Portugal is already the main European product of lithium, but for the time being, its production is used entirely for ceramics and glass utensils and not to manufacture electric batteries.
On Wednesday, under circumstances, the Portuguese Environmental Protection Agency (APA) authorized the opening of the country's first Li -mine, which carries the first reserves in Europe of this decisive metal to manufacture batteries and energy transmission.
The largest Li -Lithium mine in Western Europe?
APA said in a press statement that the British company Savanna's project is resources aimed at extracting lithium near Boutikas, in a rural area in northeastern Portugal, obtained a “positive advertisement for the environment, accompanied by several conditions.” The Barroso Mine Project “has been significantly modified regarding the initial proposal, in order to” protect its environmental aspects (with regard to the protection of waterways, biological diversity or waste management, among other things), “said the agency.
For her part, Savanna welcomed this decision by asserting in a statement that the “first time” is that APA issues a positive advertisement for the environment to the Leach Lythum in Portugal. A “important step” has been taken to become the largest Li -mine in Western Europe. The company added: “This important decision makes it possible to take the next step in the procedure to obtain an environmental license.”
An international call for tenders to exploit lithium in six regions of the country
In addition to the Savana project in Boutikas and the Portuguese Lusorecursos company in the municipality adjacent to Monteligri, the lowest advanced, the Portuguese government launched an international call for lithium exploration in six regions of the country. Portugal is already the main European product of lehium, but for the time being, its production is used entirely for ceramics and glass utensils.
With cobalt or nickel, lithium is one of these basic minerals for the manufacture of electric batteries that will replace the thermal engines of cars that contribute to global warming. In order to reduce its dependence on imports, especially from China, the European Union is preparing to open mines and refineries to treat it.
