In the Jadar Valley of western Serbia, Zoran Filipovic, a 55-year-old farmer, faces a dilemma that pits his ancestral land against the growing demand for lithium. Beneath his fields lies a rich deposit of lithium, a key element for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The discovery by Rio Tinto twenty years ago has sparked a race to tap into these reserves, as lithium becomes critical for the energy transition and the electrification of transport.
However, local opposition to lithium mining has grown, especially after Serbia’s government, led by President Aleksandar Vučić, withdrew Rio Tinto’s mining license in 2022 following mass protests. The move was partly driven by upcoming elections, and while the government later reinstated the project in June 2024 after a court ruling, it has sparked a new wave of protests.
Many Serbs, including environmentalists, nationalists, and ordinary citizens, oppose the project, fearing environmental damage and the loss of their land. According to a 2024 survey, over 55% of Serbs oppose lithium mining in the Jadar Valley, with a significant portion of the population mobilizing in protests. These protests have become a flashpoint for broader dissatisfaction with Vučić’s government, which is accused of authoritarianism, corruption, and mishandling environmental issues.
The EU has supported the project, seeing lithium as vital for its green transition and the development of a European EV supply chain. Serbian leaders, particularly Vučić, have promised economic benefits, including job creation and foreign investment in battery production and car factories. However, many citizens see these promises as a “betrayal” of their land for the benefit of foreign corporations, particularly German companies seeking access to the lithium.
Rio Tinto, for its part, defends the project, claiming it will use modern, environmentally friendly mining techniques, including underground extraction that minimizes surface disruption. The company has invested heavily in environmental studies and promises to adhere to strict safety and environmental standards. Yet, local scientists have raised concerns about pollution from the project, including elevated levels of boron, arsenic, and lithium in nearby river water.
Despite these assurances, there is deep distrust in Serbia, especially given past experiences with foreign companies, such as Chinese mining firms, which have left behind environmental degradation in other regions of the country. Farmers in the Jadar Valley are torn: some have accepted buyouts from Rio Tinto, while others continue to fight for their land and the preservation of their environment.
The situation is becoming increasingly polarized, with neighbors at odds and protests intensifying. For many, the promise of green energy and Western economic benefits seems hollow when they face the potential destruction of their land and livelihoods. As Serbia navigates this complex issue, the balance between economic development, environmental protection, and national sovereignty remains in question.
