Natural stone —marble, granite, limestones, slates and other ornamental rocks— is one of the most emblematic resources of Spain’s mining industry. Its weight is measured not only in heritage and craftsmanship, but in hard numbers that place Spain among Europe’s leading producers.
According to the Natural Stone Market report (Fundamental Business Insights), the global natural stone market reached USD 39.85 billion in 2024 and is forecast to grow to USD 62.48 billion by 2034 (+4.6% CAGR).
In this context, Spain offers a distinctive blend of advantages for operators across the natural-stone value chain:
- Geological diversity
- Quarrying pedigree
- Technical capability & sustainability
- Diversified logistics
- Favourable taxation
- A stable legal framework that fosters investment
Spain, a Geologic Mosaic of Ornamental Stones
Spain is a true geologic mosaic: Galician granite is a benchmark for large public works; Levante limestones have become a go-to material for paving and façades; Lugo slates lead global exports for roofing and walling; and Mediterranean, Andalusian and Extremaduran marbles span a palette from luminous whites to deep blacks and warm reds and browns.
This breadth of varieties helps explain why Spain ranks among Europe’s major exporters of ornamental stone, as documented by the IGME’s Panorama Minero de la Piedra Natural. Spain also stands out for its high rate of value-added transformation: the Natural Stone in Spain 2022 report by Cluster Piedra notes that 86% of national production is exported as finished product (slabs, tiles, cut-to-size), with only 14% shipped as raw blocks.
Fiscal Incentives and Legal Framework (Updated to 2025)
At a glance: Spain’s Corporate Income Tax Law (LIS) upholds free depreciation for mining entities and a depletion allowance (“factor de agotamiento”) subject to reinvestment and reserve requirements—both currently in force.
- Free depreciation (Art. 90 LIS): Mining entities may apply free depreciation over 10 years to investments in mining assets and to amounts paid as the surface fee (canon de superficie). Consolidated BOE text: Art. 90 LIS – “Entidades mineras: libertad de amortización”.
- Depletion allowance (Arts. 91–94 LIS): Reduction of taxable base up to 30% of the share attributable to mining exploitation (or up to 15% of the value of minerals sold for priority raw materials), with mandatory reinvestment within 10 years in qualifying mining activities—including rehabilitation per Royal Decree 975/2009—and reserve provisions. Legal references: Arts. 91–94 LIS.
- Practical application: The Spanish Tax Agency reflects these rules in its latest Corporate Tax Manual (Model 200).
- No state royalties on output: Spain does not levy a state royalty on production. Instead, mining pays a surface fee (canon de superficie), set out in Law 6/1977, Fomento de la Minería (e.g., Arts. 40+) and developed by Royal Decree 1167/1978 (Art. 9) and the General Mining Regulation, RD 2857/1978.
Bottom line: Free depreciation (10 years) and depletion allowance remain in force in 2025 under the LIS/BOE; Spain does not apply state royalties on production and the surface fee is the applicable national figure, in addition to Corporate Income Tax.
A Logistics Edge in Europe
Spain’s peninsular geography supports an export-oriented model:
- A network of 46 ports of general interest handling 560+ million tonnes per year (ICEX – Invest in Spain).
- 166,000 km of roads and rail corridors embedded in the Atlantic and Mediterranean TEN-T networks.
This complete maritime perimeter and robust inland infrastructure let Galician granite blocks, Lugo slates, and Levante/Extremadura marbles reach key markets across Europe, MENA and the Americas swiftly and reliably.
Extremadura: Institutional Backing
In Extremadura, extractive industries are treated as priority sectors and benefit from support programmes managed via Extremadura Empresarial, where current grants and incentives and their regulatory bases are published. See: Ayudas y subvenciones – Extremadura Empresarial.
This framework aligns with the RIS3 Extremadura 2021–2027 strategy, which channels public investment into sustainability, digitalisation, and competitiveness across key sectors, including those tied to natural resources and their transformation (RIS3 Extremadura).
For technical due diligence and transparency, the regional SIGEO portal provides public access to geological-mining cartography and the regional mining cadastre, essential for pre-investment screening. A practical guide is available here: Natural stone mining investment in Spain — secured with SIGEO. 🧭
Next Up: Sealed-Bid Tender for a Premium Marble Quarry in Extremadura
In this context, VALEXMAR S.L., holder of the María del Carmen mining concession (Alconera, Badajoz), is launching a sealed-bid sale for 100% of the company, with valid and extendable mining rights, an orderly operation, and technical and environmental documentation in good standing.
👉 Full details in the official tender announcement.