Second temporary land access granted

In brief · summary, not quotable

Savannah Resources Plc has secured a second temporary land access permit for its Barroso Lithium Project in Portugal, allowing for crucial geotechnical fieldwork and drilling for the processing plant and infrastructure. This permit, valid for up to one year, follows the publication in the official gazette and enables the company to proceed with land preparation and drilling mobilization. The company is also engaging with stakeholders regarding compensation and expects to continue its work swiftly, supported by the Portuguese State's prior non-reimbursable grant of up to €110 million awarded in January. Savannah remains confident in its legal position despite potential objections, building on previous favorable rulings.

Full announcement

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Savannah Resources Plc, the developer of the Barroso Lithium Project in Portugal (the 'Project'), a 'Strategic Project' under the European Critical Raw Materials Act and Europe's largest spodumene lithium deposit is pleased to announce that the process to grant the Company a second immediate temporary access to land on the Project's C-100 Mining Lease which it does not already own, has now been completed. This will allow Savannah to undertake geotechnical fieldwork and drilling relevant to the Project's processing plant and infrastructure.

Highlights:

Temporary land access granted: Following completion of this second temporary land access process, the required notice has been published in the Government's official gazette (Diário da República). Savannah now has the right to access the land for a period of up to one year.
Next Steps:

o The Company will contact all stakeholders and landowners with a view to paying the compensation due, as well as continuing close contacts with the relevant authorities to ensure a transparent and efficient process.

o Initial work in the field will focus on the clearing and preparation of the land with drill rigs to be mobilised as soon as practicable. Preparation work can be undertaken swiftly as Savannah's team are already working in other areas on the Project, clearing the ground as required ahead of the summer forest fire season.

o The resumption of fieldwork also supports the process of hiring new support staff and contracting additional local services.

Emanuel Proenca, Chief Executive Officer of Savannah commented, "This second temporary land access approval represents another important step forward for the Project. In addition, it further demonstrates the importance the Portuguese State places on progressing this Project towards production following the non-reimbursable grant for up to €110 million, which was awarded to the Project in January.

"As with our previous field campaigns, our technical and community teams will now move quickly and comprehensively to ensure we complete this programme as soon as we can.

"2026 is very important for us and for everyone involved in the Project as we continue to make good progress with the DFS and other workstreams and move closer to fulfilling our goal of becoming a responsible lithium producer for the European market. I look forward to providing our shareholders and stakeholders with further Project updates in the coming weeks."

Additional Information

The relevant entry in Government's official gazette (Diário da República) can be found here:

Given the legal objection which was made by the small group of local opponents to the first temporary land access received on the Project (see 7 February 2025 RNS), a similar legal objection may be raised on this occasion. However, Savannah is confident of its legal position following the firm support received from the State after that previous objection (see 21 February 2025 RNS) and the series of other favourable rulings made in the Portuguese courts in relation to the Project (see 21 October 2025 RNS).