The demonstrators chanted: “Rio Tinto get out of here.” Serbia” and “You shall not kick”. After a rally in the city center, they went to the main train station in Belgrade, where they blocked the tracks, stopping traffic. trains.
Large Lithium Deposits in Serbia and Major Protests
Serbia has extensive lithium deposits near the city of Loznica in the west of the country, not far from border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The raw material, commonly referred to as “white gold” (due to its color), is mined by the Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto. In recent years, the topic has become a political issue, due to the possible negative impact of mining on the natural environment and human health. Serbs also fear water pollution. The deposits were discovered in 2004, but weeks of mass protests forced the government to suspend the project in 2022. Works It was reopened following a court decision last month that found that revoking Rio Tinto's permits would be “unconstitutional and unlawful.”
Government Serbia signed recently Memorandum of Understanding with the European Unionwhich is seen as the first step in developing Serbian lithium resources. Lithium is a strategically valuable metal, essential for the production of batteries for electric vehicles.
Series of demonstrations across Serbia
The protest in Belgrade was the latest in a series of demonstrations across the country following the reinstatement of the mine's concession. Activists and demonstrators called for a law to permanently ban lithium and boron mining in Serbia. Environmental groups said they were prepared to block major transport routes in the country if the government did not take action.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has repeatedly assured that no mining operations will begin until environmental safety guarantees are established.