The Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto is regaining public support in Serbia to restart its lithium mining project in Jadar Valley. The Serbian government plans to reinstate previously blocked mining permits that in 2021 were followed by massive protests against the company’s negative damage to the environment, followed by police brutality against activists. Despite new environmental guarantees from Rio Tinto, the announcement of the mine’s potential go-ahead has sparked furious protests. Opponents fear the environmental impact and accuse the government of prioritizing foreign interests over the people. Protesters have demanded a law banning geological research and exploitation of lithium and borates within 40 days. Environmental activists also protested in front of the Constitutional Court in Belgrade, demanding the release of information regarding the “Rio Sava” initiative and the constitutionality of the decree that halted the Jadar project. Despite protests, the Constitutional Court in Serbia has declared the government’s regulation to halt the “Jadar” by the international mining company Rio Tinto unconstitutional.
Source: DW/ Reuters/ NIN