Savannah Resources restarts mining works after government decision

Savannah Resources, the company that has the lithium concession in Boticas, can resume the work it had interrupted following a legal injunction filed by some landowners.

The resumption of works has been given the green light by the Government which has issued a “reasoned resolution”, in which it argues that the project is in the public interest.

“Savannah Resources is pleased to announce that it can resume fieldwork and the current drilling campaign, effective immediately,” the company says in a statement sent to newsrooms. “This follows the issuance of a reasoned resolution by the Portuguese State,” the company clarifies.

The lithium exploration company states that the text of the resolution states the following argument: “We believe that any postponement of the execution of the administrative act that is in court [the Government order that is challenged by the owners] is more costly and seriously harmful to the public interest, and that its effectiveness must be maintained”.

In early February, a group of owners filed the legal challenge against the Ministry of the Environment, ordering the suspension of an administrative easement, issued by order of this ministry, which allowed Savannah Resources to carry out mining prospecting on private land around the Boticas villages.

Although the legal challenge was filed by three owners, since it suspended the effect of the order that concerned all of the land, it resulted in the total suspension of works.

The court’s decision on the injunction should take at least four months to be issued. Until then, however, given the government’s intervention, work can continue.