Protests erupt in Serbia over proposed lithium mine by Rio Tinto

Zlatko Kokanovic, a 48-year-old farmer from the Serbian village of Gornje Nedeljice, has spearheaded a significant protest movement against Rio Tinto’s proposed lithium mine in Serbia on Thursday. Kokanovic and his fellow villagers argue that the development of what is planned to be Europe's largest lithium mine would have detrimental effects on their environment and public health.

The Serbian government recently reinstated Rio Tinto’s licence to develop the mine in the Jadar region of western Serbia, reversing a previous decision made two years ago when the licence was annulled due to environmental protests. The mine, if constructed, would supply around 90% of Europe’s current lithium needs, positioning Rio Tinto as a major global player in lithium production, which is crucial for electric vehicle and mobile device batteries.

The villagers’ warnings about the potential hazards of mining, including pollution from arsenic, sulphuric acid, and dust, have prompted a wave of protests across Serbia. Over the past month, demonstrations have erupted in numerous cities as citizens rally against the project. The protesters have set a deadline of August 10 for the government to pass legislation banning lithium exploration, a demand the government has yet to address.

Kokanovic, who manages 30 hectares of land and produces up to 100,000 litres of milk annually, is leading the charge against the mine, asserting that the project would lead to severe environmental degradation and health risks for local residents. “The mine would be the destruction of Serbia at the expense of our health to free the European Union from reliance on China for lithium,” Kokanovic stated, expressing his belief that the mine would benefit Europe at Serbia’s expense. He declared, “There will be no mine here.”

The Serbian government views the $2.4 billion Jadar lithium project as a crucial element in strengthening the country's struggling economy and has not yet heeded the protesters’ demands. In response to escalating tensions, Kokanovic and his neighbours have vowed to escalate their protests, including a planned rally in Belgrade this Saturday.

Neighbour Marijana Petkovic voiced her community’s resolve to physically block any mining equipment if necessary. “We will defend our homes, our land, our church, and our cemetery. Further radicalisation will be the next step if necessary,” she asserted.

In an effort to address concerns about potential pollution, Rio Tinto has published new environmental studies claiming the project’s safety. Additionally, the Serbian health ministry has established a commission to evaluate the impact of lithium mining on human health. President Aleksandar Vucic, addressing concerns on Wednesday, assured that no mining activities would commence for two years, suggesting that current fears are premature.

The controversy surrounding the mine intensified following a deal signed on July 19 by Vucic, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and EU Energy Commissioner Maros Sefcovic. The agreement aims to grant EU member states access to raw materials from Serbia, including lithium, to decrease the EU's dependency on imports from America and Asia.

Despite these assurances, opposition remains strong. Protesters in Kragujevac continued to demonstrate, underscoring their refusal to accept the project. “We do not want lithium in Serbia. If the damage to the environment is higher than the economic benefit, then it is clear why the project is not good,” said demonstrator Aleksandar Jankovic.