Serbia’s Jadar Valley and Bosnia’s Mount Majevica have emerged as the epicenters of a transnational fight against lithium mining. Though separated by just 50 kilometers (31 miles), these regions share more than proximity—they face common threats from foreign mining corporations targeting their valuable lithium deposits, crucial for renewable energy technologies like batteries and electric vehicles.
A grassroots movement spanning the two countries has grown into a globally connected civic campaign, challenging industrial encroachment while emphasizing environmental protection and community rights.
Why Lithium Mining Faces Opposition
Lithium, often called “white gold,” is a cornerstone of renewable energy systems, powering batteries, electric vehicles, and other green technologies. Yet its extraction carries serious environmental risks. Mining operations often rely on chemicals like sulfuric acid, which can contaminate soil, groundwater, and air, threatening ecosystems and human health. In Serbia, exploratory drilling has already been linked to soil pollution, raising concerns about cross-border contamination.
The Origins of Resistance in Serbia
Opposition in Serbia began when local citizens learned of planned lithium extraction during a municipal meeting. A spontaneous assembly drew 300 people, sparking resistance across 22 villages in the agriculturally rich Jadar Valley.
Movements like We Won’t Give Up Jadar and Mars sa Drine (March from the Drina River) lead the fight. Residents meticulously study environmental reports, monitor land earmarked for mining, and track the presence of outsiders linked to industrial projects.
“Whenever we pushed the company [Rio Tinto], they just shrugged. They said they’ll do their best to meet standards,” says Zlatko Kokanović of We Won’t Give Up Jadar.
The Serbian activists combine street protests, legal challenges, and sustained public advocacy, involving entire families in a collective effort to defend their lands.
Broadening the Movement
The movement has gained national attention, with support from Serbia’s most prominent academic institution, the Serbian Academy of Sciences, which published reports highlighting lithium mining’s potential environmental harm. Politicians, entertainers, and opposition figures have amplified the cause, leading to debates in the Serbian parliament and a citizens’ legislative initiative to ban lithium mining altogether.
International solidarity has also grown. Activists from the UK, Argentina, Spain, Chile, Portugal, and Germany signed the Jadar Declaration, pledging to oppose lithium exploitation and support Balkan communities.
A Temporary Victory in Serbia
Years of grassroots advocacy have yielded tangible results. Lithium mining projects in Jadar have been temporarily halted. Rio Tinto has paused investments and infrastructure development, signaling a pause in the campaign—but the company and Serbian authorities remain active in the background.
“There’ll be no mine,” says Zlatko Kokanović, reflecting cautious optimism.
Cooperation Across Borders
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, activists face similar challenges on Mount Majevica, near the city of Tuzla. Like their Serbian counterparts, Bosnian groups—including Guardians of Majevica, Center for Environment, and Eco Path—organize protests and coordinate advocacy, transcending ethnic and religious divisions.
“For years we’ve exchanged information with colleagues from Serbia,” says Tihomir Dakic of the Center for Environment. “Now we advocate together for environmental protection, even as far away as Berlin and Brussels.”
The proposed mine in Majevica would be just 13 kilometers from Tuzla, potentially becoming the world’s first lithium operation near a major urban center, raising concerns about contamination of fertile agricultural land and local ecosystems.
Unity Overcoming Division
The campaign has broken long-standing ethnic and religious barriers in Bosnia, uniting Serbs, Croats, and Muslim Bosniaks. Even religious leaders, traditionally aligned with political authorities, have voiced opposition. The Serbian Orthodox Bishop in Bosnia publicly urged governments to halt mining plans.
Facing Legal and Political Hurdles
Despite the grassroots momentum, activists confront institutional barriers. In Republika Srpska, a new law on geological exploration removes local authority over mining decisions, facilitating foreign concessions without proper scrutiny.
The success in Serbia has inspired allies in Bosnia, yet the durability of this transnational movement depends on evolving political landscapes in both countries.
A Transnational Movement for Environmental Protection
Today, resistance to lithium mining in the Balkans is truly transnational, marked by cooperation, knowledge sharing, and joint advocacy across borders. Serbia and Bosnia’s communities have demonstrated that grassroots mobilization, environmental vigilance, and international solidarity can challenge powerful corporate interests while protecting ecosystems, public health, and cultural heritage.
