Dossier

Critical Raw Materials in South Eastern Europe

The Western Balkans have critical raw materials, such as lithium in Serbia. These are essential for the EU's green transition. Laws on mining are intended to secure supplies. But there are fears locally that democratization will be sold out, and massive protests are directed against environmental damage and corruption. A deal for the car industry at any price? And what about environmental standards in the South Caucasus?

Publications

Cover: Stellungnahme zur Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung des Projekts „Jadar“

Statement on the environmental impact assessment of the “Jadar” project

Commentary

At the request of the Serbian Ministry of Environment, the Renewables and Environmental Regulations Institute (RERI) comments on the environmental impact study prepared by Rio Tinto for underground lithium and boron exploitation in the Jadar region.

pdf

The Raw Materials Situation in European Countries Cover

The Raw Materials Situation in Neighboring European Countries

Critical raw materials and rare earths are of great economic importance for the European Union. This publication reflects the raw materials situation in four neighboring European countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Georgia, and Armenia.

Political Discourse on the Jadar Project

Report

This study by the Belgrade Center for Security Policy examines the political debate around Serbia's Jadar Project, exploring its global significance, key actors, and evolving narratives. It details the debate's stages, its impact on Serbian politics, and the potential future of environmental discourse.

pdf

Articles

Foto: Eine Gruppe serbischer Polizist*innen steht einer Menge von Demonstrierenden gegenüber. Im Hintergrund ist ein großes, rechteckiges Gebäude.

Mining Lithium, Undermining a Democratic Future: EU Deal Takes Serbia Further from Europe

Analyse

The lithium deal brings a new quality to Serbia’s foreign policy zigzagging. At one stroke, Serbia became a strategic partner and the guarantor for the future of the European Green Deal.

By Dr. Vedran Dzihic

Photo: Mining area near Majdanpek, Serbia, in a hilly landscape. In the foreground is a town with many buildings. On the right, a large open-pit mine with a water basin.

Lithium Mining in Serbia: “An Open and Productive Debate Is Not Possible”

Interview

Serbia's lithium mining project in Jadar has been on hold because of mass protests against feared environmental damage. Now the EU wants to secure this lithium access for Europe - despite the political and legal conditions in Serbia.

Grafik: Kleines Modell einer arktischen Szene, Eisbär auf Eisschollen in einem transparenten blauen Würfel.

Notion on the EU Critical Raw Materials Act: Resource Extraction to serve EU interests?

Comment

Lithium and other raw materials are essential for digitalization and renewable energies, but are often scarce and found outside the EU. With the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), the EU wants to secure access for European industry in the long term.

Draufsicht von oben auf Rupice, eine Bergbau Lagerstätte in Vares-Kakanj, in Bosnien und Herzegowina

Southeast Europe: Plundering the Western Balkans

Analysis

Corrupt politicians have been systematically plundering public budgets and natural resources in the Western Balkans for years. Increasingly, international actors are also discovering an El Dorado for dubious investments in these countries.

By Marion Kraske

GPT Foto: Verfallenes Haus mit freiliegendem Dachstuhl im Hintergrund. Im Vordergrund ein Schild mit Warnhinweisen und Absperrband.

The Rio Tinto Controversy in a Nutshell

Background

The Rio Tinto controversy in Serbia revolves around the planned Jadar lithium mine. Despite economic benefits, strong opposition arises due to environmental concerns such as water shortages and pollution. Local protesters demand more environmental protection.

Video Recordings

Watch on YouTube

This external content requires your consent. Please note our privacy policy.

Balkans at the Crossroads: Lithium Mining, Human Rights, and the Fight for Environmental Justice

Video recording of the hearing in the European Parliament on 16th October 2024.

On October 16, 2024, MEP Sara Matthieu hosted a European Parliament event addressing environmental, social, and human rights risks linked to lithium mining in Serbia and Bosnia. Activists, NGOs, and academics highlighted EU inaction on abuses and stressed prioritizing sustainability over profits.

Watch on YouTube

This external content requires your consent. Please note our privacy policy.

Lithium mining in Serbia, Argentina and Chile
Between current geopolitics and local problems

Video recording of the event, October 8th 2024.

The lithium race for e-mobility raises environmental and social issues in mining nations like Chile, Argentina, and Serbia. The EU seeks sustainable sources but faces local resistance. Experts discuss impacts, local value, and strategies to reduce dependency on lithium.

Watch on YouTube

This external content requires your consent. Please note our privacy policy.

Lunchtime talk: The Raw Materials Situation in Neighbouring European Countries

Recording of the event, 14th October 2024.

Striving for greater independence from China, the EU is looking for new sources of raw materials that are needed for the decarbonisation. In this context, neighbouring European countries come more into focus. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia have recently experienced a boom in new mining projects with strong European involvement. In Armenia and Georgia, environmental destruction and human rights violations have been occurring in the mining context for several years. The four country-reports were published in July 2024

Watch on YouTube

This external content requires your consent. Please note our privacy policy.

Hunting for resources - are the countries of the Western Balkans experiencing a wave of colonisation?

Recording of the panel discussion, 13th May 2024.

With the Critical Raw Material Act (CRMA), the EU wants to reduce dependence on China. This has already had devastating consequences in the Western Balkans: Western companies are mining valuable materials without any regard for nature. Local communities are warning against disregard for international environmental protection standards, and environmental activists are being threatened. Critics are talking about colonial exploitation. The panel discussion will examine the question of how credible green policies in Europe are when negative consequences such as environmental pollution are exported to poorer countries.

More about Critical Raw Materials

Luftaufnahme einer kleinen Mine in der Nähe von Mt. Isa Queensland.

Resource Politics

Dossier

The production and consumption of fossil, mineral and metallic raw materials not only contributes to climate change and environmental destruction worldwide, it also violates human rights, threatens our health and destroys livelihoods.

Ein Muldenkipper fährt durch die Wüste zum Mineralabbau

Europe’s Flawed Approach to Critical Minerals

Commentary

The EU's Critical Raw Materials Act is peppered with commitments to “value-addition” in the countries where critical minerals will be mined and processed. But there is reason to believe that this means little.

By Sophia Pickles

Frontpage of Böll.Thema Cursed Treasures

Böll.Thema 2/23: Cursed Treasures

Global demand for critical and strategic raw materials is on the rise. These resources are indispensable, particularly for the transition to clean energy, but also within other industry sectors. In this issue of our Böll.Thema magazine, we provide insights into recent developments in resource extraction, the associated challenges, and, most importantly, opportunities for positive change.

Add to cart