Mining in Andalucia
Málaga's Mining Secret: The Story of the Successful Marbella Iron Ore Company and the Magnetite of Ojén
Take a look at Málaga's mining history, focusing on the successful Marbella Iron Ore Company and the rich magnetite deposits near Ojén. Explore the Baetic mountains' mineral wealth.
By Nick Nutter on 2025-03-12 | Last Updated 2025-04-5 | Mining in Andalucia
This article has been visited 180 times
El Cable Telerifico: End of the aerial cable at Marbella
Málaga Mining: Marbella Iron Ore, Ojén Magnetite & Andalusian Mining History (H3)
While hundreds of British mining companies flocked to Andalucía in the late 19th century, Málaga province saw relatively few. Yet, one stood out as a beacon of success: the Marbella Iron Ore Company Limited. In my book 'Mining in Andalucia', we explore the unique story of this company and the rich magnetite deposits that fuelled its prosperity.
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The Mining Landscape of Málaga
Of the 600+ British mining companies registered in Spain, about 200 were in Andalucía, with twelve in Málaga. However, only the Marbella Iron Ore Company truly thrived.
The Baetic Mountains and Mineral Wealth
The Baetic system of mountains, stretching from western Andalucía to Murcia, is renowned for its metallic mineral ores. Separated from the Meseta Central and Sierra Morena by the Guadalquivir Valley, these mountains were formed by plate tectonics millions of years ago.
The Magnetite of Ojén
A few kilometers north of Marbella, in Ojén, at the southernmost foothills of the Baetic system, lies a rich source of magnetite, iron oxide or lodestone.
The Unique Properties of Magnetite
Unlike hematite, the more common iron ore, magnetite is generally more difficult to process and has a lower iron concentration. However, when found in large quantities, like in Ojén, its abundance can offset these challenges.
The Success of the Marbella Iron Ore Company
Iron ore - magnetite
The Marbella Iron Ore Company capitalized on the substantial magnetite deposits at Ojén. While not on the scale of Kediet ej Jill in Mauritania, the Ojén deposits were considerable, providing a strong foundation for the company's success.
Geological Significance
The vagaries of geology placed rich sources of magnetite in Ojén, allowing the company to extract and process this valuable ore.
Industrial Impact
The Marbella Iron Ore Company's success highlights the potential of Málaga's mineral resources and the impact of British industrial enterprise in the region during the 19th century.
A Legacy of Mining in Málaga
The story of the Marbella Iron Ore Company and the magnetite of Ojén offers a fascinating glimpse into Málaga's mining history. Despite the limited number of successful ventures, the region's mineral wealth played a significant role in its industrial development.
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To read the full story of Mining in Málaga province.
My book, 'Mining in Andalucia: Emphasising the Involvement of British Companies during the 19th and 20th Centuries; is now available as a fully illustrated, colour, paperback from Amazon, as a downloadable ebook from Kindle and Free to Read on Kindle.
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More articles in the Mining in Andalucia series
1: Geology of Andalucia
2: Industrial Revolution
3: Mining in Almería
4: Mining in Córdoba
5: Mining in Granada
6: Mining in Huelva
7: Mining in Jaén
9: Mining in Seville
10: End of British Mining in AndalucíaArtificial Intelligence Declaration
I often use AI such as Gemini, to generate the source of materials for my articles. I then sift through those sources to find the most reliable; books, academic or research papers, reputable websites and so on. AI again comes in useful, specifically NotebookLM, in analysing the content of papers.
I then write my article. My aim is to give new insights, or look at a subject from a different angle, to further our understanding of that period or event in history. AI again comes into its own when I use it to see if my ideas or angle are novel. I then use AI to fact check, AI, like humans, can still get it wrong.
