Local activists in Serbia block roads to reignite protests against lithium mining

The Association of Environmental Organizations of Serbia organized one-hour road blockades in two locations in the country’s west in a protest against lithium mining – primarily Rio Tinto’s Jadar project, which includes a processing plant. Activists warned they would again initiate mass demonstrations throughout Serbia if the Assembly of the City of Loznica adopts a controversial spatial plan.

The National Assembly of Serbia has rejected a proposal to ban the exploration, mining and processing oflithium and boron, so the Association of Environmental Organizations of Serbia (SEOS) and other activist groups decided to start blocking roads again. At the first gatherings, aimed at igniting the third wave of massive and countrywide demonstrations, they halted traffic in Brezjak between Loznica and Valjevo and in Preljina near Čačak.

Both locations are in Serbia’s west. Brezjak neighbors Gornje Nedeljice, a village on the territory of the city of Loznica where Rio Tinto is planning an underground lithium mine with a processing facility.

Notably, Mayor of Loznica Vidoje Petrović recently resigned. The city assembly is due to hold a session on October 25. It is the last opportunity before the Government of Serbia would be legally obligated to impose an interim administration, as the deadline of 90 days after the previous session would expire.

Activists led by local group Ne damo Jadar from SEOS warned that the city parliament could adopt a spatial plan that would pave the way for Rio Tinto’s Jadar project. However, it is not on the agenda for the forthcoming session.

Balkan Green Energy News has published and is regularly updating a chronological overview of the key events in the development of the Jadar project since 2001, when Rio Tinto arrived in Serbia.

SEOS to combine public discussions with protests, blockages

Zlatko Kokanović from Ne damo Jadar pointed out at the gathering that it was organized as a warning and that there could be massive protests around Serbia again.

Opposition members of parliament attended both protests.

The Loznica City Assembly is meeting on October 25 without the controversial spatial plan on the agenda

Ljiljana Bralović from the Suvoborska greda group, also part of SEOS, said that opening a mine in Gornje Nedeljice near Loznica would open the way for similar projects and the start or resumption of geological exploration in Dobrinja, Pranjani, Valjevo, Rekovac and Jagodina. The government claims there is currently no lithium and boron exploration anywhere in Serbia and that no reserves have been confirmed other than in the Jadar area.

“We are following what both the authorities and Rio Tinto are doing. We are not going to charge all the time. We won’t have a very intensive tempo, so that we don’t spend the people’s energy. But we will indeed be showing we are here. Interchangeably: some combination of public discussions, protests, blockades,” Bralović said in Pranjani.

SEOS scheduled its third assembly for October 27 in Gornje Nedeljice.

Minister Popović: Appropriate authorities have obligation to react to restricting freedom of movement

Minister of Justice Maja Popović condemned activists for blocking roads. The right to democratic gatherings are guaranteed by the constitution and law, but they cannot prevent other citizens from moving freely, the Ministry of Justice said.

Activists are trying in the street to incite chaos and the appropriate authorities have the obligation to react, according to Popović.