The Serbian parliament rejected proposed amendments to the Law on Mining and Geological Research that aimed to ban lithium and boron exploration. The vote saw 128 MPs against the changes, while 84 supported them, with two MPs abstaining.
The discussion began earlier in the week, with heated debates centering on the proposed lithium mine in the Jadar Valley, led by mining giant Rio Tinto. Opposition members voiced strong concerns about the environmental impact of the project and pointed out that the government had previously claimed to abandon the lithium initiative before the last elections, only to resume it afterward.
Danijela Nestorovic, an opposition MP who supported the changes, emphasized the need for a permanent ban on mining for future generations. “It is our responsibility to ensure clean water, air, and land for our children, as guaranteed by the constitution,” she stated, advocating for long-term environmental protection.
In contrast, Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic argued that adopting the law would make Serbia the first country to prohibit the exploration of lithium and boron. She highlighted Serbia’s potential role in the energy transition, suggesting that the country’s resources and strategic position could be vital for developing value chains that meet high environmental standards.
Djedovic Handanovic also reiterated that the Jadar project would proceed only if it could be proven to have no negative environmental consequences. Following a request from Rio Sava Exploration, the Serbian branch of Rio Tinto, the Ministry of Environmental Protection is set to determine the scope of an environmental impact assessment for the Jadar Valley project, which has ignited mass protests due to fears of environmental degradation.
The controversy surrounding the lithium mine has been escalating, especially after state officials hinted at revisiting the project despite a previous commitment to cancel it. A BIRN investigation from February 2023 revealed that Rio Tinto had spent at least €1.2 million acquiring land at the proposed site, even after the project was officially canceled.
In January 2022, the Serbian government had shelved the lithium project following significant public protests. Former Prime Minister Ana Brnabic stated, “Everything is finished. It’s over,” just before the April elections that year.
Activists continue to express concerns that the mining project could harm water and land resources. Many locals feel overwhelmed by the influence of the multinational mining company and question the limited financial benefits for Serbia, especially given Rio Tinto’s troubled history in various countries.
Lithium mining is known for being chemically intensive, requiring the extraction of large volumes of rock to obtain lithium. Rio Tinto claims the Jadar Valley mine would be one of the largest in Europe, positioning the company among the top ten lithium producers globally.
The project has garnered support from the UK, Australia, the US, and the EU, all eager to secure a stable supply chain for battery minerals. With demand for lithium expected to grow significantly—18 times by 2030 and 60 times by 2050 due to the electric vehicle transition—the stakes are high for both environmental advocates and economic interests in Serbia.
