Visão reported today that the Evaluation Commission of the
Romano Mine validated the mixed exploitation of lithium, noting that "this
is the last opinion of the Environmental Impact Assessment procedure".
However, according to the publication, the location of the
refinery was failed due to the presence of a pack of Iberian wolves.
Contacted by Lusa agency Lusorecursos Portugal Lithium, the
company that wants to explore the lithium mine in Montalegre, district of Vila
Real, confirmed that it was notified about the favourable opinion to the
project that foresees a mixed exploration, in the open and underground, as well
as the complex of mining annexes.
The company source said that "all the elements
contained in the Environmental Impact Study (EIA) have a favourable opinion,
except the location of the mining annex complex, which includes the washing
plant, the administrative buildings and the refinery".
He also said that a solution will be studied to respond to
the concerns raised about this location, noting that the company now has a
period of six months to present this solution, which will be evaluated together
with the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA).
Opposition
The mine is contested locally and on January 21, in
Montalegre, another demonstration was held against mining exploitation to “show
that the fight continues”, highlighting its impacts, namely in terms of water
consumption, and warning that the mine “is incompatible” with Barroso World
Agricultural Heritage, a distinction awarded in 2018.
On the same day, during a visit to the Feira do Fumeiro de
Montalegre, the Minister of Agriculture, Maria do Céu Antunes, said that the
Government will act in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment
procedure for the mine planned for Montalegre.