Tens of thousands of environmental and opposition activists in Belgrade have mobilized against Rio Tinto’s $2.4 billion lithium mining project in Serbia, which aims to establish Europe’s largest lithium extraction operation.
Mounting Opposition
Demonstrators, chanting slogans like “You will not dig” and “Treason, treason,” marched through the Serbian capital, highlighting the mounting opposition to the project, which has received backing from President Aleksandar Vucic. By Saturday evening, the protest crowd swelled to around 40,000 people, as reported by the Archive of Public Gatherings, a private organization monitoring protests. This unrest underscores the broader challenges faced by mining companies in Europe, where securing permits and social licenses for new mining projects has become increasingly difficult, despite the growing demand for critical minerals like lithium, essential for the global energy transition.
Environmental Concerns
The project was initially suspended in 2022 due to protests from environmental activists concerned about the potential pollution from lithium extraction and processing. Lithium is a key component in the production of batteries, especially for electric vehicles. However, Serbia’s highest court lifted the ban in July, allowing the project to move forward.
Economic Potential
The latest protest is part of a series of demonstrations across Serbia, reflecting widespread discontent. Despite the opposition, the Serbian government, led by Vucic, has promoted the project as a significant economic opportunity. Finance Minister Sinisa Mali has stated that if the lithium mining project is integrated with domestic production of batteries and electric vehicles, it could potentially add up to €12 billion ($13 billion) annually to Serbia’s GDP.
European and Global Interest
In a bid to secure critical raw materials, Serbia and the European Union signed an agreement last month, emphasizing the importance of lithium supplies across the bloc. Additionally, automotive giants Mercedes Benz AG and Stellantis NV have signed letters of intent to invest in the development of electric vehicle battery production, potentially linked to the Serbian lithium mine.
Despite these developments, activists remain skeptical of government assurances that the mining operations will adhere to strict environmental standards, fearing the long-term environmental impact of the project.
