Serbian anti-mining activists block bridges, roads Environmental News

Environmental groups are outraged by the recent referendum reform and are opposed to a new expropriation law that allows private land to be acquired.

Clashes have erupted in Serbia over the interests of protesters who have blocked roads and bridges and foreign investors to protest against new laws that harm the environment.

The government has provided mineral resources to China’s Zijin copper miner and Rio Tinto, among others, but activists say the projects would pollute the land and water.

Hundreds of people showed up at the same time in the capital Belgrade, the northern city of Novi Sad and elsewhere to block major bridges and roads for an hour when organizers described it as a warning blockade. If the laws on property expropriation and the referendum were not removed, more protests would take place.

Environmental groups and civil society organizations are outraged by the recent referendum reform, which they say will effectively halt public initiatives against polluting projects by setting high administrative rates. They are also opposed to a new expropriation law, which allows the state to compulsorily acquire private land within eight days.

Activists argue that the move will pave the way for foreign companies to avoid disagreement over projects such as Rio Tinto’s offer to launch a lithium mine in western Serbia.

“I’m angry because we’re an occupied country … I don’t know why [other] people are silent, ”said Marija Popovic, a 35-year-old protester in Belgrade.

Serbian authorities have dismissed the allegations, saying they are infrastructure projects and that new laws are needed. President Aleksandar Vucic said a referendum would be held on the Rio Tinto mine.

Experts have warned that the planned lithium mine will destroy farmland and pollute the water.

Rio Tinto said it will comply with all of the site’s domestic and European Union environmental regulations. He plans to invest $ 2.4 billion in the project, according to Rio Sava director Vesna Prodanovic, according to his sister company Rio Tinto in Serbia.

After decades of neglect, Serbia has faced major environmental problems, such as air and water pollution, poor waste management and many other problems.

Serbia is a candidate for accession to the European Union, but so far little has been achieved in terms of improving the country’s environmental situation.

Serbia is a candidate for accession to the European Union, but so far little has been achieved in terms of improving the country’s environmental situation. [Andrej Isakovic/ AFP]