– Huge Protests Target Rio Tinto’s Lithium Project In Serbia – Would Be Europe’s Largest Mine:
A massive, early-stage lithium mining project in Serbia faces huge and animated public opposition, casting some doubt on the viability of a key component of Western Europe’s push for a “green transition” away from fossil fuels. Opposition to the Rio Tinto Group project is powered by a hybrid engine fueled by environmentalism and nationalism.
The size and intensity of the opposition was on full display earlier this month, as an estimated 24,000 to 27,000 marching protesters filled wide boulevards in Belgrade, chanting “Rio Tinto get out of Serbia” and “you will not dig,” and carrying signs saying “We do not give Serbia away.” Others disrupted train travel by filling two of the city’s stations, with some blocking the tracks.
Over the past few years, the mine project has been a stop-and-go affair. After Rio Tinto’s license was given the green light in 2019, it was revoked in 2022 amid the final run-up to Serbia’s general election — following months of enormous protests like the one seen a few weeks ago. Then-Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said the decision was made in deference to the protesters, and declared, “We put an end to Riot Tinto in Serbia.”
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