Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Belgrade today to voice their opposition to the development of a BlackRock-backed lithium mine in western Serbia, reigniting widespread concerns over the environmental and health impacts of the project.
The demonstration follows months of growing unrest, sparked by Serbian farmer Zlatko Kokanovic and his fellow villagers, who have been at the forefront of a nationwide movement against the mine.
The proposed $2.4 billion Jadar lithium project, headed by Rio Tinto and backed financially by controversial corporation Blackrock would be one of Europe’s largest lithium mines, and has been a flashpoint for controversy since Serbia reinstated the license for its development last month.
The license was initially annulled two years ago following mass protests led by environmental groups. Kokanovic, a farmer from the village of Gornje Nedeljice, has warned that the mine would pollute local land and water sources with toxic substances like arsenic and sulfuric acid, posing a severe threat to public health.
Despite these warnings, the Serbian government views the project as crucial for the country’s economic growth and has thus far ignored demands to ban lithium exploration. Protesters, however, remain resolute, with some pledging to physically block construction efforts if necessary, and escalating their protests if the government does not heed their concerns.
The rally in Belgrade is the latest in a series of protests across the country, highlighting the deep divisions over the future of Serbia’s environment and its role in the global lithium supply chain. The project, which could cover 90% of Europe’s current lithium needs, is seen by the Serbian government as a significant opportunity to boost the nation’s economy, but locals fear it will come at an unacceptable cost to their health and environment.
As tensions rise, Kokanovic and other community leaders have vowed to continue their fight, insisting that “there will be no mine here.” The situation remains tense, with further protests and potential radicalization on the horizon if the government continues to push forward with the mine’s development.
🚨🇷🇸 MASSIVE PROTEST in Serbia against BlackRock! pic.twitter.com/JL6HBHu3B7
— Jackson Hinkle 🇺🇸 (@jacksonhinklle) August 10, 2024
I pray Rio Tinto And Blackrock, be bankrupted.
No, a friend of mine worked for one of them, more money than God.
They have already been bombed by tons of depleted uranium ( to ” help” democratie”….) by criminal organization nato
So the country is still very polluted and have a high number of cancers.
The same powers wants to pollute farther.
Curse them all !!!
Well done to these Serbians!
While we’re at it how about Rio Tinto pay the going rate for electricity here in NZ?
I get it, Lithium needs to be extracted for a whole variety of uses but the problem is pollution from mines, can be extreme. Just look at the quality of water in Australia. If this were to go ahead environmental concerns should be front and center but will they be? I have my reservations.
https://youtu.be/1xRrk-cYU-E?feature=shared
A must see