Thousands of Serbs protest lithium mining in Belgrade

August 11, 2024 – Thousands of people took to the streets in Belgrade of Serbiaprotesting against the restart of a controversial lithium mine that would be a key source of fuel for Europe’s green energy transition.

Before the demonstration, two prominent protesters said they were briefly detained by security forces, who warned that any blockade of roads during the protest would be considered illegal.

Thousands of people demonstrated in central Belgrade, chanting “Rio, get out of Serbia” and “You shall not dig” before setting off to march through the city.

Protesters then entered Belgrade’s main train station and blocked the tracks, disrupting traffic.

The mining project, developed by Anglo-Australian mining company Rio Tinto, near the western Serbian town of Loznica, has become a long-standing political fault line in the Balkan country in recent years over its potential environmental impact.

The deposits were discovered in 2004, but weeks of massive protests forced the government to halt the project in 2022.

The government resumed the project after a court ruling last month that an order revoking the licence granted to Rio Tinto was “unconstitutional and unlawful”.

The signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Serbian government and the European Union is considered the first step in the development of Serbia’s lithium resources.

Lithium is a strategically valuable metal needed for electric vehicle batteries, making it key to helping the auto industry shift to greener production.

However, the project remains unpopular with many in Serbia due to concerns that the mine will contaminate water supplies and harm public health.

“I came to Belgrade because the survival of Serbia’s life is defended here,” said Slobodan Stanimirovic, 58, from Radjevina in western Serbia, close to the future mine site.

The protest in Belgrade was the latest in a series of demonstrations across the Balkan country following the restoration of the mine’s license.

Activists and protesters are calling on lawmakers to pass a law that would permanently ban lithium and boron mining in Serbia.

Environmental groups said they were prepared to block Serbia’s main transport arteries and engage in civil disobedience if the government refused to act by an August 10 deadline set by activists.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has repeatedly promised that mining operations will not begin until environmental safety protocols are guaranteed.