# Mining projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mining-projects-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina
> Updated: 2026-08-18T06:02:22.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Mining projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina are generating significant environmental and political tension. In the Majevica region, Swiss firm Arcore AG has secured permits for exploratory drilling to extract lithium, magnesium sulfate, and boron. This project, partnered with Canadian-German company Rock Tech Lithium, aims to supply materials for electric vehicle battery production in Germany starting in 2028.

Local residents and the association ‘Čuvari Majevice’ have raised alarms regarding the potential contamination of the Gnjica and Janja rivers. The situation has also taken on a political dimension, with reports suggesting Milorad Dodik may be seeking international support for these projects, including allegedly offering raw material exploitation agreements to secure political backing.

Additional exploration is occurring in other regions, including nickel exploration in Ozren and gold, silver, and copper exploration by the Australian company Lykos Metals in Jezero, which has prompted concerns regarding the Pliva and Vrbas rivers.

## Claims

- Austrian newspaper Standard reports on mining projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina causing citizen concern. (corroborated by 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. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Swiss mining company Arcore AG has received permits for exploratory drilling. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Arcore AG has entered a joint investment agreement with the Canadian-German company Rock Tech Lithium. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The lithium is intended to supply the automotive industry for the production of batteries for approximately 500,000 electric vehicles annually. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Milorad Dodik allegedly offered US President Donald Trump a raw material exploitation agreement modeled after the US-Ukraine deal. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Local residents fear that mining activities could threaten rivers such as the Gnjica and Janja. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- In the Jezero municipality, Australian company Lykos Metals is exploring for gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, and barite. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-18: Mining projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina spark environmental and political concerns

Mining projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly lithium exploration in Majevica by Arcore AG, are facing local opposition due to environmental fears and political tensions involving Milorad Dodik.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mining-projects-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina-spark-environmental-and-political-concerns

### 2026-08-01: Zijin Mining expands Serbian operations amid protests and art colony

Zijin Mining, after buying RTB Bor, expands mines in Bor, Majdanpek, Čukaru Peki and plans a new site near Zaječar despite local protests, while its Serbian subsidiaries host the Ziđin Art 2026 colony in Bor.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zijin-mining-expands-serbian-operations-amid-protests-and-art-colony

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Cite as: Mining projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mining-projects-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina