Some news (brand new) from Portugal... Good to know that we...

Some news (brand new) from Portugal...

Good to know that we (with Grupo Mota) already have a licence for lithium: (baldman's link)

https://hotcopper.com.au/threads/an...and-cashflow.4731952/page-84?post_id=38313526

Newspaper article translated with Google:

https://www.dn.pt/lusa/interior/gov...ursos-para-exploracao-de-litio--10847835.html

Government launches eight new contests for lithium exploitation by the end of the year

Brussels, April 30, 2019 (Lusa) - The Government will launch, by the end of the year, eight new competitions for the exploitation of lithium in Portugal, guaranteeing that such operations do not put in question the health of the populations of those zones or the environment.

Lusa
30 April 2019 - 13:20

"We launched a strategy for lithium last year and we will launch exploration and research contests for eight lithium reserves, in addition to those being explored," Economy Minister Pedro Siza Vieira said.
The official, speaking to journalists in Brussels, at the entrance to a meeting of the European Alliance for Batteries, said that these new calls for tenders concern "all areas that are already identified as having lithium reserves and should be launched during the current year".

According to the official, "all these concessions will have to scrupulously respect the rules of environmental impact and the mitigation and mitigation measures that may be approved."

World demand for lithium, used in the production of car batteries and plates used in the manufacture of household appliances, is increasing and Portugal is recognized as one of the countries with sufficient reserves for economically viable commercial exploitation.

However, some populations have been demonstrating against the impacts of such farms, particularly in the north of the country.

Pedro Siza Vieira dismissed motives for concern.

"It is important that people also participate in the process, but what we have to have as security is that there is no disrespect in Europe and particularly in Portugal for the health conditions of the populations and for the environment," he said.

The official added that "natural heritage is one of the most important capitals that the country has and therefore the use of mineral resources should always safeguard respect for the environment."
Among the Government's objectives is, in addition to the extraction, the "creation of conditions for the refining and processing" of lithium, said the Minister of Economy.

Pedro Siza Vieira is in Brussels to attend a meeting of the European Alliance for Batteries, a project aimed at reducing the European Union's (EU) dependence on other markets in this sector, making it autonomous and a leader in this type of production.

According to the official, Portugal's contribution to this European project, which brings together the European Commission, the Member States and the private sector, is reflected in the "very advanced Portuguese research and engineering capacity in these matters".

In addition, Portugal "is the largest European producer of lithium, which is one of the important materials for the manufacture of batteries, particularly for electric cars," he said.

"As a major producer and with untapped reserves, [the country] will seek to ensure that, in addition to using our lithium reserves better, we are able to have refinery and lithium can be used directly in the production of batteries, "he concluded.