Court order halts geotechnical works at Barroso lithium mine

Savannah Resources said it was notified by the Administrative and Fiscal Court of Mirandela of a temporary suspension of geotechnical works at the Barroso Lithium Project, following an injunction filed in court. The company said the order, delivered on 9 May 2026, only takes effect from that date, and argued this shows an earlier blockade by opponents was illegal. Savannah blamed the Covas do Barroso commons board and UDCB for what it called a third attempt to delay the project through injunctions, echoing the environment minister's view that such legal challenges, not licensing, are the real obstacle. It plans to resume work once authorised.