Serbian environmentalists reject plans for lithium mining

BELGRADE (Serbia) — Protesters calling for the cancellation of plans for lithium mining west Serbian took to the streets Saturday again, blocking key roads and attempting to block a crossing.

Traffic on the Balkan nation’s main north–south highway was stopped in Belgrade, the capital. There were also several roads throughout the country, including one at Serbia’s border to Bosnia.

Minor incidents have been reported, with angry drivers trying push their way through the crowds. Witnesses said that a man was hurt in an incident in Sabac’s western town.

Environmental groups are calling on the populist government in Serbia to stop lithium mining in western Serbia. Activists pledge to continue blocking roads until their demands are met and Rio Tinto is expelled from Serbia.

Thousands of people joined similar demonstrations a few weeks ago, forcing government to withdraw two laws that activists claimed were intended to accelerate the country’s mining plans.

This is an ecological catastrophe that I think Serbia has already entered, and even a more serious one (catastrophe), is threatening,” Mirjana, a Belgrade resident, said.

Janko Krizan, another protester, believes it is our duty come here.

Rio Tinto will not pollute Serbia but also all other systems, he stated.

Rio Tinto conducted explorations in western Serbia. However, environmental groups want the project to be canceled. They fear that lithium mining could devastate the environment, the water supply, and the entire ecosystem.

Serbia has become a nation of 7,000,000 people, which is now battling environmental problems. Serbia is suffering from poor waste management, air pollution and other environmental issues that have accumulated over the years. Serbia must address environmental issues in order to progress in its bid for membership to the 27-nation European Union.

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