Despite considering that "the exploitation of lithium is really of environmental interest" and "fundamental for the decarbonization of the country", he assured that whenever there are local environmental interests of the fauna or flora that are more relevant than the exploitation of lithium, "these interests will weigh heavily".

The minister was speaking about a request by an Australian company for the attribution of rights to prospect for mineral deposits of gold, silver, lead, zinc, lithium, tungsten, tin and other associated ferrous and metallic minerals, in the areas of Braga, Barcelos and Vila Verde.

The minister heard the concerns of the Mayor of Braga, Ricardo Rio, and ruled out the idea that only economic interests were being considered.

"Sometimes they are weighing economic interests, but it is not true, we are even weighing environmental interests against environmental interests", he said, in declarations to Lusa.

What results from the exploration of lithium is a quarry. Now, there are 56 feldspar quarries in Portugal that are exactly the same as lithium quarries. So, there's one thing that I find difficult to understand, and that's why people are so concerned about it.

The Braga Councillor for the Environment, Altino Bessa, "considers that the exploitation in question will not respect the principles of sustainable development, in an integrated manner, in the economic, social, urban, cultural, patrimonial, landscape and environmental aspects" that the municipality wishes.

The minister pointed out that of the 12 areas identified in the study, three were excluded because they were located in "sensitive areas or in natural parks or protected areas", so that only nine lots were put out to tender.

From here, he said, " Any exploration activity will have to comply with extraordinarily strict environmental rules and any granting of exploration rights will always be preceded by an environmental impact assessment”.