## Thousands Protested in Serbia Against Lithium Mining Project
On Saturday, tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Belgrade, Serbia, demanding the cancellation of a lithium extraction project in western Serbia promoted by the multinational Rio Tinto and supported by the government. Fears about the potential environmental impact of the project fueled the protest.
The demonstration, which gathered some 30,000 people of all ages in Terazije square and the city center, called for a law to prevent the exploitation of lithium and boron throughout Serbia.
Activists, including Zlatko Kokanovic, announced road and rail blockades across the country in support of the protest. Protesters held banners with slogans like “No mine” and “Rio Tinto, you will not dry up our rivers,” and chanted slogans against the project.
The project, located in the Jadari agricultural area near the town of Pasvalj, is part of Serbia’s effort to develop a complete supply chain for electric vehicles, from mineral extraction to battery production. The government claims the project will boost economic development, but opponents express concerns about its environmental impact.
The protests represent a significant challenge for the Serbian government, with polls showing that 52.1% of respondents oppose the project, citing environmental concerns. Environmental organizations and some experts have also expressed their opposition to the project.