Ministry Issues Location Requirements to Rio Tinto for Construction of Jadarite Processing Facility

The minister of construction, transport and infrastructure of Serbia, Tomislav Momirovic, confirmed that the ministry had issued location requirements to the company Rio Tinto for the preparation of a facility where the jadarite ore is to be processed, but said that it was the pre-condition for the preparation of the Environmental Impact Study.

– The location requirements are the pre-condition for the Environmental Impact Study to be prepared. We cannot make decisions and we cannot present data on the impact of the project on the environment to the citizens without that study. Very quickly, people will be able to see what the project entails in the sense of a negative environmental impact – Momirovic told the press.

He emphasized that the state “is not sweeping anything under the rug or hiding anything from its citizens”.

– We are facing the obligation that was taken on a long time ago and we are trying to have everything transparent. When the study is prepared, we will present it and people will be able to make an adequate decision – the minister said.

Momirovic also said that the bypass route around Loznica had nothing to do with Rio Tinto, although the director of the PE Roads of Serbia transferred the authorization to that company to obtain the documentation for the preparation of road infrastructure in the Loznica area, where the opening of a lithium mine is planned.

When asked by the press who authorized the director of the PE Roads of Serbia to transfer the authorization to a foreign private company for such activities, Momirovic responded by saying “why should anyone have to authorize him?”.

– That is purposeful from the angle of the PE Roads of Serbia. He didn’t take on the obligations. One company took over the financial obligation to do the project. I don’t know what he has done to damage the Roads of Serbia. On the contrary, he has done something that has saved money – the minister said.

He pointed out that everybody knew why it was done.

– Let’s not pretend we don’t know what this is about. We know why Rio Tinto did it. Primarily, it is because they believe that they could potentially benefit from it in the future. Secondly, it aims to improve the reputation that the company has in this country, but also in some other countries – Momirovic said.

He pointed out that Loznica, but also some other cities in Serbia, need bypass routes, which are important for the development of the economy, but also for the reduction of air pollution.

Ministarstvo građevinarstva, saobraćaja i infrastrukture Republike Srbije

Rio Sava Exploration d.o.o. Beograd

Rio Tinto Exploration Dunav d.o.o. Beograd

JP Putevi Srbije Beograd

Tomislav Momirović

location requirements

jadarite

jadarite processing

Environmental Impact Study

bypass route around Loznica

lithium

lithium mine