Source: AFP
Thousands of people took to the streets in Serbia’s capital Belgrade on Saturday to protest the restart of a controversial lithium mine that is set to serve as a vital power source for Europe’s green energy transition.
Before the rally, two top protesters said security officials had briefly detained them, warning them that any moves to block roads during the demonstration would be considered illegal.
Thousands chanted “Rio Tito get out of Serbia” and “You won’t dig” as they gathered in central Belgrade before starting a march through the city.
Interior ministry figures later put the crowd at between 24,000 and 27,000 people. Protesters later entered Belgrade’s central train station, where protesters blocked the tracks, disrupting traffic.
“The organizers and leaders were warned by the police both before and during the demonstration that their actions were not in accordance with the law,” Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said in a statement, pledging that charges would be brought against “all perpetrators”.
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Serbia has huge lithium deposits near the western city of Loznica. A mining project being developed by Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto has been a perennial political rift in the Balkan country in recent years over its potential environmental impact.
The deposits were discovered in 2004, but weeks of mass protests forced the government to halt the project in 2022.
The government revived the project after a court ruling last month said the order to revoke the permits granted to Rio Tido “was not in accordance with the constitution and the law.”
The Serbian government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the EU that is seen as the first step in developing Serbia’s lithium resources.
Protesters promise disruption
Lithium is a strategically valuable metal needed for electric vehicle batteries, making it key to helping the automotive industry shift to greener production.
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The project, however, remained unpopular with many in Serbia due to concerns that the mine would contaminate water sources and endanger public health.
“I am in Belgrade because here he is defending the survival of life in Serbia,” said Slobodan Stanimirovic, 58, from Rajevina in western Serbia near the site of the future mine.
The protest in Belgrade was the latest in a series across the country after the mine’s licenses were restored.
Late Saturday, protest leader Zlatko Kokanovic promised to block more rail crossings in the coming days.
“We’ll be here all night and all day,” Kokanovic said.
Activists and protesters want lawmakers to pass a law that would permanently ban lithium and boron mining in Serbia.
Environmental groups said they were ready to block major traffic arteries across Serbia and engage in civil disobedience if the government refused to act before the August 10 deadline set by activists.
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Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has repeatedly pledged that no mining operations will begin until guarantees on environmental safety protocols are in place.
Source: AFP
