Portugal next year could approve lithium mining that will reduce Europe’s dependence on outside sources for a key ingredient in the frenetic global race to decarbonise the auto industry.
Portugal’s environment regulator will deliver its verdict on the approval of a major new lithium mine in the north of the country in early 2022.
Costing an estimated €700 million, the facility would process enough ore to produce batteries for around 700,000 electric vehicles per year by 2026.