Rio Tinto today voluntarily released the preliminary drafts of the Jadar Project Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies to allow the public to assess the potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures.
The EIAs are based on studies conducted by more than 100 local and international independent experts, including 40 university professors from more than 10 faculties.
The scientific research shows that the Jadar Project can be developed safely while adhering to the highest domestic and international environmental protection standards.
The draft EIA studies released today are the result of a total six and a half years of work. Work on the studies began by gathering baseline data, followed by conducting more than 23,000 biological, physical, and chemical analyses of soil, water, air, and noise. The draft studies are comprehensive and based on extensive data that enable accurate conclusions on potential environmental impacts and corresponding protection measures. Releasing the 2,000-page draft studies accompanied by explanatory materials is not the start of the formal EIA review process required under Serbian law.
Marijanti Babić, Rio Tinto country head Serbia, stated, “The release of the draft EIA studies encourages an informed public dialogue about the Jadar Project, vs a politicized debate based on misinformation and fake news. We are giving the local community and all stakeholders the opportunity to see for themselves the work that has been done to date.”
Ms. Babić emphasized that “The three draft studies are interrelated and interdependent. They are designed to be reviewed and assessed as integrated parts of a broader assessment, not as stand-alone independent documents. Their totality identifies possible environmental impacts and proposes corresponding protection measures.”
Professor Aleksandar Jovović from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and the leader of two of the studies, pointed out that “The draft EIA studies for the Jadar Project are the most comprehensive studies of their kind to ever be conducted in Serbia. Through numerous models, calculations, and analysis, the studies analyze—in detail—the baseline data of the environment and evaluate technical solutions and their impact on the environment and people’s health. Based on this, all known potential risks were identified in the studies, and appropriate mitigation measures were proposed, demonstrating that the project can be implemented responsibly and safely. The involvement of NGOs, university institutions, academics, project design companies and stakeholders, in future public hearings about the studies will support developing a high-quality project.”
The Jadar draft EIA studies, comprised of three distinct, interrelated and interdependent EIAs cover:
- The underground mine
- A surface processing plant
- An industrial waste landfill
Together, they provide an objective and independent analysis of the potential environmental impacts, and how related risks will be mitigated. EIAs are designed to first establish baseline data; then identify risks that could cause potential harmful consequences on air, land and soil, water, biodiversity, waste management, cultural heritage, and community livelihoods; and then detail the actions the company will take to prevent and manage those risks and compensate consequences when required.
Mining projects—similar to road construction, power plant and infrastructure projects—are prohibited to start any works until there is formal EIA approval by responsible Serbian government institutions. This requires public consultation and reviews by independent experts.
The Jadar Project has been subjected to an extensive disinformation campaign that has used defamatory fake news to baselessly claim that Rio Tinto and the Jadar Project will have destructive, negative impacts on the environment and people’s health. Reckless and repeated accusations lacking any supporting evidence have caused unjustifiable concern and intentionally misled the Serbian public. Scientific facts, confirmed by independent experts and outlined in the draft EIA studies, comprehensively debunk such false claims.
About the Jadar Project
The Jadar deposit is a world-class resource that could potentially provide the foundation of a new electric vehicle supply chain in Serbia. In full production, Jadar would produce approximately 58,000 tons of lithium carbonate, 160,000 tons of boric acid, and 255,000 tons of sodium sulfate annually. The project could supply enough lithium to power over one million electric vehicles per year. In January 2022, the Government of Serbia revoked the licences related to the proposed lithium-borates underground mining project.
About Rio Tinto Group
Rio Tinto Group operates in 35 countries where our 57,000 employees are working to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs. Our portfolio includes iron ore, copper, aluminum, and a range of other minerals and materials needed for people, communities, and nations to grow and prosper, and for the world to cut carbon emissions to net zero. We continuously search for new projects that can support the energy transition, currently exploring for eight commodities in 18 countries. We have more than 150 years of mining and processing experience guiding our work. Today, our business relies on technology such as automation and artificial intelligence to help us run safer, more efficient operations and leave a lighter footprint.
About Rio Sava Exploration d.o.o.
In 2001, the Rio Tinto Group established the company Rio Sava Exploration d.o.o., a subsidiary company founded and incorporated in Serbia to conduct geological exploration activities. In December 2004, a new mineral, rich in lithium and boron, was found in the Jadar River Valley near Loznica, in Western Serbia. The discovery of this unique mineral is credited to a team of domestic and foreign geologists, which in 2006 led to the registration of a completely new mineral called jadarite, which was named after the valley of the river in which it was found. Currently, Serbia is the only place in the world where jadarite has been found, since its discovery until now.
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