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 ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ 47 ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ข๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ:
- Securing the EUโs 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 Proenรงa, 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.
