Protesters Voice Concerns Over Controversial Lithium Mine in Serbia
Thousands of individuals in Belgrade rallied against the rebooting of a lithium mine project by mining giant Rio Tinto, citing fears of water pollution and public health risks. The project in Serbia’s Loznica region has been a point of contention, with protests leading to its suspension in 2022.
Despite this, the government recently approved the project’s restart, emphasizing the importance of lithium for green energy transition in Europe. Activists condemned the decision, calling for legislative measures to ban lithium mining in the country permanently.
With concerns over environmental impacts and public health, protesters gathered in Belgrade, chanting against the mining operation. The issue has garnered significant attention, surpassing previous rallies on different topics.
Environmental groups remain steadfast in their opposition, vowing civil disobedience if their demands for environmental safety guarantees are not met. President Aleksandar Vucic has assured that mining activities will not commence without meeting these standards.