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Savannah could ask for mandatory land acquisitions for Portuguese lithium project

Londonbased Savannah If necessary ask Portugal's federal government, Resources will to authorise obligatory land acquisitions for its prepared lithium mines in the nation's north, CEO Emanuel Proenca said, including that it chooses friendly deals.

The business requires around 840 hectares for its four-mine task in the Barroso area, however according to data from September 2023, it had actually acquired or remained in procedure of obtaining simply 93 hectares.

Savannah has dealt with strong opposition to the task from local homeowners and environmentalists, via protests, legal challenges or merely by rejections to offer land. Personal owners hold around 24% of the land needed, while 75% is standard baldios, or typical land.

Proenca informed a financier presentation on Wednesday that Savannah has actually so far obtained over 100 plots, though it is not clear how many hectares that represents.

The CEO said Portuguese legislation enabled other solutions in regards to land access and obligatory land acquisition.

We are undoubtedly aware of those solutions and there will eventually be a moment in which we will turn to them ... that moment hasn't come yet so we continue to benefit friendly acquisitions and friendly deals, Proenca stated, adding that the relationship with the regional community was improving.

The business wants to start production in 2026, drawing out enough lithium each year for around half a million batteries used in electrical lorries.

The government could authorise a mandatory purchase in the public interest.

With 60,000 metric tons of known reserves, Portugal is already Europe's most significant producer of lithium for the ceramics market. The area of Barroso - a Food and Agriculture Company heritage website - includes among its wealthiest deposits of lithium.

Proenca said the land the business required was mostly commercial evergreen forest, including: We are not impacting a. single home, we do not have to relocate a bachelor.

In February, district attorneys asked a judge to annul an. environmental license for the project, alleging legal. violations and citing threats that the mine could endanger the. heritage website.

Savannah at the time mentioned recommendations from its legal representatives that the. claim lacks foundation and expected no impact on its. activities.

(source: Reuters)