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Serbia’s government announced Thursday that the controversial Rio Tinto lithium mine that planned for the western part of the country is dead after weeks of massive protests claiming that the mine would lead to environmental ruin for neighboring towns.
As we have been reporting, week after week, month after month thousands of demonstrators took to the streets blocking main roads and bridges used to access the mine site near Loznica. These protesters also faced an intimidation campaign by authorities and police brutality.
“We are not afraid of Rio Tinto,” Ana Brnabić, the Serbian prime minister, said, according to the report. “We are here for our people and our country. They can do whatever they think they should do. This is the final decision of the government of the Republic of Serbia.”
The decision came weeks before the country’s general election in April. DW.com reported that the Serbian Progressive Party, the party in power, had initially supported the development of mines in Serbia, but the party has seen its support decline.
The Trends Journal reported on how the global shift to “green energy” could impact the environment through mining. (See “CHINA EYEING AFGHANISTAN’S TRILLIONS IN RARE EARTH MINERAL WEALTH,” “HERE’S WHERE ALL THAT EXTRA LITHIUM WILL COME FROM,” “INVESTORS BET ON AN ENERGIZED LITHIUM MARKET” and “BOLIVIA: LOOTING THE LITHIUM.”)
Lithium is a rare, metallic element and an important component for computers, smartphones, and TV screens. Lithium is the metal of choice for batteries because it can store more electric charge in the same space than any other metal.
Belgrade revoked all licenses tied to the lithium exploration at the mine. Reuters reported that the Anglo-Australian, $2.4 billion project would have made Rio a top 10 producer in the world.
Reports pointed out that the decision is likely to further divide Belgrade and Canberra after tennis star Novak Djokovic was kicked out of the country for not being vaccinated.
The BBC reported that Djokovic has spoken out in support of the protesters. He mentioned that clean air and water is key to good health. There is concern that the mine would contaminate water supplies.
“All decisions (linked to the lithium project) and all licenses have been annulled. As far as project Jadar is concerned, this is an end,” the prime minister said. Rio Tinto said it was reviewing the legal basis of Belgrade’s decision.
TREND-TRACKING LESSON: Gerald Celente has long noted that one of the most important elements for protests to be successful is that they must continue unabated.
For example, the Berlin Wall came tumbling down when people came to the wall and did not leave. And each day, more people came and did not leave until they greatly outnumbered the military.
On 23 November 2021, the Trends Journal published an article, “MODI LOSES, FARMERS WIN. A MEGA-TREND BEYOND INDIA,” and pointed out that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally gave in to protesters—after a year—and repealed contentious farm laws that farmers said would kill their chances at making a living.
And as with India’s farmers, day after day, night after night, week after week, month after month, they took to the streets and did not leave until they got what they wanted.
These protesters in Serbia had the same determination.
Need More Proof?
Immediately following one of the biggest anti-nuclear protests in American history, back in 1982, when nearly a million protesters gathered in New York City’s Central Park, Defense Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger said how useless and ineffective the event was in changing Washington’s policy.
“The fact that a very large number of people turn out for a particular event is certainly something that people notice. But I don’t think that anybody rushes back and says, ‘We have to change our policy’ . . . or something because there’s been a rally.”