Mining projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina spark environmental and political concerns

lithium mining Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik Arcore AG environmental concerns

The Austrian newspaper Standard reports on a series of mining projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina that are causing significant environmental concern among local citizens. Key areas of interest include Majevica, Ozren, Jezero, and Vareš, where international companies are exploring or exploiting mineral resources.

In the Majevica region, Swiss mining firm Arcore AG has received permits for exploratory drilling. The site is estimated to contain 1.5 million tons of lithium carbonate, 94 million tons of magnesium sulfate, and 17 million tons of boron. Arcore AG has partnered with the Canadian-German company Rock Tech Lithium to supply lithium for a processing plant in Germany, intended to support the production of approximately 500,000 electric vehicle batteries annually. Extraction is planned to begin in 2028.

Local residents and the association ‘Čuvari Majevice’ have expressed fears that mining could contaminate the Gnjica and Janja rivers. The situation also carries political weight; reports suggest Milorad Dodik is seeking international support for these projects. It is alleged that Dodik offered US President Donald Trump a raw material exploitation agreement similar to the US-Ukraine model to secure political backing.

Other regional projects include nickel exploration in Ozren and gold, silver, and copper exploration in Jezero by the Australian company Lykos Metals, which has also raised concerns regarding the Pliva and Vrbas rivers.

Entities

Arcore AG · Majevica · Milorad Dodik · Rock Tech Lithium · Standard

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The lithium is intended to supply the automotive industry for the production of batteries for approximately 500,000 electric vehicles annually. www.oslobodjenje.ba · www.072info.com · www.danas.rs
[● 3 SOURCES] Austrian newspaper Standard reports on mining projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina causing citizen concern. www.oslobodjenje.ba · www.072info.com · www.danas.rs
[● 3 SOURCES] Local residents fear that mining activities could threaten rivers such as the Gnjica and Janja. www.oslobodjenje.ba · www.072info.com · www.danas.rs
[● 3 SOURCES] Arcore AG has entered a joint investment agreement with the Canadian-German company Rock Tech Lithium. www.oslobodjenje.ba · www.072info.com · www.danas.rs
[● 3 SOURCES] Milorad Dodik allegedly offered US President Donald Trump a raw material exploitation agreement modeled after the US-Ukraine deal. www.oslobodjenje.ba · www.072info.com · www.danas.rs
[○ 1 SOURCE] In the Jezero municipality, Australian company Lykos Metals is exploring for gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, and barite. www.072info.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Swiss mining company Arcore AG has received permits for exploratory drilling. www.oslobodjenje.ba · www.072info.com · www.danas.rs
[● 3 SOURCES] Estimates suggest Majevica contains approximately 1.5 million tons of lithium carbonate, 94 million tons of magnesium sulfate, and 17 million tons of boron. www.oslobodjenje.ba · www.072info.com · www.danas.rs

Sources

Austrijski list: Dodik promiče rudarske projekte koji zabrinjavaju građane BiH [www.oslobodjenje.ba]

9 days ago

Austrijski list o "rudarskoj groznici" u BiH i faktoru "Dodik": Građani strahuju [www.072info.com]

9 days ago

Austrijski Standard o litijumu u BiH i faktoru „Dodik“: Hoće li kopati? [www.danas.rs]

9 days ago