Belgrade Protest Against Lithium Mine

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Serbia's capital to protest the revival of a controversial lithium mining project by Rio Tinto. The company’s mining license, initially revoked in 2022 due to widespread public outcry, was reinstated last month following a court ruling and a government reversal. Protesters chanted slogans such as "Rio Tinto get out of Serbia" and displayed banners proclaiming "We do not give Serbia away," with estimates from the Interior Ministry suggesting that between 24,000 and 27,000 people participated in the rally. The protests escalated as environmental activists occupied two major railway stations, with some lying on the tracks to demonstrate their opposition. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic warned that the actions of the protest organizers were "not in accordance with the law," indicating a tense atmosphere between authorities and demonstrators. Activists are calling for a permanent ban on lithium and boron mining in Serbia, citing concerns over public health risks and potential contamination of land and water resources. The Serbian government justified the decision to restore Rio Tinto's license by stating that the previous ban was unconstitutional. The European Union welcomed the move, describing it as a "historic day for Serbia." However, critics, including Green-Left Movement co-leader Biljana Djordjevic, expressed fears that Serbia's resources would be exploited to meet the growing demand for lithium in electric vehicle production, a market that remains largely inaccessible to many Serbians.