Among various companies working to connect their facilities to the Elektromreža Srbije transmission system is Rio Tinto, an investor planning to establish a lithium mine near Loznica, according to reports from Nova Ekonomija.

Data from Elektromreža Srbije reveals that by February 1, 2025, eight requests have been submitted to finalize a contract for a connection study covering the period from March 1 to June 30, 2025.

All requests, as noted, need to be finalized by March 1, 2025.

Recently, Rio Tinto has not been actively promoting itself in Serbia due to facing resistance from the local population. Despite efforts to mitigate concerns alongside Serbian authorities, the response has yet to yield positive outcomes, as reported by Nova Ekonomija.

The most recent initiative involved releasing an Environmental Impact Study, which received mixed reactions and a definitive stance from segments of Serbia’s scientific community. Subsequently, discussions were held with the residents of Rađevina, initiated by the political leadership led by President Aleksandar Vučić.

The overall results, as described, are minimal, and public distrust, particularly among those who would be directly impacted by the mine’s opening, has grown significantly.

As highlighted, Rio Tinto’s reputation may not aid its cause, as a myriad of activists globally and ongoing investigations have shined a spotlight on dubious and unethical business practices.

Serbia has been engaging in discreet negotiations with the European Union (EU) regarding sustainable raw materials. In July of the previous year, a Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership was signed between Serbia and the EU in the domains of sustainable raw materials, battery value chains, and electric vehicles.

This agreement will create a legal framework enabling Serbia to supply lithium to the EU, particularly to Germany, while Germany and the EU are expected to invest in Serbia, especially concerning lithium processing.

In a similarly discreet manner, Elektromreže published this document, hoping it would go unnoticed.

Concealing documents related to this matter is not unusual, as indicated by the mysterious disappearance of a petition signed by Serbian citizens opposing the mine from the country’s parliament.

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