The Austrian newspaper Standard writes that people in the villages near Majevica have been afraid for several years that foreign companies could mine lithium and others raw materials, especially since test drilling has already been done.
It is estimated, the newspaper writes, that under Majevica there are 1,5 million tons of lithium carbonate, 94 million tons of magnesium sulfate and 17 million tons of boron.
The Standard reminds that the Swiss mining company Arcore (Arcore AG) received a permit for exploratory drilling, writes DW.
"However, the resistance of the population and local politicians is growing," writes the Standard and reminds that in 2023 the association "Guardians of Majevica" was founded, "because the mine is located near Lopar, a town with about 3.000 inhabitants. There is also concern that the rivers Gnjica and Janja could be polluted."
"According to the plans, mining should begin in 2028. Arcore and the Canadian-German company Rock Tech Lithium (Rock Tech Lithium) entered into a joint venture agreement last year. Arcor will supply lithium to the Rock Tech company's processing plant in Guben, Germany, near Berlin. The German automotive industry should be supplied with lithium for 500.000 electric vehicles a year," writes the Standard.
The Dodik Factor
"The planned mine on Majevica also has a political component. Because the most powerful man in the Republika Srpska entity, the head of the SNSD Milorad Dodik, hopes for international political support for this project," writes the Standard.
The newspaper reminds that Dodik is on the sanctions list of Germany, Great Britain, Austria, Lithuania, Poland and Slovenia, as well as that until recently he was under US sanctions, but those sanctions were lifted on the basis of an "agreement with US President Donald Trump".
The paper claims that Dodik, among other things, "offered Trump an agreement on the exploitation of mineral resources along the lines of Ukraine, which meant access to key raw materials in exchange for support."
The text further states that Majevica is not the only mountain that international companies are eyeing in order to exploit raw materials.
"In Ozren, for example, the problem is the nickel deposits. But here, too, local initiatives joined together against it," the Standard states.
"Whether any of the projects will be implemented depends on one key condition: the clarification of the issue of state property," writes the Standard, adding to this problem in BiH: "Those forces that want to weaken or destroy the state want the state property to belong to two constituent entities, while others want it to belong to the entire state. As long as this issue remains unresolved, no mining permits can be issued," summarizes the Standard.
Speculation about pressure on High Representative
The text then claims the following: "The American government under the leadership of Donald Trump wants to clarify the issue of state ownership as soon as possible. Because American companies want to build a gas pipeline and three gas power plants in order to make Bosnia and Herzegovina dependent on American LNG."
It is then speculated that "therefore, it is not excluded that the pressure on Kriลกok (acting high representative in BiH - editor's note) will at some point become so strong that he will use his powers in Bonn in order to "clarify" the issue of state property without a democratic decision in the parliament. The EU, which opposes the US plans for the gas pipeline because they contradict the energy transition, seems relatively powerless in this situation."
"American plans for gas are directly linked to the interests of European and international companies in raw materials. Denis ลฝiลกko, an energy expert at the Aarhus Center, says: 'Most potential mining areas with raw materials are located on state territory. If state property is allocated to entities, we fear that areas with potential mining projects will also be sold off,'" writes the Standard.
"Out of resistance to the exploitation of raw materials and fear of environmental pollution, a network of political movements has now emerged across the country. It is driven by a deep distrust of the administration and political elites. People believe that corrupt politicians are always ready to change laws in order to enrich themselves and that environmental standards are not respected because the authorities responsible for them are imbued with political interests. And they are probably not far from the truth," the text reads.
The newspaper then cites the example of the municipality of Jezero, not far from the source of the Pliva river, stating that "the fear is especially great" here.
"The Australian company Laikos Metals (or Yugo Metals) is looking for gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc and barite between deep green mountains and springs of ice water. At the beginning of exploration drilling, people were promised prosperity, but then the riverbed turned gray. Now many are worried that their rivers, Pliva and Vrbas, which supply the region with drinking water, could be polluted," writes the Standard.
The text goes on to talk about the example of Vareลก, "where the Canadian company Dundis Precious Metals has been mining metals since 2023": "The land on which the mine near Vareลก is located is also mostly state-owned. The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina still issued permits. However, the necessary permits for deforestation were missing," writes the Standard.
Potential health risks
However, according to the paper, this is now the least of the problems.
"Elevated concentrations of lead in the blood of workers and residents have been detected several times. Currently, it is not possible to determine whether the lead originates from a new mine or is a consequence of decades of mining activity. Elevated concentrations of lead can damage the nervous system and the brain. And in Vareลก, lead, zinc and silver are being mined," the newspaper writes.
"Apart from the potential health risks, local communities benefit little from the mine: they receive only two euros per ton of ore mined. However, the mine is supported by foreign diplomats in the country. Many residents of Varese are also happy that there are jobs and development here again," the paper says, noting that environmental organizations and local residents demand that Dundee Precious Metals and the government ensure respect for human health and the environment.
"Will the pressure of civil society be enough? It will be a precedent for compliance with the law and environmental standards in other mining projects," concludes the text.
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