MEP Catarina Martins (The Left) has submitted a parliamentary question to the European Commission asking whether Portugal has been notified of or plans to object to the San Juan open-pit wolfram mine project in A Gudiña, Galicia, being classified as a strategic project under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act. The mine, located just 2 km from the Portuguese border, threatens the ecosystem of the Montesinho Natural Park and the water resources of the shared River Rabaçal basin, which supplies public water in Portugal. Martins argues that the project poses serious cross-border environmental and public health risks for northern Portugal.
The question, filed on 27 May 2026 under Rule 144, invokes Article 7(8) of the Critical Raw Materials Act, which states that a project cannot be recognised as strategic if a substantiated objection is lodged by a Member State whose territory is concerned. Martins asks the Commission three specific points: whether Portugal has been notified of the application and when; whether Portugal has raised any formal objection and on what grounds; and, if no objection has been received, what the deadline is for Portugal to exercise its veto right.
Policy orientation and expected follow-up Martins’ question signals a push for stronger cross-border environmental safeguards within the EU’s strategic raw materials framework. By highlighting the potential veto power under Article 7(8), she seeks to ensure that local and regional environmental concerns are not overridden by EU-level strategic project status. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks; its answer will clarify whether Portugal has been engaged and what procedural steps remain, indicating how the EU balances critical raw materials autonomy with environmental protection and Member State sovereignty.
Stakeholder impacts If Portugal objects, the project could be blocked, affecting the promoter (likely a mining company) and EU supply chains for wolfram (tungsten), a critical raw material. Portuguese and Galician local communities and environmental groups would benefit from preserved ecosystems and water resources. Conversely, EU industries reliant on wolfram could face supply constraints, potentially increasing costs or import dependence.
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