Savannah Resources restarts work in lithium mine project in Boticas

Savannah Resources, the company that holds the lithium concession at the Barroso mine in Boticas, can resume the work it had interrupted following an injunction filed by some landowners in the region. The resumption is permitted by the government, which issued a reasoned resolution arguing that the project is in the public interest.

“Savannah Resources is pleased to announce that it can resume field work and the current drilling campaign with immediate effect”, the company said in a statement sent to the press. “This follows the issuing of a reasoned resolution by the Portuguese State”, it adds.

The lithium exploration company claims that the text of the resolution reads as follows: “We believe that any postponement of the execution of the administrative act that is before the court [the government order that is being challenged by the owners] is more costly and seriously damaging to the public interest, and that its effectiveness should be maintained.”

At the beginning of February, a group of landowners filed an injunction against the Ministry of the Environment, calling for the suspension of the administrative easement, issued by order of this ministry, which allowed Savannah Resources to carry out mining prospecting on private land in the villages of Boticas. Although the injunction was brought by three landowners, since it suspended the effect of the order that concerned all the land, it has so far led to the total suspension of the work.

According to the lawyers consulted by ECO/Capital Verde, the court’s decision on the injunction should take at least four months. Until then, however, with this Government initiative, work can continue.