Lithium mining news in Portugal

Covas do Barroso: Residents have blocked mine survey work for three days

More than 50 people continue to protest against the survey work for a lithium mine exploration in Covas do Barroso, in the municipality of Boticas.

Protests against the mine in Boticas enter their third day

The third day of protests brings together people from various parts of the country. The demonstration has been ongoing for 8 years, and on October 9, work was interrupted after the GNR identified 27 protesters.

For the third consecutive day, there is a protest against the lithium mine in Boticas

Opposition to the mine has been ongoing for eight years, and on October 9th the association already interrupted the company's work, with the GNR identifying 27 opponents of the lithium mine.

Lithium: Third consecutive day of protests against the mine in Boticas

For the third day in a row, about 50 people have gathered at a drilling site in Covas do Barroso, Boticas, to protest against a planned lithium mine. The local association UDCB claims the blockade has successfully halted Savannah's operations for three days, despite the company's assertions that no work was scheduled. The dispute concerns a project backed by a government-granted administrative easement, which activists argue threatens the local environment, including the Douro river basin. Protest organizers highlight growing national support for the movement, while the company maintains it is following its established operational and licensing timeline.

For the third consecutive day, there is a protest against the mine in Boticas

For the third consecutive day, about 50 people gathered this morning near a Savannah drilling site on common land in Covas do Barroso, Boticas, in protest against the lithium mine that the company wants to explore.

Covas do Barroso maintains David v. Goliath struggle against lithium mining

Opponents of lithium mining in Covas do Barroso, Boticas, are continuing their protest today against exploration work by British based Savannah Resources, to “defend a way of life” and, ultimately, The post Covas do Barroso maintains David v. Goliath struggle against lithium mining appeared first on Portugal Resident.

Protests continue today against mine exploration in Covas do Barroso, Boticas

This morning, around 40 people gathered again at the prospecting site where Savannah's machinery is located.

Opponents of lithium mining in Covas do Barroso repeat blockade of Savannah's work at the Boticas mine

“We don't want a mine at our doorstep,” stressed Nélson Gomes, president of the Association United in Defense of Covas do Barroso (UDCB).

Opponents of lithium extraction in Boticas repeat blockade of Savannah's work

Around 30 people opposing lithium extraction in Covas do Barroso, Boticas, are conducting a new blockade today, October 27, stopping work carried out by Savannah Resources. The protesters formed a human chain in front of exploration machinery, citing concerns over the destruction of forests, the loss of their homes, and the threat to their traditional way of life. The project, which has received conditional environmental approval, continues to face strong resistance from the local community, who argue that the mine poses a severe environmental and social risk.

Opponents of lithium mining in Covas do Barroso repeat blockade of Savannah's work at the Boticas mine

“We do not want a mine at our doorstep,” stressed Nélson Gomes, president of the Association United in Defense of Covas do Barroso (UDCB).

Left-wing parties call for end to lithium prospecting in Barroso after population blocks works: “We have lost all our freedom”

Local residents oppose exploration on private and common land, but a second administrative easement allowed work to begin. Parties denounce “reports of intimidation and coercion of the population” in a project that the European Union recognized as strategic in 2025. The company rejects the accusations of surveillance.

Lithium: Opponents of the mine blockade operations in Boticas today

Around 30 local residents gathered this morning to prevent Savannah Resources from continuing its work.

Community “abandoned by government” steps up resistance to lithium mining

The group of villagers fighting a lithium project tooth-and-nail in northern Portugal has mounted a blockade today, to stop British company Savannah Resources carrying out work on ‘common land’ – The post Community “abandoned by government” steps up resistance to lithium mining appeared first on Portugal Resident.

Opponents of lithium mine block work in Boticas

Opponents of the mine in Covas do Barroso, Boticas, are blocking work by the company Savannah on land under administrative easement in protest against what they claim is the imposition of the project.

Unidos em Defesa de Covas do Barroso Association blocks lithium mine in Boticas

“The blockade aims to completely interrupt work in one of the areas subject to administrative easement and is the result of a community decision on the need to escalate resistance to the Barroso Mine project,” the association states in a press release.

Savannah Resource close to second offtake deal for Portugal lithium project

Mining.com7 Oct

Portugal Live from 02 Oct 2026

A live broadcast covering news and events in Portugal on October 2, 2026.

Savannah closes historic 31 million euro capital increase

Savannah Resources, the company behind the Barroso lithium project, announced the completion of a 31.3 million euro capital increase. This record-breaking funding round, supported by major shareholders including Pluris Investments (Mário Ferreira), Telmory (Avelino da Mota Gaspar), and Optimize Investment Partners (Pedro Lino), aims to accelerate the project's development. The funds will support environmental compliance reporting, engineering, equipment procurement, and preparations for construction, which is slated to begin in the first half of 2027. The company also plans to hire 40 new staff and explore a potential dual listing to broaden its investor base.

Before the mine opens, injustice has already arrived in Barroso, European study shows

Researchers from the Centre for Social Studies combine the lithium case in Covas do Barroso with five other case studies in Europe to propose a new concept: that of 'prospective environmental justice'.

Land deals with lithium miner “not sign of support, or consent”

Further to the Resident’s story of yesterday, the board of the Covas do Barroso Parish common land trust, in northern Portugal, has issued a statement insisting that the agreements between The post Land deals with lithium miner “not sign of support, or consent” appeared first on Portugal Resident.

Savannah strengthens agreements with local communities for Barroso lithium project

Savannah, the company planning to mine lithium in Boticas, has announced the strengthening of cooperation agreements with local common land communities (baldios). These agreements secure land access while ensuring community participation in decision-making and benefit-sharing. The company, which aims to begin construction of the Barroso mine in 2027, has signed deals with several villages and regional bodies, including provisions for local reinvestment, inflation-indexed compensation, and the management of a foundation dedicated to regional development. The project remains controversial, facing opposition from residents, local officials, and environmentalists.

Savannah strengthens cooperation with common lands in Boticas and Ribeira de Pena

Savannah, the company seeking to mine lithium in Boticas, has strengthened its cooperation with local common land communities, ensuring access to the land and enabling participation in decisions and benefits, it was announced this Wednesday. 'These agreements say a lot about how we want to develop this project. It is not just about ensuring access...'

Lithium exploration plans for four open-pit mines

The Barroso Mine is expected to begin lithium extraction from 2028 in the municipality of Boticas, Vila Real district. Where will the Portuguese lithium go, who will profit from the multi-million deal, and what are the risks to the environment and health?

Savannah completes definitive feasibility study for contested lithium mine

British-based company Savannah Resources has completed the Definitive Feasibility Study for the lithium mine at Boticas, confirming an initial mine life of 14 years and a probable ore reserve of The post Savannah completes definitive feasibility study for contested lithium mine appeared first on Portugal Resident.

Savannah concludes feasibility study for the Barroso lithium project

Savannah Resources has completed the definitive feasibility study for the Barroso lithium project, a step that allows the company to move to the financing phase and prepare for the start of construction of the mine and the remaining planned infrastructure. 'We are very pleased to publish the main results of the first phase of the definitive feasibility study...'

Lithium: Savannah may resume work in Boticas after 20-day suspension

Savannah Resources is set to resume work at the Barroso lithium mine in Boticas following a 20-day suspension caused by a court injunction. The Ministry of Environment issued a 'Reasoned Resolution' reaffirming the project's public interest, allowing geotechnical surveys to restart. The project, deemed strategic by the European Commission, aims to boost local economic development and support the European battery value chain, with construction planned for 2027 and production for 2028.

Barroso lithium exploration may resume after 20-day suspension

Savannah “plans to return to work on the ground in the coming days.” Work was suspended following an injunction filed by the Assembly of Commoners of Baldios de Covas do Barroso.

Lithium: Savannah may resume work in Boticas after 20-day suspension

Savannah Resources may resume work on the Barroso lithium mine project in Boticas, which was suspended following an injunction, after the Ministry of Environment submitted a Reasoned Resolution reaffirming the project's public interest. Savannah announced in a statement that, following the Ministry's submission of the Reasoned Resolution, it plans to return to...

Lithium: Savannah may resume work in Boticas

Savannah announced this Monday that, following the presentation of a Reasoned Resolution by the Ministry, it plans to “return to work on the ground in the coming days.”