Serbia’s president accused protesters who took to the streets in Belgrade in opposition to a lithium mining project of being complicit in a Western-backed hybrid warfare against his government, and also of being a mockery of democracy.
Tens of thousands of protesters voiced their concerns on Saturday in Belgrade about the country’s proposed exploitation of the Jadar Valley in Western Serbia. The mining multinational, Rio Tinto Group (ASX: RIO) (NYSE: RIO) (LSE: RIO), has spent the past two decades exploring the territory and now anticipates opening its first mine.
Interior Minister Ivica Dacic announced that police have brought in 14 people for questioning and are working to identify all the “perpetrators,” who will face charges. On Sunday, President Vucic criticized the highway blockade during the main protest, describing it as “terror of the minority,” even though the protest itself was conducted democratically.
“It is part of a hybrid approach designed to topple the government,” Vucic said.
“We were fully aware of the situation. We have always maintained order in the country without resorting to violence, and we will continue to do so without any issues.”
Vucic revealed last week that Russian intelligence services had tipped him off about a planned mass unrest and a coup in Belgrade, allegedly orchestrated by unspecified Western powers aiming to oust him from power.
Government officials and state-controlled media have launched a significant campaign against the Saturday rally, likening it to the Maidan uprising in Kyiv that led to the 2013 ousting of Ukraine’s then pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovych. However, the organizers of the Belgrade protest have repeatedly denied these allegations.
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Lithium production would reduce reliance on Chinese imports
In mid-July, EU representatives signed a memorandum that aims to jumpstart Europe’s largest lithium mining operation, which the Serbian government argues is important for the country’s economic development. However, protesters, including environmental groups, have warned that the project would have a catastrophic impact on the environment.
Last month, after reviewing the plan, President Vučić accepted a tentative deal on “raw materials” between the Serbian government and Brussels, signaling that the project could move forward. Serbia, which is formally seeking EU membership, could see this deal bringing the Western Balkan nation closer to joining the bloc.
Lithium production would benefit Brussels by reducing its reliance on electric vehicle imports from China. Although the government has pledged to uphold environmental standards if the project proceeds, residents of the valley strongly oppose the mine, with critics arguing that it would cause irreparable environmental damage.
The environmental issues surrounding lithium extraction merit attention.
According to the Institute for Energy Research, lithium mining and extraction can cause significant environmental damage, particularly through water depletion, soil contamination, and ecosystem disruption.
Lithium extraction often involves large quantities of water leading to depletion of local resources, especially in arid regions. This can cause impacts on agriculture and the availability of clean drinking water.
Additionally, the use of chemicals in the extraction process can contaminate soil and groundwater, leading to long-term environmental degradation. The disruption of natural landscapes and ecosystems during mining can also result in the loss of biodiversity and harm to local wildlife.
Furthermore, the disposal of waste materials from mining operations can contribute to environmental pollution if not properly managed.
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Prior protests forced Serbia to back down on its mining plans
Mass protests in 2021 and 2022 forced Serbia’s government to temporarily suspend the mine plan, but in July, the government revived the project and signed a memorandum on “critical raw materials” with the EU, witnessed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Serbia’s mining and energy minister, Dubravka Djedović Handanović, said that the Jadar Valley contains approximately 158 million tons of lithium, representing about 17 per cent of the estimated reserves on the European continent. She described Jadar as “one of the best-explored lithium sites in Europe and probably one of the best in the world,” suggesting that it could position Serbia as a leading country globally in the fight against climate change.
Handanović signed the EU memorandum, which outlines a “strategic partnership” focused on sustainable raw materials.
She assured that any potential excavations would meet the highest EU standards, promising, “We will not do anything if it has such a negative impact that it will be detrimental.”
Rio Tinto has announced plans to build an underground mine that complies with EU safety standards. The company’s Serbian subsidiary expressed support for public dialogue based on facts and referenced a separate draft environmental study, encouraging those concerned to submit their comments.
Officials have indicated that the mine would not begin operations before 2028. In the valley, properties owned by Rio Tinto Sava company are marked with “no trespassing” signs and sealed off with plastic tape. The mine would cover approximately 500 acres of the valley, which is currently dotted with fields of corn and soybeans.
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