In Serbia, mass protests continue in several cities against the planned lithium mining in the Jadar Valley, which is home to Europe’s largest lithium deposit. Protesters occupied two train stations in Belgrade last weekend, with police arresting at least 19 people. Environmentalists and activists accuse the Serbian government of essentially green-lighting an ecological disaster with the mining. For their part, the country’s authorities are hoping for an influx of several billions in public funds and promise to do everything in their power to protect the flora and fauna of the valley.

The protesters, however, persist. Among them is Milos Komandinic, who tells APTN: “We are here to support the Jadar Valley and resist lithium mining.”

Lithium has a key role in the production of electric cars. In an effort to wean itself off lithium exports and support the European automotive industry, about a month ago Commission Vice President Maros Šefković signed in Belgrade together with the Serbian government, in the presence of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a declaration of intent for an environmentally friendly mining in Yadar Valley.

Vucic: “The terrorism of the minority against the majority”

But the protesters, like Vladan Simic, are not convinced and declare that they will continue their struggle: “I think the mining plans should be stopped. Too many lies have been told. Anyone with a little brain understands that all this is meaningless. The bad words were already many, but the current mining and exploitation plans have gone beyond all limits.”

Responding to the protesters, President Aleksandar Vucic appeared determined to go ahead with the mining and condemned the occupations in the Serbian capital. However, he expressed willingness for dialogue, even leaving open the possibility of holding a referendum on the mining plans: “Seizing an international railway line in Belgrade and stopping traffic on the highway is not a contribution to democracy. In fact, they make a mockery of democracy as a political system. It is the violence of the minority, the terrorism of the minority against the majority.”

Activists appear determined to escalate protests in the coming days and weeks by announcing new blockades of transport hubs, without giving details.

Environmentalists point out that the mining planned by the Australian giant Rio Tinto will burden the groundwater with heavy metals, endangering the quality of drinking water for the residents of the wider region.

Dpa, APTN