(Alliance News) - Savannah Resources PLC on Thursday said it completed meetings with Portugal's environment watchdog over its Barroso lithium's project envrionmental impact assessment, and that it is on track to deliver an updated project report for March 17.
The Europe-focused lithium development company said the EIA was being conducted by Agencia Portugesa do Ambiente.
Savannah has now conducted a series of meetings with APA and other authorities. Based on this feedback, it said its team is now finalising the revised project engaging with local stakeholders about the planned changes.
The planned changes are focused on the management of water resources, optimisation of project-related infrastructure, ecology, socio-economic considerations and landscape impacts, it said.
Savannah said it remains on track to deliver the updated project and environmental report before the deadline of March 17, after which APA and the assessment committee will have 50 business days to evaluate the revised EIA and make their decision.
Chief Executive Officer Dale Ferguson said: "Ahead of the submission, the Article 16 process allows us to discuss the revised project with stakeholders. As part of our ongoing stakeholder engagement programme, we are keen to take up this opportunity and hence we are planning a series of in-person meetings with local groups and the wider community, which we expect to begin before the submission of the EIA."
Earlier this month, Savannah noted that Portugal has been acquitted as a defendant in the lawsuit brought against it by the parish of Covas do Barroso in northern Portugal.
It said the parish council legal claim was brought against the Portuguese state on February 4.
The Mirandela Fiscal & Administrative Court ruled the Republic of Portugal and the Portuguese Ministry of Economy, alongside Savannah Resources as a counter-interested party, were acquitted.
As a result, the lawsuit will be extinguished, unless the parish council files an appeal within 30 days.
Savannah at the time said the lawsuit neither impacts the Barroso lithium project's activities nor the current environmental impact assessment process.
Shares in Savannah closed down 1.1% to 2.62 pence each in London on Thursday.
By Greg Rosenvinge, Alliance News reporter
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