(PTJ, 20-2-2025; Photos: MJ)
On February 19, 2025, the documentary “Not In My Country: Serbia’s Lithium Dilemma” premiered in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The event, jointly organised by IRTC and CIRAN, featured a screening of the film followed by a panel debate with proponents and opponents of the controversial Jadar lithium project.
The film, which explores the tensions surrounding Europe’s largest proposed lithium mine in Serbia’s Jadar Valley, was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience. Unlike the previous premiere at the European Parliament in Brussels, where discussions focused on the film’s funding and representation, the Ljubljana event delved into substantive issues surrounding the project.
Key Discussion Points
Key topics discussed during the panel debate included:
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Technical Comparisons: Jadarite extraction versus other lithium sources.
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Origin of “Toxic Claims”: Addressing misconceptions about environmental impacts.
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Demand-Side Management: The necessity for broader management strategies alongside mining.
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Rule of Law Challenges: Navigating project implementation in a country facing governance and media freedom issues.
The film’s presenter challenged Rio Tinto to bring in a third-party auditor and aim for at least IRMA50 certification, which exceeds current EU standards.
A significant point raised during the discussion was the controversy surrounding a July 2024 publication in Scientific Reports, which has fueled many fears about the project in Serbia. The presenter highlighted that an October 2024 “Author Correction” addressed numerous flaws in the original paper’s methodology and language.
