‘In the rush for a green transition, corporate interests overshadow environmental and social concerns’
CIVICUS discusses recent protests against lithium mining in Serbia with Žaklina Živković and Miroslava Nikolić of Polekol, a Serbian environmental advocacy group.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has secured a deal with the European Union (EU) to mine lithium. While this could boost Serbia’s economy and contribute to the EU’s green goals, since lithium is a key component of rechargeable batteries, it has led to mass protests from people concerned about environmental impacts. Vučić has accused protesters of trying to oust him with western support, but critics see this as an attempt to divert attention from his increasingly autocratic rule.
What are the motives behind Serbia’s lithium mining deal with the EU?
The Serbian government decided to pursue a lithium mining deal with the EU after years of controversy and protests, largely because it lacks a clear economic strategy. Since the Progressive Party came to power over a decade ago, its focus has been on short-term gains, often through the privatisation of state assets such as companies and natural resources, including land and water. The lithium project is just the latest example of this tendency to sell anything that can be sold, with little regard for the long-term consequences for the public or the environment.
Corruption has also been a driving force, as many of these deals benefit private companies linked to the ruling party, allowing the government to stay in power while disrespecting democratic norms and avoiding accountability. As long as they keep the right stakeholders happy, they can continue to operate without regard for the common good.
As for the EU, its interest in Serbian lithium is not just about tackling climate change, but also about broader economic and geopolitical factors. The EU needs lithium to reduce its dependence on Chinese imports for electric car batteries. But in the rush to secure resources for the green transition, corporate interests often overshadow genuine environmental and social concerns, which risks undermining public trust in the process.
How have people in Serbia reacted to the lithium deal?
The Serbian people feel betrayed as they see their essential resources being sold off without any concern for their conservation. In recent years, Serbians have become more aware of environmental issues, and when the full scale of the project became clear, protests began at the local level and quickly grew into a national movement. People realised that this wasn’t just about a mine, but about the future direction of the country. Serbia has the potential for sustainable development, but many fear this will be jeopardised by a shift towards mining.
Local communities, particularly those in agricultural and ecologically rich areas targeted for mining, are determined to protect their way of life. They are living examples of a green transition based on sustainable agriculture rather than heavy mining.
For them, the fight against extractivism is a matter of survival. As they experience firsthand the effects of environmental mismanagement, rural communities are increasingly realising that institutions are failing to protect them. This presents an opportunity for mobilisation.
Nationwide protests successfully raised awareness of the risks of unchecked mining projects and called for a more thoughtful, community-centred approach to development. The movement has also urged the EU to rethink its approach to critical commodities and support the rights of local communities to shape their futures.
How has the government responded to the protests?
The government has long been suspicious of civil society. We are often portrayed as acting in the interests of foreign powers rather than Serbian people. But this narrative isn’t new. It’s a tactic successive governments have used to discredit our work. But since the environmental protests began, the government has stepped up its efforts to undermine the movement.
The scale and organisation of the protests took the government by surprise. It wasn’t expecting such a strong mobilisation, or such a thorough understanding of the legal and environmental issues involved. This helped us win some initial victories, such as stopping some projects and influencing small reforms. But it didn’t last long.
The government has since escalated its response, using harsher measures such as legal harassment and threats of criminal charges. Activists are accused of attempting to overthrow the constitutional order by force, a charge that carries severe penalties. This aggressive approach highlights the government’s unease with the growing influence of civil society and its ability to mobilise public opinion against controversial projects.
What other challenges does the lithium project face?
The project faces legal challenges. There’s no national plan, and land purchases have not been completed because many local people refuse to sell. This may force the government to use compulsory land expropriation, which would require changes to current laws.
Serbia’s environmental institutions also suffer from a lack of resources and staff. With only a few inspectors responsible for mining and environmental issues across the country, it’s almost impossible to effectively enforce regulations and ensure safe operations. We’ve already seen problems in other mining areas, including air and water pollution and health issues.
The proposed site for this project in the Jadar Valley is particularly worrying because it’s densely populated and heavily dependent on agriculture. This would be the first lithium mine in the area, making it a test case with potentially disastrous consequences. Both the government and the mining company, Rio Tinto, have yet to demonstrate they can manage these risks effectively and win the trust of the local communities who would be most affected.
What support do you receive from international allies?
Fortunately, we are getting various forms of international support, particularly in the form of exchange of knowledge, experience and solidarity. There’s a growing sense of global solidarity across issues and countries, and we have strong links with climate movements abroad.
But this is not enough. We need more vocal and visible support from international allies. This could include statements of solidarity from EU institutions, increased scrutiny of EU-funded projects and pressure on the Serbian government and companies like Rio Tinto to uphold higher environmental and social standards.
Serbian activists are pushing for systemic change that integrates economic development with environmental sustainability, and international support is crucial to this effort. This struggle transcends local boundaries and is part of a larger global movement for a just and sustainable future for all.