The geology of Portugal consists of many and individual geological regimes within which are hosted varying types of valuable mineral occurrences. Several of these deposits have been developed and mined for several years. The geology is permissive in several parts of the country for the discovery of and development of large deposits for diverse minerals and valuable dimension and ornamental stone.
Currently mineral production is growing in the country with varying deposits of gold, and silver being developed, continued production of copper, tungsten, feldspar and other valuable industrial minerals and dimension stone.

Portugal has one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in Europe, with more than 1 700 000 km² in area. This corresponds to 18 times the country’s land mass. In addition, this area could be increased by addition of the offshore sovereignty, which could exceed, by far, the current EEZ. The sea bed area holds mineral and geological resources, which have yet to be studied and encouraged.

Independently of its own mining potential, Portugal is also being seen as a platform for investment in Europe, Asia and Brazil, where the historical, cultural and language affinities have considerable relevance.

Within the recent past the focus of the Portuguese mineral extraction industry has been on the extraction of ornamental and dimension stone. Portugal is also the supplier of and producer of high quality clays for use in the ceramic industry. It also hosts significant deposits of clays of lesser quality used in the production of sanitary ware and other products.
It is true to say that in line with the increasing demand for metallic minerals that projects both in the exploration and development phases are in progress in country. These are being undertaken by both national and foreign investors.

The current Portuguese laws dealing with the discovery and exploitation of geological (mineral) resources are governed by Decree-Law nr. 54/2015 of June 22th. According to this legislation, geological resources are natural assets, existing in the earth’s crust. Public domain includes mineral ores, hydro-mineral resources and geothermal resources. Private domain includes non metallic mineral resources and spring waters.

Apart from getting the Exploration License, an essential condition for the exercise of the activity, the extractive industry projects are subject to additional regulatory level certification and implementation of quality management systems, the use of hydro resources and infrastructure licensing.

VISA has an extensive experience in the licensing of mines and quarries and in the provision of advisory support for the additional licenses that mining activity requires.