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Serbia's parliament speaker seeks argument over Rio Tinto's lithium task

Serbia's parliament speaker and former prime minister Ana Brnabic on Monday sought a. debate and approval in the assembly for a contested Rio Tinto. lithium task in the Balkan nation.

Regarded as a critical material by the EU and the United. States, lithium is utilized in batteries for EVs and mobile phones.

In 2022, the Serbian government withdrawed licences for Rio's. $ 2.4 billion Jadar lithium job near the western town of. Loznica after massive ecological demonstrations.

Brnabic, also a ranking authorities of the ruling Serbian. Progressive Celebration (SNS) devoted to President Aleksandar Vucic,. said the Jadar job requires responsible and serious. parliamentary argument.

We will safeguard the interests of Serbia in every method, both. economic and in terms of wealth and higher salaries, pensions and. whatever that the task can bring to Serbia, she stated in a. Television broadcast.

Brnabic did not state when the 250-seat Serbian parliament in. which the SNS-led coalition has a majority of 183 deputies,. could start the argument.

Her remarks came a day after Vucic told the Financial Times. that Belgrade is preparing to offer Rio Tinto the thumbs-up to. develop Europe's biggest lithium mine.

If completed, the Jadar project might provide 90% of Europe's. existing lithium needs and help to make the company a leading. lithium manufacturer.

Last week Rio released ecological research studies which showed. that its Serbia lithium task would be safe for the. environment.

In 2021 and 2022 Serbian ecologists gathered 30,000. signatures in a petition requiring that parliament enact. legislation to halt lithium expedition in the nation.

Radomir Lazovic, a leader of the opposition Green-Left. Front, said his party would oppose Rio's task in the. parliament and through demonstrations.

We are ready to eliminate this concept through actions, protests,. all legal opportunities and by seeking global assistance, Lazovic. told .

(source: Reuters)