Barroso community accuses government of “ignoring” environmental breaches to restart lithium mine

Portugal’s most controversial lithium project has become embroiled in fresh controversy as the community opposing it accuses the government of brushing aside allegations of environmental breaches, by invoking the project’s ‘strategic interest’.

The Conselho Diretivo dos Compartes dos Baldios de Covas do Barroso says a formal resolution issued by the Ministry of Environment and Energy fails to address complaints lodged over the past month, alleging that developers Savannah Resources carried out vegetation clearance outside the legally permitted period, potentially affecting a variety of wildlife.

“If it is enough for the government simply to invoke ‘strategic interest’ to continue carrying out actions the legality of which is still being assessed by the courts, this sets a deeply worrying precedent for every citizen, every community and every municipality in Portugal,” the community explains in a statement.

Instead of addressing the community’s various allegations, the government relied on ‘broader geopolitical arguments’—including the war in Ukraine, China’s dominance of critical minerals and the European Union’s drive for strategic autonomy—to justify overriding the court suspension won earlier this month.

Geotechnical work at the site in Vila Real district was suspended on June 9 after the Administrative and Fiscal Court of Mirandela accepted an injunction filed by the Assembly of Common Landowners of Covas do Barroso against the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

The injunction challenged a second temporary administrative easement allowing Savannah Resources access to community-owned and private land.

On Monday, Savannah announced that work could resume after the ministry issued a Reasoned Resolution reaffirming that the lithium project is in the public interest.

According to the ministry’s document, the temporary easement covering 24 land parcels is required to fulfil conditions attached to the project’s conditional environmental impact approval granted in 2023 and to enable preparation of the Environmental Compliance Report for the Engineering Project (RECAPE), a key step in the licensing process.

The Barroso community, however, says the government’s justification ignores “an essential fact”.

“Over the past month, several complaints have been submitted concerning the clear breach of one of the Environmental Impact Statement conditions and the Single Environmental Permit, namely vegetation clearance carried out outside the authorised period established to protect birdlife, the Iberian wolf and other protected species,” says a statement.

Residents also say the government has failed to address concerns raised in their legal challenge, including the alleged incorrect inclusion of privately owned land within the administrative easement, the expected impact on traditional pastureland and agricultural meadows, and the occupation of land used for scientific research projects.

The Covas do Barroso common land council says it will continue to oppose what it describes as the imposition of a project with “very significant impacts on the community, the environment and the local way of life” in a region recognised as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System.

Savannah Resources plans to begin construction of the Barroso lithium mine in 2027, with first production targeted for 2028.

The project has become one of Portugal’s highest-profile test cases as the country seeks to develop its lithium reserves to support Europe’s electric vehicle battery supply chain in the face of sustained resistance from local communities and environmental campaigners.

Source material: LUSA