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Mining in the Western Balkans – The Rise of Dangerous Transactionalism

BiEPAG Policy Brief by Vedran Džihić
11 March 2025

Abstract:

Against the background of highly dynamic and evolving critical raw materials and mining debates in the Western Balkans, there is a need for more facts, figures, insights and analysis of the issue. This is why the following policy brief maps significant aspects and dilemmas of mining projects in the Western Balkans. It offers insights into the current dynamics and provides context to mining in the Western Balkans today, focusing on major contradictions behind the critical raw materials and mining debates. The paper offers several preliminary conclusions and some food for thought for further studies and critical engagement around the topic of mining in the region.