Rural residents in Europe are increasingly finding themselves caught in the crossfire of the green energy transition. In northern Portugal, the village of Covas do Barroso—a quiet farming community—faces the prospect of four massive lithium mines on its doorstep, sparking fierce local opposition. Residents fear the environmental and social costs of mining could outweigh the economic benefits, transforming their village into what many call a “sacrifice zone.”
A Peaceful Village Disrupted
Filipe Gomes returned to his hometown seeking the peace of rural life after leaving London’s busy catering scene. But the tranquility of Covas do Barroso has been shattered by drilling and prospecting operations as mining companies move to extract lithium from the surrounding hills. Concerns over contaminated soil, depleted water sources, and constant truck traffic have fueled local resistance.
“They are destroying everything,” Gomes said. “They are taking our peace.”
Europe’s Lithium Dilemma
Covas do Barroso exemplifies Europe’s challenge in greening its economy. Lithium is essential for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage, but Europe produces almost none domestically. Most of the world’s lithium comes from Australia, Chile, and China, with China also dominating refined supply.
The European Commission has sought to reduce dependence on foreign sources, promoting domestic lithium projects as part of its critical raw materials strategy. Covas do Barroso was designated a strategic project eligible for coordinated support to become operational. Yet, local groups—including MiningWatch Portugal, ClientEarth, and Unidos em Defesa de Covas do Barroso (UDCB)—have challenged the decision, emphasizing the potential environmental and social harms.
Environmental Concerns and Community Resistance
Residents and environmentalists fear that open-pit lithium mining could disrupt centuries-old farming traditions, degrade soil quality, and strain water resources. Catarina Alves Scarrott, a member of UDCB, said, “You’re going to sacrifice an area recognized for sustainable agriculture for open-pit mines. And then you start to ask: for what?”
Analysts note that European communities remain skeptical that lithium mines will deliver significant local employment. Historical safety concerns and a lack of skilled domestic labor have compounded distrust.
Legal and Political Tensions
The Portuguese environment ministry granted the British mining company Savannah Resources a temporary prospecting permit. Villagers filed an injunction, halting work temporarily, but authorities allowed drilling to resume, citing public interest. Locals accuse the company of trespassing on communal lands and downplaying the scale of the mining project. Opinions in the surrounding region remain divided, with some hoping the project will revitalize the rural economy.
Savannah Resources projects the mine could produce lithium for half a million electric vehicle batteries annually and describes itself as “enabling Europe’s energy transition.” However, the ongoing protests highlight the tensions between climate goals and local rights.
Social Conflict Over Climate Solutions
Across Europe, communities near lithium deposits have voiced similar opposition. Residents often perceive that the burdens of the green transition—polluted water, damaged farmland, heavy traffic—fall disproportionately on local populations, while benefits accrue to distant cities and foreign corporations. Political scientist Thea Riofrancos observed that protests often stem not solely from environmental risks but from the exclusion of local voices in decision-making.
“Environmental or water risks alone don’t always cause protests,” she said. “It’s the harm combined with the lack of voice that sparks resistance.”
The Broader Implications
Europe faces a dilemma: electrifying transport and scaling renewable energy require lithium, yet domestic extraction risks inflaming local opposition. Analysts note that much lithium demand could be reduced through sustainable urban planning, public transport, and recycling electronic waste. Still, with hundreds of millions of combustion-engine vehicles on European roads, reliance on imported lithium remains significant.
In Covas do Barroso, anger is not just about environmental damage—it is about democratic processes and community rights. Alves Scarrott summarized, “The biggest shock was not the mine itself, but the attack on democracy and the rights of the people who live here.”
