"'Like An Earthquake': Serbian Villagers Stand Up To Chinese Mining Company Over Environmental Concerns" 21 February 2024

A group of older villagers from Krivelj, a village of some 700 people a few kilometers from Bor, the city that is home to a massive complex where copper and other minerals are mined and processed by China's Zijin Mining Group, have been blocking the road leading to the mine since January 29...

Locals have long complained about pollution, contaminated drinking water, and other environmental damage from the sprawling operations, which were taken over by the Chinese mining giant in 2018...

Frustrated after years of inaction from Serbian authorities over their concerns, protesters took to the village streets and blocked access roads to the mines, effectively cutting the site off from supplies needed for its operations. On February 13, Zijin said it was forced to suspend production at the mine because of the blockade...

While residents view the temporary stop in operations announced by Zijin to be a success, the blockade is set to continue while protesters call for government mediation to settle the issue. So far, no talks have been initiated...

Zijin has repeatedly said it operates in compliance with all laws and regulations in Serbia and, in a public statement, claimed it actively seeks dialogue with the organizers of the protests, local authorities, and the Serbian government "so that the road blockade can be resolved peacefully."

Serbia's Mining and Energy Ministry did not respond to RFE/RL's request for comment, but the government has repeatedly promised to move the villagers...