On March 26, 2025, the European Commission announced in Brussels that the Barroso Lithium Project, developed by Savannah Resources in Portugal, has been designated as one of 47 “Strategic” projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). This designation is given to projects that are deemed technically feasible within a reasonable timeframe and have a high likelihood of achieving their projected production volumes sustainably.
This recognition places 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 47 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨:
- Securing the EU’s strategic raw material supply
- Meeting high environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards
- Demonstrating technical feasibility and cross-border benefits
As a Strategic project, the Barroso Lithium Project will be eligible for coordinated support from the Commission, Member States, and financial institutions to aid in accessing finance and connecting with relevant off-takers. The project will also benefit from streamlined permitting processes and a commitment to upholding environmental, social, and governance standards. Savannah Resources will work with the European Commission to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by this designation, while continuing work on the Definitive Feasibility Study and aiming to begin production in 2027.
Emanuel Proença, CEO of Savannah Resources, expressed pride in this recognition of the company’s years of work on the technical, social, and economic aspects of the project, which has created local jobs and contributed to the sustainable development of the region.
The European Commission has identified the 47 projects, including Barroso Lithium, as significant in securing a domestic supply of strategic raw materials for the green and digital transitions, as well as the aerospace and defense sectors. The CRMA-listed raw materials include Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt, Copper, Manganese, Graphite, and Germanium.
