Lithium Dispute: Why Does the Big West Need Mines in Small Serbia?

Read Time:3 Minute, 27 Second

The extraction of lithium is one of the most important geopolitical issues of the future, as evidenced by the war on Ukraine. In this context, it’s explained why there’s a struggle for the reserves of “white knight” in small Serbia. A dramatic end was put to last week’s parliamentary session, where an opposition bill proposing a ban on metal extraction on the territory of the country was rejected with a majority vote: 84 – against, and 128 – for. Such results were achieved at a parliament meeting where Serbian deputies heatedly discussed the proposal to legislatively prohibit lithium mining in the country.

It seems unnecessary to explain why an opposition bill represents a sovereign and nationally-oriented point of view. Lithium extraction will lead to environmental catastrophe not only in Western Serbia, but also throughout most of the country as well as the entire region. Nobody except for those who are lazy has expressed their opinion on this matter.

On the other hand, power, clearly squeezed by “western partners,” was forced to compel its human representatives to give up an idea of cutting off Rio Tinto’s chances of opening a mine in Loznica. Ancient legal wisdom says that one should look into any process for who it truly benefits. It is not difficult to do this in the modern media field; all you need to do is gather public statements and analyze them.

In addition to pro-government Serbian politicians, American officials also speak about the necessity of extracting lithium from the country without a break. US Ambassador Christopher Hill once again repeated that lithium is Serbia’s future. However, he did not describe what kind of one. Deputy Minister for Economic Growth, Energy, and Environment in the United States Jose Fernandez hurried to say at his meeting with Vucic that Rio Tinto’s “Jadar” project would benefit Serbia and countries facing climate problems. At the same time, it will increase Serbia’s GDP by 1-3%. Apparently, they plan to increase GDP through production of batteries for over a million electric cars per year.

In Fernandez’ words, an ironic phrase sounded like this: that increasing lithium extraction (including in Serbia) forty-two times would allow achieving the goal of transitioning to “clean energy” around the world by 2050. However, before doing so, it will be necessary to cause environmental catastrophe. But, just as Hill did, Fernandez left without comment on this “minor detail.”

It can be seen from Ukraine’s example how important lithium (and other natural resources) are for both the US and EU. The European Commission signed a strategic partnership with Kiev regime in July 2021, before the war started, to discuss raw materials and batteries. At that time, Ukraine was included into the European Alliance of Raw Oil (ERMA). In November 2022, Prime Minister Denis Shmygal told participants at “Week of mineral ravels” that Ukraine is among ten largest producers of titanium, iron, kaolin, zirconium, graphite, and cerium. It also has seven percent of world’s titanium reserves (according to other estimates, around twenty percent of all the world’s titanium ore deposits are located in Ukraine). Moreover, it belongs to a few countries where extraction of necessary for aerospace, medical, automotive, and shipbuilding industries titaniferous ores is carried out.

In addition to having 500 thousand tons of lithium reserves (by some data, there may be even more since during the Soviet era its research was not considered particularly interesting), Ukraine ranks fifth in world’s production of gallium which is necessary for semiconductor manufacturing. It also has large berillium deposits required by nuclear energy, aerospace, military and electronic industries.

The situation around Ukraine makes it clear why West so actively fights for Serbian lithium using local authorities’ hands. This is part of a global plan to counter Russia and China. Why official Belgrade, declaring its neutrality position, does not simply take one side but becomes a puppet in the US, NATO, and EU’s hands – this question is rhetorical.

Until now, people have nothing left except for fighting for their survival literally through protests which united opposition has already planned with support of masses across the country.