Image source: Oliver Bunic/Bloomberg
Image caption: Serbia has only just scrapped a ban on lithium mining
Article information:
Author: Guy Delauney
Role: BBC Balkans correspondent
Date: 19 July 2024
The EU and Serbia reached a significant agreement on lithium mining, described as a groundbreaking moment by the European Union. The pact put an end to a competitive race to finalize the deal. Serbia granted mining giant Rio Tinto the license to extract lithium in the Jadar Valley, prompting Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz to visit Belgrade and support a deal that would bolster Europe’s economic security.
The agreement was welcomed by European Commission’s vice-president Maros Sefcovic, who attended a “critical raw materials summit” in Belgrade alongside top European companies like Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis. The pact signed established a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials, battery production chains, and electric vehicles.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, concerns linger among opposition parties and environmentalists about the potential environmental impact of the lithium mine in the Jadar Valley. While President Aleksandar Vucic assured transparency and protection of the environment, opposition parties remain skeptical that the lithium mine will truly benefit the citizens of Serbia.
The excitement over securing access to Europe’s largest lithium reserves is overshadowed by the ongoing apprehension about the project’s impact on the local community. As Europe moves towards a greener future, the protests against lithium mining in rural Serbia are expected to resurface, highlighting the need for transparency and environmental preservation.
