16 June 2025
Savannah Resources Plc
(AIM: SAV) ('Savannah', or the 'Company')
Savannah Announces Advisory Committee to Support the Development of the Barroso Lithium Project
Savannah Resources plc, the developer of the Barroso Lithium Project (the 'Project') in Portugal, one of the European Commission's 'Strategic Projects' under the Critical Raw Materials Act and Europe's largest spodumene lithium deposit is pleased to publicly announce its Advisory Committee, a strategic body composed of highly respected individuals with recognised experience and credibility across a range of fields. The Advisory Committee supports the Company in advancing the Project in Boticas by providing well-founded analysis, recommendations, and guidance to help ensure the Project's success and long-term sustainability.
The members of the Advisory Committee, some of whom have been involved in the Project for several years, were selected for their experience and expertise, playing a key role in strengthening the company's decision-making process. The Advisory Committee is composed of four members, though its composition may be adjusted over time to ensure it continues to reflect a perspective that complements regional development and value creation.
The members of the Advisory Committee are:
· Luís Mira Amaral. A former Minister in Portugal's Government, academic and business leader across multiple sectors;
· Luís Amado. A former Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Minister and Secretary of State in Portugal's Government, academic and business leader in the industrial, energy, and technology sectors;
· Carlos Caxaria. A former Vice-President of the Geological and Mining Institute and Deputy Director-General at the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG) and business leader in the minerals industry; and
· Astrid Karamira. A specialist in responsible mineral supply chains and sourcing and international development and Board member of the Global Battery Alliance.
Savannah's Chief Executive Officer, Emanuel Proença said: "The work of the Advisory Committee is of great value to Savannah and to the Barroso Lithium Project. Having individuals by our side with such proven track records across a range of fields is both a privilege and a testament to our commitment to excellence in this Project. We believe that the diversity of backgrounds enriches strategic discussions and helps us anticipate the various challenges and opportunities facing our Project and all those involved in it. The Committee's composition gives us confidence that the positioning of our Project - and the broader lithium value chain we aim to help develop in Portugal - is strengthened by highly qualified and respected perspectives in areas such as reindustrialisation policy and national competitiveness, economic diplomacy, deep knowledge of Portugal's mineral resource sectors, and the integration and value creation of these resources within the global lithium and battery markets."
The Advisory Committee meets regularly with the Company's leadership, and provides a critical, comprehensive, impartial, and experienced perspective that directly contributes to informed decision-making.
Biographical Summaries of the Advisory Committee Members
Luís Amado
Holds a degree in Economics from the University of Lisbon and has built a distinguished career through active involvement in Portuguese political and institutional life. He held several high-ranking government positions, including Member of Parliament, Secretary of State for Internal Administration, Secretary of State for Cooperation, Minister of National Defence, and Minister of State and Foreign Affairs.
Alongside his political career, he served as an auditor at the Court of Auditors and was a Visiting Professor at the Institute of Social and Political Sciences (ISCSP), Georgetown University (USA), and the Paris School of International Affairs - Sciences Po (France). He also chaired the School Councils of both the Nova School of Business and Economics ('Nova SBE') and Instituto Superior de Ciéncias Sociais e Politicas in Portugal.
In the business sector, he led the Boards of Banif and Banco Cabo-Verdiano de Negócios and served as Chairman of the General and Supervisory Board of EDP. He currently holds non-executive and advisory roles in various companies and institutions, including as a member of the Global Advisory Board of SONAE, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Fundação Oriente, and Trustee of Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos.
He is also a member of the European Council on Foreign Relations and has received several international honours, including the Grand Cross of the Order of Christ in Portugal.
Luís Mira Amaral
Luís Mira Amaral holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico (1969), a Master's in Economics from Nova SBE (1983), and completed executive education at Stanford University ("Stanford Executive Program", 2000) and INSEAD ("Strategic Management Banking Program", 2001). He also attended the non-executive directors programme at IPCG (2018).
With a broad and distinguished career, he has held leadership roles in the industrial, energy, and technology sectors, including serving as CEO of banks in Portugal, Angola, and Mozambique. He also held prominent positions such as member of the Supervisory Board of the Lankhorst-Euronete Group (Netherlands), Chair of the Audit Committee at NOVABASE SGPS, Chair of the Industry and Energy Committees at CIP (the Portuguese Business Confederation), and Chairman of BYND Venture Capital SCR SA.
In public service, he was Minister of Labour and Social Security (1985-1987) and Minister of Industry and Energy (1987-1995).
Alongside his executive and political roles, he has maintained strong ties to academia. He has taught Electricity Production and Transmission at IST, served as Adjunct Associate Professor of Industrial Economics at Nova SBE, and as Visiting Full Professor of Economics and Management at DEG/IST. He is a Chartered Member and specialist in Industrial Engineering and Management at the Portuguese Order of Engineers, and an Honorary Economist and Chartered Member of the Portuguese Order of Economists.
Currently, he works as a consultant for FNWAY Consulting on R&D and innovation projects for companies and business associations, and teaches "Economics for Engineers" and "Management for Engineers" at Técnico (IST's Advanced Training Institute).
Carlos Caxaria
Carlos Caxaria holds a degree in Mining Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico (1978). He began his professional path as a working student at the Directorate-General for Taxation (1971-1979). In 1980, he joined the Directorate-General for Geology and Mines as a Mining Engineer, a role he held until 1990, when he became Head of the Geological Resources Department at the Regional Mining Authority, a position he held until 2001.
Between 2001 and 2004, he served as Vice-President of the Geological and Mining Institute, later assuming the role of Deputy Director-General at the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG) from 2004 to 2013. During this time, he was responsible for managing the administrative and technical resources of the geological and industrial sectors (mines and quarries, groundwater, geothermal energy, and oil), as well as overseeing mining legislation and leading the development of Portugal's first national strategy for the mining sector.
From 2013 to 2016, he was Chairman of EDM - Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, S.A., a state-owned company dedicated to the mining sector. Between 2016 and 2019, he worked as a senior consultant in the non-metallic minerals sector. Since October 2019, he has served as CEO of TECH SALT S.A.
Astrid Karamira
Astrid Karamira is a specialist in responsible mineral supply chains and sourcing. Her academic background is rooted in international relations, energy policy, and economics. She holds both a Master's degree and an MBA in Global Studies.
She spent nearly fifteen years working in international development, primarily with German Development Cooperation (GIZ), where she designed and implemented projects in the extractive resources sector. Astrid has advised governments-mainly in Africa and Europe-and has worked globally on ESG topics in mining. She has also collaborated with international NGOs, gaining extensive experience in bridging public and private sector interests.
In recent years, she has focused on the lithium sector, developing a strong understanding of global lithium markets, the full lithium value chain, and the challenges facing the industry. She also serves on the Board of the Global Battery Alliance.
In addition to her career in the extractive sector, Astrid is a certified sommelier and the founder and CEO of a wine import and distribution company based in Lisbon, where she has lived for the past five years. A language enthusiast, she is fluent in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Savannah - Enabling Europe's energy transition.
**ENDS**
Follow @SavannahRes on X (Formerly known as Twitter)
Follow Savannah Resources on LinkedIn
For further information please visit www.savannahresources.com or contact:
Savannah Resources PLC Emanuel Proença, CEO |
Tel: 44 20 7117 2489
|
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nominated Advisor & Broker) David Hignell/ Charlie Bouverat (Corporate Finance) Grant Barker/Abigail Wayne (Sales & Broking)
|
Tel: 44 20 3470 0470
|
Canaccord Genuity Limited (Joint Broker) James Asensio / Charlie Hammond (Corporate Broking) Ben Knott (Sales) |
Tel: 44 20 7523 8000
|
Media Relations Savannah Resources: Antonio Neves Costa, Communications Manager |
Tel: 351 962 678 912 |
|
|
About Savannah
Savannah Resources is a mineral resource development company and the sole owner of the Barroso Lithium Project (the 'Project') in northern Portugal. The Project is the largest battery grade spodumene lithium resource outlined to date in Europe and was classified as a 'Strategic Project' by the European Commission under the Critical Raw Materials Act in March 2025.
Through the Project, Savannah will help Portugal to play an important role in providing a long-term, locally sourced, lithium raw material supply for Europe's lithium battery value chain. Once in operation the Project will produce enough lithium (contained in c.190,000tpa of spodumene concentrate) for approximately half a million vehicle battery packs per year and hence make a significant contribution towards the European Commission's Critical Raw Material Act goal of a minimum 10% of European endogenous lithium production from 2030.
Savannah is focused on the responsible development and operation of the Barroso Lithium Project so that its impact on the environment is minimised and the socio-economic benefits that it can bring to all its stakeholders are maximised.
The Company is listed and regulated on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) and trades under the ticker "SAV".