Environmental groups and opposition parties organized a protest against proposals to mine lithium in the western Serbian city of Loznica on Wednesday.

The protest was orchestrated by the SEOS coalition of environmental groups and the Ne Damo Jadar (Won’t Give Up Jadar) environmental organization, which have been speaking out and protesting against the Rio Tinto company’s plans to mine lithium in the rich farmland of the Jadar valley.

It was reported that a crowd of several hundred people participated in the protest, including opposition leaders.

Ne Damo Jadar activist Marijana Petkovic told the protest that roadblocks would be set up in two places as part of anti-lithium mining protests.

According to her, one of the roadblocks will be at the village of Gornje Nedeljice where Rio Tinto has been focused on its geological explorations at 1:30 pm on Saturday, and the second one at the Preljina flyover later, both for an hour.

To date, protests against the lithium mining plans have been staged in over 50 towns and cities throughout Serbia.