Notícias

Estamos prontos para lutar pela nossa casa. Se as máquinas vierem construir a mina, impediremos. Porque isso seria a destruição da região. E quem nos defenderá se não fizermos sozinhos? Nelson Gomes O secretário de Estado de Energia de Portugal, João Galamba, imaginou que a visita fosse diferente. Quando ele chegou à vila de Covas em novembro passado para apresentar os planos do governo para uma mina de lítio, os cidadãos cumprimentaram-no com cânticos e faixas. Dezenas cercaram o seu carro da empresa, gritando: “Sim à vida, não à mina!”. Artigo completo em Alemão por Von Jochen Faget

Throughout Portugal, people are organizing to stop a boom in lithium mining, as the government rushes to become Europe’s top supplier of the valuable mineral. Marina Martinez The global transition to renewable energy and electric vehicles — technologies that are currently powered by lithium-ion batteries — is creating a high demand for lithium, popularly known as white gold, among other minerals. In Portugal, where some of the largest reserves of lithium in Europe are located, the government recently launched a strategy to increase mining and supply of the mineral for this emerging market. However, residents and organizations throughout the country are questioning the impacts... Read More

A exploração do lítio em Montalegre não é economicamente viável. Porquê tanto interesse empresarial e tanto empenho do Governo? O que está, de facto, em jogo, nesta questão? É o que vou tentar explicar. Francisco Gouveia Engº

Environmental NGO Quercus is urging the newly-inaugurated Portuguese government to rethink its strategy for lithium exploration in order to avoid an environmental disaster. With the whole lithium debate high in the public eye – particularly over allegations of insider ‘dirty dealing’ – Quercus has stressed the importance of listening to “legitimate concerns” of populations, councils and environmental associations. “If NGOs, mayors, councillors and people are against, I believe the government will reconsider”, Quercus’ Paulo do Carmo told Lusa. “This is not about just digging our heels in for the sake of it. We’re hoping the decision of the secretary of state... Read More

The government is pro lithium mining while an environmental group is against, however both are citing carbon neutrality as the reason behind their stance. A study by the environmental association QUERCUS states that if the government moves ahead with its lithium exploration campaign, Portugal “will not be able to comply with carbon neutrality”. Samuel Infante of QUERCUS said that the report on the impact of CO2 emissions from lithium mining in Portugal, which was presented on 26 August, points out that if the government moves forward with the lithium exploration campaign, “Portugal will not be able to meet carbon neutrality.”... Read More