Quercus expressed opposition to the kaolin and clay mining exploration project planned for Peniche. The environmental association considered that this activity represents a threat to the local environment and appealed to the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) to issue an unfavorable Environmental Impact Statement or, alternatively, to suspend the assessment process.
The environmentalists warn of the potential negative impacts that mining extraction could cause in the Peniche region, including possible irreversible environmental damage. Quercus argues that the risks associated with the project outweigh the economic benefits of the exploration.
The request for an opinion from the APA comes as part of the formal environmental impact assessment process that any project of this nature must comply with before it can proceed. It is up to the agency to assess whether the project meets the environmental requirements established by Portuguese and European legislation.
