Quercus opposes kaolin mining project in Peniche

Environmental group Quercus has come out against the "Royal China Clay" mining concession for kaolin and clay extraction in Serra d'El-Rei, Peniche, and asked the Oeste intermunicipal community to formally oppose it. The project covers over 100 hectares for roughly 20 years. Quercus warns of risks to water resources, air quality and biodiversity, citing hundreds of cork oaks and several vulnerable species in the affected area. It has asked environmental authorities to issue an unfavourable impact declaration or suspend the process, and criticised the public consultation period for coinciding with summer holidays.