On Tuesday, the European Commission included lithium exploration projects in Boticas and Montalegre among the first set of strategic projects under the European Critical Raw Materials Act.
“The subject of rare metals is important, and the European Commission essentially called on countries to invest in this area,” Pimenta Machado stated.
Portugal holds the largest lithium reserves in Europe and ranks eighth globally. Lithium is essential for manufacturing batteries used in electric vehicles.
The two projects, located at the Barroso mine in Boticas and the Romano mine in Montalegre, both in the Vila Real district, are facing opposition from locals, municipal leaders, and environmentalists.
Non-governmental organizations and community associations have announced plans to request that Brussels reconsider the decision.
The president of APA emphasized the need to better inform the public.
“It is a path we must take, always respecting environmental rules, which will always be the priority, and, obviously, always with significant coordination with the communities where these projects are located,” Pimenta Machado assured.
“Above all, what is crucial is to inform the population and instill confidence in the decisions,” the official added.
Both mining projects received approval from APA with a favorable Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), albeit with conditions, in 2023.
APA “has a fundamental role. We are, after all, the guarantor that these projects comply with environmental concerns,” admitted Pimenta Machado.
“Let it be very clear, we will be extremely rigorous in respecting environmental rules. It is our responsibility, and we will exercise it to the highest level,” promised the official.
On February 28, the parliament approved a recommendation for the urgent formation of committees to monitor mining projects, as stipulated in the EIS.
The decision followed a statement by the CEO of Savannah Resources, Emanuel Proença, confirming the resumption of lithium prospecting in Boticas after a temporary court order had halted operations for 15 days.
Pimenta Machado downplayed the opposition to lithium exploration, noting that responding to community concerns about these projects is a path being taken similarly in other solar and hydroelectric energy projects.
The APA president spoke on the sidelines of the Macau Environmental Cooperation Forum and Exhibition 2025, which started today and runs until Saturday in the Chinese semi-autonomous region.
