Savannah Resources has resumed work at its Barroso lithium project in northern Portugal after the government declared the project of national and European significance and succeeded in lifting a court-ordered suspension that had halted operations for three weeks.
Work was suspended on 9 June after the Mirandela Administrative and Fiscal Court granted a precautionary injunction filed by the Barroso Assembly of Common Land Holders, following a second administrative easement that gave Savannah access to community and private land for geotechnical work. In its response to the court, the Portuguese government argued that the suspension could cause serious harm to the public interest, delay a project of recognised national and European strategic importance, and jeopardise the energy transition. The suspension was lifted on Monday and Savannah said it will reinitiate fieldwork and complete the planned work programme.
There is no legal right of appeal against the lifting of the injunction, though opponents may attempt further legal action.
The Barroso deposit in northern Portugal hosts resources exceeding 39 million tonnes of spodumene, making it Europe’s largest lithium deposit. Potential extensions of 35 million to 62 million tonnes could push total resources above 100 million tonnes and more than double the projected mine lifespan to over 50 years. The project is one of 47 designated as strategic under the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act.
The project has faced nearly a decade of sustained community opposition and numerous legal challenges. A final investment decision is expected by the end of 2026, with construction planned for 2027 and first production targeted for 2028.
