Portugal’s government is finalizing a strategic plan to explore raw materials critical to the green transition, with a particular focus on copper, which may take precedence over lithium. On Monday, Environment and Energy Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho highlighted Portugal’s wealth of critical raw materials, including copper, essential for electric cars.
Portugal boasts the largest copper mine in the European Union, operated by Toronto-based Lundin Mining. The country also produces lithium for the ceramics industry and is developing large deposits of battery-grade lithium. “We have great potential to explore for copper, we already have a great tradition and we will continue to invest,” Carvalho stated during a conference.
“When looking at critical raw materials, we have to consider lithium, but it is not the only one, nor perhaps the most important,” she added. The strategic plan is set to be presented on July 22. Carvalho noted, “Based on this strategy, we will define the areas of production for the various critical raw materials,” suggesting potential new concessions.
Europe aims to enhance security and reduce dependence on imports from countries like China for materials crucial to the green transition. The previous Portuguese government had planned to auction licenses for lithium prospecting in six regions in the north and center of the country. However, concerns from nature preservation groups and local communities about the environmental and social impact of lithium mining have caused multiple delays since the auction’s initial plan in 2018.
When asked about the new government’s stance on the lithium auction, Carvalho emphasized the need to review the final strategic plan and make decisions based on scientific and technical data.
