On October 19, environmental activists blocked the Loznica-Valjevo and Ibarska magistrala roads for one hour as part of their opposition to the opening of lithium mines. During this time, only emergency vehicles were allowed to pass. Zlatko Kokanović from the organization “Ne damo Jadar” announced that the next protest will take place in Čačak on October 24, with additional roadblocks planned for Saturday.
The activists are united in their demand for a complete ban on lithium exploration and mining. This latest round of protests follows the rejection of an opposition proposal to amend the Mining Law. The opposition warns that lithium extraction could lead to permanent ecological damage, while the government insists that the project, proposed by the British-Australian company Rio Tinto, presents a significant economic opportunity.
Rio Tinto has held exploration permits for nearly 20 years, and large-scale environmental protests began three years ago in response to the potential mining operations. Throughout 2024, protests under the slogan “You Won’t Mine” have occurred across the country, culminating in a major rally in Belgrade in August that attracted tens of thousands of participants.
