Savannah Resources Secures Land Access for Boticas Lithium Project
British mining company Savannah Resources has concluded the administrative easement process for its Minha do Barroso lithium project in Boticas, Portugal. This step grants the company immediate access to land within the C-100 Mining Concession, marking a key milestone for the project’s progression.
Savannah had previously reached agreements to purchase over 100 plots of land in the region but required access to a total of 600 hectares to advance the project. With the administrative easement finalized and formally published in the Diário da República on December 6, more than half of the total compensation has already been paid to landowners. Savannah stated that all interested parties were informed through formal channels.
This development enables the company to resume critical fieldwork and drilling activities, including the second phase of drilling necessary to complete the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) and the environmental compliance process (RECAPE). Savannah reaffirmed its timeline for completing the DFS and securing environmental licensing by the second half of 2025.
In a related announcement, Savannah revealed it has been granted a new concession in the Aldeia mining area adjacent to the C-100 concession. The Aldeia concession spans 2.94 square kilometers and consists of three blocks. Savannah had exercised an option to acquire this claim in June 2019.
The company also welcomed Portugal’s recently announced National Action Plan for Critical Raw Materials, which will introduce measures such as granting “Project of National Interest” status to strategic projects, financial support for the sector, and tenders for lithium prospecting in six new areas. Savannah’s CEO, Emanuel Proença, described these steps as crucial for advancing the lithium battery value chain in Portugal. “With enhanced legal access and supportive national measures, we are moving closer to completing the detailed engineering work and environmental compliance for the project,” Proença said.
Additionally, the company announced ongoing efforts to acquire seven more plots of land and to continue leasing arrangements in the Boticas area. These steps are expected to further solidify Savannah’s presence in the region.
Production at the Boticas mine is scheduled to begin in 2026, reinforcing Portugal’s role in Europe’s energy transition and lithium supply chain.