Statement about the documentary “Not In My Country: Serbia’s Lithium Dilemma”

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On 5 February 2025 the avant-première of the new documentary film “Not in My Country” will take place in the European Parliament in an exclusive event (on invitation only). This eye-opening film delves into the heart of the massive protests in Serbia over the proposed opening of Europe’s largest lithium mine in the Jadar Valley. The documentary explores the tension between environmental preservation and the drive for a climate-neutral future powered by lithium-ion batteries for clean mobility and energy (storage). It also examines the geopolitical complexities surrounding Serbia’s aspirations for EU membership and allegations of political interference. After the showing of the film, the event will feature an interview with the film’s presenter and a high-level debate with proponents and opponents of the project. In response to a series of inquiries and hostile social media messages regarding the origin, scope, and nature of the upcoming documentary “Not In My Country,” which will be launched in the European Parliament on February 5, SIM² KU Leuven hereby provides the following statement.


The documentary “Not In My Country” is co-developed and fully financed by the University of Leuven (KU Leuven) in Belgium, specifically through SIM² KU Leuven, the KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals. This interdisciplinary institute unites over 400 highly educated scientists from various fields, incl. geology, chemistry, engineering, law & economics. Recognizing their pivotal role in achieving a climate_neutral society, SIM² is dedicated to advancing the sustainable production and recycling of critical metals and minerals through (i) research, (ii) education & (iii) wider-society learning. SIM²’s responsibilities include the development of science communication documentaries, for which it has been formally endorsed and commended by an International Panel that evaluated SIM²’s first 4 years of activities (cf. https://lnkd.in/envc7UJi)

The “Not In My Country” documentary film is a spin-off of a 2nd documentary, “Europe’s Lithium Paradox,” which will be launched in May 2025. This documentary addresses the opportunities and challenges of mining, refining, and recycling Li in Europe, in line with the targets set forth in the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act. This film also explores how demand-side management can help in limiting primary Li demand. “Europe’s Lithium Paradox” will feature additional footage from Portugal, Finland, and Belgium. Funding for this film comes from Horizon Europe project funding, partially supplemented by internal KU Leuven funding and crowdfunding. The film is a formal deliverable in the WP “Communication and Dissemination” of the HE LITHOS project.

For both documentary films, SIM² leverages its internationally recognized expertise in lithium exploration, extraction, processing, refining & recycling. SIM² has been and continues to be involved in numerous fundamental science, strategic basic science and applied research projects at KU Leuven, as well as Flemish, European, and bilateral projects. SIM² targets all possible primary and secondary lithium sources, incl. lithium hard-rock ores, (salt lake and geothermal) lithium brines, lithium-clay deposits, and EoL lithium-ion batteries and derived black mass.

SIM² has no financial interest in publishing these documentaries. It will not receive royalties or commercial income from the airing of these films on tv stations, streaming platforms, or social media channels. The production of these films is solely part of SIM²’s commitment to “wider-society learning.”

Peter Tom Jones, Director SIM², 26 Jan' 2025

(This statement was also published as a LinkedIn post on 26 January 2025)

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