Thousands of people in Serbia have taken to the streets of Belgrade to protest against plans to mine lithium in the Jadar Valley, one of Europe’s largest deposits of the crucial raw material for electric car batteries.
The protest comes after a license granted to mining giant Rio Tinto was revoked in 2022 due to widespread public outcry, only to be restarted last month following a court decision and government U-turn. Activists fear irreversible environmental destruction in the Jadar Valley if the mining project goes ahead.
President Aleksandar Vucic has assured the public that strict environmental safety protocols will be put in place, but protesters remain unconvinced. Chanting “Rio Tinto get out of Serbia” and holding banners saying “We do not give Serbia away,” the demonstrators made their voices heard as they marched through the capital.
The Interior Ministry estimated that between 24,000 and 27,000 people participated in the protest, with some activists also taking over two of the city’s main railway stations, blocking the tracks in a show of defiance. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic warned that charges would be filed against those involved in the protest actions.
Environmental activists are calling for a permanent ban on lithium and boron mining in Serbia, citing concerns about public health risks and contamination of land and water. They had given the government a deadline to implement the ban, which has not been met.
The decision to revive the Rio Tinto mining project has sparked further outrage among protesters, with Green-Left Movement co-leader Biljana Djordjevic expressing fears that Serbia will be sacrificed to provide lithium for electric vehicles that many in the country cannot afford.
As carmakers increasingly rely on lithium for batteries in zero-emission vehicles, the Jadar Valley project could potentially supply a significant portion of Europe’s lithium needs and turn Rio Tinto into one of the world’s leading lithium producers. The EU has hailed the decision to restart the project as a “historic day for Serbia and Europe,” but for the protesters on the streets of Belgrade, the fight to protect their environment and future continues.
