El Gobierno y Variscan Mines colaboran para poner en marcha la mina de zinc en Udías.
The Government of Cantabria has created a working group with the Australian company Variscan Mines to start up the Udías mine «as soon as possible,» after finding quantities of zinc and lead «that stimulate the company» to carry out the project, which, «if everything goes well,» «could be a reality for this term.»
This was reported on Wednesday by the Minister of Industry, Employment, Innovation, and Commerce, Eduardo Arasti, in response to questions from the press, where he indicated that the regional government has been «working discreetly» on this matter.
As he pointed out, as usual, the regional government has created a working team, in this case led by the General Directorate of Industry, Energy, and Mines, with the company itself to «facilitate as much as possible the development of the project as soon as possible.»
The goal, he emphasized, is to promote investment and for companies to create wealth, which ultimately translates into «employment.»
Arasti noted that the Cantabrian government has simply «accompanied» the company, which is the one «conducting the studies» and «has quantified these amounts of zinc and lead,» which «stimulate the company,» although he advocated for being «prudent» from the government and for the company itself to provide «its figures.»
«We are here to help them, that is, to do everything necessary for this project to be carried out,» reiterated the minister, who conveyed that «the important thing is that, if everything goes well, the mine can be put into operation as soon as possible, if the company determines it so.»
The Government of Cantabria signed an extension of three years in 2022 so that Variscan Mines could continue its research on the possibilities of mining exploitation of zinc in the ‘Buenahora’ lands, in the municipality of Udías.
WIND FARMS
On the other hand, when asked about wind farms, the minister reiterated that the Government of Cantabria believes that the commitment to renewable energies is «perfectly reconcilable» with environmental respect and, furthermore, «is very positive from the point of view of the energy independence that this country needs.»
Arasti stated that the regional government maintains the objective of installing 700 megawatts of wind power in Cantabria «with the least possible environmental impact.»
The Industry Minister made these statements at the information session on the 2025 Aid Programs of the Ministry and SODERCAN for companies and self-employed individuals in Cantabria, at the PCTCAN.
