Portugal’s government announced plans to launch a long-awaited tender for lithium prospecting licenses in 2025 as part of its efforts to position the country as a leading European supplier of critical metals for the green transition. The international tender will target six areas in the northern and central regions of the country. This initiative follows several delays, initially set for 2018, due to environmental and social concerns about lithium mining.
Environment Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho emphasized the importance of the tender for reducing Europe’s reliance on critical material imports, particularly from China, which currently dominates the global lithium supply chain. “Our intention is to move forward with the tender in 2025,” Carvalho said, noting that the government plans to expedite licensing processes for projects, though it will be stringent in assessing environmental impacts.
Portugal, with known lithium reserves of about 60,000 tonnes, is Europe’s largest producer of the metal, but its mining activities have primarily served the ceramics industry. The country is now making strides to produce higher-grade lithium for electric vehicle batteries. Initial environmental approvals for extraction at two major sites—Barroso and Montalegre mines—have been granted, with production expected to begin in 2027.
The global lithium market has faced challenges, with prices falling more than 45% this year due to overproduction in China and a slowdown in electric vehicle demand. Despite these obstacles, the Portuguese government remains committed to advancing its domestic critical mineral industry, with additional plans for copper and gold prospecting tenders in 2025.
