Savannah Resources PLC (LON:SAV) told investors it has submitted the environmental impact assessment and associated mine plan documents for the proposed Mina do Barroso lithium mining project in Portugal.
The submitting of the documentation to the Portuguese Environmental Agency marks a major milestone for the project and for Savannah, representing the culmination of eighteen months’ of work, the company noted in a statement.
"We are pleased that the EIA presents a comprehensive body of fact-based evidence which shows that Mina do Barroso can be a 'low impact' project, minimising disturbance to both the natural environment and local communities while also maximising the very significant socio-economic benefits the Project can bring to the local area and Portugal as a whole,” David Archer, Savannah chief executive said.
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"We are committed to developing and operating Mina do Barroso in a responsible and sustainable way so that the lithium from the Project enters the battery supply chain with a minimal carbon footprint and so maximising the long term environmental benefits the metal can bring in the fight against climate change," Archer added.
"We are pleased that the EIA presents a comprehensive body of fact based evidence which shows that Mina do Barroso can be a 'low impact' project, minimising disturbance to both the natural environment and local communities while also maximising the very significant socio-economic benefits the project can bring to the local area and Portugal as a whole.
"We are committed to developing and operating Mina do Barroso in a responsible and sustainable way so that the lithium from the project enters the battery supply chain with a minimal carbon footprint and so maximising the long term environmental benefits the metal can bring in the fight against climate change,” he said.
Savannah will now continue its work to advance a definitive feasibility study, whilst it remains available to answer queries from the Portuguese authorities, which is the next step in the environmental permitting process.
The group's team will also focus on the preparation of presentations and documentation to be used in upcoming community engagement and work with local stakeholders.
Commenting on the possibility for impact from coronavirus, Archer added: “While virus-related challenges still have the potential to cause further delays to the execution of our strategy for the project, Savannah expects to make further progress with key Project related work programmes during 2020 and I look forward to providing our shareholders with further updates as appropriate."