Name of the Project
Jadar lithium-borates project.

Location
Near the City of Loznica, western Serbia.

Project Owner/s
Rio Tinto.

Project Description
Jadar is touted to be one of the biggest industrial investments in Serbia.

The project proposes to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate, a critical mineral used in large-scale batteries for electric vehicles, and in storing renewable energy, and will position Rio Tinto as the biggest source of lithium supply in Europe for at least 15 years.

The project is also expected to produce borates, which are used in solar panels and wind turbines. The development is expected to include an underground mine with associated infrastructure and equipment, as well as electric haul trucks and a beneficiation chemical processing plant.

Following ramp-up to full production, the mine would produce about 58 000 t/y of lithium carbonate, 160 000 t/y of boric acid and 255 000 t/y of sodium sulphate, making Rio Tinto one of the top ten lithium producers in the world. Based on this yearly production of lithium carbonate, Rio Tinto aims to produce 2.3-million tonnes of lithium carbonate over the expected 40-year life-of-mine.

Potential Job Creation
The project will create 2 100 jobs during construction, and 1 000 mining and processing jobs once in production.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
$2.4-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
First saleable production is expected in 2027, with full production expected in 2029.

Latest Developments
Environmental activists and opposition groups are set to gather in the centre of Serbia’s capital on August 17 to demand a halt to the Rio Tinto-proposed Jadar mine.

The troubles highlight the challenges to building new mines in Europe, even as governments try to secure supplies of critical minerals, such as lithium, that are crucial for the energy transition. 

For Rio Tinto, the Serbian mine has become a flagship development project as it looks to dilute its dependence on iron-ore.

The project had been halted in 2022 to defuse widespread protests by environmental activists concerned that mining and processing the metal would result in heavy pollution. 

The country’s highest court lifted the ban in July 2024.

Activists have dismissed assurances from government that the mine will adhere to strict environmental standards.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Rio Tinto (Serbia), tel +381 15 872 834.