The National Assembly of Serbia has voted against amendments to the Law on Mining and Geological Explorations that would ban the exploration, mining, and processing of lithium and boron ores, with 127 votes against and 84 in favor. The rejected bill, submitted by 86 opposition lawmakers, was aimed at halting Rio Tinto’s Jadar project in western Serbia, which has sparked widespread controversy and environmental protests.
Environmental activists and opposition figures have raised serious concerns about the environmental and health impacts of the project, particularly in the agricultural region surrounding the city of Loznica, where Rio Tinto plans to extract lithium and boron. The opposition argued that the project would not be financially beneficial for Serbia, citing low mining royalties and the cost of government-subsidized infrastructure for the project.
The vote marks the first time the opposition officially presented its case in parliament. The Ecological Uprising movement, led by Danijela Nestorović, clarified that their proposed ban was limited to lithium and boron mining, despite claims by National Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabić that the law would halt all geological exploration projects.
Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović countered the opposition’s arguments, stating that much of the agricultural land affected by the project is of low quality and that the government would manage mineral resources responsibly, maintaining high environmental and social standards. She emphasized that the demand for critical raw materials is growing, and Serbia must leverage its resources strategically.
Local activists and groups like Ne damo Jadar, part of the Association of Environmental Organizations of Serbia (SEOS), were outraged by the decision, claiming it is a declaration of war on the people. These organizations have been leading protests and warning of severe environmental damage to the Jadar valley.
Meanwhile, Rio Tinto has estimated that the project would generate EUR 180 million per year for Serbia in taxes and royalties. However, prominent Serbian economists have disputed these figures, suggesting the nation’s income would be negligible, especially when factoring in infrastructure costs.
