João Barros

   

CEO
Ascendant Resources

BIO

João Fernando Barros is a Portuguese mining executive with over 25 years of experience in civil engineering, geotechnics, and mineral project development. He currently serves as President & COO of Allied Critical Metals (ACM) and CEO of Ascendant Resources Inc., leading strategic critical raw material projects in Portugal, including the Borralha, Vila Verde, and Lagoa Salgada.

João has a strong track record in advancing projects from exploration to permitting, feasibility, and financing, aligning with EU policy priorities such as the Critical Raw Materials Act and REPowerEU. His work integrates ESG best practices and supports supply chains for tungsten, copper, and zinc.

He holds degrees in Geology (University of Porto) and Civil Engineering (University of Minho), is fluent in three languages, and is a registered Member of the Portuguese Engineers Association (Ordem dos Engenheiros).

Lagoa Salgada Project: A New Standard in Responsible Mining, Innovation and Community-Driven Development

The Lagoa Salgada Project, located in Portugal’s Iberian Pyrite Belt, represents a new generation of copper and polymetallic mining—designed from the ground up with sustainability, circular economy, and community integration at its core. Led by Redcorp and Ascendant Resources, this project will deliver low-carbon copper, zinc, and precious metals essential to Europe’s green and digital transitions. Lagoa Salgada is engineered for environmental resilience: using dry-stack tailings, underground paste backfill, water recycling, and renewable energy synergies. Social sustainability is equally central, with strong commitments to local employment, land rehabilitation, and partnerships with the Grândola community. As Europe accelerates its efforts to secure strategic raw materials under the Critical Raw Materials Act, Lagoa Salgada offers a replicable model, combining mineral wealth with ESG innovation and transparent governance. More than a mine, it is a catalyst for regional transformation and a tangible step toward reshaping Europe’s copper supply chain.