A dispute over lithium mining in northern Portugal has escalated to the European Court of Justice, with environmental groups challenging the European Commission's decision to grant the Barroso lithium project 'strategic' status. The case highlights concerns about environmental risks and local impacts versus the EU's need for critical raw materials for green technologies. The project, supported by the Portuguese government, aims to produce significant lithium supplies but faces opposition due to potential ecological damage. Teljes cikk (Euronews.com)