Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Claims that the Israeli occupation has withdrawn from areas in the neighborhoods of al-Zaytoun, al-Tuffah, and al-Shujaiya are false
Hamas: The two delegations stressed that any negotiations must lead to the achievement of our people's goals and aspirations, foremost among which is ending the war and the complete withdrawal of enemy forces
Hamas: A delegation from the Hamas leadership, led by the head of the leadership council, Mohammad Darwish, met with an Islamic Jihad delegation, headed by its Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhalah

Serbia backs out of controversial Rio Tinto lithium mine

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 20 Jan 2022 21:48
3 Min Read

After weeks of protests against lithium mining in Serbia, the government reverses its decision on the Rio Tinto lithium mine, complying with public demands.

  • x
  • Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic
    Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic

Serbian authorities discarded plans on the building of a controversial lithium mine, the country's premier said Thursday. The decision comes in light of protests demanding the cancellation of the project set to be built by Rio Tinto due to the dangers it poses.

The plans by Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto were heavily demonstrated against, with Serbs highlighting the threats of the mines to nature, saying the whole project was an "attempt to poison nature," because of the industrial pollution it would have caused.

The government reversing its decision was certainly surprising to many, but it is likely to serve its interests in the upcoming parliamentary elections, as President Aleksandar Vucic's administration seeks to garner support from voters.

"We have fulfilled all the demands from the environmental protests and have put an end to Rio Tinto in the Republic of Serbia," said Prime Minister Ana Brnabic on Thursday.

"Everything about the Jadar project is finished," she added, referring to a mine set to be built in western Serbia.

Related News

Ukraine's lithium wealth diminishes as key deposits fall to Russia

Russia’s Rosatom signs agreement with Bolivia to build lithium plant

Europe seeks to expand its lithium mining 

This comes just a week after Europe announced it was seeking to expand its lithium mining operations - despite stark warnings regarding the environmental repercussions of the operation.

Europe wants to transition to lithium to "go green" in light of the fight against climate change, but it is mainly dependent on external sources for the precious metals, key in the shift from fossil fuels.

Large-scale lithium deposits are found around the western Serbian town of Loznica, where Rio Tinto had acquired land and was waiting for the green light to proceed with its plans.

Lithium, cobalt, and nickel allow electricity to be stored and transported, making the resources essential in the production of electric batteries as car manufacturers attempt to move from the polluting fossil fuels, which have been a major contributor to the climate crisis ravaging the planet.

The Anglo-Australian company had first discovered the deposits in 2006, and it had intended to invest a whopping $2.4 billion in the project.

The project sparked accusations from those opposing it, which asserted that Vucic's government was paving the way for illegal land appropriations and neglecting environmental concerns as the world goes through devastating catastrophes caused by climate change.

  • Lithium
  • Environment
  • Europe
  • Serbia
  • Climate crisis
  • European Union

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS