The Spanish government confirmed on Monday that it has abandoned a uranium mine project at Alameda de Gardón in Salamanca, close to the border with Portugal, as the developer did not provide the necessary documentation to proceed.
Last weekend’s demonstration against the opening of the uranium mine saw 2,000 people in opposition to the project put forward by Berkley Energia, which claimed local support.
(See: 'Locals want uranium mine, protestors don't')
"The Ministry for Ecological Transition has received neither the environmental impact study nor the public information file for the beginning of the ordinary phase of environmental assessment," stated the Spanish government today.
The Salamanca project from Berkeley Energia claimed a total investment of €250 million, the creation of 450 direct and 2,000 indirect jobs, with production expected to start in 2019.
Local farmers organised a demonstration against the project in Vitigudino, Salamanca with members of the Stop Uranium group and representatives from municipal councils in the western province of Salamanca.
The Stop Uranium group smells a rat and said today, despite the abandonment of the project, that this uranium mine continues to be used as a decoy for Berkeley Energia.
In May 2018, the Portuguese Ministries for the Environment and for Foreign Affairs announced that Spain had provided "detailed information" on the uranium mining projects in Salamanca and Retortillo-Santidad in border areas, and assured the public that Portugal will be "involved in the process."
Earlier, in March, Portugal’s parliament approved a set of seven cross-party resolutions to be tough with the Spanish government and insist on the suspension of uranium exploration in Salamanca as, according to the Portuguese Environment Agency, the project in Retortillo is "likely to have significant environmental effects in Portugal, due to its proximity to the border and taking into account the east and northeast winds.”
Environmental associations in both countries had criticised the process, as did local Councils despite the number of jobs being offered.
