The European Commission has selected nine lithium extraction projects within the EU, which will provide up to 80% of the EU’s annual lithium consumption by 2030. This reduces the EU’s reliance on external sources like Serbia’s Jadar lithium mine. Despite Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s claim that Jadar will soon be added to the list of strategic projects, this announcement highlights a shift in Europe’s approach to securing critical raw materials.
The European Commission’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) offers faster approval procedures for strategic projects, but Serbia has not yet integrated the CRMA into its legislation, meaning the decision holds no legal weight in Serbia. Public opposition to the Jadar project remains high, with concerns about environmental harm, non-transparent operations by Rio Tinto, and corruption. Activists, civil society organizations, and academic workers have raised alarms about the project’s risks.
Public support for the Jadar mine has dropped from 25.6% to 19%, and many oppose the government’s handling of the project. Despite these concerns, the EU’s lack of transparency in the selection process and the refusal to provide Rio Tinto’s application for Jadar makes it difficult to assess whether it meets the EU’s criteria for strategic status.
The EU’s focus is shifting towards alternative sources and recycling, reducing the need for new mines like Jadar. Given the EU’s goal to recycle critical raw materials and reduce environmental impact, the political leverage of Serbian lithium is diminishing. If Jadar were to be granted strategic status, activists are prepared to challenge it in the European Court of Justice.
In conclusion, the political context around Serbia’s lithium and the Jadar project is evolving, with the EU looking to secure lithium domestically and through recycling, reducing the importance of Serbia’s lithium resources for future European trade.
