Ongoing SP Discussion, page-1238

No big deal. We knew this was the case anyway.

The TSJEx revokes the only research permit that the mining company had until nowIn addition, in another ruling he confirms the denial of a second investigation permit. Both resolutions represent little in practice because the project is already being processed with another administrative authorization. The resolution does prevent the company from making new surveys, but in the area where the site is not located

The High Court of Justice of Extremadura (TSJEx) has revoked the only research permit granted so far by the company that promotes the exploitation of a lithium mine in Valdeflores. In addition, in another ruling, the same chamber of the TSJEx has confirmed the denial of a second investigation permit to the company. Both resolutions do not have a practical effect in the administrative phase in which the file is now, since the mining company opened another process with the granting, by the Board, of an exploration permit, which is the procedure from which an authorization can be derived or not for the exploitation of the deposit. The ruling that annuls the investigation permit would prevent the company from making new surveys, but in the area where the deposit is not located, outside the mining grids of Valdeflores.

Of the two sentences, the one that has the greatest relevance is the one that cancels the extension investigation permit of Valdeflores, which was the only one that the Board had granted to the company, but with limitations in terms of conducting surveys. This permit that was given to the company has a lower incidence because it left out the space where the Valdeflores lithium deposit is.

The resolution of the TSJEx revokes a previous judgment of the Contentious Court that had confirmed the permission given by the Board. One of the reasons why the TSJEx changes its criteria regarding the court's consideration is that it would have been "prescriptive for the corresponding environmental assessment to be carried out, regardless of whether or not heavy machinery, explosives is finally used...", as reported this morning by the TSJEx in a statement.

The company even requested another research permit, this was for the space where the site is located and therefore of greater relevance, but the Board had denied its concession. What the TSJEx does is confirm that denial of the research permit called Valdeflores and accepts, among others, the criteria defended by the Association of Neighbors of the Sierra de la Mosca.