MINEX Forum

Tag: Aleksandar Vucic

  • Lithium Mining Plans Resurface in Serbia Amid EU Interest

    Lithium Mining Plans Resurface in Serbia Amid EU Interest

    Serbia’s lithium mining plans, previously shelved in 2022 following widespread protests, have re-emerged. Despite Prime Minister Ana Brnabić’s earlier announcement that the controversial Rio Tinto-backed Jadar project was terminated, recent reports suggest the multinational company continues preparatory activities. These include land acquisitions and community sponsorships in the Loznica region, raising concerns about resumed extraction efforts.

    Germany and the EU, prioritizing lithium for energy needs, seem willing to collaborate with Serbia’s right-wing government, led by Aleksandar Vučić, despite ongoing allegations of authoritarianism. While Vučić views lithium mining as a missed economic opportunity, Green Party representatives in parliament have demanded stricter protections for affected communities. The revival of mining plans risks undermining public trust in the EU accession process, given the perceived double standards regarding environmental and democratic values.

  • Environmental Activists to Rally Against Rio Tinto’s Lithium Mine Project in Serbia

    Environmental Activists to Rally Against Rio Tinto’s Lithium Mine Project in Serbia

    Environmental activists and opposition groups are set to gather in the center of Serbia’s capital on Saturday, demanding a halt to the Rio Tinto Group’s $2.4 billion project to open Europe’s biggest lithium mine. The ongoing controversy highlights the significant challenges of developing new mines in Europe, especially as governments strive to secure supplies of critical minerals like lithium, essential for the energy transition. For Rio Tinto, the world’s second-largest miner, the Serbian mine is a key project aimed at reducing its dependence on iron-ore.

    The project was initially halted in 2022 following widespread protests by environmental activists concerned about the potential heavy pollution from mining and processing the metal, which is vital for battery production. However, Serbia’s top court lifted the ban last month, reigniting opposition. The upcoming rally follows a series of small protests across the country, with growing anger towards President Aleksandar Vucic for his strong support of the project.

    The Vucic administration has promoted the project as a significant economic opportunity, with Finance Minister Sinisa Mali suggesting that lithium mining—if combined with local battery and electric vehicle production—could boost Serbia’s economic output by as much as €12 billion annually. Recently, Serbian and EU officials signed an agreement to secure critical raw materials across the bloc, with lithium being a central focus. Additionally, Mercedes Benz chief Ola Kaellenius and representatives from Stellantis carmaker have expressed interest in investing in developing EV batteryproduction in the region.

    Despite these assurances, activists remain unconvinced, rejecting the government’s claims that the mine will adhere to strict environmental standards.

  • Serbian President Demands German Guarantee for Environmental Protection in Lithium Mining

    Serbian President Demands German Guarantee for Environmental Protection in Lithium Mining

    “We will not open a lithium mine until the Germans guarantee that we will have clean rivers and mountains,” said Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, emphasizing the need for dialogue on utilizing this crucial strategic resource. The Serbian government suspended the regulation for the lithium mining area two years ago after massive protests against a mine in the Jadar Valley. At the time, Prime Minister Ana Brnabić stated, “We have ended the agreement with the Rio Tinto company in Serbia.”

    Four and a half years later, it appears that the agreement hasn’t completely ended. Brnabić now claims that “lithium opponents have slowed everything down,” adding that Serbia, by using lithium domestically for battery production instead of exporting it, could become a European leader for the next century. She criticized opponents, claiming their resistance aims to “destabilize Serbia.” Vučić argued that the ban on lithium mining was a “manipulative move by Western intelligence services to stop our development.”

    The Serbian lithium debate has become a geopolitical issue. The discussion reignited after the adoption of the European Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), which includes Serbian lithium. Vučić and European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič signed a pledge for strategic cooperation between Serbia and the EU regarding the CRMA act.

    Tilman Kuban, a German MP from the Christian Democratic Union Party (CDU/CSU), emphasized the importance of ensuring all project aspects are verified, viewing it as a significant opportunity for Serbia to support Europe. Vučić recently called on Germany to act as a judge in the case of lithium mining, despite numerous opinions from Serbian scientists and institutions like the Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences (SANU) and the University of Belgrade.

    Germany’s role in the lithium issue in Serbia is not new. Petar Đurčić, a researcher at the Institute for European Studies, noted Germany’s interest in Serbian lithium since the topic first arose. During her farewell visit to Serbia in September 2021, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel acknowledged Germany’s interest in Serbian lithium, given its importance for battery development and future mobility, while also stressing the need for ecological standards.

    Despite the fluctuating relationship between the Serbian government and Germany, Kuban’s visit and statements could be significant, especially since the CDU has the highest approval ratings in Germany and may return to power in the next election. Đurčić explains that Kuban, supporting Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder as a chancellor candidate, represents a faction within the CDU.

  • Serbian President Vows Environmental Protection Amid Lithium Mining Dispute

    Serbian President Vows Environmental Protection Amid Lithium Mining Dispute

    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.