As with any endeavour, the Galician and Spanish slate industry is built on the hard work and dedication of the thousands of people employed within it.

The industry has been in existence for centuries and often families have been associated with it for many generations. Communities have grown up around each quarry and the quarrying traditions are handed down, built on and developed.

The stability created by the industry's size and longevity have enabled massive and on-going investment in new technologies, techniques and training. Engineers, geologists and other scientists play vital roles in exploration, quarrying and testing alongside the more traditional roles associated with slate production.

Those who have mastered the techniques and skills associated with splitting, dressing and grading slate by hand are particularly prized and often jealously guarded by their employers.

With more than 70% of the world's natural slate originating from Spain, the modern day industry in the slate producing regions of Northern Spain leads the world in slate production. And its people and organisations take the responsibilities associated with this leadership very seriously.