History
2022
Sandfire Resources Ltd. completes the acquisition of the MATSA (Minas de Aguas Teñidas, S.A.U.) mining complex on 1 February 2022, changing the name to Sandfire MATSA.
2021
Sandfire Resources Ltd. announces their intention to purchase the MATSA mining complex from Mubadala Investment Company and Trafigura for the sum of 1,865 million dollars.
2020
Discovery of Elvira deposit in Sotiel mine.
2019
Joint Venture between MATSA and Avrupa Minerals for the company’s prospection projects in the Iberian Pyrite Belt.
2017
MATSA obtains authorisation for the Project to Fully manage the tailings, permitting an extension to the service life of the installation and delaying the need to construct a second tailings dam.
2016
The MATSA processing plant achieves a processing average of 12,300 tpd (tonnes per day). Magdalena Mine reaches an average ore extraction rate of 5,000 tpd.
2015
MATSA obtains approval to reopen Sotiel mine in January 2015, thus allowing mining to resume. In July 2015, the company receives the operating licence for Magdalena mine. In October 2015, the companies Trafigura and Mubadala create a joint venture with a 50% stake each to promote the new mining business in Andalusia.
2014
MATSA obtains the Unified Environmental Authorisation for Sotiel mine.
2013
MATSA receives authorisation to extend plant capacity to 4.4 million tonnes per year.
2011
MATSA receives authorisation to extend production of the ore processing plant from 1.7 million to 2.2 million tonnes per year.
2009
The Company officially starts production on completion of the construction work and initial developments, which are completed in full in 2010.
2008
Construction and development of facilities for the MATSA mining complex.
2007
The company obtains the required licences for the construction of the ore processing plant, the paste deposit and a new access ramp to the mine.
2006
The Project receives the favourable environmental report, levelling the road for the resumption of activity.
2005
Iberian Minerals Corp. acquires mining rights and submits project to resume operations.
2001
Due to a drop in price for metals, the mine closes in 2001.
1997
Construction of the first access ramp at Aguas Teñidas mine, permitting the mining of the ore.
1980s
Discovery of the Aguas Teñidas deposit in the 1980s.
Strategic alliances
Alliances are essential for promoting ideas, efforts, resources and goals for Sustainable Development
Sandfire MATSA is a founding member of the Association of Prospection, Mining, Mine and Metal Processing, Auxiliary and Service Companies (AMINER), a non-profit organisation representing leading companies from the metal mining industry and its associated auxiliary network in Andalusia, promoting the benefits that the sustainable mining sector can offer the local economy.
It also forms part of the National Confederation of Mining and Metal Companies (CONFEDEM), which represents the mining sector before the national institutions, the Andalusian Confederation of Businessmen and Women (CEA) and the Huelva Federation of Businesses (FOE). In July 2021, the company became a signatory of the Spanish network of the United Nations Global Compact.