On Tuesday, a petition with over 300.000 signatures from citizens opposing lithium mining in Serbia was handed over to the European Union (EU) delegation in Belgrade, following indications from Brussels that this rare metal could be included in the EU’s list of strategic projects.
In Serbia, after announcements of opening a lithium mine over the past four years, hundreds of mass protests and road blockades have been held due to concerns that the mine, which the multinational corporation Rio Tinto intends to open in the agriculturally developed region in the west of the country, would cause permanent and unforeseeable environmental consequences.
The government, led by the Serbian Progressive Party, previously announced that Rio Tinto’s lithium mine could open in 2028 if environmental regulations are met and the necessary permits are obtained.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated on March 25thin Brussels, after a meeting with EU leaders, that the EUwould “in seven or eight days” declare the lithium mining project in Serbia, “Jadar,” as its strategic project outside EU member states.
In Brussels, Vucic attended a working dinner with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.
“We will fight with blockades and protests, in rain, sun, and snow, and lithium will not be mined in Serbia,” said the leader of the civic movement Kreni-Promeni, Savo Manojlovic, yesterday while handing over the petition with 303.000 signatures to EU representatives in Belgrade, demanding that lithium mining and the “Jadar” project be excluded from strategic projects.
Manojlovic told reporters that lithium mining in Serbia is “contrary to the rule of law, principles of democracy, and environmental standards,” recalling protests against these harmful plans of the state authorities and the mining corporation, which has a bad reputation due to similar projects worldwide.
“The voice of the citizens is clear – we have gathered 303.000 signatures,” Manojlovic emphasized.
He told the EU that it must “clearly understand as soon as possible that it cannot choose whether or not to mine lithium in Serbia because citizens will not allow it under any circumstances.”
In addition to the Kreni-Promeni movement, the student movement and members of the academic community announced a gathering in front of the EU delegation headquarters in Serbia to submit a request for the abandonment of the ‘Jadar’ project and a letter from students to the European Commission.
