Rio Tinto is actively seeking regulatory approvals to revive its Jadar lithium project in western Serbia, a venture that could become one of the largest greenfield lithium mines globally. Speaking to SeeNews, Chad Blewitt, Managing Director of the Jadar Project, confirmed that the company is awaiting approval for a revised Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study and other critical permits, including an exploitation field license.
“If we secure all necessary regulatory approvals and public consultations go smoothly, we could begin construction within the next few years,” Blewitt said. The company previously planned to start production in 2027 following the mine’s completion in 2026.
The Serbian environmental protection ministry has yet to comment on the status of the EIA review. Once the scope is approved, Rio Tinto will have one year to complete the updated study.
Discovered in 2004, the Jadar deposit contains jadarite, a unique lithium- and boron-rich mineral. If developed, the mine is expected to produce 58,000 tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate annually over a 40-year lifespan, potentially placing Rio Tinto among the world’s top ten lithium producers.
However, the project has sparked significant backlash. Environmentalists, local residents, and scientists warn that mining in a fertile and densely populated valley could have catastrophic ecological consequences. Activist group Ne Damo Jadar points out that the mine’s projected footprint affects 17 villages, with five located near the planned landfill zone—home to nearly 19,500 people.
Blewitt rejected these criticisms, calling them “reckless” and based on misinformation. “Scientific facts confirmed by independent experts show the project is safe,” he said, emphasizing that the Jadar mine has passed the most rigorous environmental studies ever conducted in Serbia.
The European Commission recently added Jadar to its list of strategic raw materials projects outside the EU, a move Blewitt says proves the project can meet the highest environmental and human rights standards.
Originally estimated at €2.55 billion, the project’s capital cost is now under review to incorporate new technical developments. Economic benefits touted by Rio Tinto include an estimated €695 million annual contribution to Serbia’s GDP and over €180 million in yearly state revenues from taxes and royalties. The operational phase is expected to create 1,300 permanent jobs, with additional economic ripple effects potentially generating over 20,000 new roles in associated sectors like battery and EV production.
Blewitt, who returned to lead the Jadar project in 2023 after advancing Rio Tinto’s operations in Guinea and Mongolia, remains focused on finalizing the EIA and ensuring full regulatory compliance before breaking ground.
