The stone and slate sector in Galicia has a productive structure that covers the entire value chain (quarrying, manufacture, marketing, and laying). Granite and slate are the decorative rocks par excellence in Galicia, with granite predominating in the western region and slate in the eastern region.

Slate is universally valued for its quality, and mining for the rock has acquired an extraordinary economic importance. Galicia has over 80 open-cast quarries which account for70% of Spain's production and provide direct employment to more than 3,000 workers.

Nearly 80% of Galician production is exported to various countries such as France and Germany and is used primarily for decks, floors, facades, decoration, and street furniture. Galicia is home to the Slate Technology Centre (“Centro Tecnológico de la pizarra”), which offers R&D services for the entire sector at the national level.

Regarding granite, Galicia is the absolute leader in processing the product at the national level. Its extraction takes place at over 100 quarries throughout Galicia, with a turnover of more than 300 million Euro.

The industry is also very dynamic at the international level, with over 100 million Euro in export sales, 75% of which is finished product. Galician companies specialise in stone cutting and currently import more uncut stone than they export.

Galicia is also a major producer of aggregate for construction, with numerous quarries where all stages of processing take place.