PORTUGAL Law and Practice Contributed by: Manuel Protásio and Catarina Coimbra, VdA
2.9 Good and Bad Examples of Community Relations/Consultation Impacting Mining Projects The Neves-Corvo polymetallic mine developed by Sociedade Mineira de Neves-Corvo, SA, or Somicor, and located in the Iberian Pyrite Belt in the Baixo Alentejo region in the south of Por - tugal, is a good example of environmental and community relations around mining projects in Portugal. Neves-Corvo is one of the EU largest under - ground copper and zinc mines, and started operating in 1988. It directly employs around 2,000 workers, and therefore has a significant impact on the social and economic development of the region. It is located in the Natura 2000 area within the Special Protected Areas (SPA) of Cas - tro Verde and the Guadiana Site of Community Interest (SCI). There is also a Protection Area for Wild Birds and several Habitats, according to the Habitats Directive No 92/43/CEE. The mining project has been subject to EIA, and was approved with constraints due to the Nature Conservation Area. The mining company has met and gone far beyond all of its obligations. It has created mul - tiple programmes and enhanced its corporate social responsibility drive by initiating actions to support local communities. The government is backing this initiative by permitting a share of the royalties that the company is required to pay to the state to be used for regional develop - ment activities. These efforts aim to improve the quality of life for local communities, boost public awareness, and foster acceptance and trust in the mining sector. The recent surge in lithium exploration, with numerous mining projects underway, has
sparked opposition from local communities, with resistance primarily attributable to the projects involving open-cast mining (requiring the remov - al of large quantities of earth to access valuable minerals), which could trigger significant envi - ronmental damage. Open-cast mining has often met with opposition from local communities, with residents living close to mining sites frequently expressing concerns over the deterioration in their living conditions, a loss of biodiversity, and the potential health risks associated with air and water pollution. Dust and noise pollution from mining operations have also been flagged by the local populations as factors that will also nega - tively impact their quality of life. The new Barroso Mine, developed by Savan - nah Resources, has come up against subject to significant criticism from local populations. Although APA gave its preliminary approval for the environmental impact assessment of the Barroso mine project at the end of May 2023, many residents think the mine should not be built, and have founded Unidos em Defesa de Covas do Barroso (UDCB), an association organising demonstrations, assemblies, protest camps, and legal action.
3. Climate Change, Energy Transition and Sustainable Development in Mining 3.1 Climate Change Effects
Climate change legislation in Portugal is affect - ing the mining industry by driving the integration of renewable energy sources, adoption of clean - er technologies, and compliance with stringent environmental regulations. Financially, these reg - ulations incur additional costs, but also attract investment for companies prioritising Environ - mental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria.
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