[ad_1]
The populations of three towns in the municipality of Boticas are concerned that a mining operation forces them to leave their birthplace and their age. Romainho, Muro and Covas are the three villages that form the parish of the pits of Barroso, the region where the mine will be born. In total, about 150 people live here.
In the Vale do Cabrão, 500 meters from the three villages, one of the largest lithium reserves in Europe was discovered. This is why, in this World Heritage Valley by the United Nations, the largest open pit lithium mine ever seen on the European continent.
Lithium is an alternative source of energy for fossil fuels, such as oil or natural gas. Stacks of cell phones, laptops and electric cars are just a few examples of the use of lithium.
For over 20 years, everyone knows that there is lithium under their feet, like quartz and feldspar. And in recent decades, these people in Barroso have had a peaceful coexistence with mining.
What they did not know, is that by 2020, an English multinational, Savannah Resouces, intended to change this landscape forever.
In May, Savannah bought the concession rights for the Barroso mine from another company holding the concession for 20 years. The area covered covers more than 542 hectares, the equivalent of 542 football fields.
The prospecting work has already begun. More than 250 holes were opened, some larger, some in the middle of the valley, others near the houses. One of the holes has a depth of 150 meters, a width of 550 meters and a length of 650 meters
Officials say that they do not know if locals can stay here, but they know that the idea is to install a mine here, which will work 24 hours a day, every day of the year. 39; year.
They know that the rock must be dynamited and for that they will use explosives. The detonations should take place between eight in the morning and eight in the evening. All this 500 meters from the three villages
Villagers fear that the government sees the lithium mine as a project of national interest and that "people will have to sell the land for a year and a half."
Savannah Resources said the mining project would lead to concrete progress and promised to create about 150 direct jobs. An argument that does not convince the inhabitants of the villages.
If the project progresses and it is confirmed that the houses are in the security perimeter, families guarantee that they will leave the village.
[ad_2]
Source link
