Rio Tinto’s (RIO) US$2.4 billion (A$3.34 billion) Serbian...

Rio Tinto’s (RIO) US$2.4 billion (A$3.34 billion) Serbian lithium project contracts may be cut following last weekends protests and road blockades by environmental activistsAccording to sources, Rio’s involvement was part of an economic plan for the country, but environmentalists say the plan could cause irreversible damage to the regionProtesters have forced President Aleksandar Vucic into the light in the few months leading to his next presidential campaignDespite political pressure, Rio Tinto ended the day trading up 2.28 per cent at $105.99 apieceRio Tinto’s (RIO) US$2.4 billion (A$3.34 billion) Serbian lithium project contracts may be cut following last weekends protests and road blockades by environmental activists.RIO previously planned to build a mine in the Jadar Valley, near Loznica, but the local municipality has already scrapped the plan and reallocated the land.According to sources, Rio’s involvement was part of an economic plan for the country, but environmentalists say the plan could cause irreversible damage to the region.In response, RIO stated all projects would meet the European Union’s environmental standards.Protesters have forced President Aleksandar Vucic into the light in the few months leading to his next presidential campaign.“We have worked in a transparent way, we have listened to the people,” Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said but highlighted the financial repercussions of annulling RIO’s contract.“We have neither brought Rio Tinto in, nor have we made promises, nor have we done anything that the people did not know about,” Ms Branbic said, citing the government was accepting environmentalists requests.She said President Vucic had highlighted the continuation of the mine would depend on the outcome of environmental studies and a referendum.Protesters have asked policymakers to prohibit lithium extraction by all companies, not just Rio Tinto.Despite political pressure, Rio Tinto ended the day trading up 2.28 per cent at $105.99 apiece.