Portugal approves largest lithium mine in Europe
Environmental protests and concerns about environmental impacts accompany approval

Portugal has been given the green light to build Europe's largest lithium mine, which will supply lithium for 500,000 electric cars per year. The country's environmental authority has confirmed the project's environmental compatibility, but with conditions. The open pit mine is to be built in the Covas do Barroso region and is controversial because it will change the landscape and have an impact on the environment. British mining company Savannah Resources has applied for the license to mine and sees the decision as an important step towards playing a significant role in the lithium battery value chain and the European energy transition.
Lithium is a key component of batteries for electric vehicles and plays a critical role in the implementation of a sustainable and carbon-neutral future. The deposits in northern Portugal are significant, with an estimated 27 million tons of lithium-bearing rock. Savannah plans to mine lithium for half a million car batteries annually. However, extracting the metal requires the use of highly toxic chemicals and large amounts of energy and water.
The environmental agency's requirements include reforestation of the region and a ban on drawing water from the nearby Covas River. The mining company must also build a new access road and compensate the affected communities financially. Local citizens' groups and environmental organizations oppose the project and express concerns about the impact on people's health and the region's ecosystems.
The socialist government of Portugal supports the lithium project because it promises investment and jobs in an economically depressed region. Nevertheless, the decision is seen by critics as disastrous for the environment and a violation of the will of the people. The region was only recently declared a World Agricultural Heritage Site and is now to be completely transformed. Critics demand that lithium mining should take place in more suitable locations, as the mines are too close to the villages.
Despite the environmental authority's approval, there is still resistance to the lithium project. A local citizens' group is calling for a protest camp to defend the Covas do Barroso region. The debate over the exploitation of lithium and the associated environmental impacts is expected to remain intense.
The extraction of lithium for the expansion of electric mobility is a sensitive issue that requires careful balancing of environmental protection, socio-economic interests and the requirements of the energy transition. Decisions made regarding lithium mining will have an impact on the environment, the local population and sustainable development. A transparent and comprehensive assessment of all aspects is crucial to ensure responsible management of this important resource.
