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Lithium mining will eradicate local sustainable livelihoods due to the contamination of the region.

  • Writer: Lucy
    Lucy
  • Mar 19, 2021
  • 5 min read

Lucy Small is a British national working as a freelance environmental consultant in Northern Portugal. She is also an active member of the local environmental NGO, Corema - Association for the Defense of the Environment and Local Heritage, currently campaigning against the government's plans for lithium extraction in Portugal.



Lithium Mining in Portugal


In 2017, The Portuguese Government announced proposals for lithium exploration in nine different areas in Northern and Central Portugal. The decision to establish mining activities in these regions is being driven to promote economic stimulus and has recently been included in the “National Economic Resilience and Recovery” plans. However, the local population believe this is a short sighted view that undermines the economic value of existing pristine ecosystems, biodiversity and the sustainable agricultural heritage that has evolved to work in harmony with nature. Protecting and preserving these natural areas would present a wiser approach to ensuring greater national resilience and meeting 2030 sustainability goals.



Mining in these regions present no benefits at all to local communities.


The proposals for extracting lithium, is to be carried out by blasting enormous open cast mines, measuring several hundred meters in diameter and more than one hundred meters in depth. In such a context, it will also be necessary to tear open access routes for the circulation of operating machines and heavy vehicles, which will have a devastating impact to the surrounding landscape. The extraction and refining processes will also generate very severe environmental impacts: noise pollution ("blasting"), air pollution (dust) and contamination of surface and ground water, through the leaching of rocks and waste heaps, containing sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and other highly toxic chemicals. Extraction work will need to use vast amounts of water, which will deprive regional communities and the surrounding environment.


Historic mine cleanup, Valdarca

The inevitable destruction and devaluation of the landscape by mining will compromise the local economy of subsistence farming, livestock rearing and tourism, namely nature tourism and cultural tourism. Not only will these activities be irretrievably compromised, but will also leave a long lasting legacy of destruction (as is evident from historical mining activities), which will eradicate local sustainable livelihoods due to the contamination of the regions' abundant freshwater resources, upon which local subsistence farming communities depend.
It is important to understand that these rural communities are deeply connected to the land and freshwater systems to support their subsistence way of life. Any attempt to divert, consume and contaminate these water resources for mining activities will inevitably lead to conflicts.

Serra d'Arga proposed mining location

Among the list of sites that may be subject to mining, are the Serra d´Arga and the Barroso areas. These constitute portions of the territory that enjoy different protection statutes, such as, Site of Community Importance, Natura 2000 Network and World Agricultural Reserve. For Serra d´Arga, the classification of Protected Landscape of Regional Interest is under consideration. This aspect confirms its environmental and ecological importance, in supporting enormous biodiversity. As an example, it should be noted that these areas are habitats of the Iberian Wolf (Canis lupis signatus) species protected by law, since 1990, and considered a species "In Danger" according to the Red Book of Vertebrates of Portugal. The important natural and cultural heritage that makes these places authentic wildlife sanctuaries and a repository of ancient cultural values ​​and archetypes, form the basis of these classifications that were attributed to them and should remain protected.


Iberian Wolf. Image Credit: Juan José González Vega

Paving the way towards the “Green” economic transition


Mining companies who are pushing for lithium and other mineral extraction in Portugal, have attempted to assure communities that "Green Mining" techniques will be adopted to minimize environmental and human health impacts. However, this is believed to be total greenwashing and completely misleading by the public, who still remember and experience the negative impacts of past mining activities to this day. Local communities are under no illusion by the “Smart and Green” marketing described in glossy brochures, and are very aware of the devastating implications mining has on the environment, communities and livelihoods. There is very little confidence or trust in the authorities that if mining goes ahead there will be any environmental controls put in place, because this would require investment.



Based on recent studies carried out by mining companies during the prospection phase, it is estimated that lithium reserves in Portugal comprise approximately 60 thousand tons of mineral deposits, which are present in hard rock form along with other minerals including tin, wolfram, gold, feldspar and quartz, which would require high operating costs and aggressive extraction methods, causing severe long term damage to these natural areas. By comparison with the largest global lithium reserves, such as Chile and Australia, which produces lithium on a greater scale of magnitude, 9.2 million and 4.7 million tons, respectively. It is perplexing to expect a small country such as Portugal to compete as a predominant and viable source of lithium resources to safeguard Europe´s needs through the “Green” Economic transition.


The main stakeholders involved in lithium mining in Portugal


With the projected demand for electric vehicles in Europe set to grow exponentially over the next 10 years, interest in Portugal´s lithium reserves has been generated by member states to fuel the transition into the “Green” Economy. Savannah Resources, Lusorecursos and the Portuguese Government are the main stakeholders who have a vested interest in establishing the extraction industry in Portugal. The European Union´s endorsement and propensity for mining activities to occur in Portugal has been enabled by the country´s lax environmental laws, weak economy, poor governance, corruption and mismanagement of natural resources that will maximise profits for those in Government.


Since the news was released of Portugal´s mining plans in 2017 by Grupo Lítio and the foreign media, The Portuguese Government has been bypassing public opposition and progressing with the proposed lithium developments, particularly taking advantage of the current Covid-19 pandemic while citizens are in lockdown to pass new mining laws that allow the acquisition of privately owned land for mining interests, curtailing public consultation opportunities and signing agreements with energy companies to establishing supply chains and refinery installations, without open public protest and/or intervention. It is important now to share this story to raise awareness and support from the international community to prevent the loss of nature and livelihoods in the name of “green” energy.


To learn more and get in contact visit:


Twitter: @corema.album


Download the Weblinks document below to learn more about the evolving situation in Portugal.



British mining company Savannah Resources wants to construct the largest lithium mine in Europe and will be the start of the production line of European electric batteries. However, open surface mining can't go ahead without public consultation and agreement from the local population according to European Commissioner for Energy.


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