Public Debate on Lithium Mining in Serbia Commences

Finance Minister Sinisa Mali (BETAPHOTO/MILAN ILIC)

The public debate on the positive and negative aspects of mining lithium in Serbia has officially commenced, Finance Minister Sinisa Mali announced on July 10, and added that extracting the metal according to the highest environmental standards will be a priority.

“Whether or not we take advantage of this chance is up to us. Environmental standards are a priority and the opportunity itself is huge,” Mali told the RTS public service.

Mali underlined the importance of lithium by explaining that, without the metal, there can be no cell phones or electric cars.

“The topic is significant both economically and politically, and for the world at large. [Without lithium] you cannot produce electric cars or phones. Look at Portugal and France and the decisions they’ve made. The German media are reporting that the war in Ukraine is [actually] being fought over lithium. We’re not just discussing a lithium mine but rather the entire value chain,” the minister stated.

Mali’s words made it clear the Serbian regime’s starting position on the issue is pro-mining, despite the fact that a great portion of the public and almost the entire genuine opposition are against the project, concerned it will significantly damage the country’s environment and pollute the air, water and soil of Western Serbia.