Boticas, Portugal, March 30, 2026 (Lusa) - A homeowner in Covas do Barroso, Boticas, in northern Portugal has lodged a complaint with the National Republican Guard (GNR) following acts of vandalism targeting Savannah Resources, the company leasing the building for workers while planning lithium mining in the region.
Vila Real GNR confirmed on Monday that the owner reported the vandalism at the Boticas GNR post in the north of the district. Perpetrators painted a wall and a gate, which authorities consider an act of vandalism.
Authorities previously received several vandalism complaints targeting the company, which plans to mine lithium in Covas do Barroso. The project received a conditional Environmental Impact Statement in 2023.
Savannah expressed “publicly and unequivocally” its solidarity with the owner of the "Casa do Grilo" on Monday following the incident early on Saturday. The company clarified it does not own the building but uses it for staff accommodation to support the local economy and rehabilitate traditional buildings.
The vandals carried out the attack over the weekend and emailed the media. A video accompanying the email showed three masked people, with one claiming it was a "political act" by an "anti-capitalist group" supporting the local struggle.
Savannah told Lusa that the owner restored the building in 2025.
"Unfortunately, damage to the village heritage represents a significant recovery and rehabilitation cost for the owner," the company said. Savannah added it will provide all necessary support.
The company held one of five public community sessions at the house a month ago.
"Covas do Barroso was once again targeted by a radical anti-capitalist group, which does not represent the local community," the company said. It described the vandalism as an act "alienated from reality" without any protest context as it "exclusively targeted Covas do Barroso heritage".
The company added that "this violence is a direct consequence of a climate of continuous pressure on the community, fuelled by those few who systematically rejected dialogue with the company" and that "these movements choose intimidation methods that do not benefit local people."
In the email sent to the media, the group stated they spray-painted walls, broke the entrance gate, and damaged the security system.
In the video, the alleged perpetrators said they did not advocate violence for its own sake but considered its use legitimate when communities are attacked, when institutions fail to serve the public interest, and when nature is treated as a commodity”.
"This mine will not go ahead, not everything is for sale, and the people are still the ones who rule," they added.
PLI/LYT // AYLS
Lusa
