Navigating Sustainability in Lithium Extraction: Local Perceptions of Environmental and Economic Impacts in the Cínovec Region, Czech Republic

Driven by the accelerating global demand for lithium as a strategic raw material for renewable energy storage systems and electric mobility, extensive extraction projects have been proposed across Europe.Among the most prominent is the development of lithium reserves in the C novec region of the Czech Republic.This study investigates how local actors perceive the anticipated environmental, economic, and social impacts of lithium mining in the region, and whether current regulatory and governance frameworks are perceived as sufficient to ensure sustainable mining practices.A mixed-methods approach has been employed, combining qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with policymakers, municipal leaders, mining license holders, and regional stakeholders, with quantitative analysis of public opinion data obtained through a survey of 256 residents, along with the systematic review of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), policy documents, and socio-economic datasets.The findings reveal a prevailing skepticism among local stakeholders regarding the project, with strong opposition rooted in concerns over environmental degradation-including risks to water quality, biodiversity, and landscape integrity.While economic benefits such as job creation and regional investment are acknowledged, doubts have been expressed about the equitable distribution of these benefits and the transparency of decisionmaking processes.A lack of effective public engagement and communication has been identified as a key factor exacerbating community distrust.Moreover, regulatory instruments have been perceived as fragmented and insufficiently enforced, raising questions about institutional readiness for sustainable resource governance.It is concluded that without substantial reforms to enhance procedural transparency, participatory governance, and environmental oversight, social acceptance of the project is unlikely to be secured.These results underscore the importance of aligning resource extraction initiatives with local socio-environmental contexts and of embedding sustainability principles within all phases of project development.The study contributes to current debates on critical raw material governance in the European Union and offers policy-relevant recommendations for designing inclusive, transparent, and environmentally responsible mining strategies that are sensitive to community resilience and long-term regional sustainability.