Rio Tinto wants to process lithium in Loznica

Rio Tinto, a mining company that explores the Loznica area for Jadarit deposits, is interested in opening a mine and processing lithium in the location of former factory Viskoza, it was said at a meeting between Loznica Mayor Vidoje Petrovic and Rio Tinto Serbia Director Richard Story.

- It is hard to specify when the mine could be opened, but it is true that we are interested in the area currently occupied by Viskoza as we could use it to build processing plants on it - said Story.

- Viskoza is one of the locations we are interested in, which is why we need to collect all data in order to be sure that that land completely matches our needs - the director of Rio Tinto pointed out.

Rio Tinto is still in the phase of exploring Jadarit deposits, he said and voiced his expectation that the current phase would be followed by the mine opening, underlining that we first must be sure that the project was sustainable in all aspects - that it was socially acceptable, environmentally safe, and cost-efficient.

However, Story stressed that we cannot expect a large number of workers to get a job at that mine because it would be using high technologies.

The mayor of Loznica confirmed that the cooperation with the representatives of that mining company was excellent and that he was fully supportive of their operations because that significant project would greatly affect economic conditions in Loznica.