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Certainly the Energy Minister is behind the project. The Environment Minister may take a more cautious stance but we will see on April 2nd?

Within the preceding article you will also see a link to this up-beat comment from the Energy Minister on the GALP deal with SAV:
“ To ECO / Capital Verde, the Secretary of State for Energy, João Galamba, said that "obviously it is positive" the recent news that Galp will acquire 10% of the Barroso lithium mine, in Boticas.
After Galp's presence on board the mega consortium for hydrogen in Sines has already been assured, together with EDP, REN and other companies, the Government is now satisfied with the ambition of the Portuguese oil company to invest in the supply chain. value of lithium batteries (from extraction to refining), other of the great flags of the Government with regard to energy transition.

To ECO / Capital Verde, the Secretary of State for Energy, João Galamba, said that “obviously it is positive” the recent news that Galp will acquire mining company Savannah Resources 10% of the Barroso mine, in Boticas, and keep 50% of its annual production of lithium, about 100 thousand tons.

“It is good to see Portuguese industrial companies betting on strategic value chains that the European Commission and other European countries also want to bet on. If Portugal and Spain want to maintain the relevance of the automotive industry in the Iberian Peninsula, projects of this nature, which look at the battery value chain in conjunction with the automotive industry, are essential to ensure the industrial relevance of Portugal and Spain in the future ” , stressed Galamba.
From the lithium mine to the batteries that power electric cars. “This is the Government's objective”, guarantees Galamba: “We do not have a project of a mining nature. We have an industrial objective. We want to have the extraction, the refining, the production of the cells and also, eventually, the manufacture of the batteries. Portugal can be at all times in this value chain ”, he guaranteed, stressing that it is in the refining and production of cells that the greatest added value is found.

The Secretary of State says that the Government is pleased with the involvement of Portuguese companies in flagship projects for the energy transition. “We are very pleased to see that large Portuguese companies decide to invest in this very important area for the future of Portugal and Europe. One of the European priorities is the idea of ??giving more resilience to strategic value chains, the area of ??lithium and batteries ”, he stressed.

It took a bit of finding IB, and the date is actually 2nd April! Looks like pants are already being kicked? Translated for your easy reference!
“ Directorate-General for Energy and Geology will carry out an environmental assessment in the eight areas that will be tendered for the exploitation of lithium. Deadline ends April 2.
The Secretary of State for Energy, João Galamba, issued an order for the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG) to “immediately promote the necessary procedures to carry out an environmental assessment” in the eight areas that will be tendered for “prospecting and lithium research ”.
The order dates from November 2, 2020, but was published in “Diário da República” only this Monday. According to the document, "the procedure must be completed within five months from the date of this order", that is, by April 2 of this year.
For environmental assessment, DGEG may use the National Energy and Geology Laboratory and higher education institutions.

A month ago, on the 8th of January, the Resolution of the Assembly of the Republic was released that recommends the Government to “urgently carry out strategic environmental assessments in the regions where prospecting and research projects for lithium and associated mineral deposits are underway or planned, namely in the eight places covered by the public tender for the exploitation of lithium (Serra d'Arga; Barro / Alvão; Seixo / Vieira; Almendra; Barca d'Alva / Canhão; Guarda; Segura and Maçoeira) and in the three places with contracts already announced (Serra da Argemela, Montalegre, Covas do Barroso / Boticas) ”.
https://eco.sapo.pt/2021/02/08/governo-quer-avaliacao-ambiental-para-prospecao-de-litio-pronta-em-abril/

The takeaway for me is that the rest of Europe isn’t going to wait for Portugal’s government to decide whether it wants to be in the Li mining/ refining industry or not. Spain is moving ahead enabling deals with VW and a nascent Li battery supply chain. The plea from those in Portugal posted today who are also eager to make it happen in their country tells me that there is a worry that the Portuguese government may capitulate or stall due to the local/ environmental resistance.
The news from Spain could be considered helpful in that it illustrates that things are moving on regardless and Portugal needs to approve the environmental review to allow SAV/GALP to mine, refine and align with the VW EV supply chain. I believe the decision date is April 12 so hopefully this hurdle will be crossed and we can move forward.

Maybe a timely kick up the ass for Portugov?

...and it looks like Spain has seized the initiative!
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.greentechmedia.com/amp/article/spain-puts-european-recovery-funds-into-electric-car-push
“ Volkswagen’s Chairman, Dr. Herbert Diess, backed the Spanish government’s bid to build a battery manufacturing facility near SEAT’s base in Martorell, Catalunya. “
Can SAV still supply them?.....
“ Spain has lagged behind European peers such as France and Germany in terms of battery manufacturing plans but could steal a lead on the market thanks to the presence of lithium deposits on the border with Portugal.

Last month, a Spanish startup called Phi4Tech announced plans to build a lithium-ion battery factory in Badajoz, Extremadura. The batteries would be made with materials supplied by Lithium Iberia, which has a mining concession in Cañaveral, Cáceres.

Another mining firm, Infinity Lithium, is also looking to exploit the resource but is facing local community opposition, according to reports. ”
Maybe?

No problem buying 143266 at just under 7p!

SAV is clearly in pole position but to answer your question on CERA you will find Infinity Lithium (Spain ) involved. I don’t believe for a moment that the EU Recovery funding will end up in Portugal exclusively. I’d be surprised in fact if any of the European lithium players are left out. Building a strong lithium battery industry with multiple refiners and a raft of raw material suppliers including SAV will be a good thing for all involved.

Would be interesting to find out if AA have used Rothschilds in recent times. I get the impression that the ARC board is keen to flag stages (hints) in the deal progress as it may serve their negotiating position to drive the SP up in the short term? Such as “ look- we’ve aligned our reporting year to AAs; look - we’ve appointed investment bankers to advise us”. They must be wondering how big a hint they can drop next?

Appointment of legal advisers? Most companies seek external legal help to guide them through the deal and ensure that they meet all legal parameters. An RNS stating that ARCM has appointed Linklaters or similar may be the final clue that the deal is on?

Pretty much all lithium miners in my portfolio down today -EMH,BCN and ZNWD so no surprise here. I thought for once that SAV was going to shine but no. That position was reserved for ARCM, perhaps the nearest to a “sure thing” you can get on AIM currently? The funny thing was that it was SAV dropping copper in Oman that drove me there. Something to thank DA for I suppose?

....and it’s only just recovered the fall over the last week. Yesterday’s price was an absolute gift!

In my mind it still doesn’t explain the alignment of reporting years (if you consider that significant). If they want to retain the ARCM team to progress the exploration activities then subsidiary status would fit? It’s academic really as most arrangements are going to add tremendous value.

...... to align statements from AA and ARCM in different exchanges and different international time zones?

Sivad, we were under 2p not so long ago but you are right, the likes of EMH have done better. They have a listing on Nasdaq I believe so have been promoted to US investors’ interest. SAV will have its day soon so better for anyone buying in now that it is undervalued.

I am expecting the EIA decision to be announced with the rest of Portugov’s mining plan in a proper joined-up manner. Not long to wait I feel?

Rude not to take advantage of the dip - 317712 added.

AA may have difficulty closing all required asset deals simultaneously so an interim solution could be to acquire ARCM as a going concern ( securing its assets from competitors) then mopping up any other fractional asset ownerships afterwards?

Ps it would also make a share for share offer for ARCM very relevant.

.......and United Lithium is preparing to feed Northvolt from their new Bergby Project in Sweden!