Minister Says Without Critical Minerals Green Transition Is Impossible

Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)

Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said at the opening of the third international conference of ecological and business leaders called Look Up in Belgrade on Nov. 28 that without critical minerals the green transition was impossible.

Djedovic Handanovic stressed that critical raw minerals in the 21st century determined participation in technological advancement, the development of artificial intelligence and above all secured sufficient quantities of energy, which was a strategic question. She added that investing in critical raw minerals would change Serbia's geostrategy in a major way which would create a large number of jobs and open the door to economic development.

The minister stressed that Serbia was rich in copper and lithium, as well as that Serbia was the second biggest producer of copper in Europe, owing to investments and partnerships with Chinese companies. "Serbia has 158 tons of confirmed lithium reserves, which enables the production of 58,000 tons of lithium carbonate a year, enough for one million electric vehicles a year, and which meets 17 percent of European demand," she said.