Fundamentals First
Upholding the rule of law and human rights protection as fundamental preconditions for critical raw materials exploitation in Serbia
A statement by Mirko Popović and Jovan Rajić
The fundamental legal and policy preconditions for the sustainable and accountable development of critical raw materials exploitation projects in Serbia are missing.
Sizeable lithium deposits in Serbia’s Jadar Valley have sparked international interest. However, previous experiences with mining projects show high environmental and human rights risks, as the involved institutions cannot safeguard the public interest, ensure the protection of human rights, health, and private property of Serbian citizens, nor comply with environmental and social standards required by the European Union (EU) Critical Raw Materials Act.