Iron mining in the Torre de Moncorvo region began during the
Iron Age, when deposits near Serra do Reboredo and Mua were exploited to supply nearby communities. For centuries, the ore was collected directly from the surface, as it occurred naturally in accessible areas. Settlements such as Vale de Ferreiros, Felgal, Felgueiras, and Escoural developed around these deposits, relying on iron production to support agriculture, crafts, and daily life. Primitive exploitation of these deposits was carried out until the end of the 18th century. The first experience of
proto-industrial exploration took place in the 1790s and, from the 1870s on, interest in mining concessions in Moncorvo was renewed, with 35
concessions. In 1897 most of the concessions were acquired by the Syndicat Franco-Iberique Company, which began "methodical and systematic
prospecting work with 1396
chemical analyses". Between 1930 and 1934, galleries were opened in Mua, and 15,279 tons of ore were extracted, according to the Minas Bulletin. The exploration and exploration work of the Companhia Mineira de Moncorvo continued until 1942. After
World War II the concessions of this German company were made by the Portuguese Government and, from 1957, that Company was managed by Exploration & Bergba of the
Thyssen group, assuming the designation of Minacorvo, Lda. That year the pilot wash was built and, in 1976, Minacorvo was dissolved and its concessions were integrated into Ferrominas SARL, then Ferrominas EP, ending with the creation of EDM EP, from 1986.
Reactivation attempt In 2016, MTI – Ferro de Moncorvo received a concession to explore a deposit in Cabeço da Mua. In 2020, this was purchased by
Aethel Mining, with plans for a €550 million investment over 60 years. The company began extraction in October 2021, producing around 2,000 tonnes of certified high-density iron ore per day. However, the concession was revoked by the Portuguese government in April 2025 due to lack of operational activity and non-compliance with legal and contractual obligations. As of August 2025, no other companies had expressed interest in taking over the concession. The government announced a review of the technical, financial, and environmental rules governing future tenders, including revised royalty conditions and community participation measures, before considering new bids for the mines' reactivation. == Iron ore deposits ==