The European Commission recently designated the Jadar lithium and boron mining project in Serbia as a strategic energy project outside the EU, without publicly explaining the decision, citing protection of confidential business information. This lack of transparency raises concerns as the EC is legally required under Article 296 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) to provide reasons for such decisions.
The EC justified supporting the Jadar project as a way to secure a stable supply of lithium, critical for green and digital technologies, aiming to diversify imports and reduce dependency on China. However, questions arise since Rio Tinto, the project operator, has a major shareholder that is a Chinese state-owned company.
The project has sparked significant social unrest in Serbia, with widespread opposition from citizens and much of the scientific community. Critics highlight the absence of public dialogue, incomplete documentation, and government repression of opponents. The European Commission acknowledges these concerns and states that the project must comply with environmental impact assessments, public consultations, sustainable implementation, respect for human and labor rights, community engagement, and transparent practices.
Despite the project’s strategic importance, the EC emphasizes that its support does not alter Serbia’s obligations regarding the rule of law, democracy, or EU accession progress. The partnership aims to attract investment for economic growth, green transition, and job creation, while committing both Serbia and the EU to responsible mining and high environmental and social standards.
