Abstract [Europe's largest lithium mine project is in crisis again? On the eve of the passage of the key bill, about 2000 protesters marched through the Serbian capital Belgrade on November 24th local time, opposing the government's passage of a series of draft laws. Environmentalists accuse the laws of being designed to benefit foreign mining companies.
On November 24th local time, about 2000 protesters marched in the Serbian capital Belgrade to protest against the government's passage of a series of draft laws. Environmentalists accuse the laws of being designed to benefit foreign mining companies.
Several rounds of large-scale protests broke out in Serbia in July after Rio Tinto announced plans to invest in a large lithium mine project in Serbia. The protesters believe that these laws will be used to promote mining projects. These mining projects will cause damage to the local environment.
On November 24th, the protesters marched again in front of the office of Serbian President Vucic, followed by a march in downtown Belgrade.
The timing of the march is critical: the Serbian parliament will debate and vote on a series of key draft laws in the coming days. These draft laws are mainly about the expropriation of citizens' assets and referendums. Once passed, the bill would allow the government to speed up the expropriation of private property if it is considered to be in the public interest and reduce voter turnout requirements when voting in a referendum on the expropriation.
Although the Vucic government does not admit it, the protesters believe that the draft laws are designed to allow Rio Tinto to obtain the land needed for the mine. Vucic had previously promised a referendum on Rio's lithium project.
In July, Rio announced plans to invest $2.4 billion in Serbia to develop a large lithium project. Once on the ground, the mine is expected to reach 58000 tons of lithium carbonate, 160000 tons of boric acid and 255000 tons of sodium sulfate per year, meaning it will become the largest lithium mining project in Europe. It will also help Rio Tinto secure its position as the largest lithium supplier in Europe for at least the next 15 years.
The Vucic government has been positive about the project. This project can bring considerable export income and employment opportunities to Serbia, while the Serbian government can also develop industries such as lithium mining and lithium battery factories around it, thus bringing more economic benefits and employment opportunities.
Rio Tinto says it will respect legal and environmental standards, but ecological groups are still concerned that mining lithium will damage the environment. In addition, in some areas planned for mining and infrastructure projects, local owners refused to sell their properties and sued for higher compensation.
At present, the majority of seats in the Serbian parliament are controlled by Vucic's coalition of political parties. On Nov. 24, Vucic again denied that the expropriation law was designed to give Rio Tinto control of the land needed for the mine. He said at a news conference that the collection law was established to speed up the construction of infrastructure projects.
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