors in extractive industries seek territories with high-quality geological resources and, above all, reliable access to information that allows them to assess legal and environmental frameworks and project the profitability of each quarry with confidence.
1.2 Spain as a Powerhouse for Natural Stone Mining Investment
Spain ranks among Europe’s largest producers of ornamental stone. Areas such as Macael (Almería), with its world-renowned white marble; Novelda (Alicante), a benchmark for quarrying and processing, known for its Crema Marfil variety; and Murcia, specialised in limestones and travertines, have consolidated Spain’s international prestige in natural stone.
Less well known outside specialist circles is Extremadura, also home to high-quality deposits of granite, slate and marble. In addition to geological wealth, the region benefits from growing international demand for durable ornamental stones, competitive infrastructure and a stable legal framework — factors that make Extremadura an increasingly attractive scenario for natural stone investors.
1.3 Reliable Geological Data: the Cornerstone of Mining Investment
Access to geological maps, updated statistics, active permits and environmental data is essential to reduce uncertainty. In 2023, Extremadura registered 189 active mining operations (114 in Badajoz and 75 in Cáceres), with a total production of 7.26 million tonnes (SIGEO).
While consolidated figures for 2024 are not yet publicly available (MITECO’s Mining Statistics only reach 2023), SIGEO (see Section 3), which operates in real time, provides continuously updated layers of active concessions and key maps — a decisive advantage for evaluating investments with recent and verifiable data.
Having this information publicly structured is essential for fully informed investment.
2. Extremadura as a Magnet for Natural Stone Mining Investment
2.1 Geological Diversity: a Competitive Advantage
Extremadura displays remarkable geodiversity, with deposits of granite, marble, slate and other ornamental stones valued for their quality and international reach. This diversity is a key asset for attracting investment.
2.2 Regional Governance: Legal Stability for Investors
The Regional Government of Extremadura, through its Directorate-General for Industry, Energy and Mines, manages concessions and regulates the sector with transparency. This governance ensures legal security and administrative efficiency for stakeholders.
2.3 A Solid Legal Framework for Natural Stone Investment
The mining sector in Extremadura is regulated by a framework combining national legislation (Mining Law, General Mining Regulations, environmental assessment) with regional rules adapted to ornamental stone. The result: a clear and predictable legal environment for investors.
3. SIGEO – An Official and Strategic Tool for Natural Stone Mining Investment
3.1 SIGEO: a Digital Backbone for Confident Investment
SIGEO (Geological and Mining Information System of Extremadura) is a public geoportal providing technical and reliable access to mining data. Its GIS viewer, Visor SIGEO, offers detailed maps, updated statistics and key documentation to support investment planning.
3.2 SIGEO’s Key Data for Natural Stone Investors
3.2.1 Concessions and Permits: Legal Traceability
Clear, direct access to mining concession ownership, active permits and their legal status is critical for secure investment.
3.2.2 Production and Mapping: Measuring Extractive Potential
SIGEO provides production data —such as the 7.26 million tonnes in 2023— and interactive maps that identify active sites, facilitating robust feasibility analysis.
3.2.3 Technical and Environmental Reports: Sustainable Investment
Access to geological studies, environmental assessments and feasibility reports gives investors the tools to evaluate risks and ensure compliance.
3.3 SIGEO in Practice: Marble, Granite and Slate as Case Studies
Companies considering investment in granite or slate use SIGEO to identify viable areas, assess resource quality and design extraction plans on a solid technical and scientific basis.
4. Institutional Transparency Serving Natural Stone Investors
4.1 Open Data: Extremadura’s Competitive Edge
The regional administration’s commitment to open mining data reduces information asymmetry, speeds up due diligence and fosters informed competition among investors.
4.2 Technical Collaboration: SIGEO and National Alignment
Transparency and coherence in Extremadura’s mining information extend beyond the regional level. SIGEO forms part of a broader collaborative ecosystem in which the Spanish Geological and Mining Institute (IGME-CSIC) plays a pivotal role.
The IGME, with over 150 years of history, is Spain’s public reference body for geological and mining cartography, resource inventories and the preservation of geological heritage. Coordination between SIGEO and IGME ensures that regional data aligns with national scientific and technical standards, increasing security and reliability for investors.
4.3 Investment Evaluation Based on SIGEO
Several companies have already used SIGEO as the basis for identifying promising areas, conducting market studies and developing solid, competitive investment strategies.
5. Case Studies and Investment Opportunities in Marble Quarries
📌 The international scope of the natural stone sector will be showcased at Marmomac 2025, to be held in Verona from 23 to 26 September, with 63 Spanish companies already confirmed.
After this global stage, attention turns back to Spain —and particularly Extremadura: a land whose ornamental stones supplied prehistoric settlements, paved Roman roads, adorned Andalusian palaces and today re-emerge, this time backed by institutional support.
5.1 Extremadura’s Marble: a Strategic Investment Opportunity
Extremadura’s marble is less renowned internationally than Macael or Novelda, yet those who work with it prize it for much more than its aesthetics. Its physical, mechanical and chemical properties, combined with resistance to extreme climates, make it a strategic resource for projects where energy efficiency, sustainability and durability are paramount.
This blend of natural beauty and technical performance positions Extremadura’s marble as an increasingly relevant player in the global natural stone market, opening opportunities for investors seeking certified quality materials with high added value applications.
5.2 Alconera: A Unique Marble Extractive Potential in Extremadura
The Alconera marble quarry, located in Badajoz province, is the only active marble operation in Extremadura and concentrates much of this potential. Its geological and topographical conditions provide notable advantages: the hilltop terrain and shallow depth of the deposit ease extraction and enable far higher recovery rates than in other marble types.
To these operational benefits are added proven quality parameters such as frost resistance indices and the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI), ensuring durability in harsh climates and efficiency in architectural and energy-related applications. This balance of profitability, sustainability and quality makes Alconera marble a strong candidate for projects that combine aesthetics, longevity and economic efficiency.
5.3 Modes of Access to Mining Assets: The Value of a Clean Acquisition
Mining concessions can be acquired through various routes: direct purchase of the operation, transfer of rights, acquisition of part or all of the operating company, or public tenders. All of them require rigorous due diligence: analysis of the resource, verification of concession validity, and economic, legal and environmental assessments.
In a sector where distinguishing opportunity from hidden liabilities is not always straightforward, the real differentiator is the chance to carry out a clean and transparent acquisition. This is precisely the case with VALEXMAR, a company with no debts, no financial burdens, no pending CAPEX commitments and no personnel costs, having operated under a subcontracting model.
5.4 VALEXMAR’s Sealed-Bid Auction: A Singular Opportunity in Alconera
The sale of the Alconera marble quarry is structured through a sealed-bid auction, a procedure that ensures confidentiality and regulated competition. In this case, the object of the sale is not just the quarry itself, but 100% of VALEXMAR’s shares. The purchaser thus acquires, in a single transaction, all exploitation rights, associated administrative titles and existing environmental guarantees.
It is, therefore, a particularly attractive operation: a clean acquisition, free from hidden liabilities, offering legal security and eliminating financial uncertainty. The combination of a first-class geological resource —the only active marble quarry in Extremadura— with a lean corporate structure and a transparent process makes VALEXMAR a benchmark example of how natural stone mining investment can align with best international practices.
The sealed-bid auction, starting at a highly attractive price —below one-quarter of the asset’s appraisal—, will be published on 30 September 2025 in the company’s investor section (VALEXMAR Investors).
Interested parties will be able to register and access all documentation for an objective assessment of the operation, while verifying the asset’s status in real time via the SIGEO portal, supporting the geological and legal due diligence required for informed decision-making.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Natural Stone Mining Investment
Active concession or permit, ownership title, technical and environmental reports, production statistics or projections, economic terms of the sale process, and the seller company’s financial statements.
The SIGEO platform provides exhaustive, official and accessible data that reinforce legal and technical security when investing in mining assets. Moreover, its data are harmonised with the standards of the Spanish Geological and Mining Institute (IGME-CSIC), ensuring consistency between regional and national records.
Conclusion – Investing in Natural Stone in Spain with Informed Decisions
Extremadura stands out as a paradigm of natural stone mining investment in Spain. With SIGEO as an investor’s ally, data are structured, updated and publicly available.
The sealed-bid auction in Alconera illustrates how technical and regulatory transparency translates into real opportunity.
By M.P.S., VALEXMAR
11 September 2025