The Raw Materials Situation in Neighboring European Countries

Heinrich Böll Foundation

CSOs will continue to point out the active absence of participation of the local self-government during the awarding of the research concession, which is currently contrary to the provisions of the Aarhus Convention (mandatory participation of the public in the procedures and decisions on the environment). [...] The perception of the local population is very negative, and there is a great deal of skepticism toward geological exploration and the intentions of companies and the govern- ment in the exploitation of raw minerals. [...] Mining was the backbone of the wealth as well as the economic, political, and military power of medieval Serbia.[1] After the Middle Ages, mining in the territory of Serbia almost ceased during the Ottoman period, and it was only with the reestablishment of statehood in the 19th and 20th centu- ries that mining in Serbia experienced a revival.[2] The periods of World War I and World War II witness. [...] Finally, according to the spatial plan, mine tailings should have been 14 km away from the shaft/ mine in the area of the municipality of Krupanj, which is next to the Loznica municipality, in a hilly area covered by forest in the suburbs of the village of Štavice. [...] According to the RA Statistical Committee, in terms of employment levels in the 21 sectors of the economy, the mining and quarrying sector ranked 16th in 2020 and 2021.[20] Although the mining sector does not provide high levels of employment or contribute significantly to the country's GDP, it ensures a large share of exports and foreign currency inflows for the country.