Tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, on Saturday to voice their opposition to Rio Tinto‘s (ASX: RIO) proposed lithium mining project in Western Serbia.
The demonstration, which began in July and saw participants chanting slogans like “You will not dig” and “Rio Tinto leave Serbia,” was sparked by the government’s recent decision to reinstate the mining giant’s license for what could become Europe’s largest lithium mine.
The $2.4 billion Jadar project, situated in the agriculturally rich Jadar Valley, has been a source of contention since its inception. While government officials argue that the mine would significantly boost Serbia’s economy and potentially cover 90% of Europe’s current lithium needs, environmentalists and local farmers fear irreversible damage to the region’s land and water resources.
The protest, which the Interior Ministry estimated to involve between 24,000 and 27,000 people, saw demonstrators taking over two main railway stations in Belgrade, with some lying on the tracks to obstruct operations. This action prompted warnings from Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, who stated that charges would be filed against those breaking the law.
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The controversy surrounding the mine has taken on political dimensions, with government officials claiming the protests are aimed at undermining President Aleksandar Vucic’s administration. Vucic himself alluded to information from Russia about a potential coup being planned in Serbia.
The resurgence of the Rio Tinto project comes just two years after it was initially halted due to environmental concerns. Its revival is partly linked to a recent agreement signed by Vucic, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and EU Energy Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, granting EU member states access to raw materials mined in Serbia, including lithium.
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