The European Commission recently selected 47 projects deemed strategically important for the supply of critical raw materials, a decision that brings the issue of lithium mining in Serbia back into focus. However, the Zinwald lithium project, which Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić visited, was not on this list. Despite this, company representatives assure that it will not significantly impact the project’s realization. This project, alongside the Jadar lithium project, was conceived before the European Commission’s push to prioritize certain projects related to critical raw materials, based on factors other than EU support.
The European Union’s recent emphasis on reducing dependence on third countries for critical raw materials is tied to its experiences with energy shortages, particularly following the disruptions in Russian gas supplies to Germany. The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) aims to expedite approval processes for mining and processing projects, potentially reducing timelines from 10 years to just over two years for mining projects.
While the list of 47 projects is not final, it includes three German lithium-related projects. However, the Zinwald lithium mine, located on the border between Germany and the Czech Republic, was notably absent, which surprised the project’s leadership. Despite this, company officials remain optimistic about the project’s development, stressing that the absence of EU support will not alter their plans or profitability.
The Zinwald project faces opposition from local communities, and upcoming meetings with residents are expected to be contentious. Despite the absence of EU support, both Zinwald and the Jadar Project share similarities in their development process, having been launched before the CRMA initiative. The EU’s stance on Serbia’s lithium projects is clear: Brussels and Berlin are not involved in decisions regarding mining in Serbia, and Germany respects Belgrade’s authority in this matter.
The Jadar project, however, has faced criticism, particularly in Germany, where energy expert Claudia Kaempfert has voiced concerns over exporting environmental issues to other countries and the political context in Serbia. She cautioned about the risks of relying on countries with questionable democratic standards.
