MINEX Forum

Tag: Portugal

  • Europe names Savannah’s Barroso Lithium Project a ‘Strategic’ Asset

    Europe names Savannah’s Barroso Lithium Project a ‘Strategic’ Asset

    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.

  • Portugal Discovers Rare Mineral Deposits, Poised to Become a Strategic Player in Europe

    Portugal Discovers Rare Mineral Deposits, Poised to Become a Strategic Player in Europe

    In a groundbreaking development, rare mineral deposits have been identified in Portugal, potentially positioning the country as a strategic protagonist in the global market and transforming its future, as well as that of Europe. The discovery comes at a time when the importance of rare earth elements in the development of cutting-edge technologies is gaining global prominence. Historically, regions like Ukraine and market-dominant powers such as China have dominated this sector. However, the recent findings in Portugal could shift this dynamic.

    According to MiningWatch Portugal, an independent network monitoring the country’s extractive industry, four significant rare earth deposits have been located in the Alentejo region, near the border with Estremadura. These deposits are situated in Monforte-Tinoca, Assumar, Crato-Arronches, and Penedo Gordo.

    In Monforte, Iberian Resources Portugal has already secured a contract for prospecting and research, uncovering not only rare earths but also valuable minerals like gold, silver, lead, zinc, tungsten/wolfram, and tin. Similarly, in Assumar, the same company has submitted a request for prospecting and investigation, targeting similar minerals. Additionally, exploration contracts have been issued for sites in Crato and Arronches.

    Meanwhile, in Penedo Gordo, Acúrcio Henriques Parra has applied for prospecting and investigation rights. This area has confirmed deposits of rare earths, alongside other valuable minerals such as zirconium, hafnium, titanium, niobium, tantalum, yttrium, and scandium.

    These discoveries could significantly enhance Portugal’s role in the global supply chain of rare minerals, reducing Europe’s reliance on external markets and fostering technological advancement.

  • Savannah Resources to Resume Drilling at Barroso Lithium Project After Suspension Lifted

    Savannah Resources to Resume Drilling at Barroso Lithium Project After Suspension Lifted

    Savannah Resources (LON: SAV) will immediately restart fieldwork and drilling at its Barroso lithium project in Portugal after the government lifted a temporary suspension order.

    The British company had paused work earlier this month following a precautionary injunction filed by landowners challenging the government’s approval for Savannah to access land it does not own. However, authorities issued a “reasoned resolution” stating that delays would be costly and harmful to the public interest, according to Savannah’s statement.

    Despite the news, Savannah’s stock fell 1.02% to £4.36 per share in London on Friday, giving the company a £95 million ($120 million) market capitalization.

    Barroso’s spodumene deposit is Europe’s largest, with recent prospecting results indicating it could exceed the previously estimated 28 million tonnes of high-grade lithium. However, the project has faced strong local opposition, including protests, legal battles, and refusals to sell land. Approximately 24% of the required land is privately owned, while 75% consists of common land (“baldios”).

    First Lithium Output in 2027

    Savannah aims to build four open-pit mines to supply lithium for 500,000 to 1 million electric vehicle batteries annually. The company is targeting first production by 2027.

    Once operational, Barroso is expected to produce 1.5 million tonnes annually over a 14-year mine life, based on a 20.5-million-tonne resource at 1.05% lithium oxide.

  • Mining cannot be ‘greened’ outcry against Barosso lithium mine in Portugal

    Mining cannot be ‘greened’ outcry against Barosso lithium mine in Portugal

    Barroso, Portugal – A proposed lithium mining project in the scenic Barroso region has sparked fierce opposition from local communities and environmental advocates, who warn that the venture could inflict irreversible damage on one of Europe’s rare Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).

    The project, led by Savannah Resources and its international partners, aims to transform an inactive feldspar and quartz concession into four expansive open-pit lithium mines, with production now projected to begin in 2027. Spanning a total concession area of 593 hectares, the mining operations threaten to disrupt a delicate agro-ecosystem that supports small-scale pastoral farming and preserves unique cultural traditions.

    Critics argue that the environmental risks far outweigh any potential economic benefits. In 2022, the Portuguese Environmental Agency (APA) rejected the initial Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), citing “very significant and irreversible negative impacts” on the landscape, water resources, and local biodiversity. Although a revised EIA was later issued under conditional approval, local authorities and community groups have mounted legal challenges, arguing that the project endangers the region’s cherished GIAHS status and undermines Portugal’s international environmental commitments.

    Residents describe a climate of intimidation surrounding the project. Opposition groups claim that the mining company has employed aggressive tactics—including 24/7 private security patrols and the deployment of the Republican National Guard—to silence dissent and pressure locals into submission. “The community is being treated as if we were criminals, with our rights and our lands under constant threat,” said a spokesperson from Associação Unidos em Defesa de Covas do Barroso.

    Environmental experts also warn of severe ecological consequences. The project could strain local water supplies by diverting up to 600,000 m³ per year from local springs, jeopardize river habitats, and risk catastrophic failure of tailings storage facilities during extreme weather events. Moreover, the anticipated surge in greenhouse gas emissions could multiply the current carbon footprint of the municipality several times over, contradicting regional climate goals.

    Over 4,600 citizens have signed a petition opposing the mining project, and municipal bodies have passed formal resolutions condemning the plan. The controversy has also reached national parliamentary debates, highlighting broader concerns about how resource extraction projects are approved and monitored in Europe.

    As legal battles continue and protests intensify, the future of the Barroso lithium mine hangs in the balance—a stark reminder of the clash between the global demand for lithium, driven by energy transition imperatives, and the imperative to protect fragile ecosystems and traditional ways of life.

  • Savannah Resources Halts Lithium Prospecting in Portugal Amid Landowner Injunction

    Savannah Resources Halts Lithium Prospecting in Portugal Amid Landowner Injunction

    London-based Savannah Resources has suspended exploration work at certain sites of its lithium project in northern Portugal following a legal injunction filed by local landowners. The injunction, issued by the Mirandela Administrative Court, challenges the Portuguese government’s decision to grant the company access to privately owned land for prospecting activities.

    The ruling only affects areas not owned by Savannah, but it has forced the company to temporarily halt operations that had been ongoing for the past two months. Savannah acknowledged the legal challenge, stating that it had anticipated the move and is handling the process with “serenity.”

    The Barroso lithium deposit, which Savannah is developing, is considered one of Europe’s most significant sources of spodumene, a key mineral for battery production. Recent prospecting results indicate that the deposit may exceed the previously estimated 28 million metric tons of high-grade lithium. The company aims to begin commercial production in 2027.

    To develop its four-mine project, Savannah requires approximately 840 hectares of land. Currently, the company controls only a fraction of this area, with private owners holding 24% and communal lands making up 75%. In December, the Portuguese government granted Savannah temporary access to over 520 hectares of non-owned land for a one-year period.

    The project has faced opposition from local communities and environmental groups, raising broader concerns about the European Union’s strategy to secure domestic sources of critical raw materials and reduce reliance on China. Despite the setback, Savannah remains confident in resuming work soon, stating that it has dealt with similar legal challenges in the past.

  • Barroso’s Lithium Mining Row in Portugal shows no sign of easing

    Barroso’s Lithium Mining Row in Portugal shows no sign of easing

    Tensions are escalating in Boticas, Portugal, where Mayor Fernando Queiroga has accused Savannah Resources, a lithium mining company, of trespassing on private land outside their permitted area. Queiroga condemned the company’s actions, alleging they used the national guard (GNR) to intimidate a landowner who refused them access. He criticised Savannah’s “colonial and abusive tone” and their aggressive pursuit of lithium mining in the region.

    Savannah Resources CEO Emanuel Proença denies the accusations, stating the company operates strictly within its granted easements. He claims the mayor and local activists are inventing flaws to obstruct the project.

    This latest clash follows Savannah’s controversial plan to expropriate 472 plots of land in Boticas, a move that has further inflamed residents and the local council. Queiroga vows to fight the expropriation, stating the council will not sell its land “for any price.”

    Despite strong local opposition and concerns about environmental damage, the Portuguese government continues to support Savannah’s lithium mining project. The company, which has delayed its start date multiple times, now aims to begin operations in 2027. The battle for Barroso’s lithium shows no signs of abating.

  • Savannah Resources Accelerates Portugal Lithium Project for 2027 Launch

    Savannah Resources Accelerates Portugal Lithium Project for 2027 Launch

    London-listed Savannah Resources announced plans to expedite its lithium mining project in northern Portugal, aiming for first commercial output by 2027. The company remains optimistic despite recent declines in lithium prices and uncertain demand, viewing these challenges as temporary, it stated on Thursday.

    Global lithium producers have scaled back operations amid a 90% price drop over the last two years, driven by increased supply and weaker-than-expected demand for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. However, Savannah’s chairman, Rick Anton, expressed confidence in the long-term prospects, emphasizing that the company has “all the key elements in place to significantly advance the project.”

    The Barroso mine, located in Portugal’s northern region, is set to feature four open-pit mines, with an annual output sufficient to produce batteries for approximately 500,000 EVs. Anton highlighted the company’s focus on progressing the project swiftly, capitalizing on favourable market conditions and higher prices anticipated in the future.

    Savannah’s optimism is bolstered by global carbon emissions reduction laws and the dominance of lithium-ion batteries as the preferred energy storage solution. Despite being in a pre-production phase, the company considers itself insulated from current market volatility and committed to delivering Europe’s largest spodumene deposit, which boasts estimated reserves of 28 million metric tons of high-grade lithium.

    The project is pivotal for the European Union’s efforts to reduce reliance on strategic raw materials from countries like China. However, it faces local opposition from residents and environmental groups, testing the EU’s ambitions for domestic resource independence.

  • Savannah Resources Predicts Lithium Price Rebound by 2027, Targets Production in Portugal

    Savannah Resources Predicts Lithium Price Rebound by 2027, Targets Production in Portugal

    Savannah Resources, a London-based mining company, anticipates a rebound in lithium prices by 2027, aligning with its plans to begin commercial production at its Barroso mining project in Portugal, according to CEO Emanuel Proenca. Lithium, a key material used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and appliances, has seen an 80% price dropover the past year due to overproduction in China and a reduction in EV demand.

    Proenca emphasized that the market’s fundamentals remain strong, predicting a supply deficit from 2027 onward, which fits Savannah’s project timeline. He expressed optimism about global lithium demand, expecting it to grow 2.6 times over the next seven years, with a sharp acceleration starting in 2027.

    Savannah aims to bring the Barroso project online in 2027, delayed by a year due to a political change in Portugal. The company plans to build four open-pit mines in the northern Barroso region, extracting enough lithium for half a million EV batteries annually. Despite facing opposition from local residents and environmentalists, Proenca assured that the project would proceed.

    His optimism is echoed by Rio Tinto’s CEO, Jakob Stausholm, who recently announced the company’s acquisition of Arcadium Lithium for $6.7 billion, positioning Rio Tinto as a leading global player in lithium mining.

  • Savannah Resources Delays Portugal Lithium Project Start to 2027 Due to Government Changes

    Savannah Resources Delays Portugal Lithium Project Start to 2027 Due to Government Changes

    London-based Savannah Resources has postponed the expected start of its lithium production in northern Portugal to 2027, citing delays caused by recent government changes. The company, which aims to develop four open-pit lithium mines in the Barroso region, had initially planned to begin production in 2026. The mines are projected to supply enough lithium annually to power around half a million electric vehicle batteries.

    The delay follows the ascension of Portugal’s centre-right government in March, replacing the administration of former Prime Minister António Costa, who resigned amid an investigation into the handling of lithium and hydrogen projects. Savannah noted that the change in government has delayed the project by over six months, with access to land becoming a key obstacle.

    Savannah now expects to complete its definitive feasibility study by the second half of 2025, alongside environmental licensing confirmation. The company anticipates commissioning and first production to begin in 2027.

    Legal proceedings have been initiated to grant Savannah temporary access to land within its 840-hectare concession area, necessary for further fieldwork. While the company has acquired over 100 plots, only 93 hectares had been secured as of September 2023. Savannah has reiterated its intent to request compulsory land purchases from the government if necessary.

    The lithium project has faced strong opposition from local residents and environmentalists. The outcome of this project is seen as critical for the European Union’s goal to reduce reliance on countries like China for essential raw materials.

  • Savannah Resources Delays Portugal Lithium Project to 2027 Amid Government Changes

    Savannah Resources Delays Portugal Lithium Project to 2027 Amid Government Changes

    Savannah Resources, a London-based mining company, has announced a delay in the production start date of its lithium project in northern Portugal. Originally slated to begin operations in 2026, the project is now expected to commence in 2027, citing delays caused by changes in the Portuguese government. The shift occurred after Portugal’s centre-right government took power in March, following the resignation of former Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa amid an investigation into alleged irregularities in handling lithium and hydrogen projects.

    The company plans to establish four open-pit mines in the Barroso region, with the goal of extracting enough lithium annually to power half a million electric vehicle (EV) batteries. However, Savannah explained that the government’s transition has impacted the project’s timeline, particularly with respect to access to land. The company now expects to complete its definitive feasibility study and environmental licensing by the second half of 2025.

    In the meantime, legal proceedings have begun to grant Savannah temporary access to land that it does not yet own to carry out essential fieldwork on its 840-hectare concession area. While Savannah has purchased over 100 plots of land, data from September 2023 showed that the company had acquired or was in the process of acquiring only 93 hectares.

    The Portuguese government holds the authority to approve compulsory land acquisitions if deemed necessary, a step Savannah has indicated it may take. The project, facing strong opposition from local residents and environmentalists, is considered a critical test for the European Union’s strategy to reduce reliance on countries like China for vital raw materials.