Thousands of Serbian activists gathered in Belgrade to protest against government plans to revive the lithium mine project in the Jadar Valley, a move that has ignited significant opposition from environmental groups and locals. Organized by the Eco Guard group, this latest rally is part of a broader resistance movement against the proposed mine by Rio Tinto, which the government sees as a potential economic milestone, but activists fear will cause irreparable damage to the region.
“This protest has a clear political message: there will be no mining of lithium,” stated Savo Manojlovic, an activist who had organized mass blockades in 2022, which led the government to halt the project temporarily. The protests come as Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, despite facing controversial elections in December and May, revived plans for the mine this year with support from European Union leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and major automobile companies like Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Stellantis. The project, central to Europe’s green energy goals, could contribute between €10bn and €12bn to Serbia’s annual GDP, according to the government, which views it as a critical step to boost the country’s economy, where GDP per capita remains well below the EU average.
Despite these economic prospects, public opposition remains strong. Tens of thousands took to the streets last month, highlighting environmental concerns and the displacement of local communities. Some activists have engaged in acts of civil disobedience, including the occupation of train stations in Belgrade, reminiscent of the 2022 blockades that initially forced the government to abandon the project.
In response, the government has cracked down on protest organizers. Dozens of activists have faced police raids and been charged with serious offenses, including violently subverting the constitutional order, a charge that carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison. “We must defend all activists who are fighting for land, water, air, democracy, and the rule of law,” said Eco Guard in their call for protest, warning of increasing repression from the state.
The Serbian police and prosecutor’s office have not yet commented on the matter. Environmentalists, meanwhile, have clashed with Rio Tinto, particularly after an article in Nature raised concerns about the project’s potential environmental impact. Rio Tinto called for the article to be amended or retracted, claiming it contained erroneous information.
Some economists and experts, including Aleksandar Matković, have argued that the project is a means for President Vučić to maintain political control, linking the push for electric vehicles to authoritarianism. Matković, who published an essay opposing the mine in August, has faced death threats, which only ceased after he went public and police opened an investigation.
Activists like Aleksandra Bulatović, a criminal law professor who was interrogated by police for over three hours, reported that law enforcement actions have been spurred by social media posts advocating resistance to the mine. A post by Eco Guard on August 15 warned that future blockades could result in a total collapse of the system, which police say prompted their investigation.
Bojan Simišić, a leader of Eco Guard, claimed that the Serbian government is merely following the agenda of Western powers. “Vučić is a delivery unit,” Simišić said, adding that the group operates on a shoestring budget with no external backing from embassies or foreign governments. Despite the repression, the activists have vowed to continue their protests, insisting, “There will be no mines.”
