Jakob Stausholm, the chief executive of Rio Tinto, said through local media that the company and its plans for a lithium mine in Serbia are being targeted by what he described as a “carefully designed and well-organized” disinformation campaign. The statement was reportedly prepared for the Serbian online outlet Politika, according to reporting by Beta. Stausholm made the remarks in response to public protests that have intensified concerns about further environmental damage in a heavily polluted area of the Balkans.
Beta reported that Stausholm’s statement characterized issues around the project’s development as confusing, disturbing and divisive for the public. He also said company employees have faced threats and intimidation online, though no specific allegations were detailed in the report. The protests followed the project’s revival and drew attention from environmental and local groups.
Jadar Valley project backed by Serbian officials
Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic has supported the 250-hectare Rio Tinto mining project in the western Jadar Valley. He has argued that it will create jobs. Last week, Vucic and Rio Tinto representatives addressed public concerns in Ljubovija at a forum where citizens asked questions.
Milos Vucevic, the newly appointed prime minister and an ally of Vucic, said his government will require written guarantees about the project’s safety before allowing it to proceed. Rio Tinto has stated that the mine could reach an annual capacity of 60,000 tons of lithium. The company also claims this output could supply nearly 20% of Europe’s needs for electric vehicle battery demand.
Permits, court decision and EU engagement
Protests across Serbia began after the Constitutional Court nullified a previous government decision from 2022. That earlier decision had revoked some initial permits, clearing the way for Vucic’s pledge to complete the Jadar mine project. Environmental and local groups accused Rio Tinto and the Serbian government of disregarding their concerns after the court ruling.
After the decision, German and EU officials visited Serbia to sign a document supporting a “strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials, battery value chains, and electric vehicles.” Stausholm said that this is the first time in Rio Tinto’s long history that it has faced such a situation. He added that environmental impact assessments include a review period during which citizens can be informed, ask questions and submit comments.
Timeline for construction permits
Energy Minister Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said Serbia has already lost two years, while it could take another two years for Rio Tinto to obtain permits needed for construction. Her remarks placed additional emphasis on the permitting timeline following earlier administrative steps tied to the project. The company has repeatedly asserted it will operate safely and meet high environmental standards.
Lithium remains central to Rio Tinto’s plans for Jadar, with use cases including powering computers and smartphones. The mine is positioned by Rio Tinto as part of Europe’s supply needs for electric vehicle batteries. Stausholm’s comments also referenced online pressure involving threats and intimidation directed at company employees.