MINEX Forum

Tag: Serbia lithium mining

  • Mass Protests Erupt in Serbia Against Rio Tinto’s Jadar Lithium Project

    Mass Protests Erupt in Serbia Against Rio Tinto’s Jadar Lithium Project

    Several thousand people gathered in the city of Loznica, western Serbia, to protest Rio Tinto’s controversial Jadar lithium and boron mining project. Organized by the activist group Ne damo Jadar, the demonstration marks the latest in a series of public pushbacks that began in 2021 and may soon expand to neighboring cities, including Valjevo and Šabac.

    Marijana Petković of Ne damo Jadar accused Serbian authorities of illegally greenlighting new infrastructure for the mining and processing site, located in the village of Gornje Nedeljice. Activists say the approval of a 110 kV transformer station is just the beginning, warning that Rio Tinto could soon receive an exploitation permit — a move that would grant it mining priority over the rare jadarite deposit.

    Protesters also targeted local media for alleged bias. A Lotel TV station building in Loznica was spray-painted and labeled with a sign reading “disturbing content,” reflecting anger over the broadcaster’s failure to report on the opposition or show conditions in the affected villages.

    “Not a single opponent of the Jadar project was ever invited to speak on their channel,” said activist Nebojša Petković, pointing out that major international outlets, including those from France, Italy, Sweden, and Japan, have covered the issue more fairly.

    Further protests are scheduled, with Valjevo hosting the next on July 24. Šabac is also expected to join, forming what Petković called a “Serbian Bermuda triangle” of resistance, with hopes that the movement will gain national traction.

    Despite fierce local resistance, the European Commission granted the Jadar project strategic status in early June, a move seen by opponents as undermining democratic accountability and environmental protections.

    In a related development across the Drina river, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Republic of Srpska are also resisting a lithium project near Majevica mountain, where a recent vote to designate the area a protected natural park failed in parliament.

    Both Serbian and Bosnian activists are calling for a blanket moratorium on exploration and exploitation permits across the region.

  • 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.

  • Serbia’s National Assembly Rejects Opposition’s Lithium Mining Ban Amid Protests

    Serbia’s National Assembly Rejects Opposition’s Lithium Mining Ban Amid Protests

    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.