Berkeley Energia seeks $1.25 billion from Spain in uranium mine dispute

Australian mining company Berkeley Energia has confirmed that its international arbitration against the Kingdom of Spain regarding the blocked Salamanca uranium mine project will enter a new phase. The company’s annual report for the period ending June 2026 states that the first hearing before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) is scheduled for mid-2027.

Berkeley is seeking $1.25 billion in compensation, alleging that government actions violated provisions of the Energy Charter Treaty. The tribunal has opted to bifurcate the proceedings, meaning it will first address jurisdictional objections related to the ‘denial of benefits’ before proceeding to the merits of the claim and the quantification of damages. The arbitration process was formally initiated in May 2024 by Berkeley Exploration.