Mining in Andalucia

The End of the British Mining Era in Andalucía Amidst War, Depression, and Nationalism

The decline of British mining in Andalucía after WWI was marked by economic hardship, nationalist policies, and the eventual Spanish merger of Rio Tinto.

By Nick Nutter on 2025-03-12 | Last Updated 2025-03-12 | Mining in Andalucia

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The end of an era

British Mining Decline: WWI to Rio Tinto's Spanish Merger in Andalucía

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a boom in British mining operations across Andalucía. However, a confluence of global events and national policies led to the gradual decline and eventual end of this era.

The Impact of World War I and Rising Tensions

Despite Spain's neutrality during World War I, the conflict created significant challenges for the mining industry.

Economic Hardships and Political Shifts
Rising raw material costs, closed international markets, Spanish protectionism, and a falling sterling value strained British mining companies. Deteriorating political relationships between Britain and Spain further exacerbated the situation.

Consolidation and Decline
Economic problems, mine failures, company consolidations, and sales to Spanish entities reduced the number of British mining companies in Andalucía to just fourteen by 1920.

The Last Stand: Surviving Companies
The Marbella Iron Ore Company in Málaga, the Córdoba Copper Company in Córdoba, and William Baird and Company Ltd. at Cerro del Hierro in Seville were among the last British holdouts.

The 1920s: Depression, Strikes, and Nationalism

The European depression of 1920-21 brought further hardship, marked by strikes, violence, and property destruction.

Nationalistic Policies
Spain implemented measures to prevent mining profits from leaving the country. The 1921 royal decree mandated Spanish ownership, management, and domestically sourced machinery for mining companies, effectively ending any incentive for foreign involvement.

The Resilience of Rio Tinto
The Rio Tinto Company (RTC) weathered the economic storm, even achieving peak ore extraction in 1929 despite a tax fraud scandal involving employee Harry Pilkington.

The Final Years: Civil War, World War II, and Merger
The Spanish Civil War and World War II placed immense pressure on the RTC, with turnover plummeting.

Post-War Adjustments
While copper prices improved after the war, the RTC diversified its investments.

The End of an Era
After prolonged negotiations, the RTC merged with Compañia Española de Minas de Río Tinto, S.A. in 1955, marking the end of British mining influence in southern Spain.

Changing Priorities

The decline of British mining in Andalucía reflects the broader shifts in global economics and national policies during the first half of the 20th century.