Latest actions by Camara de Boticas to combat the Barroso lithium mine

The mayor of Boticas said this Wednesday that the municipality is finalizing its challenge to the continuity of operation of the Barroso mine, which is included in the investigation that led to the resignation of the prime minister.

“This is undoubtedly an excellent argument for abandoning the project,” Social Democrat Fernando Queiroga told Lusa, citing an investigation published on Tuesday.

The mayor said the municipality is finalizing a lawsuit that will be filed in court within about 15 days and aims to stop the development of the Barroso mine, which received a favorable Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA) on May 31. albeit subject to the implementation of compensation and mitigation measures.

The investigation targets lithium exploration concessions in the Romano (Montalegre) and Barroso (Boticas) mines, the Sines hydrogen energy plant project and the “data center” project developed in the Sines industrial and logistics zone by Start Campus. .

The Barroso mine became the first lithium project in Portugal to receive favorable approval from the DIA. The project, developed by Savannah, involves open-pit exploration, has a 17-year duration, a planned concession area of ​​593 hectares, and is contested by local and environmental associations, as well as the Câmara de Boticas.

“This only gives us more strength to continue our work, and if the company continues this process, since it has already issued a statement that it will continue, we will also continue our process,” he said.

Fernando Queiroga recalled that the precautionary measure was also proposed by the Parish Council. In February 2022, the Junta de Covas do Barroso filed a lawsuit in the Administrative and Financial Court against the Portuguese state and the Ministry of Economy over lithium exploration at the Barroso mine. Savannah Resources, meanwhile, said it is acting as a counter-interest in the process through its Portuguese subsidiary Savannah Lithium.

Regarding the investigation, the mayor said he knew nothing and stated that “no member of any government body or intermediate body” ever “attempted to seduce him or lead him to a different decision” than the one he had always been forced to resist. mining project. “I fully support this investigation. Now one thing is for sure: this process gives us more strength, more arguments in favor of what we have always presented throughout this process and, as we have always said, was poorly carried out,” he confirmed.

The mayor pointed out “the cruelty of the territory granted by the Directorate General of Energy and Geology (DGEG) without prior consultation with the municipality, council or other authorities.”

“We found it strange that from 70 hectares more than 500 hectares were allocated without prior consultation with the municipality of Boticas,” he explained. On Tuesday, the prime minister asked the president of the republic to resign, which he accepted after the ministry said he was the subject of an independent Supreme Court investigation into the lithium and hydrogen projects.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has convened the parties for a round of hearings at the Belem Palace in Lisbon this Wednesday and will meet with the Council of State on Thursday.

Fernando Queiroga, who is also president of the Vila Real district of the PSD, expressed the hope that “Mr. President of the Republic thinks and thinks well,” that he “sees what is best for the country,” and believes that there are “new faces.” and new credible projects” that can move “the country forward,” meaning the Social Democrats. The mayor spoke in favor of holding early elections.