Thousands Protest Against Rio Tinto's $2.4 Billion Lithium Project in Serbia

Aug 10, 2024, 07:04 PM

Thousands of protesters have gathered in Belgrade, Serbia, to demand a halt to Rio Tinto's $2.4 billion lithium mining project in the Jadar Valley, which is said to contain Europe's richest lithium deposits. The protests, organized by environmental activists and opposition groups, are a response to concerns over environmental degradation and the influence of foreign corporations like Rio Tinto and BlackRock. Serbian officials have controversially labeled the protests as a coup plot. The demonstrations highlight the challenges faced by new mining projects for key metals, amid ongoing opposition.