Serbia Initiates Public Consultation for New Mining Law to Align with EU Standards

Introduction to the Proposed Legislation

Serbia's Ministry of Mining and Energy has commenced a public consultation process for a preliminary framework of a new law on mining and geological exploration. Launched on October 29, 2025, the consultation period is set to conclude on November 11, 2025, inviting input from citizens and organizations. The primary objective of this legislative initiative is to align Serbia's national mining framework with European Union regulations concerning critical raw materials, sustainable development, and the circular economy.

Harmonization with European Union Directives

The new mining law is designed to achieve harmonization with key EU policies, including the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act and the European Green Deal. This alignment seeks to gradually integrate Serbia's regulatory environment with the EU's goals for sustainable mining, climate neutrality, and a secure supply of minerals. Furthermore, Serbia intends to adopt standardized reporting systems in line with international benchmarks such as the Pan-European Reserves and Resources Reporting Committee (PERC) standards, the UN Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC), and the Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS). The legislation will also incorporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles across all phases of geological exploration and mining.

Objectives and Key Provisions of the New Law

The proposed law aims to establish a modern, transparent, and efficient system for managing mineral and other geological resources, adhering to sustainable development standards. A significant focus is placed on strengthening the state's role as the owner and steward of the country's natural resources. Key provisions include:

• More clearly defined mechanisms to ensure the application of sustainable mining principles and compliance with environmental standards.
• Improved legal frameworks for granting exploration and mining rights, ensuring greater legal certainty and efficient oversight.
• Digitalization and electronic processing in administrative phases through a unified information system, providing public access to data on exploration and mining fields.
• Clear criteria for identifying and protecting strategic mineral deposits, integrating them into spatial and development plans.
• Precise regulation of investors' obligations regarding environmental protection, land reclamation, and site remediation.

Serbia's Role in the Critical Raw Materials Landscape

This legislative push comes amidst Serbia's growing significance in the European critical raw materials strategy. In July 2024, the EU and Serbia signed a Strategic Partnership on sustainable raw materials, battery value chains, and electric vehicles., Earlier in 2025, the European Commission included a lithium mining project in Serbia, specifically Rio Tinto's Jadar project, among the EU's strategic projects for critical raw materials.,, Serbia possesses significant deposits of lithium, a critical raw material essential for battery production., While these developments underscore Serbia's potential to contribute to Europe's mineral supply security, projects like Jadar have also faced considerable public debate and protests due to environmental concerns.,,,,