CASE STUDY:
Cañaveral, Spain
From Yes to life No to Mining global network ‘On the Frontlines of Lithium Extraction’
Project: Las Navas project in Cañaveral
Phase: extractive permits accepted in 2020.
Company: Lithium Iberia.
“Phi4tech, together with the regional President of Extremadura and the General Secretary for Industry in Spain, has formally announced in a press conference – on the 24th of March, 2021 – the first integrated battery project in Southern Europe, which includes in the same region, a lithium extraction and refining project – Lithium Iberia -, a nickel and cobalt extraction project – Aguasblancas -, a cathode manufacturing plant, and a 10 GWh cell manufacturing plant.”
“The total investment for such project is 1000M€, out of which they have secured 600M€ already. Furthermore, this integrative project will offer 1300+ direct employment opportunities for the region.”
According to the European Raw Materials Politics, the regional government of Extremadura promotes the extractivism industry by exposing the exploitable lands and the “friendly administrations” in the public.
Meanwhile, local communities are fiercely opposed to the mine which will be located in a high ecological value pasture, home to many species included in the Catalog of Endangered Species of Extremadura, some included in the category of “In Danger of Extinction”.
The project would affect the natural ecosystems of the towns of Cañaveral, Grimaldo, Casas de Millán, Pedroso de Acím, Holguera, Portezuelo or Torrejoncillo. The project would cause the destruction of habitats and the contamination of the Alagón and Tajo river basins where the toxic waste from the mine would end up.
SIGN THE PETITION: NO TO THE MINE OF LAS NAVAS (CAÑAVERAL)!