Rio Tinto Executive: European Commission Decision Does Not Signal Start of Jadar Project

The European Commission’s decision to classify the Jadar lithium project as a strategic initiative under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) does not mark the beginning of project implementation, nor does it accelerate any procedures governed by Serbian law, stated Emil Atanasovski, Director of Government and Civil Society Engagement at Rio Tinto.

In an interview with Vecernje novosti, Atanasovski emphasized that the EU’s move is “a signal of strategic importance and a vote of confidence in the project’s technical and environmental feasibility.” He added that inclusion on the CRMA list requires a thorough evaluation by independent experts.

- No project that poses a risk to nature, water, soil, or air can receive this designation. The Jadar project underwent all such assessments, based on the most comprehensive scientific studies ever conducted for a mining project in Serbia, Atanasovski stated.

He further commented that the “green transition train”—for which lithium is one of the critical enablers—is rapidly gaining momentum.

- Serbia had the opportunity to become the first country in Europe with a serious lithium production capacity. That train hasn’t left the station yet. But if we don’t board now, we’ll be left behind on the platform of missed opportunities, Atanasovski concluded.

Rio Sava Exploration d.o.o. Beograd

European Commission

Rio Tinto

Emil Atanasovski

Jadar

Critical Raw Materials Act

CRMA

lithium