Environmental Concerns Emerge Over Lithium Mining and Water Safety in Serbia
Activists warn of potential irreversible pollution from lithium mining in the Jadar River region amidst recurring flooding.
An environmental movement in Serbia has raised alarms regarding possible irreversible pollution stemming from lithium mining activities in the Jadar River region.
The area is recognized as one of the richest underground water reservoirs in Serbia, located on the right bank of the Sava River in the Mačva region.
Activists from the Ecological Uprising emphasize that any accident at mining sites could lead to permanent contamination, posing significant risks to local water supplies.
The Jadar River has experienced recurring flooding, most recently reported to have overflowed its banks, inundating areas planned for lithium extraction.
This event recalls catastrophic floods in May 2014, during which three dams failed, releasing thousands of tons of mining waste into the Korenita River, ultimately contaminating the Jadar.
The Ecological Uprising has criticized the government for perceived inaction in safeguarding the region’s water resources, asserting that similar negligence could occur if lithium mining operations commence.
The organization highlights that the company Rio Tinto has proposed a mining waste repository that would cover approximately 20 hectares—equivalent to 30 football fields—and rise to a height of 60 meters, comparable to a fifteen-story building.
Concerns are further exacerbated by the region's seismic activity, as it is classified with a VII degree of seismic intensity over a 95-year period.
Activists warn of potential disasters, such as the failure of infrastructure due to corruption, which could result in the discharge of toxic waste into the Jadar, Sava, and downstream into the Danube.
The activists assert that the area should not be entrusted to Rio Tinto or the business interests of the European Union, stressing that no economic benefits can outweigh the importance of clean drinking water and public health.
The organization issued a strong statement urging clarity regarding the unsuitability of establishing a lithium mine in this critical region.
In a related development, Serbia’s Republic Hydrometeorological Institute has warned that water levels in the Jadar and nearby rivers, including Lima, Kolubara, and Uba, are expected to rise in the coming 48 hours.
The agency indicated that local flooding may occur in certain tributary areas, urging vigilance among local communities and authorities.
The area is recognized as one of the richest underground water reservoirs in Serbia, located on the right bank of the Sava River in the Mačva region.
Activists from the Ecological Uprising emphasize that any accident at mining sites could lead to permanent contamination, posing significant risks to local water supplies.
The Jadar River has experienced recurring flooding, most recently reported to have overflowed its banks, inundating areas planned for lithium extraction.
This event recalls catastrophic floods in May 2014, during which three dams failed, releasing thousands of tons of mining waste into the Korenita River, ultimately contaminating the Jadar.
The Ecological Uprising has criticized the government for perceived inaction in safeguarding the region’s water resources, asserting that similar negligence could occur if lithium mining operations commence.
The organization highlights that the company Rio Tinto has proposed a mining waste repository that would cover approximately 20 hectares—equivalent to 30 football fields—and rise to a height of 60 meters, comparable to a fifteen-story building.
Concerns are further exacerbated by the region's seismic activity, as it is classified with a VII degree of seismic intensity over a 95-year period.
Activists warn of potential disasters, such as the failure of infrastructure due to corruption, which could result in the discharge of toxic waste into the Jadar, Sava, and downstream into the Danube.
The activists assert that the area should not be entrusted to Rio Tinto or the business interests of the European Union, stressing that no economic benefits can outweigh the importance of clean drinking water and public health.
The organization issued a strong statement urging clarity regarding the unsuitability of establishing a lithium mine in this critical region.
In a related development, Serbia’s Republic Hydrometeorological Institute has warned that water levels in the Jadar and nearby rivers, including Lima, Kolubara, and Uba, are expected to rise in the coming 48 hours.
The agency indicated that local flooding may occur in certain tributary areas, urging vigilance among local communities and authorities.
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