Villagers in Portugal express anger towards the Barroso lithium mine project

A remote village in the mountains of Portugal is in a battle against plans for a lithium mine on its doorstep. The proposed mine would extract lithium for electric car batteries and is considered vital for Europe's transition to green energy. However, the villagers argue that it is not worth sacrificing their way of life. The village of Covas do Barroso, known for its lush, untouched landscape and farming traditions, would have four opencast pits bordering it if the mine is built. The majority of the mine's lithium deposits are located on common land owned by the community. The villagers, led by Aida Fernandes, president of the common land association, have rejected the financial offer from mining company Savannah Resources to lease the land. The European Union is eager to reduce its dependence on foreign mines for raw materials needed for green energy, including lithium. The Barroso mine, upon completion, could be one of the first large-scale mines to supply battery-grade lithium within Europe. Although the mine has received conditional approval from Portugal's Environment Agency, opposition remains strong. Aida insists that the changes made by Savannah Resources are not enough to address their concerns for the environment and their community, and they will continue to fight against the mine. If an agreement cannot be reached, the Portuguese government may resort to expropriating the land. The mining company also aims to purchase private land from individuals like Maria Loureiro, a local farmer who is against selling her land and losing access to common pasture. Mayor Fernando Queiroga of the municipality of Boticas, which includes the village, believes that even if people are compensated, they will not return to agriculture, causing a long-term negative impact. The local municipality is currently preparing a legal challenge to the project's conditional approval. Dale Ferguson, the interim CEO of Savannah Resources, acknowledges that there will always be some level of impact but emphasizes the mine's importance for Europe's energy transition. He respects everyone's opinions and believes that the courts will make the ultimate decisions. Portugal's Secretary of State for Energy and Climate, Ana Fontoura Gouveia, supports the Barroso mine and views it as a test case for responsible mining in Europe. The outcome of the case could have implications for future mining projects across the continent as Europe seeks to secure the raw materials necessary for green transportation and energy.