In the small mountain town of Cinovec on the Czech-German border, plans to mine lithium have divided local residents.
The area around Chinovec, known for its clean air, forests and spa tourism, is reportedly home to one of Europe’s largest lithium deposits, considered a vital resource for the transition to green energy.
Geomet, the company behind the project, says mining will bring jobs and economic growth. But many residents fear it could harm the region’s fragile ecosystem, which is still recovering from decades of coal mining.
They are also concerned about air pollution and the impact on tourism, the region’s main source of income.
Geomet says strict environmental standards will be met, but the debate begs a broader question: Can the green transition be reconciled with local realities?
