A U.S. diplomat said on October 11 that a decision on lithium mining is up to Serbia's people but pointed out that a proposed project to exploit the mineral in the west of the country is expected to bring economic benefits.
Jose Fernandez, undersecretary for economic growth, energy, and environment, told a news conference in Belgrade that the question of whether to go ahead with the Jadar project was a sovereign decision and he supports the debate over the project.
The British-Australian mining company Rio Tinto plans to create Europe's biggest lithium mine in Serbia’s Jadar Valley. Rio Tinto says the project could provide nearly 60,000 tons of lithium annually and thus meet about one-fifth of the needs for Europe's electric-vehicle production.
The company has said that experts have confirmed that the Jadar project can be implemented safely and in accordance with the highest environmental standards. But numerous experts and activist oppose the project, claiming that it would have negative effects on environment.
"No country wants to trade the environment for economic growth," Fernandez said at the news conference. "That's a false choice that no country wants to make."
SEE ALSO: Thousands Rally To Call On State-Controlled Serbian TV To Cover Protests Against Lithium MineFernandez said he believes that the mine project will create jobs and bring Serbia closer to the European Union.
He noted that by 2050 the world will need 42 times more lithium than is used today, and that this critical raw material was currently controlled by "one or two countries."
Speaking on October 10, the same day that the Serbian parliament rejected a bill to ban the exploitation of lithium in western Serbia, Fernandez said that the Jadar project is a great opportunity for Serbia that "doesn't come around that often."
During his visit, Fernandez also announced projects that Serbia will implement in cooperation with U.S. companies in the field of green energy.
He said a solar energy agreement will be signed next week and noted that the Energy Ministry is studying the feasibility of a hydroelectric power plant on the Danube River.
Fernandez said that the United States sees that Serbia wants to diversify its sources of energy in order to reduce its dependence on Russia.
"Serbia has long relied on coal, as well as gas from Russia. It is in the interest of every country to achieve energy independence," he said. "Some countries have learned the hard way that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is arming himself with dependence on Russian gas."