"Thousands in Serbia rally against Rio Tinto mine project", 29 July 2024

"Thousands rallied on Monday in the Serbian city of Sabac to protest the Rio Tinto, lithium project, over fears it could cause environmental harm.

Lithium, which is regarded as a critical material by the European Union and the United States, is used in batteries for electric vehicles and mobile devices.

Rio Tinto aims to start mining in Serbia's lush western region of Jadar, but its plans have met with fierce opposition. Last week, protests against the mine took place in several towns across the country

Protests on Monday were also held in three other towns in central Serbia. More rallies were expected in the coming days.

Protesters in Sabac, about 50 kilometres northeast of the designated mine site, demanded that it be cancelled.

"We cannot live without clean air and water, but we can live without lithium batteries and electric cars," Biljana Stepanovic, of the Proglas (Proclamation) rights organisation told the crowd.

Earlier this month, Serbia reinstated Rio Tinto's license to develop what would be Europe's biggest lithium mine, more than two years after it was annulled due to protests by environmental groups...."