en.Wedoany.com Reported - Savannah Resources, listed on the London Stock Exchange, has resumed work at its Barroso lithium project in northern Portugal after the Portuguese government deemed the project of national and European strategic importance and lifted a three-week suspension caused by a court injunction.

The Barroso deposit contains spodumene, with resources exceeding 39 million metric tons, making it the largest lithium deposit in Europe. Potential extension resources range from 35 million to 62 million metric tons, which could bring total resources to over 100 million metric tons and extend the mine's expected life to more than 50 years.

The project has faced public opposition and legal challenges for nearly a decade. On June 9, the Administrative and Fiscal Court of Mirandela granted a preventive injunction, leading to a work suspension. The injunction was filed by the Barroso Public Landholders' Assembly following the granting of a second administrative easement. In its response to the court, the government stated that the suspension could seriously harm public interests, delay a strategically important project, and jeopardize the energy transition.

Savannah Resources said it would resume site work and complete it as planned after the suspension was lifted on Monday. There is no statutory right of appeal against the lifting of the injunction, but opponents may take further action. A final investment decision is expected by the end of the year, with construction planned for 2027 and first production in 2028.