Once again... So glad that LPD is operating in a licenced already producing open-pit mine...
I guess there won't be any prostests then...
Source translated with Google:
https://zap.aeiou.pt/governo-lucros-litio-camaras-254854Government to share lithium profits with ChambersPer
ZAP -
4 May, 2019
Prospecting of lithium in Montalegre
The Government is committed to encouraging the mining of lithium in Portugal and as an incentive to the regions where the activity will be carried out, promises to share the profits of the "business" with the City Councils.The idea is confirmed to the
Public by the Secretary of State for Energy, João Galamba, who points out that "the sharing of
royalties with municipalities is a way to compensate them for the fact
that they are suffering the direct impacts of mining activity."
The measure is set out in an order signed at the end of April and which reinforces the
environmental protection guidelines to be followed by lithium-based exploration companies, both in the applications submitted for the tender and in the applications for exploration and research which will be examined by the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG).
Companies that dedicate themselves to the activity have to deliver a percentage of their profits to the State. Galamba points out that the objective is to divide the share of public profits with the local authorities.
The measure will also aim to respond to possible
local protests against the exploitation of lithium, which has already occurred in the municipalities of Monção, Melgaço and Arcos de Valdevez, in the district of Viana do Castelo, where the populations organized against the prospection in the area of Fojo, which was to be carried out by the Australian company Fortescue.
Australians quit lithium in Alto MinhoFortescue announced, however, that it has withdrawn its prospecting request. In the document, dated 30 April, sent to the DGEG's mines division, counsel Joana Silva Aroso "requests the immediate withdrawal of all geospatial information relating to that request," as Lusa said.
In issue is an application for the attribution of rights to prospect and search for mineral deposits in the area called Fojo.
The municipalities of the three municipalities covered by that request filed a
"joint challenge"with the DGEG, demanding the rejection of the same. A
civic movement called "In Defense of the Mountains of Peneda and Soajo" was also created, which is scheduled to protest on 12 May.
Created in social networks, the civic movement made available a model of complaint to the DGEG and also launched a
public petition , signed by more than 9,300 people, which states that the area covered by the application for prospection "is part of the National Park Protection Zone Peneda Gerês (PNPG), Natura 2000 Network, National Ecological Reserve (REN) and National Agricultural Reserve (RAN). "
"This is the biggest threat ever to the integrity of the Serra da Peneda and Soajo," said the movement, considering that "
the consequences will be devastating " and that "it will be a true ecological attack."
At the end of April, the Minister of Economy, Pedro Siza Vieira, announced that the Government will launch, by the end of the year,
eight new tenders for lithium exploitation in Portugal, ensuring that such operations do not jeopardize the health of the populations of those areas , nor the environment.
The worldwide demand for lithium, used in the production of automotive batteries and boards used in the manufacture of household appliances, is increasing and Portugal is recognized as
one of the world's potential in this sector.
ZAP // Lusa
(20min delay)