"Domestic politicians buy EU support through mining to stay in power": Who profits from the mines?

A recent study, "Mining in the Western Balkans: European Values or European Interests?", paints a stark picture of the region's mining sector, revealing a modern form of colonialism where foreign capital and complicit local elites exploit natural resources. The analysis, presented by Branimir Jovanović of the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, indicates that in 2022, mining generated €1.6 billion in revenue, but a staggering €1 billion flowed directly into the pockets of mine owners, primarily foreign investors. Workers received €500 million, while the states themselves were left with less than €100 million – a clear imbalance that questions the purported benefits of these projects.

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Nema nikakve dileme da su prvi koji profitiraju od svega - vlasnici rudnika, to nisu samo Kinezi, Nemci ili jedna zemlja. Ista je situacija u Srbiji, Severnoj Makedoniji, svuda u regionu

Beyond the direct financial drain, the study exposes a deeply troubling political dimension. Jovanović argues that domestic politicians are leveraging mining concessions, particularly for lithium and copper, to secure support from the European Union and international bodies. This transactional relationship, where national resources are bartered for political survival, is termed "self-imposed colonialism." It suggests that the pursuit of EU integration is being undermined by corrupt practices that prioritize short-term political gains over long-term national sovereignty and sustainable development.

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To je politička poruka studije - da domaći političari putem rudarenja kupuju podršku EU i međunarodnog faktora da bi na neki način ostali na vlasti. Kažu - dobićete naše rudnike, bakar, litijum - ako nas podržite da mi ostanemo na vlasti

The case of the Jadar project, involving Rio Tinto, exemplifies this exploitative model. While the company stands to make annual profits of around €550 million after a swift investment recovery, the state and its citizens are set to receive a fraction of the generated wealth. This starkly contrasts with the narrative of economic prosperity often promoted by proponents of such projects. The study's authors contend that the economic discourse surrounding mining is deliberately obscured, masking the reality that these "billions" represent wealth extracted from Serbia, not generated within it. This perspective is crucial for understanding the local sentiment, which views these projects not as opportunities for growth, but as a continuation of historical exploitation, albeit under a new guise of foreign investment and political expediency. The study's findings challenge the very notion of "European values" being applied in the region, suggesting that economic interests, often at the expense of local populations and democratic principles, are the true drivers.

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Mi sami sebe na neki način pretvaramo u kolonije. Kažemo strancima - dođite, investirajte, dobićete sve povlastice, uništavajte nam prirodna bogatstva, ne morate da plaćate radnike ne znam ni ja koliko, ni poreze, samo da bi ostali što je moguće duže na vlasti