In Serbia, the government is reopening the way for the exploitation of a mega lithium mine. The deposit, which could be among the largest in Europe, has been on hold since 2022 after protests by environmentalists. But on Tuesday, the new government is putting the project back on track.
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In its decision, the Serbian government is in line with the Constitutional Court: suspending Rio Tinto’s permit in 2022 was “not neither in accordance with the law nor with the Constitution “.
Operations for the exploitation of the Jadar lithium mine can therefore resume.
Unacceptable for one of the main opponents of the project, Savo Manojlovic: ” We will fight, wherever possible: seize the institutions, take to the streets. All the scientists have always been very clear: this project would be an ecological disaster. With all the rivers around this lithium mine, all the homes, the risk of pollution is enormous. “.
On RFI last month, the head of Rio Tinto in Serbia assured the complete opposite: the extraction technique is ” safe, reliable and proven “, he said after the environmental impact study was submitted to the Serbian authorities.
At a time when Europe is seeking to secure its supply of critical metals, essential for the energy transition: the exploitation of the Jadar lithium mine is supported by the government.
Read alsoSerbia: Lithium mine megaproject back on track
The deposit could be one of the largest on the continent. Every year, nearly 60,000 tons (58,000t) of lithium could be extracted from the Jadar mine, enough to ensure the annual production of more than one million (1.1 million) electric cars. The Serbian president hopes to begin exploitation by 2028.
Read alsoSerbia: Court clears way for controversial lithium mine to be approved