A new documentary set to premiere at the European Parliament on February 5th, 2025, delves into one of Europe’s most contested mining projects. “Not In My Country: Serbia’s Lithium Dilemma” examines the complex intersection of sustainable energy ambitions, environmental concerns, and geopolitical tensions surrounding the Jadar Valley lithium project in Serbia.
The film, directed by Stijn van Baarle and presented by Dr. Peter Tom Jones of KU Leuven, chronicles the discovery of a unique lithium-boron-silicate mineral dubbed “Serbian kryptonite” by mining giant Rio Tinto in 2004. What initially seemed like a promising economic opportunity for Serbia has evolved into a deeply divisive issue, sparking nationwide protests and raising questions about environmental sovereignty.
A Tale of Two Decades
The documentary traces the project’s trajectory from its optimistic beginnings to the emergence of fierce local opposition. The turning point came in 2020 when Rio Tinto’s land acquisition program began fracturing local communities. The resistance movement gained such momentum that it led to the withdrawal of Rio Tinto’s permits in 2022. However, the story took another turn when Serbia’s Constitutional Court reversed this decision in July 2024, igniting fresh protests in Belgrade.
Key Questions Addressed
The film confronts several crucial questions facing modern resource extraction:
- Can multinational mining corporations be trusted to maintain rigorous environmental and social governance standards?
- Is Serbia being reduced to an EU mining colony, sacrificing its environmental heritage for Western Europe’s electric vehicle ambitions?
- Could the opposition to the project be influenced by pro-Russian interests seeking to impede Serbia’s EU membership prospects?
Multiple Perspectives
The documentary features an impressive array of voices from all sides of the debate, including:
- Local activists from the Ne Damo Jadar movement
- Rio Tinto executives including Marijanti Babic, Chad Blewitt, and Sinead Kaufman
- ElevenEs’s CEO Nemanja Mikac
- Serbia’s Minister of Mining & Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic
- Environmental and political experts from various institutions
Premiere Event Details
The European Parliament premiere will be hosted by MEPs Hildegard Bentele and Yvan Verougstraete, in collaboration with the KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals. While the in-person event is invitation-only due to security restrictions, the post-screening interview and panel discussion will be livestreamed to ensure public access to this important debate.
The documentary, funded by SIM² KU Leuven & KU Leuven, represents a significant contribution to the ongoing discourse about sustainable resource extraction in Europe. It highlights the delicate balance between environmental protection, economic development, and geopolitical interests in an increasingly electrified world.
For those interested in viewing the documentary’s trailer, it is available through Journeyman Pictures, offering a glimpse into this comprehensive exploration of one of Europe’s most significant environmental and economic debates.
