Press Release: State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into support for Iberpotash in Spain

On 26 January 2016 the European Commission opened an in-depth investigation into whether public measures in favour of Spanish mining company Iberpotash gave it a selective advantage over its competitors, in breach of European Union State aid rules.

In 2012 the Commission received a complaint alleging that Iberpotash benefitted from several state aid measures to support its mining operations, namely: the financial guarantees provided by Iberpotash to regional public bodies to fulfil its environmental protection obligations and full financing EUR 7.9 million of costs to physically cover one of Iberpotash's waste heaps and reduce pollution by the Spanish authorities.

Both measures may give Iberpotash a selective advantage over its competitors. The Commission will investigate further to find out whether its initial concerns are confirmed or not.