Critics of Serbia’s draft mining strategy barred from public hearing

A public hearing on the draft Strategy for the Management of Mineral and Other Geological Resources in Serbia for the period 2025 to 2040, with projections until 2050, was held at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce. The document outlines a long-term approach to resource exploitation. A group of citizens, environmental activists, and experts critical of the draft held a protest after being denied entry to the event.

The draft Strategy for the Management of Mineral and Other Geological Resources in Serbia for the period 2025 to 2040, with projections until 2050 is a basis for the government’s decisions regarding geological exploration and mining.

Serbia is following European guidelines, including the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), thereby building a system that supports investment predictability, responsible exploitation, and sustainable development, according to the Ministry of Mining and Energy.

The strategy was modeled after those of European countries

“We want our mining industry to be as developed as in Scandinavian countries. We also used Poland as an example, as it is most similar to us in terms of coal and copper production,” said Assistant Minister for Geology and Mining Ivan Janković.

Besides copper and coal, the strategy emphasizes non-metallic and geological resources like stone, sand, clay, and groundwater.

Public consultations on the draft strategy and the environmental report were held from June 13 to July 2. The public hearing was initially scheduled for July 1 but was postponed “in the interest of full transparency,” according to the ministry, to give all stakeholders sufficient time to submit comments and suggestions.

Environmental activists protest outside of venue

The draft strategy would serve the interest of mining companies while disregarding the needs of the country and its citizens, according to Nebojša Petković, an activist from a local group Ne damo Jadar in western Serbia, who spoke to FoNet news agency ahead of the public hearing. Conversely, Ivan Janković from the ministry denied the claim, arguing that the strategy was created solely in Serbia’s interest.

Environmental activists, citizens, and experts gathered in protest outside the venue after being denied entry, despite registering for attendance. Among them were Dragana Đorđević from the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, and Zoran Stevanović, retired hydrogeology professor from the Faculty of Mining and Geology. He said the ministry scheduled the hearing only one day in advance, adding that the critics were told there is no room for more people even though they applied as soon as they saw the notice.

The strategy prioritizes mining over nature

Professor Stevanović told N1 that the strategy proposes three levels of investment, with the most intensive scenario involving USD 6.8 billion in foreign investments in mining. In his view, it would lead to an enormous expansion of such activity.

The strategy mustn’t prioritize mining in spatial planning over protected natural zones, even ones with vital water resources, Stevanović underscored.

He also criticized linking exploration with future exploitation, pointing out that the government wouldn’t be able to compete in tenders through public bidding. Stevanović added that Serbia has experts capable of conducting in-depth studies on ores for the benefit of citizens, instead of exporting raw materials.