Serbian government reignites lithium mining controversy amidst protests
According to a statement from Serbian authorities, the Serbian government reinstated on Tuesday the possibility of exploiting lithium in the western part of the country. The opposition accused the government of "declaring war on the people" and suggested protests against the mine's opening.
10:12 AM EDT, July 17, 2024
The government "took actions aimed at restoring the legal order that existed before the adoption of regulations recently deemed unconstitutional," it said. Belgrade reinstated the regulation on the spatial plan of the lithium mining project in the Jadar Valley in the western part of the country.
Last Thursday, the Constitutional Court of Serbia ruled the government's 2022 decision to halt the Jadar project unconstitutional. Serbian authorities had adopted it in response to mass protests against the opening of the lithium mine.
The Constitutional Court stated that the government exceeded its powers in 2022 by issuing an unconstitutional regulation.
The lithium mining plan reappeared in public debate in Serbia several weeks ago. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and other officials repeatedly emphasized that the project represents a tremendous economic opportunity for the country.
On the other hand, activists and a segment of society oppose mining, pointing to potential adverse environmental impacts.
A war against their own people
Opposition MP Aleksandar Jovanović Ćuta commented on Tuesday's government decision. "The government has declared war on its people, so we are calling on all citizens to prepare for a general mobilization; let's defend the Jadar Valley together," he urged.
Savo Manojlović, leader of the Kreni-Promeni movement, said that "by making this decision, the government is taking responsibility for possible unrest and social conflicts."
White gold
Lithium and its compounds are used, among other things, to produce heat-resistant glass and ceramics, strong alloys used in aviation, lithium cells, and lithium-ion batteries.
Geologists estimate that the Jadar Valley may contain the largest lithium deposits in Europe. Researchers from the Economist Intelligence Unit noted that "lithium mining could be extraordinarily profitable for Serbia."
The country holds 1.3% of the known global metal reserves. The estimated value of Serbian lithium is $4.2 billion, and its extraction over the next ten years could provide hundreds of jobs and a steady income stream for the government," analysts emphasized.
