Boticas, Vila Real, Portugal, Nov. 27, 2025 (Lusa) - Non-governmental organisations have argued that moving forward with lithium mining in Boticas, in northern Portugal, is "sacrificing rural areas" for "short-term profits," after the European Commission rejected removing the mine from its list of "strategic projects."
The European Commission on Wednesday rejected the request made in June by the Association United in Defence of Covas do Barroso (UDCB), MiningWatch Portugal and ClientEarth to remove the Barroso mine from its list of "strategic projects" under the Critical Raw Materials Regulation (CRMA).
The lithium mine proposed by Savannah Resources Plc for Covas do Barroso, in Boticas, in the Vila Real region of northern Portugal, obtained a favourable Environmental Impact Statement in 2023 and the company plans to start production in 2028.
NGOs and community groups have challenged the Commission's decision, arguing that it "ignores growing evidence that the mine's design poses serious environmental and safety risks" and now speak of a "risk of sacrificing rural regions and fragile ecosystems for short-term profits".
"But instead of addressing the serious environmental and social concerns raised, the Commission has largely dismissed the substantial environmental and social criticisms put forward by the affected communities," the organisations said in a statement sent to the Lusa news agency.
According to them, the European Commission argues that "the main issues, from water scarcity to biodiversity and the safety of tailings pools, are Portugal's responsibility" and considers the mining project “sustainable”, creating, in the NGO's view, "a legal presumption that the project serves the public interest and protects public health and safety, even with all these risks unresolved".
The NGOs also say that the “Commission also refused to examine the social and human rights impacts of the project, even though they could result from potential environmental damage”.
"We are told that this mine is for the good of Europe, but it is we who live here who will pay the price. Our springs, our soil and our farms are what keep this community alive. Once destroyed, they are gone forever. Europe cannot build a green future by destroying places that already live sustainably. Covas do Barroso is not a sacrifice zone, it is our home," said Aida Fernandes of the United in Defence of Covas do Barroso Association, quoted in a statement.
Representing ClientEarth, Ilze Tralmaka believes that "the Commission is wrong to use the Critical Raw Materials Regulation to accelerate projects that science shows to be unsafe, environmentally destructive and unnecessary" and that "the green transition cannot be made at the expense of geographical and community security".
"Independent studies have found that the project's mine waste and water management plans could lead to contamination and catastrophic failures during periods of heavy rainfall, threatening agriculture, local livelihoods and even the famous Douro wine region. In addition, a recent study by expert Douw Steyn identified serious flaws in the air quality assessment of the Barroso mine project," he adds.
MiningWatch Portugal representative Nik Völker said that "this decision shows that the EU is willing to trade rural lives and irreplaceable landscapes for a political title."
"Calling something a “strategic project” does not make it safe or sustainable. The truth is that the Barroso mine offers minimal benefits and enormous risks: a clear example of how not to make an ecological transition," he stresses.
On Wednesday, Savannah Resources said in a statement that it had been invited by the Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy to attend a meeting in Brussels focusing on the current situation in the sector and the future ResourcEU Plan to be presented in December.
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