Serbia backs out of lithium mining project under pressure from environmentalists
Vast reserves of lithium, an essential element in the composition of electric car batteries, have been discovered in the region of the city of Loznica (west) in Serbia.
OLIVER BUNIC AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
The Serbian authorities have given up on a project to exploit a lithium mine which was to be carried out by the company Rio Tinto, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic announced on Thursday January 21 after weeks of protests by environmentalists.
Advertising
Read more
This surprise decision by the Serbian government comes a few months before the legislative and presidential elections, scheduled for the spring, as the administration of President Aleksandar Vucic seeks to strengthen voter support.
"
We have satisfied all the demands of the protesters and put an end to Rio Tinto in Serbia
," said Ana Brnabic in a statement broadcast by state television (RTS).
►
Also to listen:
Serbia: the population does not want the Yadar lithium mine
Reserves discovered in 2006
"
Everything related to the Jadar project is finished
," she added, referring to the name of the valley in western Serbia where this deposit was to be mined.
►
To read also: Lithium, the fuel of the future
Vast reserves of lithium, an essential element in the composition of electric car batteries, have been discovered in the region of the town of Loznica (west).
The Anglo-Australian mining giant has bought land in this region and was waiting to obtain a final green light from the authorities to start operating this mine.
These reserves were discovered in 2006 and the company planned to invest 2.1 billion euros in this project.
But several
environmental organizations spoke out
against what they saw as an environmental disaster.
►
To read also:
China invests in African lithium to ensure its production of electric batteries
(With
AFP
)
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Serbia
Raw materials
Environment