On July 16, the Serbian government reinstated Rio Tinto’s license for lithium mining in the Jadar Valley, sparking widespread protests in cities across the country. Concerns over significant environmental damage and potential contamination of local water sources have fueled these demonstrations.
Rio Tinto, an Anglo-Australian mining giant, had its license revoked in 2022 following mass protests. The revocation was announced shortly before the April 2022 general elections, reflecting the public’s strong opposition to the company’s activities.
The company has a contentious global reputation, facing allegations of labor rights abuses in the U.S., serious human rights violations in Papua New Guinea, and significant environmental destruction in various locations, including West Papua and Madagascar.
Rio Tinto’s plans in Serbia aim to establish Europe’s largest lithium mine in the Jadar Valley, part of a multibillion-dollar project. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has promoted the initiative, claiming it would create well-paying jobs and boost the local economy, while assuring citizens that stringent environmental regulations would be enforced.
However, protesters have responded with slogans like “We do not give Serbia away” and “Rio Tinto get out of Serbia.” While protests were mainly concentrated in Belgrade and Novi Sad in 2022, the 2024 demonstrations have spread to over ten other cities.
On September 15, Rio Tinto CEO Jakob Sausholm described the opposition to their mining plans as a product of a “carefully designed and well-organized” disinformation campaign. He reassured the public that the company is prepared to address any concerns and voiced worries about intimidation directed at company employees.
On September 26, the European Green Party expressed solidarity with the protesters ahead of a National Assembly debate set for the following week. Thomas Waitz, co-chair of the party, emphasized the need for genuine consultations and accountability, warning against repeating past mistakes that led to environmental degradation in the rush for critical materials.
The EU-Serbia Memorandum of Understanding on sustainable raw materials, signed on July 19 during the Critical Raw Material Summit in Belgrade, aims to secure a stable supply of raw materials for the EU and reduce dependence on China. The summit was attended by notable figures, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič.
The upcoming National Assembly debate will likely shape the future of the Jadar Valley project. With members from various political backgrounds showing support for the anti-lithium protests, the path ahead remains uncertain for this picturesque region.
