Activists denounce Israeli miner ICL in Spain and its links to white phosphorus
Activists Condemn Israeli Mining Firm ICL in Spain and Its Role in White Phosphorus Use
Activists denounce Israeli miner ICL in Spain - In early April, a significant demonstration took place in the Bages region of Catalonia, drawing hundreds of participants who rallied against the continued operation of sodium and potassium salt mines. The protest, which spanned multiple days, highlighted concerns about the environmental and health consequences of the mines, which are managed by Iberpotash, a subsidiary of Israel Chemicals Ltd. (ICL). These mines have been active in the municipalities of Sallent, Balsareny, Vilafruns, and Súria since their privatization in 1998. Local environmental groups, including Montasalat, have long criticized the company for its role in polluting the area, citing decades of waste accumulation that has raised alarms about contamination of the Llobregat River.
Environmental Impact and Water Scarcity Crisis
The mines have been accused of exacerbating water scarcity in a region already prone to droughts. Over the years, they have consumed vast amounts of water, contributing to the degradation of local ecosystems. Environmental watchdogs claim that the waste generated by the operations has leached into the Llobregat, one of the region’s primary waterways, creating contaminated brine that seeps into groundwater. This pollution threatens springs, streams, and wells in the Llobregat basin, which supplies critical water to major cities, including Barcelona and its surrounding metropolitan area.
Simultaneously, the environmental movement in Spain has drawn attention to ICL’s broader global activities. The company’s production of white phosphorus, a highly flammable chemical, has become a focal point of criticism. White phosphorus ignites instantly upon exposure to air and is notoriously difficult to extinguish. It adheres to skin and clothing, causing severe burns that can penetrate bones. The use of this substance by Israeli forces has been documented in Lebanon and Gaza, sparking outrage among activists.
War and Environmental Damage in the Palestinian Territories
The environmental toll of ICL’s operations extends beyond Spain. In the Palestinian territories, the Israeli military has been linked to the deployment of white phosphorus munitions, which have inflicted harm on civilians in Lebanon and Gaza. This practice has been ongoing since before the 2023 escalation of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Human rights organizations have noted that the use of such weapons has created a dual crisis, combining the devastation of war with ecological destruction.
For example, the diversion of water resources in Gaza has been a recurring issue. Amnesty International has reported that Israel’s state-owned company, Mekorot, has systematically drilled wells since the mid-20th century, primarily benefiting settlers. This has led to the depletion of aquifers and the contamination of agricultural lands. The destruction of crops and the pollution of water sources have further compounded the suffering of Palestinians, who now face both military conflict and environmental degradation.
Global Climate and Industrial Responsibility
The protest in Spain also underscores a broader debate about industrial responsibility and climate impact. Mazin Qumsiyeh, director of the Palestinian Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability, emphasized the scale of environmental harm during a lecture at the Autonomous University of Barcelona in 2025. He noted that Israel’s military operations have produced more greenhouse gases from bombing alone than Spain does through all its activities. This statistic highlights the interconnectedness of environmental and humanitarian crises.
Activists argue that ICL’s operations in Spain are emblematic of a larger pattern of environmental negligence linked to its military ventures. The company’s waste management practices, combined with its role in weaponizing white phosphorus, have sparked a civil resistance movement in Catalonia. This movement reached a peak with the large gathering in Callús, a municipality in the Bages region, which became a symbol of opposition to ICL’s dual role as a mining enterprise and a supplier of conflict materials.
European Commission’s Involvement and Legal Actions
The European Union has also taken action against Iberpotash. In 2014, the European Commission initiated infringement proceedings against Spain for failing to enforce the EU directive on mineral resources. The case centered on two issues: addressing pollution from spoil heaps and rehabilitating ICL’s sites using public funds. Three years later, the Commission concluded that Spain had illegally provided state aid to Iberpotash, violating the single market’s principles. The decision to recover the funds was based on an agreement between the Catalan regional government and the central Spanish administration, which was in place from 2006 to 2008.
Several trade unions in Spain have added their voices to the criticism, citing unsafe working conditions in the mines. Between 2011 and 2023, eight workers, including miners and geologists, died due to accidents such as rockfalls and crushing injuries. Two of these victims were students on work placements, which has intensified calls for stricter safety regulations. The unions have organized strikes and submitted complaints, demanding accountability for the company’s negligence.
International Criticism and Historical Context
Amnesty International and other organizations have pointed to ICL’s historical ties to the use of white phosphorus in warfare. The substance was deployed by the Israeli army in Daraiya, southern Lebanon, and in Gaza in late 2023, confirming its role in civilian harm. This has drawn international condemnation, linking Spain’s mining industry to the humanitarian and ecological consequences of modern conflicts.
The protesters in Catalonia have framed their actions as part of a growing global movement against ICL’s dual role as an environmental polluter and a military supplier. By connecting the company’s Spanish operations to its involvement in the Middle East, activists have created a narrative that challenges the notion of neutrality in industrial enterprises. The demonstration in Callús, which drew up to a thousand participants, symbolizes this cross-border solidarity and the demand for corporate accountability.
Conclusion and Call for Action
The issue of ICL’s environmental impact in Spain is not isolated but part of a larger pattern of ecological harm tied to its global operations. The Iberian Mining Observatory has reported that the spoil heaps created by the company are primarily composed of sodium chloride, which, when exposed to rain, forms contaminated brine. This has led to widespread pollution in the Llobregat basin, threatening both local communities and water supplies. Meanwhile, the continued use of white phosphorus in conflict zones has deepened the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, linking Spain’s economic ties to Israel’s military activities.
As the movement gains momentum, it has drawn attention to the need for stricter regulations on industrial practices and their environmental consequences. The European Commission’s legal actions, along with the efforts of local and international organizations, underscore the growing pressure on Spain to address the dual impact of its mining industry. The protests in Catalonia serve as a reminder that environmental issues and human rights violations are often intertwined, demanding a unified response from both local and global stakeholders.
"In the last two years, Israel has produced more greenhouse gases from bombing alone than Spain generates through all its activities," said Mazin Qumsiyeh, director of the Palestinian Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability, during a lecture in 2025 at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
The connection between ICL’s operations in Spain and its role in the Middle East has become a central theme of the protest. Activists argue that the company’s profits are built on a foundation of environmental and human suffering, urging a reevaluation of its practices and their broader implications. With the European Commission’s legal actions and growing public awareness, the movement in Catalonia represents a critical moment in the fight for sustainable and ethical industrial policies.