Mihajlovic: There is No Document Under Which Serbia Would Pay Damages to Rio Tinto

There is no binding document which says that Serbia needs to pay damages to Rio Tinto if that company does not get a permit for the opening of a lithium mine, stated the minister of mining and energy of Serbia, Zorana Mihajlovic.

– The mentioned memorandum is not binding. There is no binding act that would say “if it comes to the point where something is not being done, Serbia has to pay that amount”. There is no such thing – Mihajlovic told the press.

In response to a question by N1, she explained that Rio Tinto had exploratory rights for 17 years, during which they detected jadarite and established the existence of the reserves.

– In line with the law, they have the right to seek exploitation rights, but only if they meet the requirements, which are studies and environmental impact assessments, which are not yet finished – Mihajlovic said.

Commenting on today’s decision on the cancellation of the spatial plan of the city of Loznica, which envisaged the construction of a mine, Mihajlovic said that it meant that the project is being halted.

Ministarstvo rudarstva i energetike Republike Srbije

Rio Tinto Exploration Dunav d.o.o. Beograd

Zorana Mihajlović

jadarite

cancellation of the spatial plan of the city of Loznica

lithium

lithium mine