Serbia greenlights disputed lithium mining project

Serbia’s authorities on Tuesday mentioned operations can restart at a disputed lithium mining challenge, days after a high court docket ruling overturned a 2022 cancellation of its permits.

The way forward for the huge mineral deposits, to be mined by Rio Tinto close to the western Serbian metropolis of Loznica, has been a perennial political fault line within the Balkan nation in recent times.

Billions of euros are at stake, with Rio Tinto saying the mine would supply 1000’s of jobs and safe Serbia’s place in rising vitality markets.

“The government… takes measures to restore the legal order to the state that existed before the adoption of the regulation that was declared unconstitutional,” the federal government mentioned.

The choice follows a ruling by the constitutional court docket final week, saying a 2022 authorities transfer to revoke permits awarded to the Anglo-Australian mining big was “not in line with the constitution and the law”.

The mine has lengthy pitted Serbians’ festering mistrust of their authorities towards Europe’s plans for a greener future, with mass protests held through the years calling for a everlasting halt to the challenge.

Rio Tinto mentioned the realm holds one in all Europe’s largest reserves of lithium, a strategically priceless steel essential for electrical automobile battery manufacturing.

Protest chief slams authorities

The deposits have been found in 2004, however the Serbian authorities moved towards the mining challenge in 2022 after weeks of protests sparked by fears over the setting and public well being.

President Aleksandar Vucic has hinted that Serbia may start mining lithium as early as 2028, following new ensures from Rio Tinto.

“We believe that the mine would not endanger anyone or anything, but first we need to receive guarantees from Europe that the environment and the lives of ordinary citizens will be preserved and improved with new jobs and higher wages than today,” Vucic mentioned on Monday.

Rio Tinto welcomed the announcement.

“The Jadar Project will be subject to stringent environmental requirements in compliance with Serbia and EU regulations,” challenge director Chad Blewitt informed AFP Tuesday, saying the challenge would create “thousands of new high-paid, high-skilled Serbian jobs for generations to come”.

In accordance with Rio Tinto knowledge, the mine in Jadar may produce 58,000 tonnes of lithium yearly, sufficient for 1.1 million electrical autos.

Following Tuesday’s choice, Savo Manojlovic—a number one organizer of the protests towards the mine—slammed the choice.

“The government will be responsible for any unrest and conflict in society, as it has trampled on the country’s constitution, occupied its institutions, and turned into a puppet of foreign interest,” Manojlovic wrote on social media.

Zlatko Kokanovic, an activist from the village of Gornje Nedeljice close to the deliberate mine, additionally expressed disappointment.

“It happened just as we said it would,” mentioned Kokanovic.

“They solely paused the project due to the elections and protests, and now they plan to renew it.”

© 2024 AFP