Multiple Serbian Cities Protest Lithium Mining

Photo: Sinisa Djuric

In the evening of July 29, the cities of Ljig, Kraljevo, Sabac and Arandjelovac, along with Belgrade’s Barajevo municipality, joined the series of countrywide rallies protesting the government’s plans to mine lithium, while more cities have announced their own protests for July 30 or early August.

Each gathering involved numerous speakers denouncing Rio Tinto and other companies associated with lithium extraction – citing the destruction of the environment and people’s health – after which the protesters conducted a protest march.

The main demand of the rallies is that the authorities pass a law prohibiting lithium mining in Serbia by Aug. 10. If said deadline is not met, activists have promised more radical measures.

The rallies’ speakers also took swipes at the regime, particularly President Aleksandar Vucic, levying accusations of illegal conduct and corruption. An emphasis was put on the public taking a united stand, regardless of political, ethnic, religious or other differences, for the purpose of safeguarding “the water, the air, and the people’s health.”

Meanwhile, the authorities claim that mining lithium represents a great economic opportunity for Serbia, but will not happen unless analyses confirm the project is “absolutely safe.”