In western Serbia’s Jadar Valley, farmer Zoran Filipovic, 55, says his land is at the center of a dispute over lithium extraction. The area contains a lithium deposit described as important for electric vehicle batteries. Lithium was discovered about 20 years ago by Rio Tinto, and the project has been linked to demand tied to the energy transition and transport electrification.
Local opposition has intensified since Serbia’s government withdrew Rio Tinto’s mining license in 2022. The decision followed mass protests and was partly attributed to election timing. After a court ruling, the government reinstated the project in June 2024, prompting another round of demonstrations.
Public opposition and political backdrop
Opponents include environmentalists, nationalists, and other residents who say they fear environmental damage and the loss of land. A 2024 survey cited in the dispute reports that more than 55% of Serbs oppose lithium mining in the Jadar Valley. The same reporting says a significant portion of the population has mobilized through protests.
The protests have also been described as a flashpoint for wider dissatisfaction with President Aleksandar Vučić’s government. The government is accused by critics of authoritarianism, corruption, and mishandling environmental issues. The dispute is therefore presented as both a local land conflict and part of broader political tensions.
EU support and promised economic benefits
The European Union has supported the project, describing lithium as relevant to its green transition and to building a European EV supply chain. Serbian leaders, including Vučić, have said the project would bring economic benefits. Those promises include job creation and foreign investment connected to battery production and car factories.
At the same time, many citizens view the project as benefiting foreign corporations rather than local communities. The reporting specifically mentions German companies seeking access to the lithium. Some opponents characterize these promises as a betrayal of their land.
Rio Tinto’s extraction plan and environmental studies
Rio Tinto defends its proposal by saying it would use modern mining methods intended to reduce environmental impacts. The company says it would rely on underground extraction designed to minimize surface disruption. It also states it has invested heavily in environmental studies.
The company further says it will follow strict safety and environmental standards. However, local scientists have raised concerns about pollution risks associated with the project. They cite elevated levels of boron, arsenic, and lithium in nearby river water.
Trust issues from prior mining experiences
The dispute is also shaped by distrust toward foreign mining operators in Serbia. The reporting points to earlier experiences involving Chinese mining firms that left environmental degradation in other regions of the country. Against that background, farmers in the Jadar Valley are described as divided over how to respond to Rio Tinto’s presence.
Some farmers are reported to have accepted buyouts from Rio Tinto. Others continue to oppose the project while focusing on land protection and environmental preservation. As protests intensify, neighbors are described as increasingly at odds within affected communities.