Designation highlights the potential strategic role of ABT across both upstream tungsten production and future downstream processing in Europe
- ABT’s proposed ammonium paratungstate (“APT”) Plant has been designated a Strategic Project under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (“CRMA”)
- The designation follows El Moto’s separate recognition as a European Strategic Project in March 2025
- Together, the two designations recognise ABT’s potential role across two stages of the tungsten value chain: future extraction and concentrate production at El Moto, and potential downstream processing at the proposed APT Plant
- ABT continues to evaluate the potential development of the APT Plant in Puertollano; no final investment decision has been taken
Abenójar, Ciudad Real, 9 October 2026 – Abenójar Tungsten S.A. (“ABT” or the “Company”) today announces that its proposed ammonium paratungstate (“APT”) Plant has been designated a Strategic Project under the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act (“CRMA”). Strategic Projects are intended to strengthen the EU’s security of supply of critical raw materials and diversify supply sources. The designation also gives project promoters access to guidance on public and private funding and greater visibility within EU financing mechanisms
The designation represents a further significant recognition by the European Commission of ABT’s potential strategic contribution to the European tungsten supply chain.
It follows the separate designation in March 2025 of the El Moto Project as a Strategic Project under the CRMA. Together, the two designations recognise ABT’s potential contribution at two stages of the European tungsten value chain: the future extraction and production of tungsten concentrate at El Moto, and the potential downstream processing of tungsten at the proposed APT Plant.
Tungsten is essential to a range of industrial, technological, energy, aerospace and defence applications. For Europe, securing access to critical raw materials must go hand in hand with developing the capability to process them within Europe. The designation of both projects recognises ABT’s potential strategic role across a broader part of the tungsten value chain, from extraction and concentrate production to downstream processing, with the potential to support employment and industrial activity in Castilla-La Mancha.
ABT is currently evaluating the potential development of the APT Plant in Puertollano, Ciudad Real, in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha, and is in initial discussions with potential technical partners. No final investment decision in relation to the APT Plant has been taken.
Subject to a positive outcome of that evaluation and a future investment decision, part of the WO₃ produced by El Moto could be processed at the facility. This could enable ABT to extend its participation further along the tungsten value chain beyond concentrate production and support the development of additional European downstream processing capacity.
This is consistent with the Company’s previously stated intention to evaluate future downstream processing opportunities, including the production of APT, with the potential to capture additional value within the tungsten supply chain and expand its participation beyond concentrate production.
Gonzalo Garcia San Miguel, Chief Executive Officer of Abenójar Tungsten S.A., said:
“The designation of our proposed APT Plant as a second European Strategic Project is particularly important because it recognises the potential strategic contribution of ABT at more than one stage of the European tungsten value chain.
El Moto has already been recognised by the European Commission as a Strategic Project for the future production of tungsten in Europe. The designation of the proposed APT Plant now also recognises the strategic importance of evaluating additional downstream processing capacity within Europe.
Taken together, the two projects demonstrate the potential for ABT to participate in a more integrated European tungsten supply chain, from the extraction and concentration of tungsten at El Moto through to potential downstream processing in Puertollano.
For Europe, securing access to critical raw materials is only one part of the challenge. Developing the capability to process those materials within Europe is also strategically important if more of the industrial activity, expertise and value associated with those raw materials is to remain within the European economy.
We are continuing to evaluate the potential development of the APT Plant and no final investment decision has yet been taken. However, receiving Strategic Project status for both El Moto and the proposed downstream facility is a significant recognition of ABT’s potential role in the future European tungsten supply chain.”
About Abenójar Tungsten S.A.
Abenójar Tungsten S.A. is a private Spanish company established in 2023 to develop the El Moto tungsten and gold project in Ciudad Real, Spain.
It is majority owned by Promotora de Minas de Carbón, a company controlled by the García San Miguel family, which has multi-generational experience developing and operating mines in Spain. The family mining contracting business was founded in 1967, and the group has more than 40 years of contracting experience across 18 mining operations, direct experience in 25 operations in Spain and three in South America, and equity interests in nine mines.
Its record as an owner and operator includes the full rehabilitation of mines at the end of their operating lives, including the San Antonio mine in Espiel, whose land is today an olive grove.
Construction of the underground operation at El Moto began in 2026, with first production targeted for the first quarter of 2029.
El Moto was designated a European Strategic Project under the Critical Raw Materials Act in March 2025 and is being developed with a focus on creating long-term value for all stakeholders.
https://abtungsten.es/en/
Media contacts
Tavistock (international media): abt@tavistock.co.uk
Kreab (Spanish media): lserrano-conde@kreab.com
