Site Visit
28th International Conference on Paste, Thickened and Filtered Tailings
14–16 April 2026 | InterContinental Lisbon | Lisbon, Portugal
Sandfire MATSA Aguas Teñidas mine site visit
Date: 16-17 April 2026
Location: Aguas Teñidas Mine, Almonaster la Real (Huelva), Spain
The event organisers are facilitating a site visit for some attendees of the Paste 2026 conference. Sandfire MATSA has generously offered their Aguas Teñidas mine for a site visit.
Please note a second site visit to another mining company is also intended to be held on 17 April 2026. Details to be advised.
Visitors
The site visit will accommodate 2 groups with a total participation of up to 25 attendees.
Group 1 – Underground paste
Underground tour: Sandfire MATSA will provide appropriate PPE for the underground tour which includes overalls, safety boots, hard hats, cap lamps, miner’s belt and self-rescuer, gloves, safety glasses and hearing protection.
This group is limited to five attendees.
Group 2 – Tailings area/paste plant
Paste plant tour: Participants will need to wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers, and Sandfire MATSA will provide the necessary PPE for the site visit. Sandfire MATSA will provide safety boots, hi-vis vests, hard hats, hearing protection, gloves and safety glasses. If required, participants are to bring their own prescription safety glasses.
This group is limited to 20 attendees.
Cost: TBA
About the site:
Sandfire MATSA currently operates 3 underground mines located in the province of Huelva – Aguas Teñidas and Magdalena mines are in the district of Almonaster la Real, and Sotiel mine is in Calañas.
Each mineral deposit tells its own story, but all 3 are located in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, a mining district more than 250 km long. Remains of mining activity have been found dating back to the Copper Age, some 4,500 years ago.
Aguas Teñidas is an underground massive sulphide deposit typical of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, whose main reserve is copper ore. For more information, click here.
The Sierra of Huelva experiences a mild climate with average temperatures at this time of year around 21˚C. It is typically mild and possibly rainy in April. Mornings can be 5–10˚C. On this basis, please be prepared with suitable clothing should the weather forecast show rain.
Photographs for personal use may be taken with permission of your Sandfire MATSA tour guide. Publication of photographs, including on social media, is not permitted without written authorisation from Sandfire MATSA.
Site visit schedule*
| Day/Time | Location | Activity | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
|
16 April – 18:00 |
Intercontinental Hotel, Lisbon |
Bus departs for site visit |
Meet in the hotel foyer at 17:30 for departure at 18:00 sharp. |
|
16 April – 22:00 |
Hotel in Aracena |
Arrival at the hotel |
Free time |
|
17 April – 08:00 |
Hotel in Aracena |
Bus depart for Aguas Teñidas mine |
Meet in the hotel foyer at 07:45 for departure at 08:00 sharp |
|
17 April – 09:00 |
Sandfire MATSA |
Arrival on site: welcome,
group introduction
|
Reception, site
induction, safety training
room
|
|
17 April – 09:30 |
Sandfire MATSA |
Group 1 Underground visitors Group 2 Paste plant visitors |
|
|
17 April – 14:15 |
Sandfire MATSA |
Lunch |
Provided by Sandfire MATSA |
|
17 April – 15:30 |
Sandfire MATSA |
Farewell and bus for Lisbon |
Departure at 15:30 sharp |
* Schedule may be subject to change.
