Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in the town of Mali Zvornik in western Serbia that no decisions will be made about lithium exploitation in the Jadar Valley until all local residents are “convinced for themselves” that the environment will remain “healthy and clean.”
Speaking with the locals, the president said no action will be taken until everyone is assured “that life can continue normally.”
“Firstly, no one will do anything, and nothing will happen until we carefully weigh all aspects,” said Vucic, adding that profit has never been, and will never be, more important than health.
The president offered Sanja Sakan, a scientific advisor who had criticized the lithium mining project, a leadership position in one of the government teams addressing issues related to lithium. Sakan, who works at the Center of Excellence for Chemistry and Environmental Engineering at the Institute of Chemistry, Technology, and Metallurgy, said she spoke out at a protest against the planned lithium mining.
Vucic acknowledged her protest but said it was her responsibility to contribute to state efforts.
“We are ready to appoint you to lead an expert team, specifically one focused on soil contamination, where you have made significant contributions through your research. You will not be outvoted at any time,” he said.
He added that he trusts her more than Rio Tinto representatives, and that they will work together to investigate and scrutinize the company and “make them sweat.”
Commenting on the lithium mine, Vucic noted that Serbia is facing “a situation that is always the easiest to describe as mass fear,” and added that he will refrain from using the term “mass psychosis.”
“I am fighting for this country and believe I have slightly more information than anyone else in this country. I have access to all reports, and making a decision is not easy. We will continue discussing this for many more months before making any decisions,” Vucic said.
Regarding the Ministry of Health expert team that is to assess the impact of lithium mining on human health, the president said that if the team finds any potential threat to public health, “there will be no mining whatsoever.”
People’s health is of paramount importance, he said. “No one will do absolutely anything until you see everything and know everything,“ Vucic told the people in Mali Zvornik.
He invited opposition leaders and environmental groups to meet with him either in the Parliament or at his office to discuss lithium mining. The problem is that no one wants to talk, instead they exploit public fear, said Vucic.