Electricity consumption in the mining sector in Spain: Key factors for the energy transition and the supply of critical raw materials to Europe

Abstract This paper aims to identify the key factors driving changes in electricity consumption in the Spanish mining industry between 2005 and 2019, a period marked by two major structural shifts: the reactivation of the Iberian Pyrite Belt in 2009 and the progressive closure of coal mines beginning in 2015. Using the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) method, the analysis disaggregates the effects by regions and by type of mineral product, allowing the identification of both drivers and inhibitors. The results highlight the intensity effect as the primary driver of increased electricity consumption, particularly for quarry products and metallic minerals. Additionally, the product structure effect reveals a significant shift toward strategic resources, especially metallic minerals, with metallic mining accounting for 35% of total production value in 2019. This structural transformation has led to a substantial rise in electricity demand, especially in open-pit operations, which are highly energy-intensive. Notably, Andalusia emerges as a strategic region, responsible for 92% of the national increase in mining electricity consumption, due to its concentration of critical mineral deposits essential for the European Union’s energy and digital transitions. In response to the associated energy and environmental challenges, the study recommends the adoption of advanced technologies, digitalization, smart energy management, and greater integration of renewable energy sources. These measures are essential for improving energy efficiency and ensuring a sustainable mining sector. The findings provide a foundation for scalable public policies, with Andalusia as a priority region for targeted intervention at both national and European levels.