In 2024, Portugal was estimated to be the world's 9th-ranked producer of lithium (excluding the United States), accounting for 0.16% of global production, and estimated 10th-ranked producer of tungsten, accounting for 0.62% of global production. Other mineral commodities produced in the country included cement, copper, feldspar, gypsum, iron and steel, kaolin, lead, salt, silver, sand and gravel, crushed stone, talc, tin, and zinc. Additional mineral commodities such as secondary aluminum, white arsenic, beryl concentrate, calcium carbonate, metallurgical coke, pig iron, manganese, nitrogen (ammonia), pyrite and pyrrhotite (including cuprous), sodium compounds, sulfur, syenite may have been produced, but available information was inadequate to make reliable estimates of output. Production of nonferrous metal and ornamental stone was valued at \$628 million and \$606 million, respectively. In 2024, Portugal was a strategic country in the European lithium sector, exporting, by value, to Germany, Israel, Belgium, Cape Verde, and Angola. Although export volumes were modest, Portugal continued to attract interest in lithium exploration and project development owing to the country’s hard-rock lithium resources and potential to support Europe’s battery supply chain.
The legislative framework for the mineral sector in Portugal is provided by the Mining Law (Law No. 54/2015 of 22 June), as amended by Decree-Law 30/2021 of 7 May. The Quarry Plan, established under Decree-Law No. 340/2007 of October 2007 (which replaced Decree-Law No. 270/2001 of October 2001), is a key component of Portugal’s mining and quarrying legislation. The Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG) oversees the mineral sector, providing regulation, licensing, and guidance to ensure the sustainable and safe exploration and extraction of Portugal’s resources. The National Laboratory of Energy and Geology conducts research and supports companies under authority granted by the DGEG, in accordance with the Decree-Law 129/2014 of August 2014. The Government did not own or hold equity in any major mining companies; all mineral production was carried out by private companies.
