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https://thewest.com.au/business/min...govt-bid-to-revoke-lithium-project-c-15325815

Serbia court rejects government bid to revoke Rio’s $3.5b lithium project
Staff WritersReuters
Fri, 12 July 2024 5:08AM



Serbian authorities revoked Rio Tinto's permit for a lithium project after environmental protests. (AP PHOTO)Credit: AAP

The Serbian Constitutional Court says in a ruling the government’s decision in 2022 to revoke Rio Tinto’s spatial plan permit for a lithium mine project was unconstitutional.

Following massive protests organised by environmental campaigners, the government in January 2022 revoked Rio Tinto’s permit for the $US2.4 billion ($3.5b) lithium project.
“The government overstepped the limits of its competence by adopting the regulation in a manner that is not in accordance with Article 3 of the Constitution and the provisions of the Law on Government and the Law on Environmental Impact Assessment,” the court ruling said.

If developed, the Jadar lithium project in western Serbia could cover 90 per cent of Europe’s current lithium needs and help to make the company a leading lithium producer.

Lithium, largely used in batteries for electric vehicles and mobile devices, is regarded as a critical material by many major economies.
On Thursday several hundred protesters gathered in front of the Constitutional Court building to demand a halt to the lithium exploration saying it is bad for the environment.