MINEX Forum

Tag: Portugal

  • Portugal’s Urgent Need for National Exploration Programme Under EU Critical Raw Materials Act

    Portugal’s Urgent Need for National Exploration Programme Under EU Critical Raw Materials Act

    Opinion: Daniel de Oliveira, Head of Department at Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia

    Portugal has long been an active participant in the European Union’s mineral resources policy and geological surveying initiatives. The timely implementation of the National Exploration Programme (NEP) is not just a regulatory requirement under the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), but a strategic imperative for maintaining Portugal’s competitive edge in the European critical raw materials sector. The NEP is designed to provide a robust geological knowledge base essential for identifying, assessing, and promoting future mineral resource opportunities. This framework supports evidence-based decision-making for both public authorities and private investors.

    The implications of failing to initiate or execute the NEP are significant for Portugal, encompassing legal, strategic, and financial dimensions. As the CRMA is a binding EU regulation, non-compliance would expose Portugal to legal repercussions. However, the strategic consequences could be even more detrimental. The CRMA identifies national exploration programmes as vital for enhancing geological knowledge and pinpointing occurrences of critical and strategic raw materials. Without a proactive NEP, Portugal risks having a diminished evidence base for identifying and advancing future mining projects.

    Portugal is uniquely positioned among EU nations, boasting recognized potential for critical resources such as lithium, tungsten, copper, tin, and rare earth elements. A lack of systematic geological updates could hinder the country’s ability to contribute significantly to the EU’s ambitious targets for 2030 and 2050. While the CRMA does not explicitly tie funding to the existence of the NEP, investors and project developers heavily depend on innovative, pre-competitive data generated through national exploration efforts.

    The absence of a functioning NEP could lead to several adverse outcomes for Portugal: diminished attractiveness for mineral exploration investments, fewer opportunities to develop projects that could qualify as EU Strategic Projects, and a reduced capacity to engage with European initiatives like the Geological Service for Europe (GSEU) and related critical raw materials exploration initiatives.

    Given these potential consequences, the pressing question remains: how much longer can Portugal afford to delay the implementation of its National Exploration Programme?

  • Savannah Resources Gains Local Support for Controversial Barroso Lithium Project in Portugal

    Savannah Resources Gains Local Support for Controversial Barroso Lithium Project in Portugal

    Savannah Resources has secured new backing from local landowners for its Barroso lithium project in northern Portugal, which is set to become Europe’s largest lithium mine. This development comes as the company seeks to navigate years of community opposition and legal challenges that have delayed the project. The Barroso project, with a capital expenditure of $417 million, has been designated as strategic by the EU, highlighting its importance in establishing a European lithium supply chain critical for the electric vehicle industry.

    The company announced three new benefit-sharing agreements with local communal land managers, known as baldios, which aim to ensure that the communities have a stake in the project and its benefits. CEO Emanuel Proença emphasised that these agreements are not just about land access but also about recognising the rights of local communities that have managed these lands for generations. Savannah is optimistic about receiving its final environmental licence in the third quarter of this year, with plans to make a final investment decision by the end of the year and commence production by 2028.

    Despite the backing from local landowners, the Barroso project has faced significant opposition from residents and environmental groups concerned about its potential impact on agriculture, water resources, and biodiversity in the region, which is recognised by the UN as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. The project’s feasibility study, released in July, indicated that it could produce an average of 183,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate annually, enough to supply batteries for approximately 500,000 electric vehicles.

    Savannah’s study also projected a robust after-tax net present value of $913 million and an internal rate of return of 43%, with a payback period of less than two years. The project is positioned competitively within the global hard-rock lithium cost curve, with average operating costs estimated at $473 per tonne of concentrate.

    To address environmental concerns, Savannah has proposed measures such as dry-stack tailings, a lined storage facility, and a water recycling system. The new agreements with local baldios include provisions for community participation in project oversight, local reinvestment of project benefits, and inflation-indexed rental payments. Additionally, a partnership with the regional baldios secretariat aims to support forest management and wildfire prevention in the area.

    Portugal has a history of lithium production for the ceramics industry, but the Barroso project represents a significant step towards developing a large-scale battery materials sector in the country. Earlier this year, the Portuguese government awarded Savannah a €110 million grant to support the advancement of the Barroso project, further underscoring the official backing for this initiative. The project has also seen a 40% increase in its mineral reserve estimates, reinforcing its economic viability as it aims to become western Europe’s first major lithium mine.

  • Savannah Resources Advances Barroso Lithium Project with Definitive Feasibility Study Completion

    Savannah Resources Advances Barroso Lithium Project with Definitive Feasibility Study Completion

    On 15 July 2026, Savannah Resources announced the completion of the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for its Barroso lithium project located in Boticas, northern Portugal. This study confirms an initial mine life of 14 years, with a probable ore reserve of 20 million tonnes and an anticipated production of 2.56 million tonnes of spodumene concentrate. Spodumene concentrate is a crucial hard-rock lithium feedstock that battery chemical processors convert into lithium hydroxide for electric vehicle (EV) cells. The Barroso project is notable for holding Europe’s largest battery-grade spodumene resource, which was classified as a strategic project under the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act in March 2025. This classification grants the project an accelerated 27-month permitting process, a significant advantage over potential new entrants.

    Emanuel Proença, CEO of Savannah Resources, expressed his satisfaction with the publication of the DFS findings, highlighting it as a critical milestone in the project’s development. The DFS serves as the essential technical dossier required by banks and offtake partners before they commit capital to the project. Savannah Resources anticipates receiving a final environmental licence in the fourth quarter of 2026, with a final investment decision expected by the end of the year and first production slated for 2028. However, the timeline faces challenges, as the environmental licence decision has been delayed, with a ruling now not expected until late February 2027. This delay could push back the first production date and compress Portugal’s opportunity to emerge as the EU’s second large-scale lithium producer, following Finland’s Keliber.

    The regulatory landscape adds further complexity to the project. A precautionary injunction had previously halted geotechnical fieldwork in June 2026, but this was lifted on 30 June 2026 after the Portuguese government declared the project of national and European strategic importance. Nevertheless, a separate legal challenge from community groups MiningWatch Portugal and ClientEarth is currently before the European Court of Justice, contesting the European Commission’s decision to keep Barroso on the strategic list. As Europe currently sources approximately 81% of its extracted lithium and 100% of its refined lithium from outside the continent, the Barroso project’s strategic location—less than 300 kilometres from five deep-water ports—positions it as a key player in reshaping the continent’s lithium supply chain. The success of the permitting timeline will be crucial in determining whether Portugal can secure its place in the upcoming cycle of EU battery-factory investment decisions.

  • Avrupa Minerals Confirms 6.5 Million Tonne Copper-Zinc Resource at Portugal’s Sesmarias Project

    Avrupa Minerals Confirms 6.5 Million Tonne Copper-Zinc Resource at Portugal’s Sesmarias Project

    Initial mineral resource estimate for the Iberian Pyrite Belt deposit grades 2.9% zinc and 0.6% copper, with exploration upside targeting a doubling of the resource through further drilling.

    4 June 2026TSX-V: AVUSource: Avrupa Minerals Ltd. press release, 3 June 2026

    Avrupa Minerals Ltd. has published its first NI 43-101-compliant mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Sesmarias copper-zinc project in northern Portugal, reporting a total inferred resource of 6.5 million tonnes grading 2.9% zinc, 1.2% lead, 0.6% copper, and 35 grams per tonne silver — equivalent to a copper equivalent (CuEq) grade of 2.2%, or a zinc equivalent (ZnEq) of 6.2%. The estimate was compiled by SLR Consulting’s Frank Browning and carries an effective date of 1 May 2026.

    The project sits within the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), one of the world’s most productive volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VMS) districts, stretching across southern Spain and Portugal. Sesmarias lies in the northern portion of the belt and hosts polymetallic mineralisation within a synformal fold structure with a known strike length of at least 1,700 metres.

    “The study supports the vitality of the mineralisation and provides clear encouragement for prioritised drilling in all zones at Sesmarias to potentially increase the size of the deposit.” — Paul W. Kuhn, President & CEO, Avrupa Minerals

    The resource is classified entirely as inferred and is broken into four zones. The Central Zone, at 2.2 million tonnes grading 3.4% zinc and 0.9% copper, carries the highest average grades in the deposit and accounts for 76,000 tonnes of contained zinc metal. The North and South zones each contribute approximately 1.9–2.1 million tonnes at lower but still material grades.

    The resource is classified entirely as inferred and is broken into four zones. The Central Zone, at 2.2 million tonnes grading 3.4% zinc and 0.9% copper, carries the highest average grades in the deposit and accounts for 76,000 tonnes of contained zinc metal. The North and South zones each contribute approximately 1.9–2.1 million tonnes at lower but still material grades.

    Table: Sesmarias initial mineral resource estimate by zone (4.0% ZnEq cut-off grade)

    Zone Tonnage (Mt) Zn (%) Pb (%) Cu (%) Ag (g/t) ZnEq (%) CuEq (%)
    Central 2.2 3.4 1.6 0.9 48 8.1 3.0
    Upper Central 0.3 2.3 1.2 1.3 37 7.4 2.7
    North 1.9 2.5 1.0 0.4 33 5.0 1.8
    South 2.1 2.9 0.9 0.3 23 4.9 1.8
    Total 6.5 2.9 1.2 0.6 35 6.2 2.2

    Alongside the MRE, SLR completed an independent assessment of exploration potential identifying seven drill targets beyond the current resource footprint — two extensional (E1, E2) and five conceptual (C1–C5). The extensional targets pursue down-plunge continuations of the Central and South zones, while the conceptual targets test largely undrilled portions of the synform’s hinge and west limb, where structural models suggest additional massive sulphide lenses may exist. SLR’s sensitivity analysis shows that at a 3% ZnEq cut-off, the deposit could contain up to 10.6 million tonnes grading 5.1% ZnEq — though that figure is not a declared mineral resource.

    The company has initiated a mining licence application for the Sesmarias deposit and is seeking a joint-venture partner to fund the next drilling campaign and advance the project through pre-feasibility studies. First-priority drilling will target the Central Zone hinge and west limb between sections 275 S and 700 S, where moderate existing drill density has left the synform’s geometry incompletely characterised. Near-term exploration success in the Central and North zones is expected to inform the sequencing of work in the more geologically complex Southern Zone.

    Avrupa Minerals trades on the TSX Venture Exchange (AVU), the US OTC market (AVPMF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (8AM). The company also holds the 100%-owned Alvalade VMS project in Portugal and a 49% stake in the Slivova gold project in Kosovo.

  • Savannah Resources Targets 50-Year Mine Life at Europe’s Largest Lithium Deposit as Portugal Project Accelerates Toward 2028 Production

    Savannah Resources Targets 50-Year Mine Life at Europe’s Largest Lithium Deposit as Portugal Project Accelerates Toward 2028 Production

    London-listed Savannah Resources is pressing ahead with its Barroso lithium project in northern Portugal with growing confidence that the deposit — already Europe’s largest — can compete globally and become a meaningful contributor to reducing the continent’s dependence on Chinese lithium supply.

    Speaking to Reuters on Tuesday, Chief Executive Emanuel Proença said work had “accelerated in recent months on all fronts,” pointing to advances in engineering studies, progress on environmental requirements and preparations for project financing ahead of a final investment decision expected by the end of this year. Construction is planned for 2027, with first production targeted in 2028.

    Confirmed resources at the Barroso spodumene deposit were upgraded in September to over 39 million metric tonnes, up from 28 million metric tonnes. Proença said potential resource extensions of between 35 million and 62 million metric tonnes could push the total above 100 million metric tonnes, more than doubling the mine’s projected operational lifespan to over 50 years. The company has also received a €110 million grant from the Portuguese government, which Proença described as “a positive step” in the project’s financial development.

    On competitiveness, Proença said Barroso could break even at $600 per tonne of spodumene concentrate — a level he said would allow it “to compete with the majors” — at a time when spodumene shipped to China is trading above $2,000 per tonne. The project’s proximity to European refineries was cited as a further structural advantage, reducing logistical costs and supply chain exposure to China.

    Europe’s push to build domestic lithium extraction and refining capacity remains constrained, and Barroso is widely regarded as one of the continent’s best near-term prospects for closing that gap. However, the project has faced local community opposition since Barroso was designated a World Heritage agricultural site in 2018. Proença acknowledged the tension but said resistance was “gradually decreasing” as the company increases local hiring and intensifies engagement with surrounding communities.

  • Savannah Resources Delays Key Studies for Barroso Lithium Project in Portugal

    Savannah Resources Delays Key Studies for Barroso Lithium Project in Portugal

    Savannah Resources has slightly revised the timeline for its flagship Barroso lithium project in northern Portugal, now expecting to complete its definitive feasibility study and environmental compliance process in July.

    The updated schedule represents a minor delay from the company’s previous target of end-June completion. Despite this, Savannah maintains its broader development timeline, with the final environmental licence anticipated in the third quarter of 2026, a final investment decision by year-end, and first production targeted for 2028.

    Chief executive Emanuel Proença stated that the company can meet required technical and environmental standards without waiting for additional geotechnical and resource data from ongoing fieldwork. Instead, this data will be incorporated into future engineering phases. The decision follows validation from independent technical consultants and project finance advisers.

    The Barroso project has been designated as a “strategic” asset under the European Critical Raw Materials Regulation and is considered by Savannah to be Europe’s largest spodumene lithium deposit. The company is currently finalising metallurgical testing and conducting environmental studies, including noise modelling, as part of the permitting process.

    Savannah plans to develop four open-pit mines at the site, with projected annual output sufficient to supply lithium for approximately 500000 electric vehicles. According to the company, the project is economically viable at lithium prices of around $600 per tonne, positioning it as a competitive source of supply for European battery manufacturers seeking shorter and more secure supply chains.

    The company is also progressing procurement, with a tender underway for detailed engineering services and a contractor expected to be selected in the coming weeks. Additional fieldwork is pending approval for temporary land access and will inform subsequent project stages.

    Portugal has historically produced lithium for ceramic applications but has yet to establish large-scale battery-grade production. The government has recently awarded Savannah a €110 million grant to support the project’s development.

    However, the Barroso project continues to face opposition from local communities and environmental groups, particularly given the area’s designation as a World Heritage agricultural landscape since 2018.

  • Portugal aims to launch lithium prospecting tender in 2025 with focus on local benefits

    Portugal aims to launch lithium prospecting tender in 2025 with focus on local benefits

    Portugal’s government plans to launch a long-delayed tender for lithium prospecting licenses later this year, as part of efforts to strengthen Europe’s battery materials supply chain while addressing local opposition to mining projects. Environment Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho said the government is preparing a national mining strategy to be finalized by the summer, with an emphasis on community involvement and regional value creation.

    Portugal currently holds around 60,000 tonnes of lithium reserves and is Europe’s largest lithium producer, though output has traditionally been used for ceramics rather than battery-grade material. Expanding into battery-quality lithium is seen as critical for reducing Europe’s dependence on imports and supporting the continent’s clean energy transition.

    Carvalho told Reuters that future mining projects would prioritize keeping economic benefits within the country, sharing revenues regionally and creating local jobs. She added that the government is reviewing international best Reed practices while moving quickly to unlock investment. The original tender was first planned in 2018 but was repeatedly delayed due to political instability, including the collapse of several governments. The current minority administration took office in March 2025.

    Regulatory progress has already been made on specific projects. Portugal’s environmental agency APA has granted initial approval for lithium extraction at the Barroso mine, operated by Savannah Resources, as well as the Montalegre project developed by local firm Lusorecursos.

    Separately, Carvalho commented on ongoing talks between Portuguese energy company Galp and private equity-backed Moeve regarding a potential merger of their oil refining businesses. If completed, the deal would create one of Europe’s largest refining groups, with a combined capacity of about 700,000 barrels per day. The Portuguese state currently holds an 8% stake in Galp.

  • Savannah Resources secures up to €110 million state grant for Barroso lithium project in Portugal

    Savannah Resources secures up to €110 million state grant for Barroso lithium project in Portugal

    Savannah Resources has been awarded a non-reimbursable grant of up to approximately €110 million from the Portuguese State to support construction of its flagship Barroso lithium project in northern Portugal. The project has been designated as strategic under the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials framework.

    The funding represents one of the largest public financial contributions to a mining project in Portugal and reflects support from both national and European authorities for the development of a domestic lithium supply chain linked to the energy transition. Barroso is Europe’s largest known spodumene lithium deposit and is viewed as a cornerstone asset for strengthening regional battery raw material security.

    According to Savannah, the grant will be provided under Portugal’s Investments in Strategic Sectors Incentive Scheme and falls within the contractual investment regime for large-scale projects considered critical to carbon neutrality and economic transformation. The funding is backed by national resources and the European Commission’s Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework.

    The €110 million grant is split into two parts. Around 75%, or €82.25 million, will support initial capital expenditure, while the remaining €27.42 million is tied to operational performance milestones once the mine enters production. The funding is non-repayable but subject to specific conditions and project timelines.

    The award will be formalized through an investment agreement with AICEP, following approvals from the Compete 2030 programme and the Ministry of Economy and Territorial Cohesion. Savannah said it expects the first tranche of funding to be drawn alongside the initial capital development phase.

    Chief executive Emanuel Proença said the grant marks a major milestone for both Savannah and the Barroso project, significantly strengthening its capital structure as the company targets first production from 2028. He added that the project is expected to deliver broad economic and social benefits, including job creation in the Barroso region, the development of a new industry in Portugal, and improved European energy independence through locally sourced lithium.

    Chief financial officer Henrique Freire noted that the grant enhances the project’s financial position ahead of a final investment decision expected later this year, as Savannah continues to advance discussions on debt financing and strategic partnerships.

  • Portugal Emerges as Potential Hub for Critical Minerals as Exploration Intensifies

    Portugal Emerges as Potential Hub for Critical Minerals as Exploration Intensifies

    Europe is closely monitoring developments in Portugal as private companies carry out preliminary studies to assess the presence of critical minerals beneath the country’s surface. The growing interest is driven by the need to secure supplies of rare earths and other strategic elements essential for modern technologies, amid efforts by the European Union to reduce its dependence on China.

    Brussels has already fast-tracked several extractive projects linked to critical raw materials, and new geological data suggest that Portugal’s resource potential may be broader than previously assumed. According to Luís Martins, a geologist at Portugal’s National Laboratory for Energy and Geology (LNEC), the country is on the verge of a new mining-driven transformation. He noted that Portugal has strong expertise in mining and environmental management compared with many other European states.

    Exploration activities, including test drilling, are currently underway in parts of the Alentejo and the Northwest Transmontano regions, such as Moncorvo, an area with a long mining history. Martins stressed, however, that commercial extraction remains a distant prospect, explaining that rare earth elements are often associated with iron deposits, as seen in Moncorvo.

    In the Alentejo, areas including Monforte-Tinoca, Assumar, Crato-Arronches, and Penedo Gordo have already revealed the presence of highly sought-after elements. These include zircon, hafnium, titanium, niobium, tantalum, yttrium, and scandium. While not all of these minerals fall strictly within the rare earth category, many are classified as strategic or critical, heightening EU interest.

    Martins explained that rare earth elements comprise 17 chemical elements, including the 15 lanthanides as well as scandium and yttrium, which share similar chemical properties and often occur in the same deposits. These materials are vital for a wide range of industrial and technological applications due to characteristics such as magnetism, luminescence, and electrical resistance.

    The prospect of expanded mining activity raises concerns about environmental impacts, landscapes, and traditional rural livelihoods. Resistance has already been seen in northern Portugal, where communities have opposed lithium mining projects. Despite this, Martins believes economic considerations are likely to prevail. He pointed to two major untapped gold deposits in Montemor and Jales/Gralheira, which together could yield up to one million ounces of gold, currently valued at approximately 3.6 billion euros.

  • Savannah Resources Welcomes EU Decision Upholding Barroso Lithium Mine as Strategic Project

    Savannah Resources Welcomes EU Decision Upholding Barroso Lithium Mine as Strategic Project

    London-listed Savannah Resources has hailed the European Commission’s latest decision reaffirming the Barroso lithium mine in northern Portugal as a strategic project for Europe, despite ongoing opposition from environmental groups and local communities.

    The company, which holds the concession for the mine in Covas do Barroso, said the Commission’s rejection of a complaint filed by Associação Unidos em Defesa de Covas do Barroso (UDCB), MiningWatch Portugal and ClientEarth “reinforces the European Commission’s confidence” in the project. The NGOs had asked Brussels to remove the mine from the list of strategic initiatives under the Critical Raw Materials Regulation (CRMA), arguing the project presented significant environmental and safety risks.

    In its response, the Commission dismissed the applicants’ arguments as unfounded — a position Savannah highlighted as consistent with several rulings by Portuguese courts in the company’s favour. Savannah described the Barroso operation as “one of the strategic projects for Europe,” stressing its potential role in regional reindustrialisation, the decarbonisation of EU transport, and reducing the bloc’s dependence on external energy and material suppliers.

    The company also claimed that opposition groups do not represent the communities living closest to the project, alleging that only one organisation involved has a local presence and accusing the broader movement of being driven by “increasingly radical” activists. Local groups strongly reject this characterisation, noting that community resistance to the mine has been sustained for nearly eight years.

    Critics argue the Commission’s decision ignores mounting evidence that Barroso’s mine design carries serious environmental and tailings safety risks. They warn that rural areas and fragile ecosystems are being sacrificed “for short-term profits” and accuse the EU of prioritising strategic supply over local well-being and environmental protection.

    The Barroso project received a favourable Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in 2023. Savannah plans to begin construction in 2026 and start production in 2028, with the mine positioned as a key contributor to Europe’s lithium supply chain under the CRMA.