"Social warfare for lithium extraction? Open-pit lithium mining, counterinsurgency tactics and enforcing green extractivism in northern Portugal", January 2023

The article "Social warfare for lithium extraction? Open-pit lithium mining, counterinsurgency tactics and enforcing green extractivism in northern Portugal" written by Alexander Dunlap and Mariana Riquito examines the socio-ecological implications of lithium mining in the Barroso region of Portugal, particularly focusing on the tactics used by the movements opposing the project, as well as by the company and the government to manage dissent . The key findings include:

1. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA): The article highlights significant delays in the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Savannah project, suggesting that these delays may be tactics employed by the Portuguese government to manage public dissent.
2. Land rights issues: According to the article, Savannah has used the land registration process to inflate the size of the land supposedly belonging to those selling to them, encroaching onto the Baldios in the process.
3. Access to Information: The Portuguese Environmental Agency (APA) is under investigation for its refusal to disclose information related to mining projects. This adds to issues such as at least one of the meetings held with community members not being carried out in portuguese.
4. Community Resistance: The article documents a strong resistance from local populations against mining activities, driven by fears of socio-ecological degradation. Interviews reveal that many residents feel disregarded in voicing their opposition. For instance, the company openly told the community that they would move ahead with the project irrespective of their views and preferences.
5. Collusion and Political Pressure: There are indications of collusion between municipal authorities and mining companies, particularly in the Montalegre region. Local activists express concerns that the political landscape, shaped by a history silence and dependency, where individuals are reluctant to oppose mining projects due to fears of losing their jobs or facing retaliation.
6. Socio-Ecological Violence: The article argues that the current vision of environmentalism promoted by the European Commission and supported by public and private sectors exacerbates socio-ecological violence. The prioritization of lithium extraction for green technologies often overlooks the rights and voices of affected communities, leading to a form of extractivism that undermines local autonomy and well-being.