In July 2024, a joint press conference was held at the Palace of Serbia with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. The meeting focused on lithium and the Jadar lithium mine project in western Serbia, which has drawn significant opposition. The renewed discussions followed protests that had temporarily stalled the project.
The Jadar project is led by the mining company Rio Tinto. It is of interest to Germany and the European Union, with Germany seeking lithium for electric vehicle batteries. The EU also aims to reduce dependence on China, described as a leading global lithium producer. In Serbia, large-scale protests against mining operations have made the project a highly contested issue.
Statements at the Palace of Serbia on lithium and project conditions
At the press conference, Vučić said lithium represents an opportunity for Serbia. He stated that Serbia would not miss the chance to exploit it. Vučić also said mining would proceed only if there were full protection for both human life and nature. The remarks were made in the context of renewed talks about the Jadar project after protest activity.
Environmental protection conditions and internal expert objections
Documents obtained by the Center for Investigative Journalism (CINS) indicate that environmental protection conditions were manipulated to favor the project. The conditions were issued by the Institute for Nature Protection of Serbia. CINS reports that they were approved despite opposition from environmental experts within the institution. Experts warned that the proposed conditions would not adequately protect biodiversity and natural habitats.
The controversy began when Rio Sava Exploration, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, requested nature protection conditions for the Jadar project. Some institute experts initially opposed the proposed conditions, arguing they would not prevent irreversible environmental damage. Despite this opposition, Marina Šibalić, director of the institute, issued the conditions. Experts criticized the document for lacking key safeguards for wildlife protection.
Biologists and biodiversity specialists at the institute raised concerns that critical elements related to endangered species and biodiversity were not included in the final document. Šibalić proceeded with approval despite these objections. In subsequent months, the institute attempted to hide parts of documentation from public access. CINS reports that this included official notes from senior officials describing internal opposition to approving the conditions.
Concerns over transparency and consultation inside the institute
According to CINS, experts’ official notes questioned transparency and legality in how decisions were handled. The notes highlighted that the document was prepared and issued without proper consultation with all relevant departments within the institute. These disclosures have intensified criticism regarding how decisions related to the Jadar project were managed. Some critics have characterized parts of the decision-making process as politically motivated.
The dispute over the Jadar lithium mine project remains a significant issue in Serbia, involving economic interests alongside environmental and social concerns. The controversy continues to center on how nature protection requirements were set and approved within Serbia’s institutional framework.