Spain embarked on a political transition to democracy following the death of General Franco in 1975. Spain joined the European Community (European Union) in 1986 and was one of the founder members of the European economic and monetary union. Spain's political structure is a constitutional monarchy.

Spain consists of 17 autonomous administrative regions and two additional autonomous cities. Each of these regions has its own intense cultural identity including customs and language variances.

The head office of EMED Tartessus, a subsidiary of EMED Mining, is in Sevilla, the capital of the Andalucia region. The Andalucia region of Spain is the most populous and second largest in land size. The Autonomous Community of Andalucia is administrated through the "Junta de Andalucia" and is one of the four historic Autonomous Communities of Spain, with a local parliament and president.

Spain has a long history of mining and has been an important producer of metals historically. Most mining activity has been undertaken in the prolific Iberian Pyrite Belt which extends for some 230 km, from northeast of Seville to the Atlantic coast of Portugal.

EMED Tartessus owns 100% of Proyecto de Rio Tinto ("PRT"), which is located 65km northwest of Seville in the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Mining in the Rio Tinto area commenced operations during Phoenician period over 2000 years ago. Since then it has been mined by the Romans, Moors, English and Spanish. Mining ceased at PRT in 2000 due to the low copper price and since then the operation has been on care and maintenance.

EMED Tartessus, like other mining companies, is now part of Spain's mining rebirth. Mineral prices are high, demand is strong and Spain's mining industry is growing.

For further information on Spain, see:

• Wikipedia - Spain
• BBC Country Profiles - Spain
• CIA Fact Book - Spain