Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reassured citizens on Friday that protecting people and the environment would remain a top priority following the constitutional court’s decision to greenlight a disputed lithium mining project. On Thursday, Serbia’s top court ruled against the 2022 government decision that halted Rio Tinto’s multibillion-dollar project, aimed at exploiting some of Europe’s largest lithium deposits, a critical mineral for electric vehicle batteries.
The court found that revoking Rio Tinto’s permits was “not in line with the constitution and the law”, though it emphasized that the government has the final say on the project’s continuation. Vucic affirmed that the government would respect the court’s ruling, stating, “I have no intention of agreeing with the project if it endangers people and the environment.”
Despite the 2022 halt, many opponents of the mine believe Vucic supports its progression. In a June interview with the Financial Times, Vucic hinted that the lithium mine could start as early as 2028, contingent on new assurances from Rio Tinto. This statement reignited public concern and led to a new wave of protests.
On Friday, Vucic pledged to consult with experts before making a final decision. “From an economic point of view, there isn’t any doubt, but before economic considerations, environmental ones must be considered,” he said.
Rio Tinto welcomed the court’s decision, with project director Chad Blewitt stating the project could become a “world-class” asset developed safely according to both Serbian and EU standards. According to Rio Tinto, the Jadar mine could produce 58,000 tonnes of lithium annually, sufficient for 1.1 million electric vehicles.
In 2022, following massive protests, the government invalidated the project’s permits, with activists arguing it threatened the Jadar valley’s environment, an agricultural region in western Serbia.
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